Rafael finished his glass of milk and set it down in front of Belle.
Belle picked up the glass and said, âRest now.â âOkay.â
Feeling satisfied, Rafael went off to sleep.
After turning off the lights, Belle left the room with a serious look.
She hadnât gone far when she heard some noises of struggle coming from inside.
Quickly, she pulled Liza towards Rafaelâs door. âLiza, help me.â
âMom, whatâs going on?â
With tears in her eyes and clutching her chest, Belle said, âLiza, Iâm truly out of options. Iâm so sorry! This is the only way to drive Joelle away and keep you with me forever!â
Liza became alarmed. âMom, what are you doing?â
Belle grabbed her hand and whispered, âI put something in Rafaelâs milk. I need you to go inside andâ¦â
Lizaâs eyes widened in disbelief. âMom, have you lost your mind? Heâs my brother!â
âHeâs not your blood relative!â Belle insisted, tightening her grip on Lizaâs wrist. âLiza, Rafael is a good man, and he listens to you. Trusting your happiness with him wonât be a mistake.â
gαâηÏνððsâ¤com hosts captivating tales Liza remained silent.
She clearly struggled to come to terms with her motherâs plan.
Then Humphrey appeared, walking down the staircase. âLiza, your mother and I have considered this carefully. Your first marriage was a sacrifice for us; itâs time we repaid you.â
âDad!â
âLiza!â Belle held her hands firmly. âJust help us this one last time! Itâs for the best for you and Rafael!â With that, Belle opened the door.
Liza peered inside tentatively. Rafael was twisting in pain in bed.
With a deep breath and a gentle push from Belle, Liza entered the room.
âLiza, youâre the only one who can help Rafael now!â Then Belle shut the door behind her.
No one else was in the room.
Once alone, Lizaâs expression changed as she began to smile subtly, approaching the bed.
Rafael was in dire need of water, yet his glass was empty.
His body was burning up.
Liza gently placed her hand on his chest. âRafael?â
Rafael was in such agony he could hardly open his eyes. âHotâ¦â
âAre you hurting?â Liza murmured into his ear. âDo you need my help?â
Rafael, gaining a moment of clarity, instinctively pushed Liza away.
âWho are you?â He was drenched in sweat.
Cradling Rafaelâs feverish hand against her chest, Liza whispered, âRafael, itâs me, Joelle.â
âJoelle?â
âYes.â
Rafaelâs eyes flickered open, and he saw Joelle before him. He kissed her, calling out Joelleâs name fervently all night.
Afterward, Liza left Rafaelâs room with tear-filled eyes and fastened her clothes.
Belle and Humphrey couldnât resist asking, âHow did it go?â
âDad, Mom, Rafael will be furious with us when he wakes up.â
Belle was determined. âHe wonât find out. Iâll ensure it until everything is sorted between you two.â
The following day, Rafael woke up feeling like he had spent hours in a hot spring.
He was neatly dressed, and the room was tidy. Had the passionate events of last night been merely a dream?
Belle came in with breakfast. âRafael.â
âMom, did someone come into my room last night?â
âNo. Were you dreaming? Come eat; I still need to apologize to Joelle.â
âOkay.â
Rafael rose from his bed without doubts and returned to living with Joelle. Belle and Joelle acted as if nothing unusual had occurred.
After Belle left, Rafael embraced Joelle with relief.
âI promised Mom Iâd visit more often.â
âOkay,â Joelle responded warmly. âTheyâre still your family, after all.â
A few days later, Joelle and Rafael took their kids to a movie and unexpectedly bumped into someone.
Katie, walking arm in arm with Tristan, was surprised to see Joelle, and even more so to see the two children with her.
âThis girl belongs to my cousin, and this little boy isâ¦â Katieâs words seemed calculated, especially in front of the children. Joelle was annoyed.
âThese two children are both mine and Rafaelâs. Please remember that and choose your words carefully, or Iâll have to be less gracious.â
Katie was taken aback.
The girl looked unmistakably like Adrian.
And upon taking a closer look at the boy, she suddenly stopped short.
âWait! Joelle, are you saying this boy is yours and Rafaelâs?â
Joelle, her face void of emotion, affirmed, âYes. Is there an issue?â
âAre you sure?â Katie appeared completely astonished. Joelle kept her composure. âHeâs my child; of course, Iâm sure.â
After they walked away, Tristan expressed his bafflement. âWhat was that about? Was there something unusual about the boy?â
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