Raphael was struck with a mix of sadness and relief-relieved that she and the baby were unharmed.

He looked at her, and she looked back at him.

He was drenched, with mud splattered on his shoes, as though he had trekked through the countryside in the storm.

He walked over and gently embraced her.

Elissa couldn't hold back her tears and confessed that she had never lived in such challenging conditions and had regretted it before his return. However, his presence suddenly made everything seem manageable.

They remained in each other's arms for a long time until Raphael said in a hoarse voice, "I understand. Elissa, let's move to a better place. A more comfortable home is what you need."

He realized he needed to set aside his pride and make use of her financial resources for their well-being.

Elissa, nestled against his shoulder, gently shook her head and whispered, “No, we won't move. We can fix this place up; it'll be fine."

Raphael playfully called her silly as he stepped back to look at her, and then at the slippery floor around them.

They were both soaked.

He fetched some clean clothes from the wardrobe and helped her change.

As he did, his hands trembled slightly.

Elissa noticed his intense desire, surprisingly strong even now, amidst the less than ideal circumstances.

Raphael caught the drift of her thoughts and whispered, “You're so beautiful and so soft, Elissa. Besides, it's been a long time since I've been intimate with anyone."

The previous night had provided only a brief respite for his desires.

Elissa braced herself, thinking he was about to make a move as he started to undress. However, to her surprise, Raphael began to tidy up instead. He emptied the water basins and mopped the slippery floor.

The leak would have to be addressed the next day.

Elissa watched him intently, not blinking once.

After Raphael finished cleaning and the rain had stopped, Elissa, feeling a bit better, chastised herself for being overly pampered and even fussy.

Raphael served her some soup, playfully pinched her cheek, and reassured her, "You've had a privileged life. It's normal that you're always pampered."

He was just a regular guy and didn't expect his wife to endure hardships simply because he had experienced tough times.

Regardless of their future financial situation, he was determined to ensure she would always be well cared for.

Curious, Elissa asked why he had come back earlier than he usually did, but Raphael didn't reply. Instead, he left the dishes behind and carried her to the bedroom. This time, he made love to her. He was tender and considerate, especially mindful of her baby bump.

Afterwards, he lingered by her side, unwilling to leave.