Rain was still flushed with embarrassnt as she settled into her seat. She could feel Clifford’s gaze, and she quickly hissed, "Stop staring!"
Their original seats were in economy, but the flight attendant had inford them that they were upgraded to business class, courtesy of her thoughtful husband.
"I thought Alexander would leave in economy to have so private ti with you," Clifford grumbled, "but after what I saw earlier... I guess he’s much crueler, sticking up here just so I can suffer through your public displays of affection!"
Rain chuckled, knowing full well Alexander’s intentions. His subtle pettiness was oddly charming, and she couldn’t deny that she was anticipating more sweet gestures from him.
Turning to Clifford, she smirked, "Looks like I don’t need to try so hard anymore. He’s the one putting in the effort now, don’t you think?"
Clifford eyed her suspiciously, noting how her entire expression radiated joy. "Look at you—even your eyes are smiling! Are you really that happy?"
Rain grinned, unable to hide it. "Yes, I am."
"Did he already say the magic words?" Clifford asked with a sly grin.
Rain gulped, her awkward shrug and sigh were all the answers he needed. Clifford chuckled knowingly, but Rain quickly shifted the topic.
"By the way, how’s Sanya?" she asked.
Clifford rolled his eyes. "She went ho last night, completely drunk. I took my ti filming her while she sat outside your door, crying her eyes out, talking like you were there. I don’t get why she can’t just say it to your face."
He handed his phone to Rain as their plane began its departure. Rain relaxed into her seat, inclined it slightly, and turned away from Clifford. She played the video, her back to him as she watched Sanya’s emotional ramblings unfold on the screen.
Sanya’s voice, slurred and tearful, filled the video as Rain silently observed, her mind wandering between concern and amusent at her friend’s antics.
Sanya slumped against Rain’s door in the video, her voice thick with guilt and frustration. "Rain, I’m really sorry. I made a move without consulting you first. I was desperate, the loan sharks were after . I know you’d say, ’Why didn’t I just tell you or Clifford?’ But you’ve both done so much already. You and Clifford practically raised ."
Sanya took a deep breath and sighed deeply before continuing, "I overheard my colleagues talking about how the mayor was asking for your profile, and then Michael—my boss—ntioned that Michael wanted you as his wife. The mont I heard that, I knew your father would agree, and you’d be stuck in an arranged marriage with that jerk."
Sanya paused again, her voice softer now as if the weight of her confession was sinking in. "I couldn’t let that happen," she repeated, more to herself than to anyone. "So, when William ca looking for a wife for his brother, Alexander Lancaster, I thought of you. It was like a chance to hit two birds with one stone. I acted on it—without thinking it through. I know I overstepped... but at the ti, I thought I was saving you from that nightmare with Michael."
She hesitated before continuing, her tone tinged with guilt. "And, yes... I was also saving myself. I needed the money to pay off the loan sharks and clear my debts. It was selfish, I know. But I thought, in the end, maybe you’d be better off this way. Alexander’s a good man, and I convinced myself that I was doing the right thing—for both of us."
Sanya hiccupped and cursed under her breath before continuing. "I deliberately sent over candidates I knew William wouldn’t be interested in—profiles that were diocre at best. Then I ntioned you, telling him that your profile hadn’t passed our company because you’re an illegitimate daughter. But I assured him that you had all the credentials he would like and made sure to emphasize how impressive you were compared to the others. William imdiately approved seeing your profile."
Sanya paused, her voice faltering before she continued, "I know these are just excuses, but at that mont, it felt like everything was aligning, like it was supposed to happen this way. It’s hard to explain... but it was as if all the pieces fell into place, and I thought I was doing the right thing."
Rain listened intently as Sanya continued, her voice full of regret. "I ssed up, but I thought I was protecting you, Rain." She hiccupped again, walking away as the first video ended.
"There’s more," Clifford said, leaning over as Rain started the second video.
Sanya returned to her spot, slumping against the door once again, a glass of water in hand. She drained it, placing it down beside her. "I miss you, Rain. Clifford said I should talk to you already and apologize. But the truth is, I’m terrified to face you. I’m ashad. I know you’ll probably say, ’You should have seen this coming.’ And you’re right."
She sighed heavily, her face showing clear conflict. "But... even knowing all that, I think I’d do it again if I had to. Because, in the end, it worked out for you. Alexander is reliable, rich, handso, and, most importantly, he doesn’t have any vices or the type to hurt you. I made sure of that. I even investigated him for a week before going through with impersonating you."
Sanya’s voice softened with emotion. "I wanted to tell you, Rain, but every ti I planned to... I chickened out." She let out a weak chuckle. "I guess I’m still the coward you always knew to be."
Rain released a deep sigh. "It’s not like I’m going to eat her alive, Clifford. Am I really that scary?" she murmured, sitting up straight as she handed Clifford back his mobile phone.
"You are," Clifford teased with a grin, causing Rain to crumple her face in annoyance. "But seriously, are you still mad at her?" he asked, his curiosity evident.
"I’m still frustrated because she hasn’t reached out to , Clifford," Rain admitted. "I was mad at her for ssing with my life and my future without my consent. But at the sa ti, I’m grateful for what she did because it led to Alexander. He ca into my life at the right ti when I needed soone like him the most," she said, letting out a deep sigh.
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