Rafael's skepticism intensified, his anger simmering.“Walkinghand in hand, Amara? That's notjusta stroll.”
Amara, frustrated, wiped away a tear. “I felt I was held captive in here. You were out most of the time and the walls were eating me. I just…couldn’t stay inside waiting for you, expecting you to come home when you get drunk at bars.”
Rafael's eyes narrow, his anger giving way to a hint of hurt.“So, you confide in my brother instead of me?”
“I didn't mean for it to happen like this. It just did.” Amara, regretful, struggled for words.
The room fell into an uneasy silence, tension hanging heavy as she grappled with the unravelling of their relationship.
Rafael tilted his head back and let out another humorless chuckle.“I thought I could make you love me again. But guess what, you just care about yourself, not about me. I am just a tool you use.”
“I…I didn’t mean it to sound that way. There’s nothing between me and Kaelith.”
“Then why did you go with him? He is not a man to be around. He is a dangerous man. You don’ t even know what he thinks about you.” He said and Amara’s eyes twitched. Rafael noticed. And let out another humorless laugh.
“You do know, huh? Just fantastic!” He said in frustration as Amara felt guilt tripping her.
“Rafael—" she took a step forward.
“Don’t come near me!” He yelled taking a step back as if her presence was burning him. As if she disgusted him.
“Rafaelplease—"
“You know he wants you and despite that, you went with him? I just can’t believe it!” Rafael yelled pulling his hair as he slammed his fist on the table making Amara jump.“I fucking work day and night to provide for you.”
Tears streaming down her face, she tried to reason.“It’s not like that. Kaelith was just there when I needed someone. It wasn't about wanting him.”
Rafael mocked.“Wasn't it about wanting him? That's hard to believe. You're telling me you don't find him attractive? That you don't enjoy the attention?”
He leaned in, his tone calculated as he continued.“Maybe this was your plan all along, to make me the bad guy. To drive me away so you could run into his arms guilt-free.”
Amara shaken, attempted to defend herself. “No, you're twisting everything. Kaelith was just being…. helpful. You're reading too much into it.”
Rafael smirked.“Helpful? Right. I see how helpful he is. Maybe you wanted him all along.”
Rafael's voice deepened, casting doubt in Amara’s head.
Amara feeling the weight of Rafael's accusations, pleads with desperation.“Please, you're not seeing it.You’remy husband, not Kaelith. I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you.” Rafael smirks cynically taking a step forward.
“Husband? If you saw me as your husband, you wouldn't be cozying up to my brother behind my back. You're playing the victim well, Amara.” Amara crushed, struggled to find words shaking her head.
“I'm not playing anything. Can't you understand that I needed someone to talk to? Someone who was there when you weren't?” Rafaelunrelentingtookanotherstepforward.Hisjawclenchedandeyessimmering.
“Convenient,isn'tit?Suddenly,I'mthedistantone,andKaelithisyoursavior.Classic manipulation.”
The room hung heavy with the toxic silence as he curled his lips.“Fine then, I’ll leave and send you the divorce papers. Sign them and marry Kaelith. Thebetterbrother.”
Amara’s eyes widened as she took another desperate step forward clutching onto his arm. Her teary eyes looked at him like a pup being abandoned by their owner.“No! Please don’t say things like that!”
Rafael immediately grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her.“Then tell me you love me not him. Tell me you’re my wife and not his! Tell me you want me and not him!”
Amara stammered, her eyes wide as she processed his words and swallowed hard. Rafaelnoticed the hesitation and jerked her to his body.“See, you can’t even say the words.”He pushed her away as she stumbled against the table holding her eyes for support as her eyes watered. Her chest heaved up and down as the voices rang wildly into her head.
Rafael strode towards her grabbed her by the bicep and pulled her to the couch before throwing her down on the couch and straddling her waist.“If not your words, then show me I’m your husband with your body.”
Amara’s eyes widened as she realized what he was about to do as he fisted the top of her dress and pulled it down harshly tearing the cloth as some part kept hanging on her skin. She screamed with terror.
“N-No!” She tried to stop moving but he was heavier and stronger than her as he fisted her hair and snuggled her neck biting the skin. She panicked in disgust.
