Raphael slowly stepped toward Grace, his movements steady as ever, but noticeably slower than usual. What was he hesitating for?
As the distance between them shrank, Grace kept her eyes on his, searching for any sign of emotion—but all she saw was a deep, impenetrable calm. Until he was close enough for her to catch it—a flicker, barely there, and then a sudden crease between his brows.
“You’ve been crying?” His voice cut through the silence, tight, almost strained.
Raphael's been so focused on holding himself together, suppressing every emotion boiling inside, that he hadn’t noticed it until now. Grace’s eyes were red, a faint shimmer clinging to her lashes. His chest tightened at the sight—he’d never seen her look so fragile.
Those eyes of hers, always sharp, always playful—whether s
