After watching her silently for a moment, Raphael instructed the driver, “Hit the road.

As Sharon refused to get in the car, Raphael directed the driver to leave, showing no sign of hesitation or compromise-typical of his treatment of Sharon over the years.

Raphael’s reasons for keeping Sharon close were pragmatic rather than romantic.

Initially, he was drawn to Sharon because she stood out in their circle.

Curious, Raphael wondered if he could fall in love with such a remarkable woman, perhaps then he could marry her and erase Olivia from his thoughts.

He did make an effort.

Over time, and especially during moments of inebriation, their relationship grew closer.

remembered the scent of her perfume lingering as she

was drunk, yet still fully

although he didn’t

contemplated the possibility that intimacy might lead to more—perhaps even a child, after which they could just get married, which

undoubtedly a suitable

taking the initiative that night,

was haunted by a memory of Olivia, wrapped only in

was their

remembered the stain of blood on the

had been gentle with her, cautious not to hurt her

hadn’t dared to be

beauty of her form, lingered in his mind, tormenting him over the years… It was

women who showed interest in him, and while he didn’t turn them away,

were maddening, a stark contrast to the fleeting connections he

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