Once they were in the car, he asked softly, "Shall we go to the hospital for a check-up?"

Elissa turned her face away and responded indifferently, "No. I want to take a shower and change my clothes."

Upon hearing her reply, Raphael instructed the driver to proceed at a slow pace.

Upon arriving home, Elissa hurried to the bathroom and didn't emerge until an hour later. But no matter how hard she scrubbed, the unpleasant smell lingered. In the late hours of the night, as she drifted into sleep, the curses of Sandra's mother still echoed in her mind.

When she was half asleep and half awake, she overheard Raphael conversing with someone on the phone.

It was regarding Sandra's treatment.

In a hushed tone, Raphael said, "Understood. Ensure you find the best surgeon for her. Additionally, arrange for her to receive treatment at a top-notch rehabilitation center."

Lying on the bed, Elissa listened to the conversation silently. She didn't stir, nor did she criticize Raphael.

Because she already knew the outcome.

If Sandra had died in the accident, Raphael would likely have mourned for a while and let it go. However, her current condition only exacerbated Raphael's feelings of guilt. So Elissa allowed Raphael to proceed as he saw fit. After all, she had already resigned herself to him.

Raphael returned after ending the call.

Though Elissa's eyes remained closed and her posture unchanged from when he left, Raphael sensed she was awake.

In other words, she must have heard what he said on the phone.

In silence, they lay side by side on the bed. After some time, Raphael leaned over and drew Elissa into his arms. For no apparent reason, he simply desired to touch her.

As his hand caressed her body, he appeared to become aroused.

Then, he began to kiss the back of Elissa's ear and whispered in a husky voice, "What did the doctor say the other day? Did she mention we shouldn't have sex until you reach the second trimester of the pregnancy?"

Elissa's eyes snapped open suddenly.

Apart from a tinge of disgust, her gaze held no emotion as she asked calmly, “Raphael, can't you smell the egg whites in my hair? I don't think the scent has completely disappeared even after I showered twice."

Raphael froze upon hearing that.

Then, he seemed to lose interest.

He knew Elissa had done it intentionally, as she didn't want to engage in intimacy with him.

Instead of addressing her question, he casually remarked, “It's late. Let's go to sleep."

However, neither of them could find rest.

Sharing the same bed with divergent dreams perfectly summed up the state of the couple's relationship at that moment.