While she cleaned herself, he quickly showered and then stepped out to the balcony for a smoke.

He inhaled deeply from his cigarette and released the smoke into the air.

The night wind quickly scattered it.

As the wind blew, Raphael's thoughts wandered to his work, and then shifted to Sandra... He reflected on Olivia, and then on Elissa...

In fact, he and Elissa had a good relationship at the beginning. He didn't settle for her; she was everything he had wanted in a wife.

She was kind, sensible, and reasonable.

After being with Elissa, his contact with Sandra had been minimal, yet he never completely ended things with her, simply because his feelings for Elissa weren't strong enough.

Following this incident, he realized he had lost any real chance with Elissa.

He had become the unfaithful husband.

And she, the disillusioned wife.

They would maintain mutual respect, but their love for each other had ended. They would stay married only for their child's sake.

Raphael knew he could try to make amends with Elissa and mend their relationship.

But he chose not to make the effort.

Perhaps it was because he didn't truly love her and was indifferent about their marriage.

Elissa walked out of the bathroom.

Feeling upset, she opted not to go downstairs for dinner. Instead, she requested that the meal be brought to her room. Raphael extinguished his cigarette and joined her for dinner.

It was their wedding night, yet they ate in silence.

After dinner, they went to bed. Lying side by side, neither offered any tender words that a couple might typically share.

Raphael lay on the bed.

He couldn't fall asleep and tossed and turned on the bed.

In the dark, Elissa said, "Tomorrow, I'll assist with the PR crisis. Please just go to sleep. Your constant moving is keeping me awake."

Raphael glanced over at her.

Her back was turned to him, signaling she was done talking.

He stared at her for a while, sensing their relationship had grown cold. Eventually, he sat up and said, "I'll sleep in the guest room."