<h4>Chapter 88: Making Up</h4>


    Eliana held the phone tight to her ear, her voice only a whisper in the dim glow of her room. The blue gown from earlier still clung to her skin, silk against warmth, a reminder of the night’s chaos and everything it had stirred up inside her. Henry’s voice came soft through the line, concern threading every word, but her own secrets sat heavier, pressing down with each breath.


    "Henry, I... I just don’t know if I can walk away from all this," she murmured, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It’s like I’m trapped in a web, and every move I make tightens the threads."


    On the other end, Henry’s voice was steady,ced with that reserved ambition she remembered from their college days together. "Eliana, you’ve got to think about yourself for once. You’re stronger than this. Remember that."


    A sharp knock echoed against her door, jolting her like a thunderp. Her heart leaped into her throat, pounding wildly. "Henry, someone’s at the door," she hissed, her voice dropping to a frantic whisper. "Thank you... thank you for being such a good listener. I promise I’ll think about everything you said. Really think about it."


    "Eliana, wait—"


    "Goodbye, Henry. I have to go." She ended the call with a trembling finger, the screen going dark as she tossed the phone onto the bed. Her curls bounced wildly as she scrambled out from under the covers, her bare feet padding softly against the cool marble floor. She smoothed her gown with shaky hands, drawing in a deep breath to steady herself. Who could it be at this hour? Her mind raced—Mirabel? Some servant with another twisted message? Or worse, Rafael, his grey eyes piercing through her facade like he did earlier?


    She approached the door cautiously, her hand hovering over the knob for a moment before turning it. The door creaked open, revealing Rafael in his wheelchair, his tall frame somehowmanding even in the dim hallway light. His dark wavy hair was slightly tousled, as if he’d been running his hands through it in frustration, and his crisp shirt was unbuttoned at the cor, exposing a hint of his athletic build. Those piercing eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that made her stomach twist.


    "Rafael," she said, her voice guarded,ced with the wariness of someone who’d just been burned. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to shield herself from whatever storm he might bring. "Do you... need anything from me? It’ste."


    He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached out, hisrge hand enveloping hers in a surprisingly gentle grip. His touch was warm, hard from years of hidden workout sessions with James, and it sent a conflicting rush offort and fear through her. "Eliana," he said softly, his voice a low rumble that carried the weight of regret. "I’m sorry. For how I handled things earlier. I shouldn’t haveshed out like that."


    Her eyes widened, surprise flickering before she could react. He drew her closer with a steady tug, guiding her onto hisp. A soft gasp slipped from her lips as she settled against his chest, framed by the wheelchair’s armrests that turned the moment into something almost intimate. Her curls brushed his shoulder while he rolled them down the hall, his movements effortless, practiced. Only two doors were in the hall—his and hers.


    The wheels whispered over the floor, the hallway lights creating shadows that stretched and swayed around them. When they reached his room, he eased the door shut with a quiet click, enclosing them in silk and scent. His bed loomedrge, draped in sheets that caught the light, while the faint trace of his cologne lingered in the air like a promise left hanging.


    "Rafael, what are you—" she started, but he cut her off gently, his hands resting on her waist, holding her steady as if she might flee.


    "I was angry, Eliana," he confessed, his sarcastic edge softened by vulnerability. His grey eyes searched her face, tracing the curve of her heart-shaped features. "Angry that you didn’t tell me about Jason’s involvement in your kidnapping. But I’ve thought about it... really thought about it. I know I can seem scary at times. Intimidating. And maybe you just didn’t want too much drama exploding from the whole mess."


    Eliana’s eyes widened further, her lips parting in surprise. She nodded slowly, her hands instinctively resting on his shoulders for bnce. The warmth of his body seeped through her gown, stirring something deep within her despite the turmoil. "Yes... that’s exactly it," she admitted, her voice trembling with emotion. "I don’t want you getting involved in anything that would make you do something horrible because of anger. You’ve already been through so much, Rafael. I see the pain you hide, and I... I couldn’t bear to add to it."


    He let out a sigh, his chiseled jaw tightening for a moment before rxing. His fingers tracedzy circles on her back, a soothing gesture that contrasted his earlier cold demeanor. "I know you’re still getting to know me," he said, his tone earnest, almost pleading. "And maybe your feelings for me aren’t that strong yet. Not like mine for you. But I wouldn’t do anything to ruin what we have, Eliana. What we’re building. It’s fragile, I get that. But I hate lies. God, I hate them more than anything. They tear everything apart. Please, don’t lie to me again. Even omitting the truth... that’s a lie too. It chips away at us."


