Fashion magazines display the latest trends, urging consumers to purchase clothing from the most prestigious brands. The pinnacle of fashion? Raphael's brand, L'étoile. He takes immense pride in his creation, the standard all others aspire to become - the envy of every businessman.

Yet Raphael himself is consumed by jealousy of the most pathetic lowlife he's ever encountered. Someone undeserving of their blessings, least of all the privilege of being married to such a remarkable woman.

Raphael's chest tightens with rage whenever he witnesses the cruel treatment she endures from her husband. It makes his feet restless, fills him with an almost overwhelming urge to strangle the man who thinks himself worthy of such an angelic wife only to treat her as if she's nothing. The injustice infuriates him.

However, one memory always banishes Raphael's anger, replacing it with desire and an insatiable hunger for her.

He still vividly remembers the day he invited her into his apartment for coffee, claiming they needed to discuss some changes in their lives. Her husband was absent, as always, and she seemed particularly burdened by his absence that day.

Raphael surprised even himself by offering to listen to her troubles - an unexpected gesture from someone who could be quite rude, even to her. Yet he listened to everything she shared, his heart melting at the pain in her voice. It broke him to hear the cruel acts her husband dared to inflict upon his beautiful wife.

Before either realized what was happening, she was in Raphael's arms, crying as he did his best to comfort her. But comfort quickly transformed into something else entirely - his hands gripping her hips, his tongue exploring her mouth in a passionate kiss.

The moment ended when she pulled away, overcome by guilt at the thought of cheating on her husband - no matter how poorly he treated her. Raphael, ever the gentleman in such moments, immediately stopped as she requested, but remained available to comfort her from that day forward. And he'd noticed she'd certainly taken advantage of that kindness.

Now Raphael feels anger boiling in his veins as he watches that good-for-nothing husband leave their home with that characteristic proud expression - the same look he gets whenever he successfully fools his wife into believing he's off on a 'business endeavor' while he's actually going to meet some prostitute.

It infuriates him. How dare he leave his beautiful wife alone, so young and desirable? How dare he treat her this way? Raphael knows he could give her so much more.

Before he fully registers his actions, Raphael finds himself knocking at her door - three firm, elegant raps, as is his custom. His face betrays his inner rage, yet softens with the romantic interest she's grown accustomed to seeing in his eyes whenever he looks at her.

When she opens the door, Raphael speaks before she can even greet him.

"Forgive my intrusion at such late hours. Has he done it again, Morveuse (brat)?"

He gets straight to the point, arms crossed over his broad chest as he struggles to contain the anger he wishes to unleash. Yet he would never subject her to such ugliness. Never would he want that for his darling.