As emergency responders arrived and guests dispersed nervously toward the edges of the terrace, Rafael remained crouched protectively beside Valentina, water still dripping steadily from his soaked suit. He glanced up sharply toward Ines, who stood rigidly nearby, her earlier composure rapidly unraveling under the weight of everyone's silent suspicion.
"Shut up," Rafael said quietly, his voice carrying a cold, controlled fury that silenced whatever explanation Ines had been preparing to offer next. Water dripped slowly from his face as he rose to his feet, his expression hardening into something far more dangerous than simple concern.
Ines took an instinctive step backward, her earlier defensive confidence completely evaporating under the weight of Rafael's unwavering, furious stare. "Rafael, I don't know what you think happened, but—"
"Enjoy this villa for one last time," Rafael interrupted coldly, his voice low but carrying an unmistakable, threatening finality that left absolutely no room for further argument. The words hung heavily in the warm afternoon air, guests nearby exchanging uneasy glances, sensing that whatever quiet conflict had unfolded between Valentina and Ines moments before the fall was far from resolved.
Ines's face paled visibly, her earlier composure completely shattered as she registered the full weight of Rafael's threat. Whatever secrets had led to this moment, whatever tension had been simmering beneath the surface of today's celebration, Rafael's cold, quiet warning made it unmistakably clear that consequences were coming, and they were coming swiftly.