At Lancaster Ancestral Mansion
lanie bit her inner cheek as she walked into the living room where her brother, Tim, and Sylvia were already waiting. The mont Tim spotted her, he stood up and hugged her. "You’re looking great," he said, pulling back to look at her. "I guess Rain is right... you should stay here with her."
He held her gaze for a mont and added, "I’m really sorry, lanie. I haven’t been much of a brother over the years. I hope you can forgive and give a chance."
lanie let out a deep sigh, her expression unreadable as she noticed the gifts they’d brought. "Rembering her birthday for the first ti, I see," she muttered wryly, the disbelief evident in her tone. Ever since Rain had beco Mrs. Lancaster, Tim had been relentless, trying to use lanie to connect with her.
Tim ignored her subtle mocking and smiled as he gently caressed her cheek. "I’ll keep my promise and give you your freedom, lanie," he said softly. "But I’d appreciate it if you’d co by once in a while. It’s still your ho. Our parents left it to us."
lanie’s expression hardened. "I’ll co back, but only to pick up the rest of my things. I don’t know what you’re up to, Tim, but know this, neither Rain nor I will fall for your gas," she replied firmly. "If you want to see or speak to Rain, reach out to her directly. Don’t try to use as your bridge."
Tim sighed heavily, his expression softening. "I know, lanie. Rain’s always been strong. I’ll keep reaching out to her, hoping she’ll understand how much I regret not acknowledging her sooner, and how I allowed Sylvia and Dina to mistreat her. I won’t let them do as they please anymore... not to you or Rain."
lanie t his gaze, recognizing the shadow of the brother she once knew, but also recalling the bitterness he held toward Kayla, Rain’s mother, whom he’d blad for Lydia’s death. For him, Kayla had been one to push Lydia to her breaking point to commit suicide aside from Arlan Cartier.
"I’ll be sending Dina abroad to continue her studies," Tim went on. "And as for Sylvia, I’ll keep her in check and ensure she treats you both with respect."
lanie glanced at Sylvia, who had maintained a quiet, almost defeated posture throughout. It was sothing new to her sight.
Tim gestured to the gifts he’d brought. "I brought Rain so presents. I’ll leave them here, along with these for you... I know you love these delicacies," he said with a small smile. As he turned to go, lanie couldn’t help but ask, "Is sending Dina abroad really necessary?"
Tim paused, turning back to her. "She’s been causing trouble, lanie. She’s old enough to be responsible, but she’s difficult to handle. I think ti away might help her reflect on her actions."
As he left, lanie watched him go, feeling a pang of sorrow. She missed the brother he’d once been before Lydia’s death... the one who had looked at life with warmth, not the emptiness he kept in his eyes. That old Tim was gone, and as much as she pitied him, she knew he was still shackled by the past, unable to take even a single step forward.
"Hmm, let inspect these gifts first. No offense, but I really don’t trust that brother of yours. What if there’s spyware hidden in here or sothing in the food that could make you or Rain sick?" Ben’s voice broke into lanie’s thoughts, snapping her back to the present.
lanie chuckled softly, watching as Ben ticulously checked each item. "Go ahead, Ben. Do as you please," she said with a small smile. The Lancasters were famously cautious, so his diligence wasn’t surprising.
She settled onto the couch, observing him as he carefully inspected everything, even calling over Chef Philip to taste so of the delicacies first.
Ben had always been attentive to her and Rain’s safety, and lanie couldn’t deny she was aware of how he admired her. But there was a part of her that held back, reluctant to open up to the idea of a relationship. Her illness lingered in the back of her mind, reminding her that life was still fragile and unpredictable.
Besides, she often thought she might be too old to consider romance again. Yet Ben had a way of making her feel young, like a teenager with a fluttering heart, on the edge of being swept away by a first love.
"Wow, Tim really went all out for Rain," Rock said, looking surprised as he entered and saw the array of gifts. He turned to lanie with raised eyebrows. "I bet that’s a first, right?"
lanie nodded, unable to disagree. Tim had never once rembered Rain’s birthday, let alone brought her gifts.
Rock settled onto the seat opposite her and asked, "By the way, I heard your trial to get out from under your brother’s full guardianship is happening this week?"
"Yes," she replied, a small smile spreading across her face. "Rain told it’s scheduled for this Thursday." The thought of finally gaining control over her own life, free from Tim and Sylvia’s interference, felt like a long-awaited dream coming true. For once, she could imagine a future without them overshadowing her every decision.
Rock nodded and said, "That’s good then and I hope they will co up to a final decision soon."
"Thank you so much," lanie said warmly, and Rock responded with an easy smile. "I’ll leave you and Ben to it, then. Oh, and I heard you two are going out tonight, enjoy yourselves." He winked playfully, causing lanie’s cheeks to flush.
Rock had been teasing her like this often, and she found herself blushing each ti. Once he was gone, Ben turned to her with a more practical focus. "Let’s give it an hour or so to see if Chef Philip has any reactions. If all is well, it should be safe to eat."
lanie nodded, trying to ignore the flutter of anticipation. Ben sat beside her and moved closer, his expression suddenly tense. He took her hand gently, his voice barely above a whisper.
"lanie, there’s sothing I need to tell you. It’s about who I really am, sothing from my past that I want you to know. I want to be completely transparent with you and not hide anything. I want the woman I like to know even the darkest secrets of my life..."
lanie gulped. It wasn’t the first ti Ben had ntioned his feelings for her, but she still felt overwheld by his straightforwardness. "Tell ..." she encouraged him.
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