BUT Raphael did not return that night, and Sophia curled up in bed in agony as night turned to day and sleep eluded her. Raphael was a bitter and angry man, and she feared that if he didn't recognize that Hugh needed his love and attention soon, it would be too late for both of them. Hugh appeared to be like his mother, warm and giving, but even as a child, he couldn't keep giving forever with no return. Raphael had to see that if he didn't want to lose his son's love. Perhaps by the time he returned, the two of them would have reached an agreement.
When he returned that evening, she was in the bedroom changing, unsure whether he would be returning for dinner but deciding they could go out if he did.
His gaze narrowed as she stood across the room in only a coffee-colored bra and pantyhose.
Sophia looked at him nervously, unsure what to say to him after their stormy separation.
'Are you going somewhere?' he asked as she zipped up her brown lace gown.
She shook her head. 'I was thinking we could go out to dinner this evening.'
'Bored of staying in already?' he mocked, removing his jacket.
The two of them lived an intimate life, dressing and undressing together, spending their evenings and sleeping together, and yet each evening they met as strangers, made love as strangers, and parted as strangers; and it was tearing Sophia apart.
'No, I'm not bored,' she insisted. 'But I had no idea when you'd return—'
'And so you thought you'd go out and find some entertainment—'
'Don't expect everyone to have the same morals as you, Raphael,' she sneered. 'I was getting ready in case you wanted to take me out to dinner when you got home.'
'And why should I want to do that?' says the author.
His deliberate attempt to embarrass her caused her to flush. 'Because you've had a bad day and you want to go out,' she posed the question.
'I've had a bad day,' he admitted curtly. 'And I don't want to go anywhere.'
'If that's the case, I'll cook us something while you shower and change,' she shrugged, hesitantly approaching the door. 'How did things go with Hugh?'
He stiffened as he turned from his sitting position on the bed to remove his shirt. 'My relationship with my son, as I've told you numerous times, is none of your concern,' he said coldly.
'Then I'm a slow learner,' she exclaimed. 'Because I'm still curious about Hugh.' 'Raphael, when he came here, he involved me, and I drove him to your mother's,' she insisted sternly.
'It only involved you because I wasn't here and you were,' he scoffed. 'And we've already determined what role you play in this!'
Her lips clenched around the angry retort she wanted to give him. 'Would it be too much to ask if Hugh has returned to boarding school?'
'No, that wouldn't be too much to ask,' he replied, imitating her sarcasm. 'I drove him back to school this morning.' It was not an enjoyable experience.'
'I'm sure you'll get over it soon, Raphael,' she taunted.
That's not for me.' His pupils were constricted. 'I meant Hugh.' Although it was a little difficult for me to explain why he had fled; the school is one of the best in the country.'
'Did you find it difficult?' she exclaimed. 'How do you believe Hugh feels?' she charged. 'He despises it there.'
'All boys despise school.'
'Did you do it?'
Raphael's lips pressed together into a thin line. 'In fact, yes,' she says.
'Then—'
'But, Sophia, we all have to go to school,' he said dismissively. 'He'll grow out of his dislike.'
'Did you do it?'
'We're not talking about me,' he snapped.
'We are, in a way,' she insisted. 'Is it because Hugh had the courage to do something you couldn't?'
'I've never run away from a situation in my life,' he rasped as he rose to his feet.
Sophia refused to be intimidated by him. 'Only because you were too scared to,' she mocked.
'Because your father instilled in you a fear of showing signs of weakness.'
'So we're back to my father again, aren't we?' he grumbled as he stripped off his shirt.
'Why not, you're growing up to be exactly like him!' In her rage, she was exhaling heavily. 'Sophia—'
'Hugh despises that school,' she continued vehemently. Not just any school, but that particular one. I don't care if it's the best in the world; Hugh despises it so much that he fled. 'And he'll do it again.' She was certain of it. 'And he might not come to you this time.'
'You have no idea what you're talking about—'
'Yes, I do,' she stated vehemently. 'He's been through so much for a ten-year-old boy, and now all he wants to do is be with you and Sarah.'
'Sophia, this has nothing to do with you.'
