I've spend the next day avoiding Rafael at all cost and thinking about what happened.

We kissed, that's good, right? No. What am I saying? This can't be good.

He said he doesn't want kids. Or a wife. I would enjoy a small, temporary romance if I wasn't fucking pregnant right now.

I was snapped from my thoughts by Remi who just finished eating breakfast, he got up earlier than usual and his shirt wasn't wrinkled. That was new.

"Finch says I can switch to professional boxing," Remi said.

"We already had this conversation and my answer is no"

"But-"

"Surely you're not trying to argue with me" Rafael interrupted his younger sibling in a calm voice as he was enjoying his food. A stranger would think he's perfectly calm and probably wouldn't notice an underlying threat behind those words.

"You enrolled me yourself just to block my potential when I can do something with my skills?!"

"You will speak to me in a lower tone" Rafael reminded sternly.

Remi closed his eyes and took a deep breath "Please. At least one fight"

"I thought I was clear when I said that you will never receive my permission to be repeatedly hit in the head for money. You're not going to change my mind so I suggest you to cut it off" Rafael hissed in displeasure.

"I will do whatever the fuck I want" Remi muttered and stood up from his seat to leave the kitchen.

The only problem was that Rafael stood up too and now two brothers have been facing each other in close proximity. Rafael was taller and bigger so that added to his intimidation factor but the most work was doing his eyes. It was truly terrifying when he was looking at them like that.

"Remi, listen to me carefully. I have a problem with violence only if it's for unnecessary entertainment but if I hear you undermining my authority it will end badly for you. Do you understand what do I mean?"

"Of course," Remi said looking down on the floor and left the room.

🔆🔆🔆

"Giovanni told me you haven't eaten anything since lunch"

"You had to ask him?" I asked irritated.

"Did you have to skip your meal again?" Rafael asked, clearly unhappy that I was answering him this way. I lowered my head in embarrassment. "Eliana, look at me"

I did not want to. I turned my head and was about to try to leave when I was stopped by Rafael's hand grabbing mine.

Rafael led me into the kitchen. Standing over me with his arms folded, he said.

"You're gonna eat that fucking sandwich now."

"I'm not hungry"

"I don't want to hear it"

I took a small piece to my mouth under the watchful eye of Rafael and unfortunately I instantly felt the wave of nausea.

Oh great just fucking fantastic. Soon I found myself in a bathroom vomiting and cursing my life.

After this unpleasant incident, Rafael just gave me a glass of water.

"She fainted at work on Monday" Giovanni came out of nowhere. Oh, that's just perfect.

"What?" Rafael asked quietly and I could feel that he is indeed very pissed off right now. "Why wasn't I informed about this?" Raphael's voice grew dangerously low. No answer. No one dared to say a word "I asked you a question."

"Sorry boss I should have reported it"

"It's not his fault. I told him to not tell you anything"

"He's working for me not for you last time I checked," Rafael said coldly and I shivered. I was really in trouble now and so was Giovanni, because of me.

"We will talk later," Rafael said to my bodyguard and dismissed him.

"Can you stand up? I'm taking you to the doctor"

"I'm fine, I've already been to a doctor. Giovanni agreed not to tell you anything, just because I went do the tests, please don't be angry with him", I explained sitting in the car. "My doctor said I have mild anemia that's all. I have medication for that we don't have to go anywhere"

"It won't hurt to double-check," Rafael said starting the car. Shit.

"Please don't be angry at Giovanni. It's my fault he didn't tell you anything"

"Eliana, I don't care what you asked him to do. He knew perfectly well that he is obliged to inform me about anything regarding your safety and he didn't"

"Rafael...."

"What?" He asked looking at me with an angry gaze.

"Don't be mad" I pleaded and grabbed his hand into mine. It's rare for me to initiate any physical contact with him and I could tell that he was surprised even if his expression was unreadable.

"I'm worried about you," he said quietly and stroked my cheek.

Tears welled up in my eyes. I pulled away from him as if his touch was burning me. I need to get a grip. Focus.

"I want to go to the same doctor that done my previous tests a week ago"

"It would be better to have a different opinion if clearly, he didn't help"

"I want the one I already know, please" luckily Rafael was not immune to my pleas, not as he would have liked.

He sighed.

"What's the address?"

We drove up to the hospital and I reappeared outside the office.

"Please come in"

I was invited in and Rafael followed me like a shadow. Shit. I sent him questioning look and then he leaned closer to me and said "You forgot to mention you're sick, Eliana. How can I trust you?"

"Good morning, Eli, do you wish your partner to stay during the visit?" The doctor said warmly and looked at Rafael, who was looking menacing over me.

"Eli?" Rafael repeated in a voice freezing cold.

"Rafael, this is Alex. Eva's boyfriend"

"Ah yes, I remember. He was at the reception" it didn't seem to lift Rafael's sour mood.

"It's good to see you again"

"Likewise" he said in a formal voice.

"Do you want your husband to stay?"

"No, I want him to leave"

But Rafael obviously did not listen. I looked at him and we had a staring contest that I of course lost. A spark of amusement showed in his eyes when I've made a second attempt to meet his eyes.

"Sir, I would like to ask you to leave," Alex said in a gentle voice, addressing Rafael.

"Thank you, I will stay. Since Eliana has a problem with admitting she's sick" Rafael corrected

"Your private affairs don't matter here. The patient doesn't want you in the office" the doctor threatened.

"And I'm staying"

"I'll call security"

"By all means," my husband replied with amusement.

I bit my lip. Not. It won't end well.

"I changed my mind. He can stay"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, after all, it's just the anemia," I said looking at Alex whose confusion was quickly replaced by understanding.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine-"

"She was vomiting this morning. And has no appetite for several days "

"I will prescribe something on nausea"

"I assume you are excellent in your profession since my wife insisted on taking her here," Rafael said, he's statement sound more like a threat. Oh my God.

"Oh ... yes," Dr. Brown said nervously.

"Maybe I should change my doctor?"

"If that's what you think is best," the doctor replied weakly, apparently unwilling to argue with Rafael.

"But please tell me why are you prescribing to my wife medication without carrying out detailed tests? Clearly, your previous diagnosis was wrong since medications didn't help"

"Appetite is common with anemia it may be more acute than I expected I can prescribe something stronger"

"You didn't recognize how severe her symptoms are? And what is the cause of her anemia? Are you sure you are a doctor?"

"Stop it," I hissed trying to stop it.

"I will make more detailed tests," Alex said looking properly terrified right now.

"You see? More tests. Satisfied?" I asked, annoyed.

"I will be satisfied when I know you're fine" Rafael responded sharply.

Alex was forced to draw my blood once again.

Then he informed us that the results will be back in three days.

"It was nice to meet you dr. Brown" Rafael said, looking at the time. It was late evening.

"Thank you, Alex and I'm really sorry for the trouble" I corrected him making sure he hears how tired I am. I needed to be next week. I won't be pregnant next week.

"Fine"

"It's best if you refrain from going to work until we sort it out."

"You want me to miss my first day of work?"

He sighed. "I don't. Can you promise you will call me if you feel unwell?"

"Y-yes"

I took a deep breath of relief only after we arrived home. Rafael still didn't know I'm pregnant and I had scheduled an abortion on Friday. I will survive in this house till Friday, right? I will get this done and he will never learn the truth.