Then the sound of him straightening to his full height.
The room seemed to tighten around his presence.
“That should hold,” he said.
His voice was calm and controlled.
I didn’t know whether to thank him or remain quiet.
After everything that had happened, both felt wrong.
Silence stretched again, like the room itself was holding its breath.
I didn’t need sight to know what he was doing.
He was studying me.
Like a man deciding whether something should be broken, repaired, or simply left alone until it proved useful again.
The physician cleared his throat.
“The wound should be checked again tomorrow, sir.”
Rafael’s answer came immediately.
“Ramiro will see that you’re escorted out.”
The dismissal was calm and final.
The physician seemed to understand there was nothing more to say. A moment later, I heard the retreating footsteps and the door opening before closing once again.
Silence settled over the room.
Then Rafael spoke.
“I can assign a chaperone to assist you with your daily activities.”
I frowned.
“A chaperone?”
“Someone to help you navigate the house until you’re familiar with it.”
I shook my head.
“This is my first day in this room. I don’t think I need a chaperone. I’ll learn my way around it soon enough.”
The room fell quiet. Then I heard him move.
Just one step. But it was enough.
My pulse immediately betrayed me.
“You have a remarkable talent for underestimating your own limitations,” he said.
There was no mockery in his voice. Only blunt certainty.
“I’ve managed perfectly well on my own for years.”
