Chapter 642
His response, when it came, struck like a hammer. “You really are.”
Rafael’s voice faltered, leaving him momentarily speechless.
His jaw dropped, and he stared at Jeff with wide, shocked eyes, as if the words had physically wounded him. “You don’t see me as a friend anymore, do you?” His voice trembled, disbelief coloring every syllable.
With a gentle pat on Rafael’s shoulder, Jeff offered a smile, but it wasn’t one of comfort. “Keep at it. Maybe one day you’ll get exactly what you’re looking for.”
Turning, Jeff strolled past Rafael, washing his hands with casual ease before walking out.
The weight of it all hit Rafael like a wave.
Regret washed over him. Why had he sought validation from Jeff, only to end up feeling more humiliated?
Why had he allowed himself to talk to Fernanda in the first place, only to be labeled as a simp?
Had he kept quiet, none of this would have unfolded the way it did. Seething with frustration, Rafael struck himself hard on the head, the slap echoing his inner turmoil.
When he finally returned home, he hoped his sister, Braylee, might offer some comfort. Instead, her cold laughter met him.
“Fernanda’s opinion of you is correct, you know. You’re a simp, yet you’re oblivious to it. You’re practically begging for embarrassment.”
“I’m not like that! I just feel sorry for Ava. She cried when I called after she left. She never cried before!”
“So, what happened next? Did she cry and beg for your help?” Braylee shot a glance at Rafael. “Did you go confront Fernanda for her?”
Rafael defended, “I was just trying to convince Fernanda to let Ava come back…”
A sharp laugh escaped Braylee, stopping him dead in his tracks.
Her voice dropped to a frosty tone. “When you broke your arm, I held back my harsh words. But now, it’s hard not to say it—your judgment is terrible.”
Rafael could sense his frustration building. Today seemed to be a never-ending cycle of criticism—first from Fernanda, and now from his own sister.
“If you were into someone like Fernanda, I’d get it.” Braylee squinted, looking like a sly fox. Resting her chin on her perfectly polished fingers, she fixed her gaze on Rafael. “Sometimes, a change of heart is the smartest move. Why not give Fernanda a shot? She’s single, you know.”
Rafael shot up from the couch, his eyes wide with disbelief. His sister’s words had completely thrown him off balance.
“Are you out of your mind?” he exclaimed, swearing in shock. “How could I ever fall for someone like Fernanda?”
“She’s young, attractive, and successful. What’s not to admire?” Braylee’s grin grew wider as she tapped her fingers lightly on the table, a knowing gleam in her eyes. “And you’ve always had an eye for nice legs. Don’t tell me hers aren’t tempting enough.”
Heat rushed to Rafael’s face. He hadn’t realized his sister knew his tastes so well.
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