Chapter 250
Rain passed by the orphanage because Manager William insisted she come. She smiled as the car stopped, stepping out to walk inside. As she entered, the children chorused, “Happy Birthday, Pretty Sister p>
Her heart swelled with joy as the kids rushed toward her, presenting their crafted gifts. She wished she had made a stop to buy something for them, but during the ride, she had been too preoccupied, with analyzing the cases she was handling.
“Oh, thank you! They are all beautiful!” she exclaimed, accepting each gift with a smile. She chuckled as Philip handed her a small flower pot. “Make sure this doesn’t die and plant it in your yard, Pretty Sis! That way, you’ll always remember me when you look at it. This oak tree grows slowly but can live for centuries p>
Philip reminded her of Alexander, quiet but incredibly sweet. “I will definitely take good care of this, Philip. Thank you p>
Soon, Alexander arrived, and Rain was thrilled to see that he had brought presents for the kids. The children greeted him with the popping of confetti and balloons, filling the room with laughter and excitement. “Happy birthday to your wife, our Miss Pretty Sis p>
Alexander chuckled, quickly approaching her to kiss her on the lips, and the kids cheered, teasing them playfully.
He then noticed the plant in the pot and asked, “Whose gift is this p>
“It’s from Philip,” she replied with a smile. He nodded and instructed Rico to bring all the presents inside the car.
“Won’t you two stay for dinner?” Manager Wilma asked.
“Hmm, we should head home. We’ll visit again some other time,” Rain answered.
“Wow, so many presents! Yesterday we received a lot too!” the kids beamed. Manager Wilma chuckled and said, “You and Mrs. Summer’s twins have the same birthdays p>
“Oh right, I heard the other twin died during birth,” Rain commented.
“Yes, they were fraternal twins, both female. I bet if she were alive, she’d be as beautiful as Miss Carla Cartier,” Wilma mused, recalling how Mrs. Summer often cried after celebrating with the kids at the orphanage. She would celebrate Carla’s birthday while simultaneously mourning the loss of her other daughter.
Every year, Rain witnessed how Mrs. Summer would cry in the backyard after the festivities, the joy of the day mingling with the pain of her memory.
“I remember how she held her dead baby when she delivered the second twin and found out she was gone. She couldn’t believe it and wouldn’t let go of the baby at all. We had to sedate her just so she could finally release her,” Wilma narrated, her voice tinged with sadness. “Carla was the firstborn, and Alina was the second p>
“Right, you were a nurse before Rain recalled, and Wilma nodded, her expression reflecting the weight of those memories.
“Indeed, but I love my current job! Besides, staying in your father’s hospital back then was incredibly toxic. The director was stingy with raises!” Wilma complained, making Rain laugh. She had heard about it; after the big labor union protest, her father quickly approved the pay increase to avoid any scandal.
“I love kids so much, so I really enjoy my job here. I may not be a mother in the traditional sense, but caring for these kids is enough for me.” Wilma added, her eyes sparkling as she watched the kids play.
“You’re perfect here,” she said, grateful for how Manager Wilma had saved her after Sylvia and Dina had deliberately left her at the restaurant when she was just a helpless child. Wilma had made her younger years bearable by allowing her to stay at the orphanage, giving her a sense of family.
Rain remembered being twelve when Wilma decided to become a regular staff member at the orphanage, leaving her father’s hospital for good. Soon after, Mrs. Summer recognized Wilma’s dedication and genuine love for the children, promoting her to higher ranks within the organization.
“We should head out now,” Alexander said, and Rain nodded in agreement. They were on their way to meet William at his penthouse so that Alexander could discuss their father’s health condition with him.
As they made their way, Rain recalled that Sanya would be there as well, preparing dinner for them as part of her post-birthday celebration. The thought of sharing a meal with friends lifted her spirits as they headed toward the evening ahead.
True enough, when they arrived at William’s penthouse, Sanya had prepared a feast featuring all of Rain’s favorite dishes for the night. The inviting aroma wafted through the air, making Rain’s mouth water as she stepped inside. Sanya greeted them with a bright smile, clearly proud of her culinary creations.
“Welcome! I hope you’re both hungry!” Sanya said cheerfully, gesturing toward the beautifully set dining table. Rain missed her friend’s cooking, which she believed could rival, if not surpass, that of any Michelin-star chef!
“Yes, we are starving!” Rain exclaimed, rushing to her seat at William’s dining table and pulling Alexander with her. They needed to fill up, as it would likely be a long night once Alexander broached their father’s health condition with William.
As Rain and Sanya enjoyed their lively conversations over dinner, Alexander sat quietly, his mind racing. He felt restless, watching as William engaged effortlessly with the two women, their laughter ringing out like music. It was a pleasant scene, yet the weight of the truth he needed to share pressed heavily on his shoulders.
Time was precious, and he knew he couldn’t delay any longer. William needed to hear about their father’s health condition, and they had to face it together.
Dinner passed in a blur of laughter and delicious food, but Alexander found it hard to focus on the lighthearted banter. He caught snippets of Sanya’s jokes and Rain’s bright laughter, but all he could think about was the conversation that awaited him with William.
As they finished their meal, Sanya stood and began to clear the plates, still smiling. “That was amazing, Sanya! You really outdid yourself,” Rain complimented, beaming at her friend.
“Thanks! I just wanted to make tonight special,” Sanya replied, her eyes twinkling.
Alexander cleared his throat, finally summoning the courage to speak. He turned to William, who was leaning back in his chair, seemingly relaxed. “William,” he said, his voice steady but firm, “we need to talk p>
William’s expression shifted from casual enjoyment to concern. “What is it p>
Rain caught the tension in the air and gently squeezed Sanya’s hand. “Why don’t we step outside for a moment, Sanya? Show me the balcony and let’s have some tea there p>
Sanya looked between Rain and Alexander, Rain knew that her friend could sense something. “Sure! Let’s go.” She quickly pulled Rain away, both women moving toward the balcony, leaving the two men alone.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Alexander leaned forward, his heart racing. “William, it’s about Dad. We can’t put this off any longer. We need to discuss his health p>
William’s brow furrowed as he sat up straighter, the lightness of the evening vanishing. “What do you mean? Is something wrong p>
Alexander took a deep breath, preparing to reveal the truth that had been weighing on his mind p>