Scented Claudia

I didn't visit Lueur that morning.

I had something else in mind, something that felt both reckless and necessary.

Raphael had been so worn out lately, so distant, that i thought maybe, just maybe, I could break through if i did something special.

I wanted to cook for him.

The problem?

I had no idea how.

Instead of giving up, I headed straight to one of our restaurants.

The head chef gave me a startled look when i appeared in his kitchen unannounced.

"Miss Claudia, are you sure about this?" he asked carefully.

I nodded. "Teach me. I'm not leaving until i can make something for him."

His sigh was half-exasperated, half-amused. "Let's keep it simple. Creamy garlic steak?"

"That sounds perfect." I pushed up my sleeves, ignoring the tremor in my hands.

We worked slowly, deliberately, his instructions precise.

I was clumsy, oil splattered on my wrist and I winced, biting back a curse.

"Careful!" he scolded.

"I'm fine," I insisted with a strained laugh. "For Raphael, I'll do anything."

He didn't comment on that, just guided me through each step until the dish was finally done, beautifully plated, smelling like comfort and indulgence.

When i left, the meal was carefully packed into containers, the weight of it both literal and symbolic.

I carried it home with a strange flutter in my chest, equal parts hope and dread.

At the condo, I set everything out with meticulous care.

Candles flickered softly.

Wine glasses gleamed.

I checked the clock compulsively, nerves humming.

Seven turned to eight.

Then nine.

By eleven, the food was cold.

At one-thirty in the morning, the door finally clicked open.

He walked in looking like the day had beaten him bloody, tie askew, white coat draped over one arm.

His gaze fell on the table, then drifted to the trash can, where i'd tossed the burned practice attempts earlier.

He sighed and rubbed his temples. "Are we just playing games now, Claudia?"

My throat tightened. "What?"

He gestured broadly. "You expect me to believe you cooked all this?"

My stomach dropped. "I did. I even burned myself. Why would i lie about that?"

He gave a mirthless laugh. "Because that's who you are. Everything's a performance. Always proving something. Always needing to be the hero. At the auction. At my reunion. Now this perfect dinner, like we're in a goddamn fairytale."

My vision blurred with angry tears. "I did this for you. Because iwanted you to be happy. Because—" My voice broke. "Because I love you, Raphael."

He let out a cold, broken laugh. "Love? Do you even understand what love is?"

My whole body shook. "What the hell does that mean?"

He ran a hand through his hair. "It means this feels like it's for you. Not me."

That shattered me.

My fingers tightened around the wine bottle until it slipped from my grasp, smashing on the floor.

Red spread across the marble like blood.

"Why don't you see how hard i'm trying?" I screamed, voice cracking. "Why do you always assume the worst?"

He flinched at my words but didn't move.

"I know how tired you are!" My voice shook with rage and grief. "I know how hard your job is. That's why i wanted to do this. But it's never enough for you. Nothing ever is."

He pressed his fingers to his temples.

"Claudia, I—"

"Don't," I snapped, voice hoarse. "I don't want to hear it."

I turned on my heel, grabbed my coat, and stormed out of the penthouse without another glance.

I didn't even know where i was going.

The city felt vast and empty at this hour.

My phone shook in my hand as i dialed Vanessa.

When she picked up, I couldn't keep my voice steady. "Vanessa… we fought again."

She was silent for a moment before letting out a long, sad breath. "Miss Claudia, I should've told you earlier. Raphael… he had a bad day. Two of his patients died."

My heart stuttered. "I know his job is hard, but—"

"It's not just that." She hesitated. "A friend of mine is a nurse. She told me Raphael stayed after his shift. He… he cried, Claudia. Especially for the little girl. He did everything. It just wasn't enough."

The words hit me like a slap.

I ended the call and just stood there, cold and trembling.

My anger felt childish.

Petty. But so did my hurt.

Because none of it was my fault.

And yet...

Maybe it wasn't about me at all.

Maybe he just needed someone to blame because it was too heavy to carry alone.

I inhaled shakily, trying to calm down.

If i went back furious, we'd only fight again.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, forced myself to breathe.

When i finally returned, the living room was silent. The broken glass was gone.

So was he.

I walked into my room like a ghost, too tired even to change.

I collapsed onto the bed, tears seeping hot into my pillow.

I cried until sleep finally dragged me under.

-

The next morning, I told myself i wouldn't acknowledge him.

He needed to understand how much he'd hurt me.

Keys in hand, purse on my shoulder, I moved to leave.

"Claudia, wait—" His voice cracked slightly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean everything i said last night. I was exhausted. It wasn't fair to you."

I didn't turn. Didn't answer.

"I made breakfast. Please eat before you go."

My grip on my purse tightened.

"That's fine," I said coldly, stepping out without looking back.

-

At the mall, the supervisors' meeting began immediately.

Reports.

Charts.

Concerns about foot traffic.

Supplier issues.

I listened carefully, offering strategies, approving new plans.

I didn't let them see how hollow i felt.

"If there's anything you can't handle, tell me immediately," I instructed. "I'll take care of it myself."

After two hours, I went straight to my main office downtown.

There was inventory to check.

Budgets to adjust.

We were expanding faster than planned, and recruitment was behind.

I even interviewed a few applicants myself. I refused to delegate that.

I wanted to know who i was hiring.

By five PM, I was done, but i pretended to still be busy.

Because Raphael was waiting in the lobby.

The moment our eyes met, he stood. "Claudia."

I turned away, walking straight to my office.

Inside, I buried myself in paperwork i'd already finished.

Hours later, Vanessa knocked.

"Ma'am… Dr. Raphael is still outside."

I didn't look up.

"Tell him to go home. I'm busy."

Her voice was careful. "But—"

"Now, Vanessa."

Silence.

Then her quiet retreat.

I let out a shuddering breath, leaning back in my chair, my eyes burning.

Why wouldn't he just leave?

-

By the time i got home, it was late.

He was waiting.

"Claudia—"

I didn't answer.

Didn't even pause.

I walked straight to the bedroom.

"Claudia, can we talk?"

I shut the door behind me.

"I'm tired."

I pressed my forehead to the wood, willing my heart to slow.

When i finally sat on the edge of the bed, the thoughts wouldn't stop.

Why was he doing this?

Why was he following me?

A sick feeling crawled up my throat.

Was he planning to leave me?

He'd paid off his sister's debts.

He had enough saved now.

He didn't need me anymore.

What if he was just waiting for the right moment?

My fists clenched.

Maybe he felt guilty.

Maybe he didn't want to hurt me.

But in the end, he'd still say it.

I bit down hard on my lip, eyes filling.

No. I won't let that happen.

I'd avoid him if i had to.

Avoid any conversation that might push him to say those words.

Because i wanted a family.

I wanted children.

And i wanted them with him.

But what if he didn't want me anymore?

My breath hitched.

Silent tears fell as i wrapped my arms around myself in the dark.