Chapter 426
Rain bit her lower lip, her eyes locked on David as he handed the envelope to Mr. Arlan.
Mr. Arlan’s hands trembled as he took the envelope. His fingers trembled as he slowly tore it open, the paper inside rustling softly.
Rain held her breath, every muscle in her body tense as she waited for the moment that could change everything.
Mr. Arlan stared at the result, his eyes scanning the words over and over as if he couldn’t believe what he was reading. Then, slowly, he lifted his gaze to Rain. His expression softened, a faint, almost disbelieving smile forming on his lips. But as the weight of the truth settled in, his eyes glistened with unshed tears, his throat tightening with emotion.
“You… You’re our real daughter, Rain His voice trembled, barely above a whisper.
A strangled cry escaped Father Rock as he snatched the paper from Arlan’s hands. “I knew it! Damn that Tim Clayton!” His voice was filled with rage.
Rain stood frozen, the weight of the revelation crashing down on her. Her heart raced in her chest, and her breath became shallow. She had no idea how to feel, no words to say. Mixed emotions swirled inside her… shock, relief, confusion. She bit her lip so hard it almost hurt, but the tears came anyway, unbidden, rolling down her cheeks.
Mrs. Summer… her real mother. Mr. Arlan… her real father. It felt like a dream like she might wake up at any moment and find it all had been a fantasy. But no, the truth was right in front of her, too real to ignore.
Her heart ached for everything she had lost, for all the time spent under Tim’s manipulation.
Rain’s voice trembled as she whispered, barely audible, “I… I don’t know how to process this And yet, in that same breath, there was a deep sense of belonging that she couldn’t explain, an overwhelming feeling of finally being home.
Father Rock’s expression softened as he reached for her, his voice gentler now. “You don’t have to understand it all right now. But you’re part of this family, Rain. This… this is your real family. Arlan and Summer are your real parents, and I’m so glad that even though it took us this long… we at least discovered the truth p>
“I Mr. Arlan sobbed, and her father-in-law pulled him into a hug.
“It’s alright, Arlan. Now we know the truth. You have your real daughter… and we’ll get to the bottom of this and make those responsible pay,” Father Rock grunted.
Meanwhile, Rain felt Alexander’s hand squeezing hers lightly. She turned to him, and he gave her a reassuring smile. Rain then shifted her gaze to Mrs. Summer’s bed.
Unknowingly, she stood up and walked toward her. She sat on the chair and held Mrs. Summer’s hand lovingly, bringing it to her now-wet cheeks, unable to contain her tears.
“I… I am so glad to know that you’re my real mother. Please wake up soon,” she muttered weakly.
After a while, Rain felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and saw that it was her father, giving her a reassuring smile. She bit her lower lip because, this time… she didn’t have that heavy feeling at the thought of her father. Because right now, she was with her real father, the one she knew was a good man.
“Rain, I’m still flabbergasted by everything, but I want you to see me and address me as your father from now on. I am so sorry for all those years we weren’t by your side,” he said, his eyes welling up again.
Rain stood up and, in that instant, hugged him, sobbing. She didn’t know what to say because her emotions were all over the place.
Rock, who witnessed everything, couldn’t help but shed tears as well. “Son, I’m so happy that we were able to find out the truth, even like this. Years may have been wasted, but it doesn’t matter. I’m just grateful that my daughter-in-law was able to know her real family… a family that I know will take good care of her p>
“I know, Dad. What a small world, and I’m still reeling from how everything seems so connected,” Alexander commented, nodding. “I’ll call William now and inform him about this. We also need to find out if Tim and Carla’s DNA are compatible p>
Alexander stepped out for a while to make the call. Soon, Vernice arrived with dinner, looking at them with a frown and questioning eyes, Rain and Arlan were still hugging when she entered.
’What’s going on?!’ she mouthed, and he smiled. He grabbed the paper bags from her and led her outside. David was there, so he handed him the bags and said, “Here, please have our meals arranged on the table. We’ll be inside shortly p>
David took the paper bags from him, and Alexander led Vernice to a nearby chair to sit, briefing her on what had happened.
Vernice’s eyes widened in shock. “I can’t believe this! This is too evil!” she grunted, her expression dark.
“I know… Tim is the mastermind of it all. This I’m sure,” he gritted his teeth, fuming with anger.
Vernice held his hands and squeezed them. “Calm down, will you? Don’t stress yourself too much, or it’ll affect your health, Rock. Now that we all know the truth, that gives us the upper hand. I’m sure your sons, Alexander, William, and now even Arlan, will know what to do moving forward p>
Rock couldn’t help but smile while looking at their hands. Then, he unknowingly gasped. “Aren’t you my calming pill, huh p>
He looked at Vernice, whose face was bright red. “Aren’t you adorable, blushing like that at your age?” he teased.
She pouted and glared at him, making Rock chuckle. Before he knew it, he instinctively pulled her into a hug.
“Thank you, Vernice… for always being here with me and for loving me without asking anything in return,” he whispered as he gently stroked her back.
“If you want to thank me, then getting well is more than enough. Now, can you just focus on yourself, Rock? Let’s go back and make sure you’re taken care of properly. Please, let’s focus on you getting better,” she begged with a sigh.
“Alright, we’ll head back now, and I’ll listen to you. Let’s do everything… everything you want to do, Vernice,” he said, smiling.
“I want us to get married too. Can we include that?” she suddenly said, making him stiffen.