?<strong>Chapter 242:</strong>


    Belle and Liza held back, knowing that any attempt to defend Rafael might only exacerbate his punishment. The rtionship between Rafael and Humphrey had always been strained.


    Humphrey had envisioned a future for Rafael in business, hoping he would eventually lead the Romero family enterprises. Instead, Rafael had pursued a passion for medicine, defying his father’s ns.


    Humphrey had also hoped Rafael would marry a woman of equal social stature. Instead, Rafael remained single for years, eventually choosing to follow Joelle abroad.


    Upon his return, Humphrey expected Rafael to dedicate himself to his career, whether in medicine or business, believing it was a man’s duty to prove himself. Yet, Rafael was mostly found at Joelle’s side, caring for their children.


    This deviance from his expectations was a source of embarrassment for Humphrey. Previously, Rafael would challenge his father on their disagreements, but over time, he had learned that silence was less confrontational.


    “Dad, the path I’ve chosen is deeply meaningful to me. I’m sorry I haven’t lived up to your expectations,” Rafael said with resignation before leaving the house, his heart heavy.


    At the doorway, Liza reached out to Rafael, sadness marking her features. “I’m okay,” Rafael assured her, subtly evading her touch, having distanced himself from such familial closeness since adulthood.


    “Rafael, let Joelle treat your injuries when you get home,” Liza said, her voice tinged with concern. “Alright.”


    “Why must you always sh with Mom and Dad?” she asked, her expression filled with reluctance. “Please, try to make them understand. I never meant for them to be so critical of Joelle.”


    “Okay,” Liza agreed, nodding. “Be careful driving home, and call me when you arrive.”


    Rafael didn’t head straight home. Instead, he drove to the riverside, where the cool breeze soothed his heated skin.


    It waste when he finally returned. Joelle and the children were already asleep. To avoid any disturbance, he quietly retreated to his bedroom.


    The next morning, the mark from the p had significantly faded. Joelle, now out of bed, searched for Rafael first thing, concern evident in her demeanor. “Rafael, are you alright?”


    “I’m fine,” Rafael responded, maintaining his cheerful demeanor. “Have Aurora and Rnd woken up yet? I’ll go check on them.”


    He brushed past Joelle, who felt a nagging sense that something was not quite right.


    By ten o’clock, Liza arrived at their home. Joelle greeted her warmly. “Where’s Rafael?” Liza inquired. “He’s upstairs.”


    “I’ll go see him then.”


    “I cane with you,” Joelle offered.


    “No need.” Liza smiled gently. “Stay here, y with Aurora and Rnd.”


    Joelle noticed then that Liza was not only carrying her usual bag but also one from the pharmacy.


    Liza knocked and waited for Rafael’s permission before entering.


    “Liza, what brings you here?” Rafael seemed surprised.


    “I needed to see how you were. I knew you wouldn’t tell Joelle; you wouldn’t want to worry her,” Liza exined as she set down her bags and began to unpack a medicinal solution. “Why did Dad have to hit you so hard?”


    Rafael looked puzzled. “Hasn’t it healed quite a bit? Joelle didn’t notice, did she?”


    “I’ll apply this medicine. It’ll help speed up the healing,” Liza said, sitting beside him on the bed. She dabbed the solution carefully with a cotton swab, then gently blew on his face to dry it.


    The bedroom door had remained ajar when Liza entered, and Joelle inadvertently witnessed this tender sibling moment.


    Though it felt a bit intimate, she quickly reminded herself they were siblings.


    “Joelle.” Liza jumped up, startled by her presence. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m just helping Rafael with some medicine.”


    “Medicine?” Joelle’s focus shiftedpletely to concern for Rafael. “Rafael, what happened to your face?”


    “Nothing,” Rafael quickly concocted an excuse, his voicecking conviction. “It was too dark, and I tripped.”


    “Really?” Joelle’s skepticism was evident. She turned to Liza, seeking confirmation. “Liza, is that true?”


    Rafael shot Liza a pleading look, silently urging her to corroborate his story. “Yes, it’s really dark near our house. Rafael just wasn’t careful and fell,” Liza affirmed quickly.


    They brushed off the topic with augh. But Joelle felt very ufortable. She didn’t like it when Rafael kept secrets from her.


    Once Liza had departed, Joelle took the opportunity to confront Rafael in their bedroom. “What really happened, Rafael? How did you get those bruises?”


    Rafael, weighed down by the situation, found himself unable to meet her gaze, his usual resilience dimmed. Some truths were harder to express,den as they were with the weight of masculine expectations and family duty.


    Joelle gazed into his eyes, her voice soft yet insistent. “Rafael, is there something Liza knows that I don’t?”


    “Of course not.”


    “Then why won’t you tell me?”


    “Joelle.” Rafael hesitated, the admission heavy on his tongue. “I had a confrontation with my father.”


    Joelle’s expression changed rapidly, her features crinkling in distress. “So, it was your dad? He’s the one who hurt you?”


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