Chapter 86: Family shouldn’t hold secrets, right?
"... Do you believe in magic?"
When Raphael heard that strange question fall from Leo’s lips, she stared at him for a few seconds completely dumbfounded.
Her brows furrowed, her lips parted slightly, and her head tilted as if trying to understand whether she’d heard him right. Her expression quickly twisted into one of concern, as though she were trying to figure out if he’d recently hit his head or perhaps hadn’t slept in days.
"Are you serious?" she asked softly, her voice carrying both worry and disbelief.
"Figures..."
Leo muttered under his breath, catching her reaction even before she spoke. He wasn’t surprised. It was exactly how anyone would react. Still, he gently shook his head with a faint chuckle and slowly looked up at the wide, open sky. The clouds drifted lazily, the sky a perfect blue, calm and silent—so unlike his heart. His gaze softened as he spoke again, this time more thoughtfully, as if trying to convince even himself.
"I know it sounds insane... unbelievable, even. I used to think the same. I laughed at the idea too, once. But then... after everything that’s happened... I can’t laugh anymore."
His voice trembled near the end, and though he tried to wear a smile, the sadness behind his eyes couldn’t be hidden.
Raphael’s chest tightened. There was something in his tone and heavy that made her heart ache. She reached out instinctively and placed her hand gently on his cheek, her fingers soft, warm, grounding.
"You’re my only family, Leo," she said firmly, her voice steady with conviction. "And I believe in you. No matter how crazy it sounds... if it’s coming from you, I’ll believe it."
Leo’s eyes widened a little at her words. He looked at her hand resting on his cheek and then up into her eyes. Slowly, a weak, almost broken smile crept across his lips.
"I guess... this is what it means to have family, huh?" he whispered. Then, like a child seeking comfort, he leaned forward and rubbed his cheek gently against hers, letting out a soft sigh. "It feels nice..."