Jealousy coursed through Kaelith like wildfire, his knuckles white from the grip on his glass. The world around him faded, and all he could see was that intimate kiss. It was as if time had frozen, and in that split second, his emotions spiraled into a wild storm. He yearned to be the one to share such a moment with her, and the envy he felt threatened to consume him whole.
Kaelith decided. If Rafael wanted to play dirty, he’d play dirtier. If there were no sides in war, then there’ d be no sides in love too. He would be selfish, for her. And just to make her his, Kaelith vowed, soon she’d be in his arms, singing his tunes, loving his demons.
CHAPTER 18
The atmosphere there suddenly became more unpleasant and she immediately pulled herself away from his embrace with trembling hands.
The surrounding was heavy with tension. He leaned in suddenly, pressing his lips forcefully against hers. Amara's eyes widened in shock as she felt his aggressive kiss. She could taste the desperation in his actions, and it left her feeling uncomfortable and uneasy. Her heart raced, and she gently pushed him away, her voice trembling as she whispered, "Rafael, wh-what are you doing?”
Amara's heart pounded in her chest as Rafael's forceful kiss left her in a state of shock. Her body tensed, and she felt an uneasy knot in the pit of her stomach. The intensity of the moment had taken her completely by surprise, and she struggled to make sense of his unexpected behavior. Anxious thoughts raced through her mind, Rafael was her husband, she shouldn’t be feeling this way, but why, why was she feeling so anxious and panicked at the same time?
"I need to use the bathroom," she mumbled making him frown. Pushing him back with her trembling hands, she was about to turn when he immediately shackled her wrist to his and stopped her. Everyone looked at the duo with confused eyes. Whereas Kaelith seemed like the man burning with jealousy.
“I'll come." Rafael piqued. Amara quickly pulled her hand away from him shaking her head. Why couldn’t he leave her alone for a moment? She needed to think.
Rafael was taken aback when Amara pulled away from their kiss. His earlier excitement and longing to reunite with her had clouded his judgment, but the moment she withdrew, he felt a mix of confusion and disappointment. He looked into her eyes and saw the shock and discomfort in her expression, which added to his uneasiness. Rafael realized that he had crossed a line and made his Amara uncomfortable, and the weight of that realization sank in, leaving him with a sense of regret and a desire to mend what he had unintentionally broken.
But then again, it wasn’t a new thing. Rafael kissed her several times during their two years of marriage.Thighthosekisseswerejustwheneverhesleptwithher,theyheldnomeaning,but this one, this one was from the bottom of his heart. Why was she hesitating? His disappointment was replaced with annoyance.
He understood whatever happened in past wasn’t the best version of him, but he wanted to be better for her.
"I-I just need some time. Alone." The sudden disquietude was so overwhelming that she almost rushed to the waiting area with restrooms. She fought against the building's anxiousness, of course, but it wasn't enough to cause the next moment she almost lost her footing and stumbled inside the bathroom. Panting, she gripped the sink and tried to take deep breaths. But it wasn't enough. It was good that there was no one here, because she couldn't imagine if she looked sane enough to not freak anyone out. Tears naturally streamed down her face and she touched them. Why was she crying?!
Amara's reflection in the bathroom mirror showed her flushed and trembling, her heart still racing from theunexpected and forceful kiss from Rafael. She tried to take deep breaths to calm herself, but the unease still gripped her. She couldn't comprehend the whirlwind of emotions surging within her, and she felt like she was losing control.
As she gazed at her tear-streaked face, she wiped away the moisture, bewildered by her vulnerability. The questions echoed in her mind as she grappled with the mix of shock, confusion, and hurt that swirled within her. She knew that she needed to go back to the room where everyone must be waiting for her, but at this moment, all she could do was hold onto the sink, taking shaky breaths, desperately trying to make sense of her emotions.
She shook her head and angrily wiped her teary cheeks. A yelp escaped her lips as the bathroom door was slammed open and shut with the same force. It all happened so suddenly that she couldn't even process it. One minute she was standing near the sink, the other second, her body was slammed against the adjacent wall with so much force that she felt her bones cracking.
Rafael's mouth was planted on hers the same second as he grabbed both of her hands and pinned them above her head. The sudden assault made her panic and she bit down on his lips hard drawing out blood.
"Stop it, I said!" she yelled with tears still streaming down. Her nose was red and her cheeks crimson. The tips of her ears were hot and anger flashed in her eyes. She tried to break through his hold but he just scoffed before pressing his knee between her legs hindering her from hitting him.
"Why? You like his touch more than mine. You find him more appealing than your husband!" He possessively said.
"Rafael, don't be like this. You’re not-"
"Why not? You do not look at him with the same disgusted gaze. Why? Does my touch repulse you now, Amara? Youdon’t fucking like your own husband!" He yelled at her making her flinch at his sudden outburst. He moved his one hand aggressively grabbed her neck and leaned to kissher again when she shook her head.
"Don't touch me!" "You’re mine!" "Stop this nonsense!"
He forcefully grabbed her hand and positioned it on the bulge between his thighs. Her eyes widened in embarrassment as she quickly jerked it and cradled it against her chest as he smirked. "This seems nonsense to you? Thisis what you do, Amara. You always make me feel this way–horny and angry. Should I use you, as you used me? Should I rip your clothes off and show you how many ways I want you?!"
"Rafael, I never-" she mumbled into his mouth. She curled her nose with discomfort.
"Hush...I don't care. I don't need your words; I need your touch." Rafael swallowed hard looking down at her chest. "If you want to be treated like an object, I'll do so. But remember one thing, you are mine. I'm done being patient with you."
"No-"
The kiss was brutal enough to knock her senses and make her gasp for air. His hands shamelessly roamed all over her body from her back to the curve of her hips. A satisfying groan left his mouth as he kneaded her behind with both of his hands. She tried to push him away but he immediately caught both of her wrists with his one hand. He was too rough.
And then, like a thunderbolt strike his insides, he stilled. The weight of the situation weighed him down, as he tasted her tears between the kiss. As if the world stopped for amoment, Rafael also seemed to stop. He realized what he was doing. Hurting her. Forcing himself on her. What was he doing?! Didn’t he promise he’d be a good husband for her? Then what the fuck was he doing?! Inthedimlylitbathroom,Rafaelstoodfrozen,hisangerdissipatingashewatchedAmara's tear-filled eyes glisten with hurt. The words he had just hurled at her hung in the air, heavy with regret. The tension in the room was palpable as he realized the damage he had inflicted on the person he loved most.
Amara, her shoulders slumped and her face etched with hurt seemed to crumble under the weight of his actions. Her trembling hands clenched and unclenched, trying to hold back theflood of emotions. She looked broken, the vibrant spirit he cherished shattered by his thoughtless actions.
He swallowed hard, the emotions becoming too much as he felt her pushing him away with her shaking hands. Her head lowered, as she sobbed.
A heavy silence enveloped them, and at that moment, Rafael felt a deep sense of remorse and guilt wash over him. He let go of his anger, realizing that he had hurt her deeply, and all he wanted now was to make amends and mend the fractures in their relationship. With a sigh, he took a step towards Amara, his eyes filled with regret, and whispered, "I'm so sorry, Amara. I didn't mean any of that."
