The rain came again that night — soft at first, then heavy and relentless, like the heavens themselves were restless.
Meilin stood at the balcony, arms wrapped around herself, watching the downpour blur the city lights. It had been three days since Li Chen's visit, yet his words still echoed in her mind.
> "Some mistakes don't forgive so easily."
She hated how easily fear could return. She'd rebuilt everything from ashes — her love, her home, her family — yet one ghost from the past made it all tremble.
Behind her, Rui entered quietly. "You haven't slept again," he said, his voice low.
She turned, forcing a smile. "Just thinking."
He frowned slightly, coming closer. "About him?"
Meilin looked away, guilty. "I didn't want to. But yes."
Rui exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable. "I can't stop you from thinking, Meilin. But I can't pretend it doesn't hurt."
Her heart clenched. "Rui… I don't love him. Not anymore."
"I know," he said softly, stepping closer until his warmth surrounded her. "But sometimes, the past doesn't need love to haunt us."
The rain struck harder, a furious rhythm against the glass.
Meilin looked up at him — at the man who had every reason to walk away but never did. "He said things I didn't understand," she admitted. "Something about mistakes not forgiving easily. What did he mean?"
Rui's eyes darkened. "Li Chen was involved in something before — things he hid from you. If he's come back, it's not just about you."
She frowned. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying," he said slowly, "that the man you once loved might not have been who you thought he was."
Meilin's stomach twisted. "Do you know something?"
Rui hesitated — and that hesitation was enough to chill her.
"Rui?"
He sighed and took her hands. "There are things I didn't tell you. Back when you left, Li Chen tried to ruin my company. He used you as a distraction — while he worked behind the scenes."
Her breath caught. "What?"
"I didn't want you to know. You were already hurting. But now that he's back…" Rui's voice hardened. "He might try again."
The revelation hit her like lightning. The guilt she had carried for years — for leaving Rui, for betraying his love — now cut even deeper.
> "He used me," she whispered, trembling. "I was blind."
Rui brushed a tear from her cheek. "You were lost. That's different."
She clung to him, her tears hot against his chest. "I won't let him destroy what we've rebuilt."
"You won't have to," he murmured. "Because this time, I'll protect you — and our family."
The room fell silent except for the rain. But beneath that peace was something else — a quiet storm, gathering strength.
Later that night, as Rui left to take a call, Meilin glanced out the window again.
A black car was parked across the street. Its headlights were off, but she could feel it — someone was watching.
Her fingers tightened on the curtain.
> "The past," she whispered, "refuses to stay b
uried."
And deep down, she knew the storm had only just begun.