Chapter 246

• The next morning, Rafael stepped out of his hotel suite looking impeccably sharp in a charcoal suit, though the faint shadows under his eyes betrayed a restless night.
• I noticed instantly. It was a mystery how he still managed to exude such energy and control despite the exhaustion. His stride was confident, his presence commanding, and his eyes carried a certain gleam an intensity that was oddly comforting.
• After our late-night heart-to-heart, Ryan had started warming up. The boy, who had been clinging to me like a lifeline, now occasionally pulled aside the car window shade to sneak glances at Rafael’s silhouette up front. There was curiosity in his eyes hope, even.