Chapter 234: It doesn’t change anything

Braelyn’s POV

I didn’t know what to believe, honestly. It didn’t make sense. I cheated on him with Richard. He saw me kissing Richard. How was that possible?

I had expected a twisted excuse, but this was far beyond my imagination. My lips parted slowly. “So what you have been protecting me from was Amelia?” I asked carefully. Raphael’s jaw tensed.

My mind went back to that particular night he mentioned. I had indeed agreed to go to the fundraiser with Raphael, although I was nervous. Raphael was really looking forward to it, so I couldn’t bring myself to disappoint him.

Then I remembered the call. Amelia’s sugary voice came through the phone. Although I had been wary of Raphael’s relationship with Amelia, I trusted him to an extent, but I knew Amelia liked him more than the sibling love they claimed.

I never brought it up because it would feel like I was being paranoid. That evening while I was getting ready, that was when she called. It was innocent at first as her sweet voice spoke.

“Hi Braelyn. I heard you will be accompanying Raphael tonight…” she chimed. I forced a smile.

“Yes…” I muttered, nervous tension still rolling through my skin.

“Oh that’s great. It’s been a while. I am glad you have finally gotten better to stand up to those gossips.” She said encouragingly, but her words kind of twisted my gut.

Amelia continued speaking. “Honestly, I don’t know what is people’s problem talking about others. So what if you don’t have children? Your mother had you close to 50 and you are just in your twenties…” she said disappointedly, but I felt there were hidden edges in her words.

“But you have to be careful, Lynn. Raphael is the heir of the Volkov family. Many would be curious and all those gossiping wives would be there. Be strong, Lynn. You might be childless but your husband is faithful…” she said in a serious tone.

I barely remembered what I said in reply, but even after I hung up the call my hand was still trembling. The nerves came back. I couldn’t go out like that. Honestly, I didn’t want to.

She didn’t say anything special, but that phone call changed my mind. I remembered how disappointed Raphael was when I turned him down. He left the house in anger that day and I was nervous all night. I couldn’t sleep.

Was I really a horrible wife? I should have gone, but I didn’t. Normally I went to the office to work overtime, but that night I made sure to finish all tasks because I had plans for the night.

I waited anxiously all night. He didn’t return that night or even the next few days. They say you would know when your husband starts to cheat.

Maybe it was true. After that period I started noticing the changes. Amelia always having emergencies when I needed Raphael. Something more important would come up with Amelia. It felt planned at times, but I pretended not to see it.

Was it my fault he cheated? I wondered, then shrugged off the thoughts. It wasn’t. The first time was a mistake, but he should have told me.

I drew in a deep breath then stared at the rumbling clouds. Raphael was a proud man. Someone like him being violated and manipulated almost felt absurd to believe.

Raphael was quiet for a while before he spoke. “Maybe…” he muttered. “Or it was the shame. Things were beyond my control and so many things were at risk…” he answered, then I laughed.

“So many things were at risk…” I repeated. The wind tousled my hair. “Raphael, you should have told me. We could have figured something out together…” My voice broke, tears rolling down.

He bowed his head. “I am sorry. I thought you cheated. I wanted to get my revenge on you by playing Amelia’s game, but I only messed things up,” he said in a quiet voice filled with shame.

“That’s why you brought up the open marriage…” I whispered, then it choked me. Before I knew it, I was screaming at him. “You should have told me…”

“I don’t know what you saw, but I wasn’t at the company that night, neither have I ever kissed Richard…” My voice trembled remembering Richard. He was a good colleague of mine and nothing more. I remembered his death a year ago.

Amelia killed him. But it didn’t make sense. Who was Richard kissing and why did he do such a thing to me?

Raphael remained silent and I continued. “You were my first, Raphael, and the only other man I had kissed aside from you was Lucien…” I barked at him and something flickered in his eyes.

“I am sorry. I hurt you so much but I was hurt first…” he said. “I was scared of facing you. Scared you would deny it and use it as an excuse to leave…”

“I was scared you loved someone else and stopped loving me. It tore me, Lynn,” he cried out. “Yes Amelia manipulated me, but I thought of it as revenge…” he explained. I shook my head.

The sky rumbled and the rain started to drop bit by bit until it turned into a downpour. Raphael stood up and grabbed my hand. “It’s raining,” he said, wanting to pull me to shelter, but I yanked off his hold.

“No, I need this…” I snapped at him, yanking off his grip. He froze and stared at me as the rain fell on us. I stared at the man I used to love, who looked like a complete stranger now.

“Amelia tricking you into her bed doesn’t erase what you did to me. It doesn’t erase the night you nearly choked me to death. Or the fact the reason you didn’t confront me was because you didn’t trust me…” I barked at him.

“You played Amelia’s game because you wanted to see me break and who knows, you probably still think I was fucking Richard…” I drew in a breath as I ran out of air.

“The only reason you are telling me now is because you can’t stand me being with Lucien.”

He stared at me then laughed, leaving me speechless. “You’re right, I couldn’t stand seeing you with Lucien. But Braelyn, if you had seen someone who looks exactly like me hooking up with someone and I denied it, but all evidence pointed to me, would you have believed me?” he asked and I was left speechless.

I opened my mouth.

Nothing came out.

Because for the first time since this nightmare began…

I wasn’t sure what the truth looked like anymore.

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