Without flickering the lights on, he exited their bedroom silently, leaving her behind in the darkness.

Despite the early summer warmth, a coldness settled between them, marking the space their closeness once filled.

The next morning, Raphael woke up.

He propped himself against the headboard, his bathrobe loosely draped, adding a casual air to his demeanor.

Frustrated, he smoked a cigarette, and then returned to the main bedroom to get ready and change. But as he opened the door, he heard Elissa on the phone.

It was likely her father on the other end, his voice loud and clear.

"You need to demand an explanation from Raphael! Have you lost your senses? You're married to him, and pregnant with his child! Don't even consider divorce. Focus on winning back your husband's affection! Make him end it with that other woman. This isn't just about you. He's embarrassing our entire family."

Elissa listened in silence.

Raphael quietly closed the door.

She looked up at him with eyes full of desperation and disappointment.

Trapped by her selfish parents, she felt deprived of the freedom to make her own life choices.

Raphael watched her for a moment.

He approached, gently took the phone from her, and said respectfully to her father, "Dad, I'm sorry. I'll take care of it. Yes, Elissa is more composed now. We'll sort things out. And about that favor you mentioned before, I'll resolve it quickly. You won't have to wait long."

Yousef Palmer said a few words in response.

Then Raphael ended the call.

As a woman, Elissa was always sensitive. She questioned him, "What favor you were talking about?"

He handed the phone back to her.

After a long pause, he finally said, “Elissa, sometimes it's better not to know everything. Sorry I didn't end things with Sandra sooner, but I assure you, I haven't considered being unfaithful to you since we married... Regarding your father, it's common in high society for men to have their secrets. Maybe your mother isn't aware of them, or perhaps she chooses to ignore them. Regardless, digging deeper could embarrass the Palmer family, and that's something she would want to avoid."

With that, he walked into the walk-in closet.

Given yesterday's events, Raphael knew better than to expect Elissa to prepare his clothes. He opened the wardrobe and selected his outfit. As he was putting on his trousers, Elissa came in.

Her face looked a little pale.

After entering, she closed the door and stood by it, gazing at him with a soft voice, saying, “Is there something my father is keeping from me? What favor did he ask you?"

Raphael was now putting on his shirt.

As he buttoned it up, he paused, seeming uncertain, but then suggested, "You might want to sit down for this. Truth is, he has an illegitimate son, who's already 8 years old. The boy should have started grade school already by now, and your father wants me to help get the child a proper identity to make it happen. He's been keeping this a secret from your mother."