Chapter 132

How to Tame My Beastly Husband — Chapter 132. Priority

Raphael’s mouth shut as if he were gagged. He had no experience of love or even simple emotional interaction. It was impossible for him to speak the language fluently, to answer my love for you is as wide as the sky! To him, her words sounded like a difficult riddle. He could not even understand what the hell she was thinking, to ask such a question.

Annette looked into his trembling blue eyes, normally as sharp as a beast’s. A stubborn man who refused to relate with others, so he would not reveal any weakness. In their previous life, he had been angry with her many times, but after she fell ill, he had never raised his voice even once. He was the only one who stood by her until her death.

Though he had never loved her, she was the only woman in his life. There had never been anyone else. Annette knew that better than anyone, and her eyes looked at him with tenderness. His lonely face had always seemed beautiful to her.

How could she hate a man like this?

A rush of emotion filled her heart at his sudden confession, such a jumble that she did not know how to explain them herself. But after her regression, she had tried, only to be hurt by him again and again. A half-hearted confession like, I like you was not enough. Especially considering the difficult road ahead.

If only they had met some other way. If only they were different people.

A bitter smile twisted her lips. She had spent an entire night interrogating Ben March, and had learned far more than she ever expected.

If she could not rely on Raphael’s feelings, then she would end it. She didn’t want their paths to cross any further. Once she had finished her business, it would be easy to leave him.

Lifting her hand, she caressed his chiseled cheek. There was nothing but confusion in his eyes.

“I am sorry. That must be my answer,” she said softly, knowing that she had his full attention. “I don’t know how much you…like me. My situation is too complicated to reciprocate feelings that may pass like the wind on a spring day. Please consider it carefully.”

“Consider it carefully?” He echoed, quickly catching her wrist. “What do you mean?”

His face was as fierce as ever, almost angry, but his deep blue eyes were shaking as if he were about to cry. The sight gave her the courage to ask.

“Raphael, do you think you could ever choose me first?”

“First?”

“Yes. Before your family, before your own honor. Could you love me that much?”

She stared up at him, but Raphael had no answer. It was a question he had never considered. And something about her seemed so far away, he tried to put his arm around her waist to draw her near. But Annette avoided him gently.

“If that’s not possible, then let’s live as we do now,” she said, with a sad smile. “It will be better for both of us. I’m very sorry, Raphael.”

He had to catch his breath. Every word struck him like a punch to the gut, and his head was reeling with confusion.

She left him there with an apologetic glance, but her last glimpse of his profile through the door revealed total devastation. Annette needed time to think carefully.

* * *

Having recently consulted many books on how to interrogate someone effectively, Annette steeled herself. She was prepared to do the dirty work with her own hands.

I mustn’t hesitate. I have learned everything I can about interrogation and torture.

Even in her last life, she had longed to prove her innocence. She had died for the opportunity, and now she was closer than ever.

It had been terrible to die without ever learning the truth. She was determined to have all of it now, even if it meant getting blood on her own white hands.