“I went into Pamela’s chambers tonight, Raph.”
His steps halted behind her and she felt his presence like a brooding storm, both distant and dangerously close.
“Why?” His voice was low and sharp, a warning wrapped in velvet.
“She was crying,” Camelia said softly. “She was having a nightmare, Raph.”
“It’s just a nightmare; it will pass.”
Camelia’s fists curled at her sides, she whipped around to confront him but she stopped when she saw the deep furrows etched in Raph’s brow.
He’s worried about her.
“It’s not nothing, Raph. Do not brush this off.”
“Camelia, I don’t have time for this.”
“You mean that you don’t have time forher?”
Raph’s jaw ticked. “I don’t have time for dreams and nightmares. She will outgrow them. I cannot do anything to help her with that.” He rubbed a hand down his face in frustration.
“She was calling for her mother in her sleep.”
“What?”
“Yes… she was lost in a painful nightmare. I couldn’t just leave her, so I comforted her while she slept, and before I could leave, she called for her mother.”
Raph’s usual guarded eyes flickered with guilt and hurt.
“She had nightmares, and you thought barging into her room, and now mine, would fix it? You’re meddling in things you don’tunderstand, Camelia.” His clenched jaw showed his growing agitation.
Camelia stepped forward, undeterred, her voice rising with passion. “I am not meddling! A young girl is hurting, Raph! She needs more than your rules; she needs your care. Why won’t you talk to her about her mother or her real father?”
“I have my reasons, my limits, and my rules.”
“I don’t give a damn if I’m pushing your limits or breaking your precious rules—” She stopped and slowly backed away when his eyes flashed, even though she was drawn to him.
“You think it’s that simple to raise a child? Spilling life-changing secrets just to chase away a nightmare?”
“I raised my sisters, so yes, I know what it’s like!” Her frustration grew as they argued.
“You don’t know what that truth would do to her, Camelia. How many times must I tell you that I’mprotectingher? That everything I do revolves around Pamela!”
She crossed her arms, her voice as sharp as a blade. “You think that keeping her in the dark is protecting her, but it’s slowly destroying her, Raph.Isoothed her tonight, not you. Like I did for my sisters after we lost our mother. Pamela’s pain is as real as your rules, and your silence is making it worse. You need to help her.”
Raph’s hands clenched, and he let out a bark of laughter. “You soothed her? And what, you think that makes you her savior now? This is my burden, Camelia, not yours. Stay out of it.”
“I’m your wife, Raph. That means I share your burdens, whether you like it or not. Tell me why you’re so afraid to reveal her real father’s identity. You won’t even tellme. Raph, you have to trust me, please.”
“I trust no one,” he hissed.
Camelia flinched. “I’m not your enemy, Raph. I’m trying to help.”
“You want to help?”
“Yes.”
“Truly?”
