Sanya woke up a bit later than usual and was pleasantly surprised to find a small note from William stuck to her mobile phone on the bedside table.
"I made you a sandwich. Just heat it up. I didn’t wake you so you could rest more. I’ll be back after talking with my father. Wait for ... I’ll pick you up and drop you at the apartnt to get your things."
A warm smile spread across her face as she read his thoughtful words, her heart fluttering. She couldn’t help but blush, feeling a giddy excitent bubbling inside her. After quickly getting up, she ward the sandwich he’d prepared and savored every bite, appreciating the gesture.
Though her initial plan had been to wait for William, she realized she needed to drop by the office first.
Sanya decided to just text him.
Sanya: Heading to the office. I’ll wait for you later at the apartnt.
With that, she headed out, her thoughts racing with ideas for ways to make him feel appreciated and supported. She found herself ntally planning als she could make to surprise him and thinking of relaxing places they could go together to help him destress.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice the passerby’s curious glances as she smiled to herself. Sanya took a cab and arrived at the office quickly. But just as she stepped out, a familiar voice called out her na.
"Sanya... it’s ."
She turned and frowned, recognizing her biological mother’s current husband, Rey. He was her mother’s second husband after her biological father passed. She always t him in the hospital whenever she would visit.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "How did you know I work here?"
He had never asked about her life, nor did she share details like her work location or give her address or phone number with him. She usually just called the hospital to check in on her mother’s condition if she couldn’t visit.
"Yes," he said in a rushed voice, "you must co with now. She’s awake and looking for you!"
The news hit her like a bolt of relief and worry mixed together. Sanya felt overwheld and, in her eagerness, she followed him to his car, barely questioning him further as she slid into the passenger seat.
As they drove, however, sothing began to feel wrong. They had been driving for a while, and his silence was unnerving. "You didn’t answer ... How did you know where I work?" she asked again, her voice tense.
This ti, he didn’t respond, and she felt her stomach twist with unease. Then, she heard the distinct sound of the car doors auto-locking, and a chill ran down her spine. Trying to remain calm, she gripped her phone tightly and, without him noticing, pressed down on her last dialed contact... William’s number, hoping he would pick up, or at least hear her.
******
At the Lancaster Ancestral Mansion, Rain and Alexander walked outside together, hand in hand.
"Dad believes it will help us manage our stress about his condition if we keep ourselves busy with other things," Alexander said, and Rain nodded in agreent. "The important thing is that he’s agreed to let us be there with him for every treatnt."
Rain sighed, her gaze distant. "It’s tough, isn’t it? Trying to maintain so normalcy when everything feels so uncertain."
Alexander nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, it is. I understand why he wants us to keep going, but it’s hard to pretend everything’s fine. We all know what’s at stake."
He stopped walking and reached out, cupping her face and making her lips pucker slightly. "What are you doing?" Rain murmured, surprised.
Alexander chuckled, his eyes warm with affection. "Just appreciating how having you by my side makes everything more bearable."
Rain grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck as she leaned in to kiss him.
"Gosh, this is an eyesore!" William’s voice broke in from behind them, his playful complaint making Rain and Alexander laugh.
"And where are you off to?" Alexander asked, turning to his brother.
"I’ve got to work hard now," William said with determination. "I know you probably expect to be a crybaby, but I won’t! I’m going to make sure Dad sees grow for many more years and I’ll even give him a grandchild first!"
Alexander frowned playfully, pointing at him. "Get married first, will you? Don’t even think about creating a baby without tying the knot!"
"Of course, I’ll get married first!" William replied, his face scrunching into a pout. "But I an it! I’m serious about being strong for Dad. We all have to be."
Alexander watched as William walked away, a mix of pride and nostalgia in his gaze. "Looks like my little brother is all grown up now."
He called after him, "Co to my office later. We have important things to discuss." William waved in acknowledgnt as he continued down the path.
But then William suddenly stopped, his phone pressed to his ear. His expression shifted, "Sanya! Talk to . What happened? Where are you? Sanya!"
Rain froze as she heard William’s alard tone and Sanya’s na. She quickly went to his side. "What happened?" she asked with a frown.
Rain’s face went pale as she listened to William’s panicked explanation. "I’m not sure what happened," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "She called, asking for help, and then the line just... cut off."
Rain’s heart pounded. She imdiately pulled out her phone, dialing Sanya’s number herself, but was t with silence. The call wouldn’t go through.
Thinking quickly, Rain murmured, "I have a tracker on her phone." Clifford had once insisted on installing it, saying it could be useful in an ergency. She never thought they’d actually need it but now, she was grateful.
She accessed the tracker app with trembling fingers, her mind racing. Alexander’s reassuring hand on her shoulder helped steady her as he peered over her shoulder at the screen.
"Where is she?" William asked urgently, pacing anxiously.
Rain finally pinpointed the location on the map. "She’s... near the old harbor warehouse," she said, her voice laced with dread.
Alexander’s face grew serious as he exchanged a look with William. "Let’s go. We can’t waste any ti."
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