All Chapters of His uncle's sweetheart : Chapter 141 - Chapter 150

The penthouse was quiet but for the lying phone on the coffee table that vibrated without cessation. Rafael cast his gaze at the screen with Gabriel's name across it. Very much against his will, he reached to pick up the receiver, seemingly awaiting news of a disaster."Rafael," came the anxious, strained tone of Gabriel. “Things are not looking good here.”Rafael settled in and braced himself, taking a long deep breath. "What's up?"“About all the losing financially, continual leaks with our projects, and some rat is inside to take us down. We reach the breaking point unless something's done and fast". Gabriel's voice cracked in the stress. "I am doing all I can. Still, we need you in Rome, we need you here, now.” Rafael ran a hand through his hair as his mind whirred on. It had spiraled out of his control at the company, but this? This wasn't what he was expecting. The weight weighed upon him now, yet he was not in a position to have a choice anymore."I'll be there as soon as I c

"I am not letting her leave here, Rafael." Bernice spoke in quivered silent strength, standing behind Mia's hospital bed. She ran her fingers smoothly through her daughter's disheveled hair. Days of unconsciousness had passed and with each minute in this clean and silent room, she felt further smothered by a sense of helplessness with the choices she made, and just not coming out of this crushing burden.Rafael stood framed in the doorway of the room, and he was as always commanding. Yet only a little while prior to this, he received updates about his legal team's handling of the situation. At all times, he kept him two steps ahead of all games. His lips pucker as he gazes at Bernice's nervy movements, eyes snapping over to their pale girl's face.“Mia needs the best care, Bernice," he said-too softly, but with the underlying authority not to be denied. "And that's in Rome. You know it as well as I do."She looked up at him, her heart pounding in her chest. The impossible decision:

"I'm glad you are making the best choice for our kids." Rafael said calmly, but in it was an edge, seeming to dare her to protest.Bernice didn't turn toward him. She couldn't. She just continued to focus on the steady rise and fall of Mia's chest beneath the pale hospital blanket. The machines surrounding her daughter beeped softly at rhythmic intervals, every sound a relief and a reminder of how fragile her daughter's life had become."I don't know anymore what's best, but I only know she needs help, and you can provide that," Bernice said with her soft voice, her fingers digging onto Mia's hand.Then the sound of Rafael's steps quietly echoed as he neared. "Then why do I feel that you are hesitating?”She finally turned to him, her eyes ablaze with unsaid emotions. "Because I am. This isn't easy for me, Rafael. I'm leaving everything behind, Alexander, the life I rebuilt, and for what? To follow you to Rome and trust that you're doing this for our kids and not for control?"His ja

"Rome," Rafael said as their car glided down the wide historic streets, his voice cutting through the silence that had hung between them since the plane had landed. "Still feels like home."The view outside the window was all but forgotten as Bernice cast all her attention on the little girl leaning against her chest, fiddling with her daughter's blanket, her fingers working in shudders while she did that. "Just another city for me these days," she whispered absently.Rafael leaned his head toward her then and took a close gaze into her face. "It wasn't always just any city. You used to love it here.”"That was a long time ago," Bernice replied, her eyes still on Mia. "Things change."Rafael hesitated, his gaze flicking between her and their daughter. "Some things don't."At last Bernice glanced up and for that moment her eyes dared him; the statement has existed tangible between them-in weighty second; she shakes off and turns her attention to Mia; his gaze stubbornly rests upon her

"One ticket to Rome. First class," Alexander said, his voice tight, as he shoved his passport across the counter.The airline attendant gave him a polite smile as her fingers flew across her keyboard. "We have a flight leaving in three hours. Would you like me to confirm your reservation?""Yes," he returned without wasting time on civilities."Checked luggage?”The moment the ticket would clear, Alexander's mind strayed to Bernice. Chased the image of her by Rafael's side at the hospital, tearful but resilient, he just could not rid his head of. He bit his teeth, forcing his anger not to flare into being. She was to be his, his and his daughter Lily's. Since when has it gone like this?The soft voice of the attendant brought him back to the present. "Here's your ticket, Mr. Cole. Have a safe flight."He nodded and took the ticket from her without a word. Away more to a quiet corner of the lounge, he strode away. The clutch on his phone tightened, his gaze fixed on that blank screen,