Chapter 263
As soon as his kids left, Rock visited Alexa’s grave with Ben. “Aren’t my sons remarkable?” he commented as they stepped out of the car.
“They really are,” Ben replied honestly. “I knew they’d find their way, and I’m glad they did p>
Rock took a deep breath, savoring the fresh scent of the cool air. It was his favorite kind of weather, and today, he felt lighter… finally free of the secrets he’d kept from his sons. He felt relieved as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
“Even William,” Rock murmured with a proud smile. “He’s grown so much, trying to be strong for me. And Xander too. Seeing how well they’ve both turned out… I can say p>
“Alright, that’s enough, sir,” Ben interrupted with a small grin. “Don’t start talking like you’re about to ride off into the sunset. Let’s not ruin the mood p>
Rock smiled and gave Ben a playful nudge. “Alright, alright. No need to be so serious.” He took another long breath, the crisp air filling his lungs as he looked out over the serene cemetery.
They both stood in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Rock’s gaze softened as he looked toward Alexa’s grave, feeling a mix of sorrow and gratitude. “Still,” he murmured, “it’s moments like these that make me feel… ready for whatever comes next p>
Ben shot him a sharp look, but Rock only chuckled again more subdued this time.
“Come on, Ben,” Rock continued, “I’m just appreciating what’s left of my life. I have no plans of going anywhere just yet p>
But as they turned to leave, Ben’s phone buzzed. He frowned, glancing at the screen before looking up at Rock, his face suddenly tense.
“It’s William,” Ben said, his voice low. Rock’s smile faded as a chill crept over him. He gestured for Ben to take the call, sensing it was urgent.
When Ben hung up, Rock’s voice was tense. “What did they say p>
Ben looked at him steadily. “There was an incident, but it’s under control now. Rain, Sanya, and the boys are safe. They’ve returned to the mansion, except for William, who’s managing the aftermath and overseeing everything p>
Rock nodded, his expression hardening. “We’re heading back to the capital. I want every detail of what happened on the way p>
With a quick nod, Ben moved to arrange their departure. During the ride, Rock listened intently as Ben relayed the details of the incident. After a moment of silence, Ben asked, “Should we intervene p>
Rock gazed out the window, his face thoughtful and tense. Finally, he sighed heavily. “No. Let the boy handle it. Alexander won’t let this go… not after Rain was nearly hurt. He’ll see it through to the end. I know him. He won’t rest until he uncovers everything p>
Ben nodded, a trace of a smirk in his voice as he added, “You’re probably right. Paul’s been suffering in prison… even attempted suicide, though Alexander made sure he was attended to quickly. Didn’t want him slipping away too easily p>
Rock gave a dry chuckle, “That saying about quiet people being the most dangerous? Alexander’s the perfect example p>
Meanwhile, back at the Lancaster Ancestral Mansion, Rain and Alexander joined Sanya in the dining room. After everything that had happened, they’d ended up skipping lunch and were finally sitting down to eat around two in the afternoon.
As they finished, Sanya asked, “Any idea when William will be back p>
Rain shook her head, glancing at the door. “I’m not sure.” Alexander excused himself to step outside, and Rain suggested to Sanya, “Let’s head out to the balcony for some fresh air. I think we could both use it p>
Grateful for the change, Sanya nodded. Rain led her and Aunt Melanie to the balcony, where they settled in with some late afternoon tea. The open air and gentle breeze offered a much-needed sense of calm.
“I still can’t believe Dina ended up like this Aunt Melanie sighed heavily. “Maybe I should go back to Clayton Mansion and help Tim with the funeral arrangements p>
Rain hesitated, unsure of how to respond. She knew the family was in turmoil, Sylvia especially. But she didn’t want Aunt Melanie getting caught in the middle of it all.
Sanya quickly interjected, “Aunt Melanie, you really shouldn’t go. Sylvia was hysterical earlier, and she could do something drastic, maybe even turn on you. You know how unstable she is, and now, with Dina gone, she’s likely at her breaking point p>
Rain nodded, sharing the same worry. “Aunt Melanie, I really don’t think it’s safe for you to go back right now,” she said gently. “Sylvia was completely out of control at the hospital. We all saw how unhinged she’s become, and I’m afraid she might turn her anger on you p>
Aunt Melanie sighed, her face lined with worry. “I know she’s hurting… But part of me feels responsible. Dina was my niece, and maybe, if I had been there more, things could’ve turned out differently. Maybe I could’ve helped guide her p>
Rain reached out, her tone gentle but resolute. “You’ve done everything you could. Sometimes, no amount of care can change a person’s path. Right now, your safety has to come first. Sylvia isn’t in a state to think rationally, and I can’t bear the thought of you getting hurt. You’ve been through enough p>
Aunt Melanie looked down, torn between her loyalty to the family and her own well-being. After a long pause, she finally nodded, her voice soft and breaking slightly. “You’re both right. I’ll stay here, at least until things calm down. But it’s painful… watching my family crumble like this p>
Tears welled up in Aunt Melanie’s eyes, and Rain instinctively pulled her into a comforting hug.
She had seen firsthand how Aunt Melanie had tried, even from Dina’s childhood, to guide her and instill the right values. But Sylvia always interfered, dismissing Aunt Melanie’s advice and making it clear that no one but she and Tim could correct their daughter.
Dina had been shaped by the way her parents spoiled and pressured her, pushing her to be the best in everything without considering the consequences.
Rain spoke softly, “If you want to go to the funeral, I’ll ask Uncle Ben to go with you. He’ll make sure you’re safe p>
A silence fell between them until Sanya, with an unusually thoughtful expression, broke it. “Are we absolutely sure that was Dina? Was there any further confirmation?” She hesitated, realizing how her words might sound, and quickly added, “I’m sorry, Aunt Melanie, that sounded harsh p>
Rain’s brow furrowed, but she couldn’t deny that Sanya had a point. “Alexander said my father personally confirmed the body p>
Sanya scoffed lightly, crossing her arms. “But can we even trust his word p>
Of course, Rain already knew the answer to that. She’d long ago learned to take her father’s words with a grain of salt.