Feeling upset, she opted not to go downstairs for dinner.
Instead, she requested that the meal be brought to her room.
Raphael extinguished his cigarette and joined her for dinner.
It was their wedding night, yet they ate in silence.
After dinner, they went to bed.
Lying side by side, neither offered any tender words that a couple might typically share.
Raphael lay on the bed.
He couldnât fall asleep and tossed and turned on the bed.
In the dark, Elissa said, âTomorrow, Iâll assist with the PR crisis.
Please just go to sleep.
Your constant moving is keeping me awake.
â
Raphael glanced over at her.
Her back was turned to him, signaling she was done talking.
He stared at her for a while, sensing their relationship had grown cold.
Eventually, he sat up and said, âIâll sleep in the guest room.
â
Without flickering the lights on, he exited their bedroom silently, leaving her behind in the darkness.
Despite the early summer warmth, a coldness settled between them, marking the space their closeness once filled.
The next morning, Raphael woke up.
He propped himself against the headboard, his bathrobe loosely draped, adding a casual air to his demeanor.
Frustrated, he smoked a cigarette, and then returned to the main bedroom to get ready and change.
But as he opened the door, he heard Elissa on the phone.
It was likely her father on the other end, his voice loud and clear.
âYou need to demand an explanation from Raphael! Have you lost your senses? Youâre married to him, and pregnant with his child! Donât even consider divorce.
Focus on winning back your husbandâs affection! Make him end it with that other woman.
This isnât just about you.
Heâs embarrassing our entire family.
â
Elissa listened in silence.
Raphael quietly closed the door.
She looked up at him with eyes full of desperation and disappointment.
Trapped by her selfish parents, she felt deprived of the freedom to make her own life choices.
Raphael watched her for a moment.
He approached, gently took the phone from her, and said respectfully to her father, âDad, Iâm sorry.
Iâll take care of it.
Yes, Elissa is more composed now.
Weâll sort things out.
And about that favor you mentioned before, Iâll resolve it quickly.
You wonât have to wait long.
â
Yousef Palmer said a few words in response.
Then Raphael ended the call.