Chapter 261
Sylvia’s hands shook as she pointed an accusing finger at Rain and Sanya, her voice rising into an anguished scream. “My Dina would never… she was innocent! You’re the reason she’s gone, you twisted everything against her!” Her grief was like a storm, and the raw anger in her voice cut through the room.
Alexander stepped forward, instinctively shielding Rain and Sanya. “Sylvia, that’s enough! Dina made her own choices,” he said firmly, his voice steady.
Rain, standing beside him, found her own voice, though it trembled. “Dina did this to herself. She abducted Sanya to hurt me, to get revenge p>
Sylvia’s face contorted, her grief unbearable. “She was my only child, my everything! And you’ve taken her from me! Bring her back, do you hear me p>
William moved to hold her as she grew even more hysterical, her desperate sobs filling the room. At that moment, Dion arrived with security, and Rain felt her heart pound as her own father, Tim, entered behind them. His face was tight with tension, eyes flickering between his daughter and Sylvia.
“Sylvia, enough!” Tim’s voice boomed through the room as he motioned the guards to stand down. He went to Sylvia and wrapped her in his arms, trying to calm her. “Let’s go home,” he murmured. “We’ll wait for the investigation. Dina’s gone, but we need to let this be handled the right way p>
Sylvia clung to him, her pleas now softer, more broken. “Tim…our only daughter… she’s gone. She’s dead! I can’t… I can’t bear it… please, do something p>
Seeing her spiraling, Tim discreetly signaled the doctor, who had arrived with a syringe of sedative. Taking it in his hand, Tim gently but swiftly injected it into her arm. Sylvia’s cries slowed, her head drooping as the sedative took effect, and soon she went limp in his arms.
With a deep breath, Tim gestured to his men. “Take her to the car,” he instructed quietly, watching as they carefully lifted Sylvia and escorted her out of the room. The tension in the room eased, but the weight of what had happened still hung heavy over everyone present.
Tim turned to Rain, his expression softened as he asked, “How are you doing p>
Rain blinked, surprised by his concern. It wasn’t often he expressed anything directly to her, let alone worry. “I… I’m managing,” she replied, still trying to process the events of the night. The unexpected question left her slightly shaken, her brows knitting in surprise.
Tim sighed, a rare vulnerability flashing across his face. “I’m sorry about all this His tone was as restrained as his expression, but something about it seemed genuine.
William stepped in, his tone respectful yet firm. “Mr. Clayton, we’re going to investigate this thoroughly. We’ll need your cooperation. We’re not sure if Dina orchestrated all of this on her own, or if there was someone else pulling the strings p>
Tim nodded, absorbing William’s words. After a moment’s pause, he made a request. “I understand. But I have one condition… I’d like this investigation to remain discreet. This… scandal, if it goes public, could damage not just our family’s reputation, but the hospital and everything we’ve built. And it would also affect Rain and your family p>
William exchanged a glance with Rain, then nodded. “We can work on this quietly, as long as everyone involved cooperates. Protecting our families is important but so is justice p>
Rain felt a surge of emotions, glancing back at her father. This was a side of him she rarely saw, and she couldn’t deny the faint hope that maybe, just maybe, he truly cared about her well-being in his own way.
Tim took a measured breath before nodding. “I’ll visit you another time. Sylvia needs me now, and I have a funeral to arrange,” he said, casting a brief look at Rain before leaving the room.
As the door closed, Sanya muttered under her breath, “That’s strange p>
Rain didn’t need to ask what Sanya meant… she knew. “He’s suddenly acting like a father. Since when? Since you married a Lancaster?” Sanya huffed, crossing her arms.
Rain sighed. “Let it be, Sanya. He’s grieving. He just lost his daughter p>
Sanya scoffed, unable to hold back. “And whose fault is that, exactly? Dina brought it on herself. If she’d been any sort of decent sister, none of this would’ve happened. But honestly, it’s as much on Tim and Sylvia for raising her that way p>
“Alright, let’s take it down a notch,” William coaxed gently, easing Sanya onto the couch as she fumed.
Rain gave a small, tired smile, shifting in her bed. “I just want to go home soon. I’d rather be there than here in the hospital p>
She turned to Sanya, her expression soft but serious. “And you’re staying with me at the mansion. No way I’m letting you stay alone in that apartment after what you went through. We still don’t know if Dina had an accomplice p>
Rain frowned, determined to keep a close watch on Michael Astor. His obsession was growing, and she wouldn’t ignore it.
“Alright,” Alexander replied, sensing her unease. “I’ll have Dion arrange your discharge. Let’s head home as soon as the doctor gives the all-clear p>
Soon enough, the doctor approved her release, and they were on their way back to the mansion. Alexander stayed close, with Sanya by her side, though William had to leave to handle the investigation.
As they arrived, Aunt Melanie rushed out to greet them. “Oh, thank God you two are alright!” She hugged Rain and Sanya tightly. “Go on, both of you, head upstairs and clean up p>
With a gentle touch, Melanie led Sanya to the guest room. Alexander, meanwhile, never left Rain’s side, guiding her to their bedroom. Once inside, he quietly began to run a warm bath, helping her out of her clothes with careful hands.
Rain watched him, her heart softening as he handled her so tenderly. Despite the silence between them, she could see the tension in his eyes, the weight of everything they’d just endured.
He seemed almost surprised by her touch but allowed her to pull him closer, letting her guide him into the tub beside her. They sank into the warmth, his arms instinctively wrapping around her as if grounding himself.
She looked up at him, her fingers gently tracing along his jawline. “What’s wrong?” she asked softly, sensing the weight of his silence.