At dawn, Raphael prepared breakfast for Elissa.

Afterwards, he tended to business affairs.

When Elissa woke up, she found Raphael absent from their bed. Though the pillow had cooled, the warmth of the blanket remained, a gentle reminder of his presence.

The previous night witnessed them engage in lengthy conversation.

Finally, when Elissa noticed him closing his eyes but still murmuring responses to her, she fell silent.

Leaning her head against his shoulder, she listened to the rain in tranquil silence, feeling a profound sense of peace, until she fell asleep too.

Snapping out of it, Elissa rose, performed her morning ablutions, tidied the bedroom, and then descended the stairs.

To her surprise, her parents awaited her presence.

They regarded Elissa with mixed emotions, Yousef's anger palpable as his gaze bore into her, his disdain evident.

Elissa halted midway down the staircase, hesitating to descend.

Marcia Palmer, her mother, broke the silence, her tone soft as she addressed Elissa, "We've come to inquire about your intentions, dear."

"Intentions?"

Elissa queried softly. "What kind of intentions do you think I should have now?"

Marcia paused, collecting her thoughts.

She was gentle by nature and accustomed to deferring to her husband's decisions, so she waited for him to speak up. Yousef announced assertively, "I have no idea what Raphael is considering. He simply needed to handle the public relations. If he were to take his wife, who is six months pregnant, out in public, most people would blame that woman for her shameless behavior. But he didn't. He foolishly accepted all the blame himself. He's watching his company go bankrupt. Perhaps he believes rebuilding everything will be easy, or that his father-in-law will come to his aid. But he's mistaken; I won't lend him a hand... Elissa, as I mentioned on the phone yesterday, I want you to have an abortion and return home with us. With your qualities, finding another decent husband won't be difficult."

Elissa listened in silence.

After a moment's pause, she inquired of Marcia, “Mom, do you share his sentiments?"

Marcia hesitated briefly before cautioning, "Your father raises valid concerns, dear. Elissa, why are you so stubborn? Raphael won't improve in this lifetime. Don't ruin your future."

Elissa lowered her gaze and descended the stairs slowly.

Without glancing at her parents seated on the couch, she headed straight to the dining table for breakfast.

Raphael had prepared it to perfection, perfectly aligning with her palate.

She savored some milk and a pancake with corn syrup.

She had never realized Raphael's culinary prowess.

Yousef glared at her with a venomous gaze.