Chapter 255
Seeing how the situation had calmed a bit and knowing the three men would need more privacy, Rain quietly slipped away and headed straight to her Aunt Melanie.
She smiled as she approached the balcony on the second floor, where Uncle Ben was sharing a thoughtful breakfast with her aunt.
“Oh, you’re finally here! Come and join your aunt for breakfast,” Ben said with a welcoming smile. “I’ll head downstairs to check on the Masters p>
Rain nodded appreciatively as he left, settling into the chair next to Aunt Melanie.
“You’re already aware of it?” Aunt Melanie asked softly, the words barely escaping her lips.
Rain nodded and murmured, “Alexander and I found out by accident three weeks ago p>
Aunt Melanie gently took her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. “Oh, dear… I’m so sorry p>
Rain felt a rush of emotions as her aunt’s sympathy enveloped her. “It’s been hard,” she admitted, her voice shaky. “I just wish things could be different. I don’t want to see them hurt, especially my husband. He’s been carrying so much p>
“Oh, sweetheart,” Aunt Melanie said, her voice filled with compassion. “You know you’re not alone in this. We’re all here for you. For them. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Just remember that love can be a powerful force, especially during times like these p>
Rain nodded, grateful for her aunt’s wisdom and warmth. “I just wish I could take away their pain. I want to be strong for them, but sometimes it feels like too much to bear p>
This newfound family had become her haven, a place of warmth and comfort she had longed for. But now, seeing them in pain and knowing what her father-in-law would endure, her heart felt heavy.
She and Alexander were doing their best to stay strong, drawing strength from each other to keep going. Yet she couldn’t ignore the difficulty of it all, especially as they waited, hearing no good news that could offer hope for her father-in-law.
Aunt Melanie leaned closer, “It’s alright to lean on others, dear. You don’t have to shoulder this weight alone. Sometimes just being there for each other is enough p>
“Thank you, Aunt Melanie,” Rain said warmly, smiling as she settled into breakfast. She took a sip of her coffee before getting to the question that had been on her mind. “So… how did your date with Uncle Ben go? Did you accept his proposal p>
Since she and Alexander had been arriving late most nights, she hadn’t had the chance to catch up with her aunt and hear the news. She had hoped Aunt Melanie had said yes, but the sadness in her aunt’s expression made her heart sink.
“You… turned him down?” Rain asked gently, watching her aunt’s hesitant nod.
“But why?” she pressed, frowning in confusion. Rain knew her aunt’s feelings for Uncle Ben were real, the way her eyes lit up whenever he was around, the way she spoke of him. She could tell Aunt Melanie was falling in love, so why would she say no?
Aunt Melanie sighed, her gaze distant. “I care for Ben deeply,” she admitted, “but… after everything I’ve been through, it feels… complicated. I just don’t know if I can give him what he deserves p>
Rain shrugged and said earnestly, “Life is unpredictable, Aunty. If this is about your illness, aren’t you being a little too pessimistic? Even the healthiest person could be gone tomorrow, just like that. No one knows how long they have. Who’s to say p>
She pouted and added, “You might even outlive me p>
Aunt Melanie’s eyes widened as she scolded, “Don’t say things like that p>
Rain shrugged again, undeterred. “But don’t you see my point? I’m fighting for your freedom from Father, but what’s the use if you won’t also free yourself from the limits you’re putting on your life? Don’t let haemophilia stop you from living fully and following your heart. You deserve to love and be loved, Aunty. Don’t let anything hold you back p>
Rain’s words hung in the air, and Aunt Melanie’s expression softened as she whispered, “I’m scared, Rain p>
Rain reached for her aunt’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I know, Auntie. It’s okay to be scared. But sometimes, the things we’re most afraid of are the things we need to face to find real happiness p>
Aunt Melanie looked down, her eyes glistening. “I just… I don’t want to be a burden. What if something happens to me? I don’t want him to suffer because of me p>
Rain’s grip tightened, her voice steady. “But wouldn’t it be more painful for him not to have the chance to love you? Uncle Ben sees something beautiful in you, Aunty. He wants to be by your side, come what may. And you deserve that… someone who loves you, fully and unconditionally p>
A tear slipped down Aunt Melanie’s cheek, and a soft smile broke through. “You’re right,” she murmured. “Maybe… maybe it’s time I let myself believe that p>
“To be honest, I haven’t slept properly since then because of this,” Aunt Melanie confessed, her voice trembling. “I want to tell Ben I want to be with him, but every time I try, these worries creep back in, and I lose my courage p>
Rain nodded thoughtfully. “You have to be brave, Aunt Melanie,” she said firmly. “If there’s ever a time to fight for what you want, it’s now. Start with standing up for your feelings for Uncle Ben p>
Rain leaned in, her gaze steady. “Promise me you won’t back down. Promise me you’ll talk to Uncle Ben soon p>
Aunt Melanie managed a small, hesitant smile. “Alright,” she whispered, “I promise p>
Rain and Aunt Melanie were soon interrupted by Alexander’s arrival. He walked in with a warm smile. “We should get going now,” he said gently.
“Update me later,” Rain told her aunt, leaning in to kiss her cheek before stepping away.
“Hmm, don’t you want to stay a little longer?” Rain asked as they stepped outside.
Alexander shook his head with a soft chuckle. “Dad doesn’t want that. He insists that William and I stick to our usual routine. He practically kicked us out, saying he needed a moment alone after we surprised him like that p>
Rain laughed, imagining Father Rock’s reaction. “I guess it was a bit of a shock,” she said, smiling warmly. “But he’ll appreciate it in his own way, even if he pretends otherwise p>
“Yeah, he’s stubborn,” Alexander replied with a fond smile. “But I think he’s relieved too. Even if he won’t admit it p>