I turned to him, my voice cold, sharp. "Why are you still being sweet to me even though you're going to marry Colette soon?"
His hands tightened around the steering wheel. His face darkened, jaw clenching as if the question alone was enough to enrage him.
"Who said that?" he demanded. "Is it Colette? Is that why you two were fighting earlier?"
I let out a humorless laugh. "Did it look like a fight to you?" I shot back instead of answering his question.
Raphael exhaled sharply, running a frustrated hand through his dark hair, his usual composure slipping. "Listen, whatever you hear, it's not true. I will not engage with Colette, let alone marry her. I only love you, Nadine. I want to be with you forever.
"As for my parents' plan," he continued, "that was just their plan. I never agreed to it. Then…."
I cut him off, my voice colder than ever. "But you were always aware of Colette's unrequited love, right?"
He choked out, his grip on the wheel tightened.
"Then what’s the connection, Nadine? You know enough that I love you. That should be enough, right?"
His voice rose, frustration lacing every word.
It was not our first fight, but it was the first time I felt something break inside me.