IV. SECOND HEIR

That evening, I couldn't focus on my work, and I just kept my head down while waiting for the Montenegro family to finish dinner. I overheard Raphael's father ask him, "Raphael, when do you plan to return to the States? Didn't you say you'd be staying there for good until you get married?" I clenched my fists tightly, trying to contain my anger and hurt. So, he really did plan to leave me behind and stay in another country while I'm alone here. That means I was right; he just played with my emotions.

Raphael replied, "I'm not sure yet, but I'll let you know as soon as I decide." He stood up, and his mother asked, "Where are you going? You haven't finished your food. Didn't you like the dish? Or do you want something else, and I'll cook it for you?" Raphael said, "I'm full, Mother. I just need to rest for a bit in my room."

I was instructed to show him to the guest room, and as I walked, he followed closely behind me. When we reached the door, I said, "This is your room." He grabbed my wrist tightly and pulled me in front of him, trapping me between his arms. I was startled and saw that his eyes seemed different, like he wasn't the same person I once loved. "I feel like I've seen your eyes before," he whispered, his face inches from mine. I was taken aback, and before I could respond, he added, "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I just feel like I've met you before, but maybe I'm just mistaken."

I didn't react, and instead, I quietly walked away from him, trying not to show my disappointment. As I reached the stairs, I heard Claus's voice behind me. "What did he say to you?" he asked gruffly. I didn't respond, and instead, I continued walking down the stairs. Claus grabbed my arm tightly, and I turned to face him, seeing the anger in his eyes. "Are you deaf? Or are you intentionally ignoring me?" he whispered, his face red with rage.

Before I could respond, Raphael appeared behind us. "Hey, what's going on here?" he asked, and Claus immediately let go of my arm. Raphael then turned to me and said, "Where's my tea? Didn't I ask you to bring me some tea?" I was taken aback, as he hadn't mentioned anything about tea earlier. "What are you waiting for? Why are you still standing there? Are you just going to stare at me?" he added, and Claus looked away, avoiding eye contact with me.

I didn't know why Raphael said those things, but it seemed like he was trying to protect me from his brother or didn't want anyone to know about our past relationship. Nevertheless, I followed his instructions and walked away, feeling confused and hurt. As I reached the kitchen, I quickly grabbed a glass of water and drank it, trying to calm my nerves. I didn't know what kind of relationship Raphael and his brother had, but it seemed like they weren't close, and Claus appeared to be angry with me.

As I stood there, lost in thought, Betty approached me and asked about Raphael. I didn't know how to respond, as I was also confused about what was happening. While Betty was talking, I noticed Claus staring at me intensely from the doorway. I quickly looked away, pretending I didn't notice him. Betty asked if I was listening to her, and I turned my attention back to her, still wondering about Claus's behavior. Why was he staring at me like that? Did he know something about my relationship with Raphael? Or did he have other intentions?

Even though I was looking at Betty, I could still feel Claus's gaze on me. But after a few moments, he left, and I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. "Are you okay? You look pale and like you've seen a ghost. Are you sick?" Betty asked me with concern, and as she reached out to touch my forehead, I quickly stopped her, startling her. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. I just need to leave you for now because I have something else I need to do." That was all I could manage to say to her.

Betty looked at me with a mixture of confusion and concern, but she didn't push the issue further. "Okay, if you're sure you're fine... Just be careful, okay?" she said, her voice soft with worry.

I nodded hastily and turned to leave, eager to get away from the tension that still lingered in the air. As I walked out of the kitchen, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Claus's intense gaze had left on me.

I made my way back to my small quarters, my mind racing with thoughts of Raphael and Claus. What was going on between them? And why did Claus seem to dislike me so much?

As I entered my room, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, taking a deep breath. I needed to calm down and clear my head.

But as I looked around my small space, my eyes landed on the small bump on my stomach. I gently placed my hand on it, feeling a surge of love and protectiveness towards my unborn child.

I knew I had to be strong, not just for myself, but for my baby. I couldn't let the drama and tension in this household get to me.

I took another deep breath, squared my shoulders, and began to prepare for bed. Tomorrow was a new day, and I was determined to face it head-on.

As I changed into my pajamas and lay down on my bed, my mind began to wander again. Why did Raphael pretend not to know me? Was he ashamed of our past? Did he really not remember me?

I thought back to our time together, the way he used to hold me, the way he used to look at me with such love and adoration in his eyes. Did it all mean nothing to him?

And what about Claus? Why did he seem to dislike me so much? Did he know something about my past with Raphael?

I sighed, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I was hurt, angry, and confused all at once.

As I lay there, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for me and my unborn child. Would Raphael ever acknowledge me and our baby? Or would I be forced to raise our child alone?

The thought sent a pang of sadness through me, and I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. But I refused to cry. I had to be strong, for myself and for my baby.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to push aside my worries and focus on the present moment. But as I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't shake off the feeling that my life was about to get a whole lot more complicated.

As I fell asleep, my mind was still racing with thoughts of Raphael and Claus. I couldn't understand why Raphael was pretending not to know me, and why Claus seemed to dislike me so much.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring in my ear. I groggily reached over to turn it off, and then sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes. It was a new day, and I had to face whatever challenges came my way.

I got out of bed and began to get ready for the day. As I was brushing my teeth, I couldn't help but think about Raphael and our past together. I wondered if he would ever acknowledge me and our baby.

After getting dressed, I headed downstairs to the kitchen to start my day. Betty was already there, busy preparing breakfast for the family.

"Good morning," I said, trying to sound cheerful.

"Good morning," Betty replied, smiling. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm okay," I said, trying to brush off my worries.

As we worked together in the kitchen, I couldn't help but notice that Claus was already seated at the table, sipping a cup of coffee. He looked up at me and our eyes met, but he quickly looked away, his expression unreadable.

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I wondered what he was thinking. Did he know something about my past with Raphael? And why did he seem to dislike me so much?

As the morning went on, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I knew that I had to be careful around Claus, but I also knew that I couldn't let him intimidate me. I had to stand up for myself and my unborn child.

As I continued to work in the kitchen, I couldn't help but steal glances at Claus, who was still sitting at the table, sipping his coffee. There was something about him that seemed so mysterious and intimidating, and I found myself wondering what was going on behind those piercing eyes of his.

Claus was a few years younger than Raphael, but he had a presence that commanded attention. He was tall and lean, with chiseled features and a sharp jawline. His eyes were a deep, piercing blue that seemed to bore into my soul whenever he looked at me.

Despite his intimidating presence, there was something about Claus that seemed vulnerable, too. A hint of sadness in his eyes, a slight downturn of his mouth that suggested he had known his share of pain and hardship.

As I watched him, I found myself wondering what his story was. What had made him the person he was today? And why did he seem to dislike me so much?

Just then, Claus looked up and caught me staring at him. For a moment, our eyes locked, and I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. Then, he looked away, his expression unreadable.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I quickly looked away, trying to compose myself. What was wrong with me? Why was I so drawn to this man who seemed to dislike me so much?

As the morning went on, I found myself stealing glances at Claus again and again, trying to understand him better. But the more I looked at him, the more mysterious and intimidating he seemed.