The black cars arrived right on ti.
Rain stood in the grand entrance of Lancaster Mansion, her fingers twisting nervously. Her stomach turned, not from hunger, but nerves. The house was quiet except for the soft clinking of plates being prepared for lunch.
Then the door opened, and President Saul Watson stepped inside.
The last ti she had seen him, it hadn’t gone well. Back then, he believed Carla was his granddaughter and he had looked at Rain like she was nothing but a stranger. Maybe even a threat. But things were different now.
"Rain," Saul said as he stepped closer.
She straightened, unsure how to greet him. His expression wasn’t cold like before, it was regretful. Tired. But also full of sothing she didn’t expect. Warmth.
He stopped just a foot away from her. Aunt lanie and Sanya stayed respectfully to the side, watching.
"I’m sorry, Rain," Saul said, voice rough with guilt. "I treated you unfairly. I refused to see the truth. I let my grief and my pride cloud my judgnt. I hurt you and that’s sothing no grandfather should ever do."
Rain stared at him, wide-eyed.
Saul continued, "When I thought Carla was my granddaughter, I gave her everything and wanted to save her no matter what. And I pushed you aside like you didn’t matter. But the truth is, you were the one who deserved my love and protection all along."
Rain swallowed hard, feeling tears build up again. "You were angry... I understand. You also didn’t know the truth then."
"No," he said gently. "Understanding doesn’t erase the pain I caused. But I want to make things right. If you’ll let ."
There was a long pause before Rain finally nodded. Saul’s face softened in relief. He couldn’t hold back his tears. As they stread down his face, he gently pulled his granddaughter into a warm, protective embrace.
"You’ve suffered so much," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "And I’m just grateful you found good people along the way. Even though Arlan and I failed to protect you... I thank God the Lancasters beca your family when you needed one most."
Rain couldn’t stop the tears rising in her own eyes. The mont his arms wrapped around her, the walls she’d been holding up crumbled. She broke down and sobbed quietly in her grandfather’s embrace, finally letting herself feel the weight of everything she had been through.
He gently broke the hug and added, "I also wanted to formally introduce you to the Watson family. You deserve to be known for who you truly are. To be welcod properly."
Rain looked down, conflicted as she wiped her tears. "I... I’m not ready for that yet," she said carefully. "Not until my mom... accepts . Not just in words, but in her heart. I want to be her daughter first before I beco anyone else’s."
Saul nodded with quiet respect. "That’s fair. And I’m proud of you for saying that."
He reached out, unsure, then placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "You’re strong, Rain. Like Sumr. Like my wife, too. I see so much of our family in you."
She looked up and gave a small, tearful smile. "Thanks... Grandpa."
It was the first ti she had called him that. And it felt strange but not wrong.
Alexander, who stood on the sidelines, smiled with quiet pride. Now that the truth about Rain’s origins was finally out, he felt a deep sense of fulfillnt. She was no longer tied to the lies of Tim Clayton. Instead, she had found her real family, good, decent people who truly cared for her.
"By the way, everything’s already in motion," William whispered to Alexander.
Alexander gave a firm nod, his eyes hard with determination. "We need to capture Tim no matter what. It’s the only way to finally end all of this."
Just then, Rain called out to them with a gentle smile, "Lunch is ready. Let’s all go to the dining hall."
Alexander’s expression softened as he turned toward her, a smile forming on his face. For now, they had peace and he intended to protect it.
*****
At ta Doctors Hospital
Carla slowly opened her eyes, staring at the plain white ceiling of her hospital room.
Everything was quiet, except for the beeping of the machines around her. Her head hurt, but her mories were back, clear and sharp like broken glass.
She blinked slowly. Then her face twisted with anger.
"Rain..." she whispered, her voice rough.
The mories were all there now. How that bjtch was a thorn in her way right from the start.
Everything in her life used to feel perfect until that day.
She was only eight when Tim approached her and told her the truth. From that mont on, he began poisoning her mind. He told her who her real family was and claid the family that raised her was the reason her real mother died. He said he had swapped her as a baby so she could one day carry out revenge and bring justice for her real mother.
She had been terrified. She wanted to ask her mother, Sumr, for the truth... but she didn’t. She was too afraid of losing everything.
And now... she had lost it all anyway. Alexander. Her family. Everything was gone.
"She ruined everything!" Carla shouted, her hands gripping the bed sheets tightly. "That bjtch stole everything from ," Carla growled. "She took my na, my future... like I never existed."
Carla sat up slightly, ignoring the pain in her body.
"If only I had ended her before, back when I still had the chance..." Her voice shook with rage. The monitor beeped faster. A nurse peeked into the room and saw Carla awake. But before she could speak, Carla looked at her coldly.
"I want to speak to my lawyer," she said flatly.
The nurse quietly left to make the call.
Carla leaned back and stared at the ceiling again, a dark smile slowly forming on her face.
"Let the world cheer for Rain now," she muttered. "But I swear... once I’m out of here, I’ll make her pay for everything."
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