Hundred-One

RAFAEL POV

Exhaling once again, I stood rooted to the spot, unyielding since the trio departed. Winter hadn't budged either.

No matter how often her mother offered reassurances, it did little to ease my unease. If only I'd left with Jude and faced the consequences head-on, just as I glimpsed in his eyes. It might have offered some solace.

It could have balanced the scales, a punishment of sorts for what I'd subjected Winter to. Yet deep down, I knew that wouldn't be enough. I sighed and began to pace around the room.

"You should sit down. You'll wear yourself out," Denise advised.

"Sit?" I scoffed. "I don't think that's what I need."

Rising to her feet, Denise approached me. "It's not your fault," she asserted. "I believe you would've shielded Winter if you had the inner strength. I know you never intended to harm her."

"I should have shielded her, but I never did," I acknowledged. "I repeated the same mistake I made with my first mate. I'm cursed, shit!"

"Listen to me," Denise insist