The Billionaire CEO Betrays his Wife: He wants her back
Chapter 203: Matured Lover

Chapter 203: Matured Lover

Rafael hesitated then, words catching in his throat, his gaze searching hers.

The room hung silent, heavy with words unsaid, the soft hum of the air conditioner the only sound between them. And Mara... Mara didn’t know if it was fear or love that made her chest ache more.

"Unless what?" Mara asked, her voice barely a whisper. It wasn’t sharp. It wasn’t defensive. It was small, fragile, like a girl afraid to hear the words she already knew.

Rafael let out a long, weary sigh, running a hand through his hair. He didn’t want to say it. Didn’t want to give those thoughts shape, but it clawed its way out anyway, quiet, hesitant.

"Even anger is an emotion, Stef," he said, his voice soft, like he was speaking to the ghost of a feeling. "The same as love. Maybe... maybe you’re angry because he couldn’t be the man you needed him to be. And maybe... maybe some part of you still wishes he could."

The words hung there, thick as fog, too heavy to brush aside.

Mara blinked, her heart giving an uncomfortable, traitorous lurch. She grabbed her bag, rising from the bed like it burned her skin. "I—I can’t do this right now."

Rafael’s jaw tensed, but his voice stayed calm, steady, the way it always did when he was trying to anchor her. "Stef, baby, we’re not fighting. We’re just having a conversation. Couples talk, they misunderstand, they figure it out. They don’t walk away in the middle of it."

Her fingers curled tightly around the strap of her bag. "I don’t know what you want me to say, Rafael!" Her voice cracked, emotion spilling over like a dam breaking. "That’s because I’m angry, I’m in love with him? That I’m fooling around with you while secretly wishing he were you? Is that what you want to hear? Because I’d rather leave than be accused of that."

He stepped closer, not angry, not defensive, just heartbreakingly open. "I’m not accusing you of anything. We don’t have to agree all the time, Stef. I just need you to be honest with yourself. With me."

He took another step, closing the space between them. "I love you. And I’d come running to you in a heartbeat. Hell, I don’t care who hears it, I’d tell the whole damn world you’re mine if you’d let me."

Mara’s breath hitched, her eyes flickering to him, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to cry or scream or fall into his arms.

They never did this. Never argued. Never picked apart the ugly truths that sat in the corners of their hearts. It was always sweet words and safe touches. And this... this was terrifying.

"I know there’s a lot happening," Rafael said, voice gentler now, like a balm for a raw wound. "I know you’re confused. You’ve never really had to agree or disagree with anyone, not like this. But I swear to you, Stef, I’ll never let you walk out in the middle of a misunderstanding."

He reached for her hand, holding it to his chest. "Look at me," he whispered.

And she did.

"All I ask is that you talk to me. When you don’t know what you feel. When you’re scared. When you’re angry. Just... let me in. That’s all. I’m sorry if I pushed too hard. And I love you. I love you so damn much."

His arms wrapped around her then, pulling her into him, and though she told herself to stay strong, to hold the wall up just a little longer... it crumbled.

Mara melted into his embrace, burying her face in his chest as the tears came. Not from sadness. Not from anger. But from relief.

Because for the first time, someone didn’t let her run.

"I’m glad you’re fine," Mara whispered, pulling gently from Rafael’s embrace. Her fingertips lingered against his chest for a beat too long, her heart still trembling inside her ribcage. "And... I’m glad you’re not mad at me."

But there was a question in her voice. A shadow of doubt that refused to be swallowed.

She stepped back, her bag slung over her shoulder, reaching for the door. "I...I need to take the next flight back home."

Her hand was on the handle when, swift and sure, Rafael’s hand pressed the door shut, firm but gentle. His other hand came to rest against the wood, boxing her in without trapping her. His presence was a warmth, a gravity pulling her in.

"Stef," he murmured.

And then his lips were on hers, no rush, no bruising urgency. Just a slow, deep, soul-baring kiss. The kind that speaks without words. That tastes like I’m sorry and I love you, and don’t go just yet.

His thumb brushed her cheek, and she sighed into him, the last of her defenses crumbling. The world narrowed down to the space between them.

When he finally pulled back, he didn’t step away. Instead, he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, sealing the moment like a promise.

"I’ll take you to the airport," Rafael said softly, his voice rough around the edges. "But first... You need to smile for me. Right now."

He arched a brow, a teasing curve on his lips. "And remember, I can never be angry at you. Is that clear?"

A reluctant, watery laugh slipped from Mara’s lips. She tried to glare at him but failed miserably, the warmth in his eyes dissolving her last bit of stubbornness. "Fine," she mumbled, a small, shy smile tugging at her mouth.

"Better," he grinned, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

The car ride to the airport was quieter than usual, but it was the kind of quiet that felt safe. Comfortable. Like a shared breath.

They talked about Lucy’s case, the tangled mess of it, the new lead Rafael had chased these past two days. Mara filled him in on the twins, how Ethan had been pushing her buttons. Rafael just laughed, the sound warm and fond, shaking his head. "Those kids. Gonna give you gray hairs, you know that, right?"

"You’re not wrong," Mara sighed, but a fond smile played on her lips.

At the airport, the night air was cool, the terminal lights casting long shadows. It was later than it should’ve been. Too late for goodbyes.

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