'Yes, it is,' she insisted angrily. 'How can you be so hard on your own son?' she exclaimed, stunned by his unyielding expression.
'Because he's my son, I believe I know what's best for him—'
'You don't know anything about him,' she charged angrily.
'And I assume you do?' Raphael savagely turned on her. 'You think you know my son after he verbally attacked you in a restaurant and then let you drive him down to his grandmother's?'
'Better than you do right now.' She gave a firm nod.
'Now you've gone too far,' he exclaimed, threateningly approaching her.
'Because I dare to tell you that if you don't recognize your son's need for you, your love and attention, you'll lose him?' She scoffed and stood her ground. 'You don't scare me, Raphael.' As he towered over her, she looked up at him. 'I may not have my own children, but that doesn't mean I'm unconcerned about a child's needs.'
'And I suppose I am?' His set jaw jerked erratically as his pulse jerked erratically.
'You've become tough and unyielding—'
'I'll appreciate it if you mind your own business.' He shoved her aside to get a suit from the closet behind her. 'I'm leaving.' 'Alone,' he added emphatically.
She'd tried and failed before, and she was aware of it. 'Raphael, I'm sorry you're feeling that way.'
'Don't be concerned.' He gave her a scathing look. 'Our deal is still in effect.'
She did not flinch when he locked his gaze on her. 'I wasn't thinking of myself, but of you and Hugh, mostly you, I believe.' Hugh will be an adult one day, and you will not recognize him.'
His response was to slam the wardmarke door shut and storm into the adjoining bathroom, the shower running seconds later. Raphael is a wuss. And then there's Hugh. She ached for him once more, alone at the school he despised. And she knew he was like Raphael in that he would flee as soon as he had the chance.
She considered leaving herself after Raphael had left the apartment in deafening silence, simply packing her belongings and leaving before he returned. But she couldn't do it because she knew that no matter what he did to her, she couldn't leave him, and he would have to be the one to tell her to leave. She did, however, call Bella Mcklerin to see if Hugh was okay after seeing his father. The older lady was just as concerned as she was, promising to keep her updated on Hugh's progress—or lack thereof. The older woman didn't seem to notice anything unusual about Sophia's interest in her lover's son, and she didn't question it, which Sophia appreciated because she couldn't explain the bond she felt with the young boy.
When Raphael returned home, she was in bed but not asleep, clutching her book tightly in front of her as he walked straight into the bedroom, unsure of his mood after the way he had left earlier.
He drew a ragged breath and came to a halt beside the bed they shared. 'I'm sorry,' he said abruptly. 'I seem to have said nothing else since you moved in here, but I apologize.'
'What for?' She wasn't sure what he was apologizing for, whether it was for something he'd done earlier or something he'd done while he'd been gone for four hours.
He shook his broad shoulders and threw off his evening jacket. 'For always losing my cool with you,' he sighed.
'Did you have a—pleasant evening?' she inquired, her voice reserved.
'I went to the Excellence,' he said flatly. 'It was supposed to be to check on the new entertainer they had there.'
'And?'
'She's good—but not as good as you,' he said, his gaze fixed on her. 'Nor was she as beautiful.'
Sophia tensed. 'What does that even mean?'
He sat down by her side on the bed. 'She's a skilled performer—'
'How so?' she demanded sharply.
His lips twisted. 'I'm referring to her singing, Sophia. I certainly don't go to bed with my employees on a regular basis. Is it so difficult for you to accept a compliment from me without reading more into it than was intended?'
'It's been a long time since you've complimented me on anything,' she said abruptly. 'And I have no idea about your female preferences since your wife died.' She was acutely aware of his proximity, of his rugged beauty, and of how desperately she wished she could reach out and pull his head down to hers. But not as they were now; she desired so much more.
Raphael smiled slightly. 'I prefer someone just over five feet tall, with brown hair and velvet brown eyes,' he explained quietly. 'Oh, and the most sensual hands I've ever seen.'
Sophia blushed as he described her in detail. 'Raphael...?'
'I don't want us to argue any longer, Sophia,' he said gruffly, smoothing her brow hair.
'We once had something good, and we could have it again.'