It was a box of⦠emergency contraception.
He studied it silently.
Elissa, noticing his gaze, bit her lip.
âYou didnât use a condom⦠We havenât tied the knot yet, so pregnancy would not be ideal for now.
â
Without a word, Raphael picked up the box and inspected it closer.
It was opened and a tablet had been missingâ¦
A cup of water nearby suggested sheâd already taken the pill.
He asked casually, âIs it really that youâre worried about the pregnancy would affect the approaching wedding? Or you just donât want a child for now?â
.
.
Library
Elissa paled at the question.
After a long pause, she decided to be honest with him.
Instead of probing him, she asked, âYou have a child with her, donât you?â
Raphael was taken aback, his expression shifting.
Her question had dredged up painful memories, the ones where he had lost Olivia and his mother due to his own mistakesâ¦
Elissa, however, remained composed.
With a subtle smile, she pressed on.
âPeople talked but I never believed them until now.
Seeing you shake hands with Dylan⦠Raphael, youâre not the warm, easy persona that you pretend to be.
You reconciled with him for the sake of the little girl⦠Oliviaâs daughter is also your daughter, right?â
There was only silence from Raphael.
Elissaâs face drained of color.
âIf youâve figured it out, why did you still sleep with me?â Raphael whispered, his touch gentle on her face.
Elissaâs tear-streaked face revealed her recent weepingâ¦
Being astute, Raphael understood Elissaâs distress.
There was only one reason for it-she was deeply in love with him.
Elissaâs heart felt heavy with sorrow.
But she couldnât spill the beans about her heartache.
She had to swallow it down, every bitter drop.
Before the engagement, whispers about Raphael and Olivia had reached her and her familyâs ears.
Her family had urged her to think it over.
Yet, she was head over heels for Raphael and she was dead set on tying the knot with him.