I Dumped a Scumbag and Married A Boxer Star-Chapter 10: Boxing Drama

Chapter 10: Boxing Drama

Raphael led Ines through the gym, looking so confident and measured, while she trailed behind, looking around, so curious and not being able to believe this.

The training place smelt of old sweat, leather, and something metallic—blood, perhaps.

The walls were covered with posters of past fights, their edges curled from years of exposure to heat and dust.

Fighters of all sizes trained, some in the ring, some skipping rope, others working on their footwork.

Ines had expected something grander, maybe a place with high-tech equipment and air conditioning.

Instead, this was raw, gritty, and utterly unfamiliar.

"So this is where the magic happens?" she muttered under her breath.

Raphael laughed, stopping to grab a pair of gloves.

"Magic? No. This is where pain happens."

She frowned, taking in the rough surroundings. "You actually enjoy this?"

He smirked, slipping on the gloves. "More than anything."

Before she could respond, a man approached them.

He was older, maybe in his late forties, with a shaved head and a scar running from his temple down to his jaw.

His arms were crossed, a towel slung over one shoulder.

"Giovanni," the man said in a low, gravelly voice. "Got a moment?"

Raphael gave Ines a quick look before nodding.

"Yeah. Stay here," he told her before following the man to the other side of the gym.

She scoffed. "Stay here. Like I'm a dog or something," she muttered.

Ines took a seat on a nearby bench, crossing her legs and glancing around.

She was aware of the stares—some discreet, others not so much.

The gym was full of men, most of them shirtless.

They didn't bother hiding their curiosity, some whispering to each other while side-eyeing her.

Then, one of them approached.

He was tall, broad-shouldered, with short dark hair and a cocky smirk.

"So, you're the new princess?" he asked, smiling like she was a peasant and he's the king.

She raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

"You're the rich girl, right? The one who married our golden boy?" Another man joined in, laughing.

"Man, you must have him wrapped around your finger."

"I don't even know who you are," she replied, unimpressed.

The first guy leaned in slightly.

"You're going to ruin him, you know. Guys like him? They don't mix with girls like you."

"Guys like him?" she echoed, folding her arms.

"Fighters. We don't live in penthouses, we don't eat at five-star restaurants, and we don't marry spoiled little heiresses."

Her jaw tightened. "I didn't ask for your opinion."

"Well, you're getting it anyway," he replies back.

"You think you can handle his world? The pressure? The sacrifices? You'll leave when it gets hard. Women like you always do."

Ines felt a sharp sting in her chest.

She had been called many things in her life—spoiled, privileged, sheltered.

But something about the way this man said it, like she was an intruder in Raphael's world, struck a nerve.

Before she could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Enough."

Raphael had returned, his eyebrows were furrowed and his stance looked still firm.

The men immediately backed off, though their smirks remained.

"Just trying to help, Giovanni," one of them said. "She's not built for this."

Raphael's glare darkened. "You don't get to decide that."

He grabbed Ines's wrist gently but strongly, leading her away from the group.

She didn't resist, but her mind was still reeling from what had just been said.

Once they were alone near the ring, she turned to him. "Do they all think that?"

He exhaled through his nose, rubbing the back of his head.

"They don't know you."

She let out a bitter laugh. "And what if they're right? What if I don't belong here?"

He met her eyes like the sunset meets the ocean, so confident and sure.

"Then prove them wrong."

She swallowed, uncertainty was around the corner, waiting to be let in.

And maybe, just maybe, she would.

But first, she had to figure out why her heart was pounding so hard.

Raphael folded his arms, watching Ines with a smirk.

"If you're going to keep pissing people off, you might want to learn how to throw a proper punch."

Ines scoffed, flicking her ponytail over her shoulder.

"Excuse me? I knocked Trevor on his ass pretty well."

Raphael smiled once again, shaking his head.

"You got lucky. But if you ever find yourself in a situation where someone actually knows how to fight, you'll need more than just luck."

Ines huffed, placing her hands on her hips. "Fine. Teach me, oh wise one."

He stepped closer, wrapping his fingers around her wrist and positioning her stance.

His hands were warm, strong, and far too stable for her liking.

"First, keep your feet shoulder-width apart. You need balance. And don't lock your knees, or you'll tip over like a stiff board."

"I don't tip over," she muttered.

He raised an eyebrow but didn't argue.

"Now, curl your fingers into a fist. Thumb on the outside. Never tuck it in, or you'll break it when you punch."

He adjusted her grip, his calloused fingers grazed her knuckles.

Ines squinted at her hand. "Looks good to me."

"It's garbage," he said bluntly. "You'll break your wrist like that."

She groaned. "Why is there so much science behind punching someone?"

Raphael smirked. "Because people train for years to do it right. You can't just swing wildly and hope for the best."

She sighed. "Fine. Show me how to not break my hand."

He guided her into a better stance, his hands adjusted her arms and shoulders.

"Alright, now throw a punch. Aim for my palm." He held up his hand as a target.

Ines took a deep breath and swung.

She missed completely, sending her stumbling forward.

Raphael wasn't expecting that.

He moved to catch her, but her knee knocked into his, and suddenly, they were both falling.

Ines let out a small yelp as she landed right on top of him, her hands braced against his chest.

Raphael groaned as his back hit the floor of the ring, but his arms instinctively settled around her waist.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Ines blinked, staring down at him, suddenly aware of the absurdly close proximity.

"Uh. Oops."

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Raphael stared back at her, lips twitching. "Smooth."

"You should've caught me better," she shot back, trying to ignore the fact that she was basically straddling him in the middle of a boxing gym.

"I didn't realise I was training a baby deer," he teased.

She smacked his chest. "Shut up."

He let out a low chuckle, his hands still resting against her waist.

"Well, at least you're not afraid of getting close to your opponent."

Ines quickly rolled off him, her face felt hot. "Lesson over!"

Raphael just smirked. "We'll work on your balance tomorrow, Bambi."