The golden afternoon sun bathed the Haven Orphanage in a warm, gentle glow. Laughter rang out from the garden where children played, their joyful voices drifting through the open windows.
Rain sat on a bench at the balcony, peeling apples while her mother, Sumr, chatted softly with a small group of children inside, not far from her spot.
The peace here felt almost unreal after everything they had endured. Rain sat under the shade, watching the children play in the garden, their laughter carrying in the breeze like a soft lody.
Her mother had stepped away for a mont, and when she returned, she carried a tray of fresh juice.
"I missed this," Rain murmured, her gaze still on the children. A faint smile played on her lips. "It’s calm... simple. Like how life should’ve been."
"You’ve been through so much darkness, sweetheart," her mother said warmly as she sat beside her. "It’s ti you had light again."
Rain chuckled, setting down the apple she had been peeling. "I’ve been eating too much fruit," she joked, picking up a glass of juice instead.
"That’s perfectly fine, dear. You have two cute little babies inside your womb, after all," her mother bead, her tone light with excitent.
Rain smiled, but her chest tightened slightly with emotion. She still couldn’t believe her mother was really here, with her, alive and well. Just weeks ago, she’d been lying unresponsive in a hospital bed, caught in a coma that seed unending.
And now, she was here. Smiling. Talking and bringing her juice.
It was a miracle she was truly forever grateful for.
Rain nodded, but before she could answer, the TV at the orphanage that she could view and hear from the balcony buzzed with a sudden "Breaking News" alert. The anchor’s serious expression filled the screen.
"We’ve just received confirmation that Tim Clayton, owner and CEO of Clayton University Hospital, was once known as a respected figure in the dical industry - until the truth unravelled with him behind a series of national cris, has been found dead in his prison cell early this morning."
Rain’s breath caught in her throat. Sumr turned toward the screen, her expression tightening.
"Authorities report it was suicide. Clayton was found hanging. He had shown signs of psychological distress in recent days, muttering to himself, shouting apologies to people who weren’t there. Witnesses say he’d been calling out for Lydia and Carla, repeating that he was sorry."
Rain’s body trembled. Her stomach turned. Alexander was quick to approach her.
"You heard?" he asked gently.
Rain stood up slowly. "Is it true?"
He nodded. "Tim is gone. He took his life before the trial even started. I just saw William’s missed calls and ssages."
She clenched her jaw. "Coward."
Even in the end, Tim took the easy way out, choosing death over facing the weight of his sins. He’d rather hang himself than spend even a day atoning behind bars.
Rain stared at the muted television screen, her fingers tightening around the glass in her hand. The news was still running footage of the prison, officers crowding the scene, a stretcher wheeled out under a white sheet.
"He owed so many people an apology," she murmured bitterly. "But instead, he ran away again."
Her mother gently placed a hand over hers. "So people can’t face what they’ve done. They crumble beneath it."
Rain blinked, her throat tightening with emotion. "He destroyed so many lives. He raised Carla to be just like him... full of hate. And now they’re both gone, and the ss they left behind... we’re the ones who have to carry it."
Her mother nodded solemnly. "Yes. But we also survived it. You did, Rain. You and the Lancaster protected people exposed the truth. You and the Lancaster stopped them."
Rain exhaled shakily, trying to let that sink in. Alexander ca closer and crouched in front of her, gently placing his hand over her knee.
Rain then smiled at him, a quiet, reassuring smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, but still carried warmth. "Don’t worry about ," she said gently. "It’s just that... I’m surprised. But at the sa ti, I’m relieved."
Alexander watched her carefully, his gaze searching. "Relieved?"
She nodded slowly, looking down at her hands resting over her belly. "He’s gone. It’s over. The fear, the running, the constant waiting for the next move, it’s all over now. And even though I never wanted anyone to die... a part of feels like I can finally breathe again."
There was a soft pause as her words settled between them. "I know it doesn’t make everything okay," she added, voice quieter now. "It doesn’t undo the hurt. But it’s like... a Chapter’s closed."
Alexander reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her cheek briefly.
"You’ve been through hell and still ca out stronger," he said. "You don’t have to carry guilt for feeling relief."
Rain looked into his eyes, finding steady comfort there. "Thank you," she murmured. "For staying. For fighting with . For not giving up."
"I never will," he promised. "Not on you. Not on us."
For the first ti in a long while, she leaned into him without tension, letting herself rest against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her gently.
Sumr simply watched them with a contented smile. She sat quietly nearby, her hands resting on her lap as she took in the sight of her daughter wrapped in the arms of a man who truly loved her.
Unknowingly, warm tears began to roll down her cheeks. But they weren’t tears of pain, these were tears of joy. Of gratitude. Of finally seeing her real daughter safe, cherished, and no longer alone.
Rain had found her way back, and not just to her mother but to a life surrounded by love, peace, and hope. Sumr quietly wiped her tears, her heart full.
"My little girl," she whispered to herself with a shaky breath, smiling again. "You’re finally ho."
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