Raphael's POVI stood in the shadows of the hallway, watching Mrs. Riley, my mother, I had opened the door. She hadn't noticed me yet. She sat there, sipping her wine, probably thinking she was so clever. The woman who had made my life hell for years, plotting against me once again.

My heart pounded in my chest. I had practised this moment many times in my head, but now

that I was here, anger bubbled up inside me. I took a deep breath to calm myself. I needed to be smart about this. Smarter ...