As we wrapped up the meeting, my mind was still spinning. The weight of everything I had just learned pressed down on me like an unbearable force. I kept my composure long enough to step out of the office, offering Frederick a polite nod before excusing myself. But the moment I reached the bathroom, the floodgates opened.
Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them. My breath hitched as I gripped the edge of the sink, trying to steady myself. My father... the man I had loved, admired, and mourned-he had been fighting a battle I never even knew existed. He had been trying to protect me, to do the right thing, and it had cost him everything.
I covered my mouth with my hand, muffling the sob that tore from my throat. The truth was so much worse than I had imagined. My family had been destroyed because of Lucious Stanton. My father had died trying to do the right thing. My mother had been taken from me. And I... I had been left in the wreckage, my memories stolen, my life shattered.
And yet, all this time, Khai had been protecting me in the shadows. She had sacrificed everything-her own freedom, her own happiness-to keep me safe.
I clenched my fists, my tears slowing as something hardened inside me.
I couldn't change the past. But I could decide what to do with the truth.
And I knew exactly who I needed to see.
But I needed to be careful.
No one could suspect me.
I had to act as if nothing had changed-as if the revelations I had just learned hadn't shaken the very foundation of my world. I needed to continue living my life as usual, showing no cracks in my facade, no signs that I knew the truth.
Because if Frederick had been watching me all this time, then Lucious likely had eyes on me too.
This wasn't just a game of revenge. It was a war of deception, of carefully placed moves where one misstep could mean the end-not just for me, but for Khai, for everything my father had fought for.
I would play my part. I would smile when necessary, follow my daily routine, act as though I was none the wiser. But beneath it all, I would work in the shadows, helping Khai in any way I could.
Because now, I knew the truth.
And in this game of betrayal and lies, the only way to win... was to outplay them all.
I got back to my office and kept my composure, acting as if everything was normal.
"Hey, Mr. Boyd, I've scheduled some time off for the next two weeks," I said casually. "I'll be heading to Alberta to visit Mel."
He raised a brow, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Wow, look at you-busy with wedding preparations?"
I sighed, forcing a small chuckle. "Yeah... I wish we could just skip the whole preparation part and get married without all the hassle."
He laughed. "Come on, Rain. You only get married once-hopefully. You should enjoy the process. It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment."
I nodded, mustering a small smile. "Yeah, you're right."
With that, I bid him goodbye, keeping my steps steady, my expression neutral.
Because in reality, I wasn't just preparing for a wedding.
I kept up with my routine-checking wedding gowns, scouting venues, attending food tastings, cake tastings, and searching for the best giveaways. Everything had to look as normal as possible.
â¢â¢â¢
Then, the day of my trip to Alberta arrived.
Sitting in the airport lounge, I was scrolling through my phone when I felt it-someone watching me. I ignored it at first, but after a few minutes, I caught him glancing at me again.
Subtly, I changed my seat, moving next to him. "Why do you keep glancing at me?" I asked, my tone neutral but firm.
He looked startled at first, but then his expression shifted into one of excitement. "Oh my God. Rain Chadwick, right?"
I frowned, taken aback by his reaction. "Uh... yeah?"
His face lit up. "Wow, this is insane! We studied your designs in structural engineering. You are a legend! I mean, the dome in Singapore that you designed? Epic. And the Njor Museum in Norway? Absolutely legendary!"
For a moment, I was speechless. I was expecting something far more sinister-being watched by Lucious's men, maybe even a threat. But this? This was just pure admiration.
I let out a small breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"Uh, thanks," I said, offering a polite smile. "Didn't expect to meet someone who knew my work here."
He grinned, practically bouncing in his seat. "Girl, I wish I had that brain of yours! Seriously, your designs are revolutionary." Then, he hesitated for a second before asking, "Uh-would it be okay if we take a selfie? I just have to show this to my fellow engineers. They are going to freak out!"
I chuckled at his enthusiasm. It was refreshing, almost amusing, considering everything I had been dealing with lately. For once, someone recognized me for my work and not because of the chaos surrounding my life.
"Sure," I said with a small smile.
He excitedly pulled out his phone, angling it just right before snapping a few photos. "Thank you so much! This is unreal. You're amazing, Rain!"
As he scrolled through the pictures, still beaming, I couldn't help but think-this moment, this simple interaction, was a reminder of who I was outside of all the deception, betrayal, and darkness I was entangled in.
But I couldn't let my guard down. Not yet.
As if on cue, the call for my boarding echoed through the airport speakers.
