Manon stammered, "B-but I was just trying to be kind!"

"I didn't ask if you were trying to be kind or not. I'm asking you to use your common sense," I retorted, letting out an exasperated sigh. "You don't enter a child's room uninvited, and you certainly don't ignore the child's mother in her own home. Now, please leave before I have you escorted out."

"Rafayel, you actually married such a crude woman," Manon whined, turning to him with a look of feigned victimhood.

But Rafayel wasn't looking at her. His gaze was fixed on me, a spark of unmistakable pride in his eyes.

"No, Manon," he corrected, his voice...