Chapter 59 – Don’t say that

Book:The Rejected Ex-Wife Published:2024-12-11

Rafael woke with a light stomach ache.
He turned his head and came face to face with a mop of black hair. His instinct moved him to touch it and June jolted awake. Hitting his nose in the process.
“Ow!” He couldn’t help the sound that escaped his throat when her head crunched his nose.
June was suddenly widely awake and remorseful when she saw blood dripping from his nose. “I am so sorry!” She stood up, looking around the room for some tissues.
“Darn it!” She cussed when she couldn’t find anything in the drawers, “Give me a minute.”
Rafael watched her with curiosity as she entered the bathroom and came out a minute later holding a box of tissues. She sat beside him, wiping his nose and burying the blood with tissues.
Rafael watched her with fond looks, letting her do her thing. Soon enough, June disposed of the tissues and returned to the room. With one look around the place, June decided the room needed some deep cleaning.
June began her job, picking up some discarded clothes from the floor and overly aware that her husband was looking right at her. She decided not to let that bother her and continued until she got to the side of the bed.
A strangled sound left her lips when Rafael suddenly held her by the wrist and dragged her to bed with him. They stared at each other for a few seconds, hearts beating as they waited for who would make the first move.
When Rafael closed in on her, June let her eyes flicker close as she leaned into the kiss. The kiss started slow but grew passionate as the time flickered by. Soon enough, the clothes were discarded and they shared a passionate session of lovemaking.
Every kiss from Rafael enclosed a message of appreciation, love and apology. All of which June was happy to take as she reciprocated with as much passion and devotion.
After the exercise, the couple lay on their backs, not moving to get dressed or sharing a word. The atmosphere clenched with tension and unsaid words. Rafael broke the silence.
“It was her birthday.”
June turned to face him, signalling he had her full attention.
“It was my ex-wife’s birthday.”
At the mention of Luis’s mom, June froze. She knew that Rafael had lost his wife to the cold arms of death. That bit was revealed to her by her mother-in-law in passing. But she never thought he was still so affected by it.
“Cara died while giving birth to Luis. She had an operation and couldn’t stop bleeding.” Rafael’s voice broke as he said, “I should have been there. I should have been by her side but I was at work.”
“If I had been there… then maybe, she wouldn’t have died. Maybe Luis wouldn’t have to spend his birthday knowing it was her death day.” A roll of tears escaped his eyes. “We argued. I was too angry, I let her sleep alone in this room for three nights.”
“I wasted our last days together and buried myself in anger and work until she died giving birth to our baby.”
June wrapped her hands around Rafael. Tightening her hold when he wept like a baby in her arms. There were no words that could heal such a wound. She could only offer her support and treasure the fact he was vulnerable enough to tell her.
To let her in.
Rafael remained in June’s arms until he was calmer. His hold tightened around her waist and she snuggled closer to him until some knocks came from the door.
“Auntie! Father! Breakfast is ready!” Luis shouted from behind the door.
The couple stared at each other with widened eyes.
“Come out! I know you are in there! I need to see my auntie before classes begin!” The little one chided, June could sense the frown on his face.
“Coming!” June said, getting out of bed, and searching for her clothes.
Her face heated when she felt Rafael’s gaze on her half-naked self. She cussed herself for getting so wild, her clothes were flung on either side of the room.
Finally, she was put together enough to show her face to her little prince without shame. Nothing prepared her for the sight of her mother-in-law, urging Luis to knock once again.
“Auntie!” Luis hugged her on the thigh. A sweet feeling of love filled her heart as she carried him on her arm. “It’s my birthday!”
Her eyes widened and her heart almost fell to the pit of her stomach when she heard Rafael speak behind her. “Happy Birthday, Son.”
The small base of his tone sent signals down her spine and Luis seemed taken aback by his father’s words. Beatrice who stood by the side also seemed to be in shock.
When Luis announced his birthday, he had done so in hopes of getting his auntie to pay special attention to him, he never expected this reaction from his father who barely saw or spoke to him on his birthday.
The only signal he received from his father was the many gifts that ended up in his room after dinner. That had always been his father’s way of showing love. With time, Luis took it to be a normal routine, hence the surprise.
Mrs. Beatrice on the other hand always made it a point to spend her grandson’s birthday with him. She knew her son was never in the right mind during the occasion as it carried the painful memory of the loss of his wife.
She had chalked it as one of the casualties of losing his wife on the day of birth and made sure she was available to shower her grandson with all the love her son couldn’t provide on his special day.
Rafael had taken the greatest hit after the death of his late wife – refusing to be remarried and becoming a workaholic emotionally disturbed man. June noticed the shock in the air and could tell there was a story there.
Instead of pressing further into the awkwardness, she pretended to be upset, taking the focus off her husband and back to her little sweetheart.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” She said, “I didn’t even get you a present!”
Luis shook his head, “I don’t need a present from you, mother. Just promise never to leave me.” He paused for a bit then added, “And daddy.”
June’s heart melted at his words. She would definitely get him a gift! “Of course, baby.” She ruffled his hair. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
One of the maids came around, greeted and whispered something to Beatrice’s ears before stalking away. “Breakfast is ready!” She announced, and soon enough, they all returned to the dining table.
Breakfast was a feast as they began the celebration of Luis’s big day. Rafael shocked the table as he announced they would be going out as a family in honour of the day.
Later that day, the family took a trip to the major sites of the city in honour of Luis’s birthday. For the first time, Rafael, Luis and June played so much they didn’t want the day to end, visiting tourist attractions and having fun until it was time to go.
Night came and Luis slept off in the car after having dinner with his parents. The atmosphere was light as they drove home, listening to soothing music on the stereo.
“Thank you,” Rafael said when they arrived in front of the house.
June wore a smile. “For what?”
He cupped her chin and the flutters returned. “For not judging me. For being the best mother to my son, and for being the wife I do not deserve.”
“You are welcome.” She said, trying and failing to hide her elation, but Rafael wasn’t done.
“I’m sorry.”
She corked her brow, “What for this time?”
“Because I am breaching our agreement.” He said leaning closer, “Because I am totally in love with you, and cannot imagine my life without you. Not now, and not in the coming months.”
“I need you, June. And not for some time. I want forever. Would you please take this broken heart of mine and marry me?” he chuckled, “For real this time?”
June blinked back tears as she chuckled. “You don’t even have a ring. We are already married silly!”
“I don’t care. I just need to know that this is real. That you are with me. For better and for worse. I promise to make your life filled with only happy moments.”
“I can’t give birth.” She muttered, tears rolling down her eyes.
“We have Luis.” Rafael said, “You have been more of a parent to him in two months than I have been in five years.”
“Don’t say that.”
“It’s the truth. But I am ready to make amends. With you by my side. Will you take my hand, Mrs. Ambrose?”
June smiled through the tears. “Yes. Yes! Yes! Yes!”
That was all he needed to hear before he covered her lips with his. Unknown to them, the little one in the backseat had his eyes open as he peeked at his parents, a happy smile on his face.