"Flight 237 to Alberta is now boarding at Gate 14."
I stood up, adjusting the strap of my bag. The guy beside me looked up and grinned. "Well, Rain Chadwick, it was an absolute honor to meet you. Safe flight!"
"Thanks," I replied with a polite nod before making my way to the boarding gate.
As I handed my ticket to the attendant, my mind was still processing everything that had happened in the past few days. The revelations about my father, the black book, the web of lies and betrayals-I had to keep playing my part, acting normal, and making sure no one suspected what I knew.
Stepping onto the plane, I took a deep breath. Stay focused, Rain. Play your role.
This wasn't just a trip to Alberta. It was another step in the dangerous game I was now part of.
As I landed in Alberta, the crisp air of Canada greeted me, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. It was 7:45 Eastern Time, and Mel had no idea I was here. I had planned this trip meticulously, ensuring everything was perfect-right down to picking up her favorite coffee from the small café she loved just a few blocks from her apartment.
With the warm cup in hand, I hailed a cab and gave the driver her address. My heart wasn't racing from excitement, nor was it filled with longing-I wasn't that woman anymore. I was simply here to check another box, to play my role.
The cab pulled up in front of her building, and I stepped out, gripping the coffee tightly as I walked through the familiar entrance. I had my own set of keys-an unspoken token of what we once were, what we were supposed to be.
Silently, I unlocked the door and stepped inside, careful not to make a sound. The apartment smelled the same-lavender and warm vanilla, a scent I once found comforting. Now, it just felt... distant.
I made my way toward her bedroom, anticipating a sleepy, confused Mel, maybe tangled in her sheets, mumbling complaints about me waking her up so early. But what I walked into was something entirely different.
Mel was tangled in bed, but not in the way I expected.
She was wrapped around another woman-her colleague. Their bodies were intertwined, their skin against each other, the sheets barely covering the evidence of what had just transpired.
For a moment, time stopped.
I stood there, gripping the coffee cup so tightly I thought it might crack. My mind processed the scene with an eerie calmness, as if I were observing something from a distance, detached from it all.
Mel's eyes flew open when she heard the door creak. She blinked once, twice, and then realization hit her like a lightning bolt.
"Rain-" she stammered, scrambling to sit up, her movements jerky and panicked. The woman beside her turned, confusion morphing into mortification.
But I... I just stood there.
I wasn't hurt. I wasn't devastated. If anything, I felt something I hadn't expected-relief.
The weight I had been carrying, the doubts, the unease, the feeling that something was missing-all of it vanished in an instant.
I exhaled slowly, tilting my head as I met Mel's frantic gaze. "Huh."
That was all I said.
No screaming, no accusations, no anger. Just a simple acknowledgment of the truth that had been in front of me for a while now.
Mel swallowed hard, guilt washing over her features. "Rain, I-"
I raised a hand, stopping her. I wasn't interested in excuses. I wasn't interested in anything.
I placed the coffee on her nightstand. "Brought you your favorite," I said smoothly.
Then, with one last glance at the disheveled sheets, the tangle of limbs, the betrayal that didn't feel like one-I turned on my heel and walked out.
For the first time in a long time, I felt free.
I hailed a cab again, gripping my phone tightly as the reality of what had just happened started to sink in. The relief I initially felt was still there, but now it was accompanied by a strange sense of emptiness-like standing in the eye of a storm, knowing the chaos was still circling around me.
With nowhere to go, I told the driver to drop me off at the nearest coffee shop near the airport. As I stepped inside, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, a stark contrast to the bitter taste of betrayal still lingering in my mind. I ordered something warm, something comforting, though I knew it wouldn't do much to settle the unease creeping into my chest.
Sliding into a corner booth, I pulled out my phone and stared at the screen. There was only one person I wanted to call.
Therese.
I hesitated for a moment, then dialed. The phone rang twice before she picked up.
"Rain?" Her voice was laced with surprise, then concern. "Are you okay?"
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Not really," I admitted, my voice softer than usual.
"What happened?"
I swallowed, glancing out the window at the snow beginning to fall outside. "I just walked in on Mel... with someone else."
There was a pause. Then, a sharp intake of breath. "That bitch," Therese hissed. "Tell me where you are. I swear to God, I will-"
"I'm fine," I cut her off, though I wasn't entirely sure that was true. "I mean... I should be upset, right? But I'm not. I feel... free."
Therese was silent for a moment, then her voice softened. "Sometimes, the truth sets you free, even if it hurts."
I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Yeah."
"Where are you now?"
"Some café near the airport."
