Chapter 53
At Clayton Ancestral Mansion
“I don’t understand why we still have to visit Aunt Lydia’s grave every year,” Dina whispered irritably to her mother as they walked through the garden towards Lydia’s grave. “We already do it on All Saint’s Day. Why do we have to go on her birthday and even her death anniversary? Isn’t that a bit too much p>
“Just be quiet! Your father might hear you,” Sylvia hissed back. “You know how sensitive he is when it comes to that woman p>
Walking just behind them, Melanie could hear every word of the whispered conversation. She glanced ahead at her brother, Tim, who was carrying Lydia’s favorite flowers, lost in his own world.
Dina and Rain were both in the dark about the full story. All they knew was that they had an aunt who died young at twenty-two, twenty-three years ago. Lydia Clayton was her name.
Only Melanie and Sylvia knew the real truth. To everyone else, it appeared that Tim was simply a devoted brother, forever mourning his adopted sister. But they knew better. Tim had loved Lydia deeply—not as a sister, but as the love of his life.
“This visitation is quite boring without Rain,” Dina murmured in her mother’s ear as they walked. “I’ll miss the drama where Father makes her kneel before Aunt Lydia’s grave, bowing so low her head touches the ground p>
Melanie clenched her fists, resisting the urge to lash out at the two women in front of her.
“Maybe it’s your turn to do that, Dina,” she casually interrupted her voice calm but laced with a cold edge.
Dina froze, her body trembling as she turned to her mother in panic. “Will Father make me do that now that Rain isn’t here p>
Sylvia shot her daughter a sharp glare. “Shut your mouth, you useless sickling bitch!” she snapped, her voice low and venomous.
Melanie shrugged and walked past them, her expression neutral.
Sylvia softened her tone slightly as she continued, “Your father won’t make you do that. You weren’t responsible for Lydia’s death p>
“It’s Rain’s whore of a mother who killed Lydia,” Sylvia added bitterly. “That’s why your father always forces Rain to kowtow at her grave p>
Melanie’s face darkened at Sylvia’s words, her anger barely contained. Melanie had heard enough of the fabricated story that had been used to justify Rain’s mistreatment. She stopped walking and turned to Sylvia, her voice seething with suppressed anger. “We both know Rain is an innocent child and doesn’t deserve to be treated the way you all treat her p>
Sylvia rolled her eyes, her lips curling into a sneer. “Oh, please, Melanie. Just zip your mouth like you always do. Should I remind you that you should be the one kowtowing now that Rain isn’t around? Lydia died because of you, too p>
Melanie’s heart pounded with a mix of guilt and frustration. She said nothing more, turning away and continuing her walk toward Lydia’s grave. The memory of that time haunted her still—she had been only seventeen, trying to protect her sister from a love that she feared would lead to ruin. She never imagined it would end the way it did.
As she entered the grand mausoleum that Tim had personally designed to suit Lydia’s tastes, she found her brother already there. He was placing flowers on Lydia’s grave and lighting a candle, his expression etched with a familiar, consuming grief.
Tim’s voice was low but resolute as he spoke to the gravestone. “Today, the woman responsible for your death isn’t here to kneel and bow… but I promise you, Lydia, I’ll continue to punish her for the crime she committed against you. I won’t stop until I destroy everyone responsible for your death. I don’t care how long it takes. I’ll make them pay, until my last breath, and then… then I’ll see you in the afterlife p>
Melanie felt a chill run down her spine. She had always known her brother’s devotion to Lydia was intense, but seeing it now, years later, as a burning obsession was more disturbing than she had imagined. His words were like a vow, dark and irrevocable.
The rest of the drive was quiet, with an unspoken tension lingering in the air. When they finally arrived at Rain’s building, she quickly stepped out of the car, but after taking a few steps, she hesitated and turned back. Alexander was still there, watching her.
Worried that he might change his mind, Rain walked back and knocked on his window. When he rolled it down, she offered, “Do you want to come inside and have a coffee? I want to finalize our contract and have it signed. I’ve prepared a draft, and you can sign it if the terms are to your liking. If not, I’m open to making any revisions p>
Alexander considered her for a moment before nodding. “Alright p>
Rain led him into the building’s parking lot. Her apartment wasn’t luxurious by elite standards, but it was practical and well-secured, which mattered most to her. The unit was fully furnished, with three bedrooms, a balcony, a kitchen, and a living area. It even had a small dirty kitchen and a laundry area. Sanya, her friend, lived with her, making the space feel less empty.
Once inside, Rain guided Alexander to the living area. “I’ll just prepare some coffee,” she said, quickly brewing a pot and offering him a cup.
As he looked around the apartment, he asked, “Are you living alone here?” Rain hadn’t expected that question, but it brought a small smile to her face. It was rare for Alexander to show interest in her personal life, and despite everything, it felt nice. She appreciated these small moments when he seemed genuinely curious about her, even if it was just a casual question.
“No, my friend Sanya stays with me, but she’s still at work. She should be home around six p>
She could feel Alexander’s gaze on her as she casually picked up and read through the contract that Alexander brought. But the sound of the door opening made her pause and put the papers down. She stood up to see who it was, and her eyes widened in surprise when she saw a familiar man with a wide smile approaching her.
His arms wide-open as he beamed, “Surprise! It’s me p>
Without hesitation, Rain rushed to hug him. “Clifford p>
Unbeknownst to Rain and Clifford, Alexander’s face was a storm of conflicting emotions. His expression was dark and brooding, his eyes fixed intensely on the pair as if he could pierce through them with his gaze. The sight of Rain so comfortable with another man stirred something unsettling within him, leaving him silently seething as he watched the scene unfold.
’Who the hell is this man?!’ Alexander fumed internally, his fists clenching at his sides. This man, whoever he was, had clearly gotten under his skin.