CHAPTER 122: WORLD OF LIES

My mind felt so disoriented when I finally snapped out of my slumber, and I wondered where I was. I blinked my eyes a couple of times as I tried to focus. Recognition of my surroundings slowly seeped in, and I realized I was in my bedroom inside Bennett’s mansion. I was safe. The warmth of the sheets wrapped around me felt comforting, yet I sensed that something was off. My mind was foggy, but it didn’t take long for the memories to slowly return.

The meeting I had with Josh in secret. The truth that he revealed about Raphael and his family. The drug in my drink. The dizziness that overwhelmed me, and how Josh tried to take advantage of me. And then...Raphael.

I gasped as I sat up too quickly, only to be hit by a wave of nausea. I pressed my forehead, steadying myself as I tried to breathe slowly and deeply. I remembered it all now. Josh had drugged me, toyed with me, dangling the truth in front of me and treating me like a fool before he tried to take advantage of me. Raphael had come to save me again.

Suddenly, I found a surge of strength as I swung my legs over the bed. I needed to see Raphael now. I made my way down the hall, my bare feet silent against the floors. I thought I knew exactly where Raphael would be. He spent most of his time in his private study whenever he was at home. When I reached the door, I barely hesitated before opening it. I felt desperate to talk to Raphael, as if there was still something I needed to confirm.

Raphael sat behind his desk, leaning back against his chair. The morning sunlight cast a sharp shadow across his face, and I was drawn to the beauty of his jawline. He looked up at me when I made my entrance as if he had been expecting me.

"Good morning," he greeted me casually, as if nothing had happened the night before. Something about his attitude ticked me off.

"Is that all that you have to say to me?" I asked before I could stop myself.

His lips twitched, but he said nothing, as if waiting for me to speak first. I decided that if that was what he wanted, then that was exactly what I was going to give him. I took a deep breath and stepped forward until I was standing right in front of his desk, my heart pounding against my chest.

"Listen, Josh told me everything," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Raphael’s eyes darkened slightly, but he remained composed. "And what exactly did Josh tell you?" he asked.

I hesitated before answering because my throat felt so constricted. Saying it out loud felt like it would make it real.

"He told me about your family... that your family is part of the mafia. That Bennett, and your whole family, runs both legal and illegal businesses. That you guys are a mafia family," I replied, cutting myself short when I realized that I had begun rambling.

I thought that I would get some kind of reaction from Raphael, but instead, he didn’t even blink or flinch at my words. After a long pause, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. His eyes were glued to mine, and for a moment I felt the urge to look away from him.

"Yes," he replied simply.

"Is that it? You’re not going to try to deny it? Or try to convince me that Josh was just lying?" I asked in disbelief.

How could he admit to something so serious so nonchalantly?

"No," Raphael replied. "Because Josh was telling the truth."

Although I had heard him loud and clear, my mind struggled to process everything. It was hard for me to believe that Raphael was willingly confirming everything Josh had told me. I had expected a bigger reaction from him, for him to deny what Josh had said about his family business. For a split second, I wished Raphael would continue to shield me from the truth, but instead, he was admitting everything openly and honestly.

"I can’t believe this," I said before letting out a shaky laugh. "Actually, I don’t want to believe this."

Raphael let out a loud sigh before he stood up slowly and walked around the desk to my side. "Listen, Gail, I was going to tell you, but my father was strongly against it," he said.

His father’s mention made my entire body stiffen. It was a harsh reminder that I wasn’t the only one caught up in this mess-Bennett was my mother’s husband. My cheerful, happy-go-lucky mother was still blissfully unaware of the dangerous world she had married into.

"Did your father want to keep my mother and me in the dark forever? Bennett never planned to tell my mother anything, even though they’re married?" I asked in pure disbelief. It felt like the worst of my nightmares had finally come true.

Raphael hesitated before nodding his head.

I took a step back, automatically wrapping my arms around myself as if I could defend myself from the truth. My thoughts raced endlessly, jumping from one terrifying conclusion to another. Should I tell my mother? Could I even bring myself to do it? Would she even believe me if I did?

"I don’t know what to do," I whispered weakly, revealing the only realization I was sure of.

"Listen, baby, there’s nothing that you need to do. You’re safe, and I will make sure of that," Raphael said reassuringly as he reached for my hand and held it gently in his.

Slowly, I slipped my hand out of his and shook my head regretfully from side to side.

"That is not the point, Raphael. I’ve been living in this house and working for your family while completely unaware of what’s truly going on. I feel like everything since my mother’s wedding has been a lie, and everything between us..." I said, trailing off as I felt tears sting the back of my eyes.