Opulent ~Rafael Solano

Chapter 54

Eva's Pov

"You're not going to that are you?" Petra asks us looking at the invitation sent to us by Rogelio

"No, he just invited me because I helped him get the part. And he invited Eva because... why again?" He asked me

"I don't know he's proud of his job. I declined too told him I was busy with baby stuff " I answer.

"Good that you're not going because it was your idea to dismiss the nannies for this whole family bonding thing, so you can't leave me alone with them." She says to Rafael

"You know I have to meet my lawyers, about the plea deal." He said to her

"Only an hour, you said." I say to him

"And also, my sister's coming, so I'll need some time with her." He says

"You done?" Petra asks

"Yes. The rest of the time I will be here." Rafael responds

The next day I'm with Louis when Petra calls me and tells me that Anezka and Scott have the addendum for Emilio Solano's will and are holding it against her. Rafael also called me telling me that Louisa took it well when he told her that they weren't blood related. I am really trying to get most of my work done because my maternity leave starts in two days.

The next day me and Rafael walked into Petra's room

"We just passed Anezka in the hallway. What the hell is she doing here?" Rafael asked

"She wanted to spend some time with the twins." Petra said and Rafael shot her a look. "She's blackmailing us what was I supposed to do." Petra asked him

"If I probate the will, they won't be able to blackmail us." Rafael said and Petra immediately disagreed

"You promised you wouldn't do that. Raf please. Let me give my kids what I never had— financial stability." She said and Rafael said he would have to really think about it.

That night Rafael went to pick up Mateo who was still unwell. After picking him up Rafael came upto me and Petra the next morning.

"What's wrong." I ask him softly

"That was my lawyer. The plea deal is off the table. Apparently there's a lot of scrutiny— rich guys being treated differently. And my family is high profile, so the mayor wants to show he's tough on white collar crime." Rafael says

"Okay, so you fight back." Petra says

"If I do that, everyone in my life will be subpoenaed, interrogated and dragged through the mud." Rafael says

"What's the alternative?" Petra asks

"I don't know. I could plead guilty." Raf says

"And what? You pay a fine?" She asks

"No, I'd go to Jail." He says and my heart drops. With good behaviour, I could be out in... nine months." He says

"Wait, stop, no. Rafael you're not going to jail. Okay? You're gonna get a great lawyer. I mean Petra was framed for murder, and we figured that out." I say freaking out

"But I did it. I lied." He says

"No. I reject your defeat. Look, what you need to do now is you need to go upstairs collect all your files, calendars, relevant emails. Anything that can help and we'll come up with something." I say

"Eva, Eva..." he says trying to get me stop coming up with ideas

"No, I need you! Rafael, there are three little kids who need you." I say

"They need role models! Mateo is copying everything I'm doing. Everything. And I have to look at that. What am I teaching my kids?" He says

"They don't know." I say with tears in my eyes

"They will. At some point they will. Just like I knew everything my dad, or Emilio, was doing and I just, I want to be someone that they are proud of." He says

"I can't do it alone." I say and Petra agrees from behind me

"You'll have help." He says and comes closer to me

"I can't!" I say and the baby starts crying and Petra goes to her. "Great now I've upset her." I say as Petra takes the twins and walks out of the room.

I finally break down in tears and Rafael hugs me.

The next morning Petra was pretty confident that she could take care of the babies herself and Louisa showed up with her new girlfriend Eileen.

I find out the next morning form my brother and Rafael that Michael had passed away of his bullet wound.