"Stay there," she said firmly. "I'm booking you a flight back home. You don't need to be there a second longer."
I exhaled, finally allowing myself to sink into the reality of it all. "Thanks, Therese."
"Always."
As I hung up, I stared at my reflection in the window. For the first time in a long time, I wasn't looking at someone trapped in a life that didn't fit.
I was looking at someone ready to start over.
A few minutes later, my phone buzzed again. It was Therese.
"Hey, I tried to find the soonest flight for you, but the earliest one available is tomorrow morning," she said, frustration evident in her voice.
I sighed, leaning back against the booth. "Oh, great," I muttered, rubbing my temples.
Before I could say anything else, another voice chimed in from the background-Ikaris.
"Hey, don't worry. I'll take it from here," he said, his tone reassuring and firm. "I just sent you a pass for a hotel nearby. Show it at the front desk, and they'll take care of everything. Just go settle in for the night, and we'll book your flight first thing in the morning."
I glanced at my phone and saw a message with a hotel reservation under my name, complete with a digital pass.
I hesitated for a moment before exhaling. "Thanks, Ikaris."
"Anytime, Rain. Just focus on getting some rest."
I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Alright. I'll head there now."
As I ended the call, I took one last sip of my coffee, then grabbed my things. I had nowhere else to go, but for some reason, knowing that Therese and Ikaris had my back made the weight on my chest feel a little lighter.
At least for tonight, I didn't have to figure everything out. I just had to get through it.
As I stepped into The Grand Stanton Hotel, I couldn't help but let out a dry chuckle. Yeah, right-The Stantons. Of course, they own this place too. I had almost forgotten that their empire stretched far beyond the corporate world, covering luxury hotels and high-end restaurants across Canada.
Shaking off the thought, I made my way to the front desk, handing over my phone to the receptionist. "I have a reservation," I said, showing the digital pass Ikaris had sent me.
The woman behind the desk barely glanced at the screen before offering me a polite smile. "Of course, Ms. Chadwick. We've been expecting you."
Expecting me? The phrase lingered in my mind for a second, but I brushed it off.
Within moments, she had everything settled. "You're in one of our executive suites on the top floor. Your key card is here," she said, sliding a sleek black card across the counter. "If you need anything, our concierge is available 24/7."
"Thanks," I murmured, taking the card.
As I turned toward the elevator, I couldn't shake the unease creeping up my spine. Maybe it was just exhaustion-or maybe it was the fact that, no matter how far I ran, I always seemed to end up in the Stantons' shadow.
As I settled into my hotel room, exhaustion seeped into my bones, but the relentless buzzing of my phone wouldn't stop. I already knew who it was-Mel. Her name flashed across my screen over and over, each call a desperate attempt to reach me.
Finally, after what felt like the hundredth call, I sighed and picked up.
"YES?" I answered dryly, not bothering to hide my irritation.
"Babe-please, let's talk. Where are you?" Her voice was frantic, laced with desperation, but I felt nothing. No anger, no heartbreak-just a quiet, eerie calm settling over me.
I let out a humorless chuckle. Babe? That word meant nothing to me now.
"You know what, Mel?" I said, my tone light, almost conversational. "It's totally okay. It's fine. You don't have to explain yourself."
"Rain, please. Just let me see you-"
"No." I cut her off, my grip tightening on the phone. "There's nothing to talk about. No grand explanation you can give will change what I saw. And honestly?" I paused, letting out a slow breath. "Thank you. Really. You did me a favor."
"What?" Her voice wavered, clearly not expecting my reaction.
"I should be mad, right? Hurt? Maybe even crying?" I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. "But I'm not. Because for the first time in a long time, I see things clearly. You and I? We were built on convenience, not love. And you cheating on me just proved it."
"Rain, please, I-"
"No," I said again, firmer this time. "You made your choice, Mel. And I'm making mine. This is me walking away."
Then, before she could say another word, I ended the call and tossed my phone onto the bed.
I stared at the ceiling for a moment, letting the weight of everything settle. A few hours ago, I thought I was about to marry the woman I'd spent years with. Now? I was free.
And oddly enough, that felt like relief.
I blocked her number without a second thought, ensuring she could never reach me again. No more calls, no more messages, no more empty apologies. It was done.
As I settled in for the night, I lay back against the pillows, staring at the ceiling. The weight I hadn't even realized I was carrying felt lighter now, like I had finally shed something that had been holding me down for far too long.
For the first time in a long while, I felt-peace.
No anxiety, no lingering doubts, no what-ifs. Just the quiet realization that I was finally free.