My Favourite Widow

REAM TO RAQUEL. His eyes sparkled with mischief as h

es." Raquel's cheeks flushed like a summer rose as Jonas's hand

ng Raquel eat it. She had the same wide-eyed wonder and mess

sky, and her smile was as warm as the sun. She moved with the grace and lightness of

wonder what qualities your parents must po

ed to shower her with compliments. She felt like a prisoner in a cheesy roma

cked ice floe floating on a frozen sea. "Can

ng your beauty, Raquel De Angeli

thoughts. She fumbled with it, her heart pounding in her

Aunt

Emma asked hastily over the ph

lier. But I'm hanging out with my f

cause there's something we need to discuss," Emma's voice was a

ifornia without giving her a heads up, and the suddenness of their arrival filled her with a mix of emotions: e

can you hea

but why didn't the

t caused that, dear. It's better for you

d been laughing with Jonas by the zen pond, finally relaxing aft

ll head h

ful, swe

ble. Jonas searched her eyes for a clue

a rusty hinge as he asked,

they're going to discuss something important, Jonas." Raquel's phone weighed heavily in her

quel's hair behind her ear, revealing her radiant face. Her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky, and her cheeks bloomed with a rosy hue. "It's been

eir specialty coffee drinks." Raquel sighed w

e we'll linger longer, check out the

. "I know we were supposed to hang out, but woul

et - take your time with your ice cream

ank you, Jonas, for understa

e bobbing like waves in a gentle sea. Jona

s, her eyes sparkl

alking me home,"

s eyes crinkling

replied. "I'm always happ

"Since we're already here, would you like to pop in

ing parents makes me nervous as a cat. But you can tell your dad I'll be studying extra hard. Whe

" Raquel asked, eyebrows raised as

go inside and meet your parents. They must

house. As she stepped into the foyer, Emma's hand shot out and gr

asked, her eyebrows rai

she replied, hoping h

closer, her e

tween you two?" she pressed, as i

hed like a ripe toma

pered, her tone taking on an e

ration creeping into her voice. She glanced around the

familiar figure approaching. She felt like she had been hol

r tightly. She squeezed her mom close, feeling the warm

aquel's cheek with a caring smile. "Even

u," Raquel s

p with tears. She released her embrace and gently stroked Raquel's

very sudden, my dear. But there's s

Raquel asked, her voice

ed out of the room. Emily then guided Raquel to the living

he caught sight of Raquel and Emily

ing wel

nviting Raquel to sit. Raquel hesitated for

s something important with you," Mar

ly remained silent, her head bowed low. A shadow of sad

ew Emily was hiding somethi

nd leaned forward. "Are you

owly, her eyes s

her deep breath

ar," he said, his voice as weary as th

Her heart pounded in her chest, and she felt her han

soothing as she reached out

lm down first. Listen to our expla

ing black Earl Grey tea into the room. She placed the tray on the coffee table in front of R

carefully measuring out the perfect amount for each person. The steam rose f

Emma said, sm

say something to Raquel

el

disbelief. "One erroneous trade wiped out billionswithin seconds. I stare at

bs now at stake. The implications were devastating.

ad

s. However, if you can assist me, my dear, we can address this significant issue." Marvin

t, Dad?" Raq

airs on the back of her neck standing on end. The name was like a cold, s

echoed through Raquel's mind, filling her wit

e mention of Pablo Pavlovna's name filled her with a sense of forebo

To her, Pablo Pavlovna's name was synonymous with corruption, deception, and unde

avlovna is," Raquel exclaimed, trying to h

ut we are left with no alterna

ow how devious he

tion," Marvin began cautiousl

s narrowed.

-interest loan. But their represent

want in return for

choosing his wo

pointment creeping in as she grasped the potential peril her father faced. "

ed, falling to his knees in desperation. His eyes welled with tears as he gras

escape her open mouth. Images of her future dashed before her eyes - a loveless marriage, a controlling husband, a life in a pri

Raquel whispered angrily, her nostrils flaring in rage. "After

glancing nervously at her. "This is only temporar

stand-" Marvin began,

This family's problems are yours to

arm. "Please, my dea

Dad. Don't force me in

ss's economy, you can divorce him," Marvin t

idow?" Raquel sho

lls fading behind closed doors. Chest heaving, she leaned against

nstant. A gilded cage or early grave - those were her only options.