Page 214 of Wrong Marriage. Right Groom
“Those rebels always find a way to reach what I value most. They once managed to take Tess despite my security. That alone proved it.”
A beat of silence.
“It’s not that they’re difficult for me to handle,” he continued, voice steady but lower now. “It’s that in this state... going to war becomes more complicated.”
My brow tightened. “What state?”
His jaw flexed once.
“Grief.”
The word landed heavier than it should have.
Of course.
Zara.
Always Zara.
Something in my chest tightened—not anger this time, but something closer to exhaustion. Like even his silence still belonged to her.
Rafael turned before I could respond.
And started walking, his strides long and purposeful, every movement radiating intent.
I hurried after him, my heels striking sharply against the polished marble floor of the grand entrance hall.
The sound echoed through the vast space, swallowed almost instantly by the sheer scale of the house.
Rafael didn’t slow.
Didn’t turn.
He walked like the conversation had already ended, like whatever chaos had just been revealed was simply another item on a list only he could see.
“Wait, Rafael—what’s the plan? Are you doubling security or what?”
My voice came out firmer than I expected.
He glanced at me over his shoulder—just briefly—acknowledging my persistence without giving it weight.
“Ramiro will brief you on the new security protocol. It must be followed strictly,” he said, already turning forward again.
“I’m not asking Ramiro,” I started, stepping after him—
But before I could finish—
The front door behind us slammed open.
The sound cracked through the hall like a gunshot.
Both of us stopped instantly.
Rafael turned first.
I followed his gaze.
Ramiro strode inside, breathing harder than usual, his usual composed posture fractured.
