Chapter 9 - THE SECRET HE HAD NEVER TOLD ANYONE
Raphael had never been good at love.
His father had taught him that affection was weakness.
His mother had died when he was young.
His brother had been the only person who could make him laugh without trying.
Then Luca died.
And Raphael had closed himself off from everyone.
Until Nora.
She had entered his office two years earlier carrying a résumé, a notebook, and absolutely no fear.
During her interview, she'd corrected a calculation in his annual report.
Raphael had stared at her.
“Are you telling me my accountants are wrong?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how much I pay them?”
“Apparently too much.”
He'd hired her on the spot.
Now, sitting beside her hospital bed, he told her that story.
Nora smiled.
“I remember.”
“You were the first person in years who didn't try to impress me.”
“I needed a job.”
Raphael laughed.
She looked at him.
“Why did you hire me?”
He considered the question.
“Because you told me the truth.”
Nora smiled.
“That's a dangerous qualification in your business.”
“Yes.”
He looked down.
“And apparently, I didn't appreciate how dangerous.”
She reached for his hand.
“Raphael.”
He looked up.
“You didn't know.”
“I should have.”
“Maybe.”
Her honesty made him smile.
“But you know now.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
Nora squeezed his hand.
“Then do something better with it.”
May you like
Raphael looked at her.
And for the first time in years, he believed he could.
