Chapter 856: Blazing anger
Rafael had resigned himself to the fact that he was probably not meant to get to know the girl. Fate, it seemed, had other plans, and he was determined to accept that gracefully—or so he thought. But as he stepped into the private room, all notions of calm acceptance shattered like glass.
The beautiful angel, the one who had captured his thoughts so effortlessly, was right there. But she wasn’t alone. She was in the arms of his best friend—his very engaged and supposedly in love best friend!
The sight hit him like a punch to the gut, and his chest burned with an emotion he refused to name. Narrowing his eyes, Rafael quickly convinced himself that his next actions were driven purely by honor and not blind jealousy. His legs moved before his mind could catch up, carrying him forward in swift, purposeful strides. Without so much as a greeting, he grabbed the girl by the arm, yanking her away from Caius. Then, without hesitation, Rafael swung his fist, fully intending to plant it squarely on Cai’s jaw.
Only Cai’s quick reflexes saved him. The man ducked just in time, leaving Rafael’s fist to swing through empty air.
"Woah! Rafael Ignis! What is wrong with you?" Caius demanded, straightening up and throwing his hands in the air, wide-eyed and incredulous over the sudden violent act by his friend. Just for safety, Cai took a few steps back, wondering if Rafe had lost his mind or something.
"Wrong with me? What’s wrong with you, Caius Frost?" Rafael shot back, his voice sharp with accusation. "I thought you were an honorable man! A loyal man! And yet here you are, doing... this! Cheating on Lily! Stand still and let me punch some sense back into you!"
Rafael’s heated words echoed in the room, his hands balled into fists as he glared at Cai. He was fully prepared for another round of confrontation when a sound stopped him cold. A melodic laugh—a laugh so light and unbothered that it grated on his already frayed nerves.
He turned sharply toward the source, his eyes narrowing as they landed on the woman. The angel. She was laughing—laughing!—as if this entire situation was a joke. Her radiant smile softened her features, and for a brief moment, Rafael’s heart stumbled again. But the irritation that coursed through him quickly shoved aside the effect her beauty had on him.
So this was who she truly was? A woman who found humor in wrecking relationships and betraying trust? He had thought her kind. Thought her good. Clearly, he’d been wrong.
She must have felt his accusing gaze because she stopped laughing, her lips twitching as she tilted her head and assessed him in return. The once-over she gave him made his irritation spike further, but before he could speak, Cai groaned loudly and rolled his eyes.
"Seriously, Rafe? Seriously? I thought we were good friends by now! But this?" Cai gestured between himself and the girl, his expression half-annoyed, half-bemused. "You think this is who I am? That I’d cheat on Lily? And not just that, but do it so openly? As if I’d invite a woman here—at a meeting scheduled with you, of all people—to make it easier to catch me in the act? How stupid do you think I am?"