At Lancaster Ancestral Mansion
The autumn weather was perfect—cool and crisp, with a soft breeze and no harsh sunlight. It was the kind of day that made you want to be outside. Taking advantage of it, Rock invited lanie to join him for a walk in the garden.
At first, lanie was shy, and hesitant to fully engage. But with Rock and Ben making every effort to make her feel at ho, she gradually ward up to their company.
"Let’s sit over there," Rock suggested, pointing toward a nearby table and chairs nestled in the garden’s greenery.
"This is a lovely garden," lanie remarked as she admired the scenery.
"It was my late wife’s," Rock replied, his voice softening with nostalgia. "I’m not much for gardening myself, but before she passed, she made promise to take care of this place. She said it would always remind of her whenever I missed her. And she was right." He smiled gently, lost in mories of days spent with his wife.
This garden had beco his sanctuary, a place where he could feel close to her. Over ti, he’d learned to tend it himself, fulfilling his promise with care and dedication.
"Do you like plants, lanie?" Rock asked, genuinely curious.
lanie looked around, her eyes taking in the vibrant flowers and lush greenery. "I love them," she said, her gaze lifting to the sky. Her eyes sparkled with a sense of peace that had been absent for so long. "It’s been a while since I’ve been outside like this. I’ve missed being surrounded by nature."
Rock nodded, fully aware of the hardships lanie had endured. He, Ben, and even William knew about the situation with Tim Clayton, who had kept her confined for so long.
Tim Clayton was a madman. He was also aware of the past about Tim’s obsession with his late sister Lydia—an unhealthy, twisted obsession—which had driven much of his madness. Tim’s world revolved around a tragic love for Lydia, not as a brother, but as a man obsessed.
After Lydia’s death, it seed that Tim had spiralled into his worst self, even going so far as to mistreat his own sister, lanie, and his daughter, Rain, so unfairly.
Rock couldn’t help but wonder why Tim treated Rain so differently. Was it really just because she was the daughter of a woman he considered beneath him, or was there sothing more to it? Perhaps later, he’d find an opportunity to ask lanie and finally uncover the truth.
"It’s been far too long since I last saw you," Rock said gently, sensing the weight of the years she had spent in isolation.
"Yes," lanie replied softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "I rarely go out... mostly because of my illness." But Rock knew that wasn’t the only reason.
"You don’t need to hide anything from , lanie," he said kindly. "I know Tim has been keeping you locked away. But my son will take care of everything now. You’ll get back the freedom and the life you deserve. It might take so ti, but I promise, you’ll be free soon."
Tears welled up in lanie’s eyes as she lowered her head. "Thank you so much. I’m sorry for being a burden to your family..."
Rock shook his head firmly. "No, don’t say that. You’re not a burden—"
Before he could finish, Ben suddenly appeared, his voice cutting in with unexpected enthusiasm. "Don’t lower your head like that! You’re no burden at all. This family is more than happy to help. Especially !"
Startled, Rock nearly jumped out of his seat. "Ben! Can you at least let us know you’re here before you start talking? You nearly gave us a heart attack!" He scolded his old friend, though a smile tugged at his lips. Ben had always been quiet and reserved, much like Alexander, rarely speaking unless spoken to.
Unfazed by Rock’s reprimand, Ben grinned widely, his smile reaching his ears as he carefully set down a platter of fresh-cut fruit in front of lanie. His attention was clearly focused on her, and it was obvious to Rock that Ben had developed quite an admiration for her.
Rock couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. Ben, this usually reserved man, seed completely smitten. "This is going to be interesting," he thought, watching as Ben lingered a bit longer than necessary, clearly eager to get lanie’s attention.
’Why do I feel like a third wheel now?!’ Rock thought with mild annoyance as he watched Ben strike up a conversation with lanie. Ben was asking her all sorts of questions, and to Rock’s dismay, lanie was responding bashfully, clearly warming up to him.
Rock sighed inwardly. He had brought his notebook and pen, intending to ask lanie so questions about Rain, hoping to gain insights from soone who had been with her since childhood. But judging by how eagerly Ben was monopolizing lanie’s ti, it seed like that interview would have to wait.
’Looks like Ben’s going to eat up most of it,’ he thought, resigned.
They were interrupted by William’s arrival.
"Dad, I’ll be heading out for now..." William said, kissing his father’s cheek before bidding farewell to Ben and lanie. Just as William turned to leave, Rock suddenly felt a violent churning in his stomach.
He sprang to his feet, but before he could take a step, he doubled over and vomited.
"Mr. Rock! Are you alright?" lanie exclaid, her eyes wide with concern as she rushed to his side. Ben followed suit, moving quickly to support him.
"Dad! What’s going on?!" William’s face paled as he turned back, and hurried to his father.
"Ben," Rock murmured, signalling for his friend to reassure William.
"I think I just ate too much. My stomach isn’t feeling good," Rock managed to say, forcing a smile to downplay the gravity of the situation.
"I’ll help you clean up," William said, already moving to assist him. He turned to Ben and said, "Call Doctor Lambert right now!"
Ben quickly positioned himself beside Rock and said firmly, "Let handle it, William. You go where you need to, and I’ll take care of this. I’ll call you if anything changes."
Rock attempted to ease his son’s worries. "Yes, son. I just ate too much and feel a bit bloated," he said, forcing a grin and giving William a reassuring wink.
"But... how can you shoo away? I just want to help you clean up! Let Uncle Ben stay with Aunt lanie. Co on..." William insisted, wrapping an arm around Rock’s shoulders for support.
Rock signalled Ben to retreat, knowing his son all too well. If he insisted on staying, William would only grow suspicious. Instead, he allowed his son to assist him.
"Why are you getting sick so often? I don’t like this!" William scolded, worry etched on his face.
Rock chuckled softly and replied, "It’s because I’m not getting any younger, son."
"What are you saying, Dad?! You’re only fifty-nine! You should be as healthy as a bull in a bullring!" William burst out, a mix of concern and frustration in his tone.
Rock couldn’t help but laugh, but beneath that lightheartedness, his heart ached for William. He knew his son was the more emotional one, and he realized that William would likely struggle the most with the weight of his sickness.
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