CHAPTER 29: UNDER THE MASK

Braelyn’s POV

The cold autumn breeze blew through my hair. The lone car drove out of the estate. The chill air made me more sober as I held my phone

For a moment earlier, I had frozen. She looked pale and fragile; it was human to feel pity and concern for her, even if she looked like the villain of my story.

She didn’t force Raphael to make his decision despite having that reasoning a part of my heart couldn’t accept. A subtle ache was there...

The servants cleared from the main entrance and I was the only one left. My feet started to move but not in the direction of the mansion. I followed the autumn breeze, the soft moonlight which peaked through the thick clouds.

The Volkov property was pretty large; it also covered a large expanse of woodland. The tall trees formed a canopy covering the moonlight. This normally would have creeped the shit out of me. I found a weird sense of comfort in the silence I haven’t felt for days now.

The cold gave me goosebumps, my thoughts told me to turn back. There was this urge that didn’t let me like there was a mystery up ahead I must discover.

The trees were eerie, echoing every footsteps yet there was no fear in my heart. The woods led to the family cemetery. My footsteps stopped up ahead beyond the trees, a lone figure stood back against the trees.

"Lucien," I muttered the words before speaking. He didn’t hear me. He was too far off. He stood shoulder trembling before a new grave

Although the set up had been cleaned up, there were still signs from earlier today. It was his father’s grave. His dark hair danced with the wind.

He was wearing a pair of pj’s trousers and a long robe that also danced in the night. He must have felt my gaze because he glanced over his shoulders. I quickly averted my gaze to hide behind one of the trees but I was able to get a glimpse of his tear stained face.

He was crying. My hand clutched my chest, he was hurting despite hiding it perfectly well. Was acting reckless his way to grief?

The image of Lucien crying was etched in my mind the way some of his hair stained with tears stuck to face. Those mischievous Hazel eyes were calm and dead inside.

I glanced over again and he was back staring at Gregor’s tumb stone mumbling something as he cried. I couldn’t get the words as the wind carried them away.

A part of me wanted to go and hug him. Tell him it was okay to cry. It was okay to grieve the loss of those you love. I have been there. I cried like that too when dad died but I wasn’t alone.

Raphael was there holding my hand the entire time whispering words that held comfort but he was alone. He probably also skipped the funeral because his family couldn’t stand him.

My fist clenched, holding back the urge. Sometimes we need is space. Going there was evading his personal space. So I turned around and walked back the same way. The silent road back to the mansion.

As soon as I arrived at the door my phone vibrated with a text notification.

Raphael: I might not return tonight. Please try to sleep.

I scoffed then switched off my phone. He was still acting like the diligent husband informing me about his whereabouts. The wind howled with the clouds rumbling.

I glance up at the sky, it might rain anything now. Was Lucien planning to stay out in the rain? I wondered.

"Why do you care? He is old enough to take care of himself." I muttered before getting inside. The rain might start any moment from here. Since Raphael was probably going to spend the night by his sick lover’s side there was nothing left to do.

I headed back into my room and had a quick warm shower before getting ready for bed. The entire time my mind was debating

She was sick, it was fine he was staying by her side. The other side scoffed, the same man was my husband who didn’t accompany me for my doctor’s appointment despite knowing how much hospitals made me nervous.

When did Raphael stop loving me? I wondered. "Maybe he never did," I said in finality, giving myself one last look in my dressing mirror before standing up.

Does it matter now who he loves? A cruel smile crept up my lips. I cradle up on the bed pulling a pillow close hoping to fall asleep and forgetting all this for a moment

I didn’t know when I drifted asleep. The events of today me in my dreams. My breath grew erratic and I turned reaching out for a familiar warmth

My hand fell on the empty bed beside me. Lighting flashing with thunder following after.

My eyes jolt open, sweat hanging on my forehead. My heart beat running out of place. I struggled to catch my breath. The thunder and lightning continued to rumble in the background while endless rain drops splattered against the glass window.

It must have been raining for a long while with how heavy it was hitting the glass panels. I snuggled up to my pillow trying to go back to sleep. The thunder didn’t stop

Grrrrr

I froze. The stomach growled in protest. I hugged my stomach. Damn I was starving. Throwing up everything in my stomach was coming back to get me.

After a fight with the hunger and the urge to go back there sleep, hunger prevailed in the end and I found myself heading downstairs once again to the kitchen to catch a quick snack

The thunder echoed through the empty hallway. It was a bit creepy knowing this was long past midnight. I arrived at the kitchen door which was left slightly ajar, scuffling sounds and the gas burner could be held from the outside

Curious I pushed the door open, my gaze immediately zeroed on the figure standing in front of the gas burner

He was drenched completely, still wearing only his trousers exposing the exhibition of his tattoos that ran across his back with his robe already tossed on the centre aisle

Did he stay by the grave under the rain? I wondered. Before I could say a word Lucien beat me to it.

"Are you going to keep standing there like you watched me by the grave? " He asked not taking his eyes off the pan

Dumbfounded, I blurted. "You saw me."

He chuckled then glanced at me with a soft smile. "Of course I will always notice you. Everything disappears once you are there."