    <fnc381> Latest content published on find[?]ovel</fnc381>


    Eliana’s heart sank like a stone in her chest, the weight of her unspoken secrets—her connection to Mirabel, the blood ties that could shatter everything—crushing her from within. She felt a pang of guilt so sharp it stole her breath, her honey eyes misting over. How could she promise that when the truth could destroy him? Destroy them? "Rafael... I..." she whispered, her voice cracking, but she couldn’t find the words. Not yet.


    Before the silence could swallow them, he pulled her into a hug, his arms wrapping around her with a possessive tenderness. She melted against him, her head resting on his shoulder, inhaling the musky scent of him. Then, slowly, he tilted her chin up with a finger, his lips brushing hers in a sweet, tentative kiss. It started soft, almost apologetic—his mouth warm and gentle, coaxing hers open with feather-light pressure. She responded hesitantly at first, her hands sliding up to cup his face, feeling the stubble along his jaw.


    But the kiss deepened, emotion fueling the fire. Rafael’s tongue slipped past her lips, tasting her with a hunger that made her gasp. His hands roamed her back, pulling her closer until there was no space between them. "Eliana," he murmured against her mouth, his voice husky. "You drive me crazy. In the best way."


    She moaned softly, the sound escaping before she could stop it, her body arching into his touch. "Rafael... oh God," she breathed, her fingers tangling in his dark wavy hair. The kiss turned hot, urgent—tongues dancing, breaths mingling in ragged pants. He nipped at her lower lip, eliciting a whimper from her, and she felt the heat pooling between her thighs.


    In a surge of passion, Rafael gripped her thighs and stood abruptly from the wheelchair, lifting her effortlessly in his arms. The facade of his disabilities shattered in that moment, his athletic build revealed in full strength as he pressed her against the wall. The cool surface contrasted the fire of his body, her legs wrapping around his waist instinctively. "Fuck, I need you," he growled, his lips crashing back onto hers with bruising intensity. Eliana gasped.


    The kiss escted, wild and consuming. His hands fumbled with his shirt, ripping it open to expose his chiseled chest, muscles rippling under her exploring fingers. He shrugged it off, then yanked down his pants, his hard cock springing free—thick, veined, and throbbing with need. Eliana’s breath hitched at the sight, her pussy clenching in anticipation. "Rafael... please," she begged, her voice a sultry plea.


    He unzipped her gown with frantic fingers, the fabric pooling at her waist before he tugged it down, exposing her full breasts and the curve of her hips. His mouth descended on her neck, sucking and biting, leaving marks that would bloom like bruises tomorrow. "You’re so fucking beautiful," he rasped, his tongue trailing down to her corbone. She moaned louder, her nails digging into his shoulders as he captured a nipple in his mouth, sucking hard. The sensation shot straight to her core, her pussy dripping with arousal.


    "Oh god, yes... Rafael!" she cried, her head thrown back against the wall. He switched to the other breast,vishing it with the same attention—tongue swirling, teeth grazing—while his hand slipped between her legs, fingers teasing her slick folds. She bucked against him, moaning uncontrobly, the room filled with the wet sounds of his mouth on her skin.


    They were lost in the haze, high on each other. Rafael’s cock pressed against her thigh, hot and insistent, pre-cum smearing her skin as he ground into her. He positioned himself at her entrance, ready to thrust deep into her tight pussy, to fuck her senseless against the wall. "I’m going to fuck you so hard, Eliana," he groaned, his eyes dark with lust. "Make you scream my name."


    But suddenly, a wave of nausea crashed over her like a heavy rock. Her stomach churned violently, the room spinning. "Rafael... wait," she gasped, pushing at his chest. Panic red in her eyes as bile rose in her throat. She wriggled free, her feet hitting the floor unsteadily, and bolted for the bathroom.


    She barely made it to the toilet before retching, her body heaving as she threw up, the acrid taste burning her mouth. Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the sweat from their passion. What the hell was happening? The Chapter ended there, leaving her hunched over, vulnerable and alone in the tiled sanctuary, while Rafael’s concerned voice echoed from the doorway. "Eliana? What’s wrong?"


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