Without a word, Rafael leaned in, capturing her lips in a slow, lingering kiss. Their mouths met in a fiery clash, their tongues dancing, igniting passion, buried love, and the echoes of old resentment. The tension between them dissolved into something raw, something that had long been buried but never forgotten.
The air in the room thickened, laden with desire and the unspoken words between them. Their moans, soft and desperate, filled the silence, heightening the intimacy of the moment.
Rafael's hand slid beneath her nightgown, gently cupping her breast, sending a shiver through her body. The kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more fervent.
Madelyn let out a soft moan, her body responding to the heat flooding her veins. His touch felt like a spark, igniting something deep inside her that she hadn't realized was there.
She wanted to resist to keep her dignity intact. She wanted to stay angry about the situation, about everything. But her body betrayed her, succumbing to the need pulsing through her.
Rafael could feel the heat between them, the undeniable desire blazing through him. "I want to feel you, Kitten," he murmured against her lips, his fingers brushing teasingly against her lower lips.
At the sound of her nickname, Madelyn snapped into her senses. She knew this moment was spiraling beyond her control. Her heart raced, and she broke the kiss, flustered and flushed.
Her hand gripped his, stopping him as he reached for her bra.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, the sting of shame crawling up her neck.
She glared at him, her tone defensive. "I'm not in the mood for this," she snapped, daring him to challenge her.
Rafael's mischievous smile never faded when he caught her denial, as he could feel the heat radiating from her skin. But she played willfully because she was hurting from the desires she wanted, which he struggled to come to terms with yet.
"I can get you in the mood. Can I?" His voice was low, a quiet plea. He wasn't trying to push her, only to coax her.
Madelyn's resolve cracked, her eyes locking with his. She couldn't fight him any longer, knowing this might be the last time.
Let her be foolish for this once.
"Yes," Madelyn whispered, her voice barely audible. "Let's do this."
Rafael slowly removed her corporate dress, revealing the soft, silky skin beneath.
She was breathtaking. Fucking stunning as always.
He lifted her into his arms, carrying her to the bed. Her heart raced, unsure if this tenderness was just another layer of the complexity between them—or a true, soft moment.
Rafael kissed her again, slow and deep, as his hands explored her body, claiming every inch. He kissed her neck, grazing his teeth along her skin, his breath warm against her flushed flesh.
Madelyn arched her back, her chest pressing against his as his hands continued their path over her, teasing and exploring. Every touch, every kiss lit her nerves on fire. She lost herself in the sensation. Her breath quickened, heart pounding as heat pooled between her legs.
"Oh, Rafael," she moaned, the words trembling from her lips.
Rafael spread her legs and positioned himself between them, his body sinking into hers. The sensation of him inside made her gasp.
"Rafael..." she moaned his name, her body arching as his unrelenting thrusts sent waves of pleasure and pain through her.
"Fuck, Maddy!" Rafael groaned, his movements growing more frantic, faster. Their bodies collided in a rhythm that was both desperate and familiar—until, with a final thrust, he released deep inside her.
Madelyn clutched the blanket tightly, her body trembling beneath him from the intensity of it all. Their breaths—shallow and desperate—filled the room as the aftermath of their passion lingered in the air.
Later in the evening, Madelyn helped Rafael get dressed as usual, though her mind was elsewhere—consumed by thoughts of their marriage. She now understood she had never been his lover, only a wife performing her duties and satisfying his physical desires.
His decision the day before still haunted her. The thought of their child growing up without a father's love and support left her feeling restless and alone.
"What's on your mind, Maddy?" Rafael asked sharply, noticing her dazed expression and the knot she'd been fumbling with.
Madelyn snapped out of her thoughts, startled by his tone. She looked down, realizing she'd been tying the necktie incorrectly.
"The tie… it was a mistake," she stammered. "I'll redo it."
"Let it be," Rafael said curtly and adjusted the tie himself.
She looked up, meeting his cold, unreadable gaze. Her heart pounded, and she hesitated, struggling to say what she needed to.
"I'm curious about something."
"Curious about what?" Rafael asked, mildly intrigued.
"I wonder what it feels like to become parents. I mean... how do couples feel when they're expecting a child?" she asked, forcing a nervous smile.
She longed for a real connection, fearing their child would be born into a marriage void of affection. All she wanted was to believe they could become a family.
Rafael went silent, her words echoing in his mind. His eyes drifted to her flat stomach. A strange tension rose within him—not irritation, not rejection, but something closer to fear and a flicker of excitement.
He closed his eyes for a moment, steadying his thoughts before answering.
"It's the greatest joy a couple can feel. It makes their world whole."
Madelyn let out a soft laugh, relief loosening the tight knot in her chest. "Then... can we have a child now?" she asked, this time with genuine hope in her eyes.
Rafael froze. His jaw tightened as he stared at her, her words hitting him harder than expected. Sweat trickled down his spine as conflicting emotions surged.
"Don't get your hopes up," he said coldly. "You can't be the mother of my child. It's part of our marriage agreement. Always remember that, Madelyn."
With that, he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him. His words hung in the silence, slicing through her heart.
Madelyn gasped quietly, her chest tightening with pain. She felt foolish for believing their marriage could grow into something more. No matter how hard she tried to understand him, his rejection left her stranded in a love that had never been mutual.
She wiped away the tears that had begun to fall and walked to the closet. From the suitcase she had hidden away, she retrieved the divorce papers she'd once thought she'd never use. But she'd been wrong—she had waited long enough.
If he didn't want her, why should she keep holding on?
In a rush, she left the room and headed after him. She spotted him near the mansion entrance from the balcony above.
"Let's get a divorce, Rafael!" she called out loudly.