CHAPTER 117: HE CAN’T COMPLAIN

Braelyn’s POV

Their eyes locked together, and there was a subtle shift in the room. Lucien still held his signature smirk with Raphael still being regally calm but I could feel the undercurrent

Lucien’s presence beside me shifted; his hand shifted the wrap around my shoulder. It wasn’t intimate, but we seemed a bit close. He leaned down to whisper into my ear. "Seems like he is heading out. Too bad I wished he was staying around." He clicked his tongue before giving Raphael an innocent oblivious smile

Raphael’s hazel eyes darkened as we approached, he stepped down from the stairs.

His gaze lingered and he watched us rooted at the foot of the stairs like his body forgot how to move. The tension was thick enough to choke on.

"I didn’t know my dear uncle was paying my home a visit," Raphael hissed quietly, his gaze flicking between my face and Lucien’s arm on my shoulders when he stopped before me.

Lucien hummed, unbothered, and he checked the time on his wrist watch before raising the box of doughnuts slightly as if this entire situation was a cheerful family reunion and not a potential homicide scene. "Well, Viper," he turned to me, "I should drop these in the kitchen before they get cold."

I beamed, "Sure, get someone to prepare a cup of hot chocolate for me. It goes excellently well with doughnuts." I chimed, he returned the smile, then leaned close, placing a soft, slow kiss on my cheeks.

In the process, his lips intentionally brushed against mine. I gasped and couldn’t help but blush at his blatant flirting attempts. He chuckled.

"You are all red Viper ." I glared at him before giving Raphael an apologetic look.

"Stop misbehaving and hurry up." I hissed at him. He pulled my cheeks making me roll my eyes

"I can’t help myself. Your reactions are cute." My glare sharpened. I think I noticed something shift in Raphael but it was too fleeting

"If you don’t I will kick you in the balls." I threatened and that didn’t even stop him if not. He got even excited. His eyes flickered, it was like Raphael had faded into the walls for a moment.

"I prefer you suck them instead." This man. I was truly enraged this time and tried to shove him off. Lucien only laughed.

"Be careful, or you will hurt the doughnuts." I was even ticked off. I didn’t know if he was just playing along or just being regular old Lucien.

"The only nuts I am going to hurt are your nuts," he gasped, and his eyes went wide, faking a cartoonish, frightened expression.

"That sounds terrifying but I kind of dig it." He teased me, and I was so red that even my neck was burned. His gaze drew from me and flickered towards Raphael.

Shock ran through his eyes, but he was just a good actor; it was hard to say whether he was faking it or not. "Oh, Raphael. You are still here." He chimed throwing his hands over my shoulders

"Sorry you had to witness that. I couldn’t help myself not to tease her. She is such a viper." I ticked, tipped, and was honestly pissed off to bite his cheek since he was so keen on calling me a viper.

"Stop calling me a viper ", I hissed, not knowing I was falling straight into his trap. My lips brushed against his cheek and he kissed me. He really had the guts to kiss me in this situation.

My brain fried after the kiss. I blinked slowly at Lucien while he maintained his teasing smile.

I was still dumbfounded, he turned towards Raphael. "Do you want a donut? We have more than enough and they are really good "

I was astonished at his audacity. Raphael finally smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. "I am fine, enjoy your doughnuts." Lucien shrugged.

"Suit yourself then."

My eyes fluttered instinctively. When he pulled back, he didn’t forget to throw Raphael one last lazy smile.

"And stop standing like a statue, nephew. It’s creepy like this place is haunted."

I gave him a mental round of applause. Lucien was Raphael’s match in shamelessness. I stared at him with my gaze, saying ’ Please teach me your ways, master.’ He chuckled and then left. His footsteps faded away.

"He never changes." Raphael’s voice drew me back to him.

Raphael’s jaw clenched, but he remained calm. The type of calm that felt like the calm before a turbulent storm. It made my stomach twist, and my smile faltered.

"Are you heading out?" I asked lightly, pretending his icy stillness didn’t bother me.

He didn’t blink. "I have a meeting. I came home to grab something." His voice was flat and clipped, almost emotionless.

I nodded politely, having lost interest in this conversation. "Good luck with the meeting then. Break a leg." I said enthusiastically. My cheerfulness made him shudder. His eyes narrowed at me like I was planning some coup which wasn’t far from the truth.

I turned to leave, but his voice cut through the hallway. "Braelyn."

I paused. "Yes Raphael, is there a problem?" I blinked at him, batting my eyelashes slowly like an innocent girl.

He snickered, Raphael’s eyes narrowed as he walked towards me until there was barely any space between us. I could smell that addictive cedar base cologne infiltrating my senses. "What is Lucien doing here?"

I forced a bright, casual smile like it was nothing. "We were going to hang out. I plan on giving a tour of the estate later, and we will probably organise my shelf in my room. I haven’t done that yet .. it’s going to be fun."

I ratted out excitedly like we had a list of exciting things to do indoors, like playing card games. My face was beaming like Lucien was my play date

It was half true, half lie, fully intentional. Lucien was here because of work. I waited, staring at his face.

There was a flicker of emotion. Which was a bit disappointing because he had done worse. Not even the slightest flicker of jealousy or a smile frown ran across that cold face.

He opened his mouth, but I lifted my hand, interrupting him. "I hope you don’t have a problem, it’s no big deal." I cut him off before adding. " We’re just hanging out, Raphael. Not sleeping in the same bed or having sex all over the house. Lucien was just being naughty earlier." I said it with a shrug, but every word was a deliberate bullet.

Raphael’s expression cracked for barely a second before his stoic expression returned. He nodded once and walked past me down the foyer

But I wasn’t done with him. I turned around and continued

"Oh—and I might start spending more time with Lucien overnight." I tossed the words casually, then added with a light laugh, "Why am I even telling you this? We’re in an open marriage."

Raphael froze, stopping mid-step.