“I already told you! I mentioned it in passing and you just confirmed it.” Beatrice stood on her words. “Why would you pay someone to pose as your wife, anyway? It’s not like you were under any kind of pressure.”
Rafael didn’t buy into her attempts to shift the attention from the focus. “Don’t lie to me. Who was it?” His tone left no room for escape. “Mother.” He pushed when she remained silent.
“Fine! I admit! I found out it was all a sham.” Beatrice said, unable to hide her delight. “Don’t even think about asking me who it was because I’m never telling.” She vowed.
Rafael swore under his breath when it suddenly clicked. “Clarence.” He took a wild guess. She was the only new person who had been around him.
Beatrice couldn’t maintain a poker face.
“Did you send her to spy on us?” His tone reflected the ridiculousness of the situation.
“I already told you. I will not speak further on this.” Beatrice said. “How long will you be gone for? If you want Luis to stay with me?”
Rafael rolled his eyes, deciding it was not the perfect time to call out his mother on her antics. Beatrice didn’t bother to hide her joy. “If you are sending Luis to me, does it mean your deal with that lady is over? I saw the-”
Once again, she stopped herself from oversharing and cursed under her breath. Rafael didn’t bother to sugarcoat things. He answered her right off the bat. “You are right. Our deal will be coming to an end. I need you to take care of Luis while I figure some things out.”
“Can you handle it?” He pressed, and she shrugged.
“You should have said so sooner! Luis is my grandchild. Of course, I will take care of him. He is my responsibility as much as he is yours.” She waved him off, “I will take care of him while you go handle business.”
“I’m glad she will be leaving the house soon,” Beatrice muttered under her breath and Rafael resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He stood up from the couch, deciding it was time to leave.
“I will have him over tomorrow. Take care of yourself.” Rafael headed out of the house while Beatrice stepped up behind him.
“Are you already leaving?” She asked and he stopped in his tracks.
“Have a beautiful day.” With that, Rafael returned to his car and drove to his home. June sat in the living room awaiting her husband’s arrival. They hadn’t seen since the incident and he ignored her calls.
She felt something was wrong but couldn’t figure out what it was. Determined to get to the root of things, she remained in the living room even after the others retired to their room.
When Rafael’s car revved into the compound, she sat up and rushed to the window to see him step out of the car. Soon enough, Rafael walked into the house and June stood before him.
“Welcome home,” June said, stepping forward to take his bag. “I tried-”
Rafael held up his hand with a frost over his face. “What are you doing here?”
June blinked, unable to understand what was going on. “I just returned from the hospital. I don’t-”
“That wasn’t the question, woman.” He muttered with displeasure written over his face.
“Is something wrong?” June asked with a frustrated look. “Did I do something? Is there a reason you haven’t picked up my calls and never visited me in the hospital?”
Rafael felt his heart prick at the pained expression on June’s face. He took a deep breath, reminding himself it was for the greater good. He couldn’t let her remain by his side. Not when there was a flickering chance he would not make it.
He couldn’t make her a widow.
Rafael pulled a document from his briefcase and placed it on the table with a pen on it. He looked into her eyes and said. “It’s been fun playing pretend with you but it’s time we moved on to real life.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I know that we signed a deal for one year but I believe the purpose of this contract has been served. ” Rafael said with a cold countenance. “The balance of the fifty million will be remitted to your account. You just need to sign the documents.”
June felt her heart cut with his words. “Is this a joke?”
June picked up the papers and her worst fear was affirmed. It was divorce papers! She dropped the paper like she had been burnt and her eyes searched the stormy ones of her husband.
“What is this? What did I do wrong? Why would you want to divorce me?” A thousand and one thoughts ran through her head as she thought of many possible reasons and came up short.
“It was never a real marriage. Do not make a big deal out of this and sign the papers. I don’t have all day.” Rafael said with a tick in his tone.
June shook her head. “No. I will not divorce you, Rafael. What has come over you? Did something happen? Did anyone say something to you?” She closed the space between them and cradled his face in her palms, “Speak to me,” She begged. “Please.”
Rafael closed his eyes, fighting the urge to give in to her, to tell her he was dying. To be comforted by the woman he could give his life for, but he fought against it. He couldn’t let her return to the dark place she used to be.
It was his cross to carry and he had no right to drag her into the dark shadows of his life. He loved her too much to let her. Rafael removed her hands from his face. His eyes blazed as he cut her to shreds.
“Let this be the last time you touch me with those dirty hands.” He seethed and took a step back from her. “Do not test me, woman. Sign the papers.”
June felt her life turn upside down. She couldn’t understand why Rafael behaved in this manner and so suddenly. She remained rooted in her spot, refusing to say a word or sign the paper until he explained what went wrong.
“Do you think I am a fool?” Rafael asked when she didn’t do as requested. “You wanted me to come to the hospital to see a cheating woman? Our marriage was a sham but you didn’t have the decency to keep your legs closed.”
He scoffed. “I am the richest man in South City but you still chase after old men. Does he satisfy you or do you find pleasure in attaining milestones with your body?”
June blinked in confusion at the implications of his words.
“You dare to say you were raped? You went to that hotel knowing who he was. You walked into the room with him. Why change the narrative just because you were caught?”
When June realised he was referring to the minister, she felt anger accumulate in her chest. “How can you say such a thing?” Her tone was doused in pain and disbelief.
Rafael laughed in her face. “My mother warned me about women like you.” He spat, “Desperate and callous. I will not let people like you be around my son any longer. So sign those papers.”
Although June felt upset, she swallowed the pain and decided to be the bigger person. “It’s clear that something is not right with you. I will not take this to heart and we shall revisit this.”
Rafael opened his mouth to speak but she spoke over him. “Your food has been served. Have a good night.”
With that, June walked out of the place with his bag, holding back tears that threatened to spill over. Maybe he was not in a good mood. She gave excuses for him. Everything would be fine. She thought. He’d return to his senses.
June lay on the bed, waiting for Rafael who hadn’t shown up for a long time. She suddenly heard the gates open and his car pulled out of the compound before she could get to the window.
Rafael drove recklessly on the road. Nothing could ease the gripping pain in his heart. He couldn’t forget the shock on her face after his epic failure to get her to sign the papers. All he wanted was to forget the day he’s had but his mind made it impossible.
Rafael pulled up at a club in the centre city at midnight. The place buzzed with people who came to have a wild night and he headed in with one intention in mind – To drink and forget his pain.
With that goal, he headed to the bartender and had a couple of strong drinks. He got tipsy and at that moment realised he hadn’t sent his location to his security officer. With drowsy eyes, he pulled out his phone and sent his location.
Unknown to him, he sent his location to the wrong person. Clarence was in her hotel room, preparing to call it a night when a text entered her phone. Her eyes narrowed as she read its content.
“Meet me at the XCity. VIP Section.”