Chapter 35

Raphael didn't respond immediately. For the first time, he had willingly touched another person. He had held Catherine, especially when helping her take the medicine and supporting her neck. Strangely, he didn't feel any aversion. "I might not remember much, but I sure recall that when we first met and I accidentally bumped into you, you pulled a long face right away. Have you secretly been seeing a therapist? It seems like it's working," Seth teased after he was done with his doctor duties. He never thought Raphael would willingly have any physical contact with anyone so soon. Even though it was just a little girl, it still seemed like progress. Given Raphael's past, where any physical touch would trigger anxiety, this was no small feat. His aversion to touch likely stemmed from childhood trauma, particularly due to Keith's abusive tendencies. Growing up, Raphael rarely allowed anyone near him, as it would remind him of Keith's drunken, violent outbursts. It made him feel sick to