The event was finally over. The sun was already leaning toward the west, casting golden light across the auditorium entrance where a sea of students and parents gathered. Laughter echoed, camera shutters clicked, and colorful bouquets danced in the arms of smiling graduates.
Frances stood with Rain at the edge of the crowd, her face glowing faintly with sweat and the lingering flush of triumph.
"I have a gift for you, Frances. I'll show you when we get back," Rain whispered close to her ear.
She turned to him with a surprised smile, eyes sparkling. "Really?"
Before she could press for more, Abby and Coco appeared almost simultaneously. Without a word, they both passed their awards into Frances' arms like she was their personal assistant, disappearing right after with no explanation.
Frances blinked, baffled, arms now filled with glittering plaques. "Seriously?" she muttered.
Then came a voice from the crowd.
"Frances!"
She turned slowly, unsure if it was someone calling her or just another enthusiastic shout. A girl hurried toward her, vaguely familiar, but not enough to place.
"Excuse me? Do I know you?" Frances asked, brows furrowed.
"Of course you do! It's me, Quinn. Have you forgotten? You helped me get a scholarship with C Foundation last year. I'm traveling to Paris next month!"
Frances gave a light laugh, nervous, hiding the blank look that flickered in her eyes. She didn't remember Quinn, not really. She had helped too many. Faces and stories that already blurred over time.
"Oh!"
"Thank you so much, Frances! It's all because of your help that I'm now able to go to my dream college. I thought after my scholarship ends in Dudley I'd have to settle for a lesser school. I'm so grateful to you, Frances." Her voice trembled slightly. Her eyes brimmed with tears.
Frances felt her throat tighten, but she put on a calm, radiant smile. "It's nothing! It's my duty to help the people around me!"
"Right now I have nothing to offer you, but I will make sure to study hard and never disappoint you. Once I'm done with school, I will be of great help to you."
"You don't have to do that. It's not a big deal."
"Of course it is! C Foundation's scholarship is very hard to get, but you helped me get it that easily. I can't be happier. I brought you this little gift!" Quinn said, pulling out a modest bouquet of pink and white carnations. "It seems small, but it's from my heart. I hope you will not mind it."
Frances reached for the bouquet gently, her fingers brushing against Quinn's trembling ones. "I do not mind at all. Thank you for your recognition. I hope you will study hard and become someone that your younger self will be proud of."
"Definitely! I will do that!"
"Frances!!!!"
Another sudden shout, this one louder, made her whip her head around.
A boy came crashing through the crowd, nearly stumbling over himself as he flung his arms in the air.
Frances scoffed. "Are you okay, Berry?"
"I have been looking for you the whole day Frances! I bought you a lot of gifts for your graduation!"
"Gifts? You must be rich now, Berry."
"Rich? Nah! I'm wealthy as fuck! I'm now a millionaire, bro!"
She raised a brow. "Who is your bro?"
"Oh my! Big sis! All thanks to you, I got every penny back. My devilish uncle is chilling in jail right now."
"You must be happy."
"I'm beyond happy!" Berry said, clapping his hands like a gleeful child. Just then, several bodyguards walked in carrying flowers, jewelry boxes, and luxury shopping bags. The crowd paused to stare.
Frances stared too, stunned.
"This is totally unnecessary, Berry! Don't embarrass me!"
"This is little compared to what you do! I sent share transfer documents to Jasper Fox. I gave you 5% shares in Hollis Corporation."
"No way, Berry! You are insane!"
"I'm for real."
"I don't want it!"
"The lawyer signed it already, so it's given! Bye, sis!" He grinned and darted off before she could say another word, laughing triumphantly.
"That guy just gave 5% shares just like that?" Rain asked, baffled.
Frances ran a hand through her hair and sighed, lips twitching into a reluctant smile. "He is not alright."
They both burst into laughter, leaning on each other for support.
If Frances had known, she would've left the school earlier. While Rain was being passed around by professors and dignitaries, she was being passed around by students, well-wishers, and beneficiaries. Her car was now so full of gifts, from flowers to designer items that there wasn't even space for her to sit.
She never imagined her friendships were this wide. Most of them were planning to study overseas now, in Paris, Seoul, Toronto, New York scattered. Many of them had been helped by C Foundation, or had their rights defended, inheritances secured, or bullies punished all because of her.
She had done too much. And right now, her heart felt… full but also strangely hollow.
"I just wanna go home," she muttered, dragging herself away from yet another photo request, clutching a water bottle she hadn't even opened.
She glanced around, searching for Rain, and her gaze caught on him walking toward someone. A tall man in his late twenties or early thirties clean-cut, dignified, almost like a glossier version of Rain. Her mouth parted slightly.
"Oh my! Is that Rain's brother?" she whispered to herself, blinking in disbelief.
Curious but respectful, she lowered herself onto a nearby bench, keeping a safe distance to watch. The two men stood close, their manner relaxed and familiar, clearly brothers. They exchanged soft smiles, and proud looks.
She crossed her legs and glanced around the joyous crowd. Everyone had someone. A parent, a sibling, an uncle, a grandmother. Even the other orphans she knew had someone show up for them, a guardian, a neighbor, there's someone for them.
But Not her.
"Forget it! What's interesting there?" she muttered and turned away from the scene. She took a slow sip of her water, cold against her tongue. "I have Rain. At least… he is my family."
"Congratulations, little bro! You made the family proud," Taylor said with a warm smile.
"Thank you, brother!" Rain beamed, looking genuinely grateful.
"You got so many awards, brother. I'm so proud of you. I can show you off without any fear." Taylor chuckled and ruffled his hair. "I came to pick you up."
"I can go home myself."
"No! Today is important. I need to bring you myself."
"Is there anything going on?"
"Dad is on his way back. He should be here in the next few hours."
Rain froze. His heart stuttered.
"He's coming home?"
"Yes! He heard that today is your graduation, so he's rushing down here."
"He's coming because of me?"
"Sure! So we should go now so he can meet us at home."
Rain's lips parted, breath caught in his throat. His father… was coming. Just for him. His chest swelled with emotions he didn't even know he still carried. yearning, joy, fear. He wanted to cry but laughed instead.
"I'm coming!" he said quickly, then dashed off to find Frances.
He searched the crowd like a man on a mission. Finally, he spotted her, sitting with her legs crossed, her eyes distant. He rushed over and grabbed her hands.
"Baby, I need to go home quick."
She turned to him, startled. "Why? What's wrong? Thought we were going to dinner tonight and have fun together."
"I know, right! But this is important, my dad is coming home."
"Your dad? Out of nowhere?"
"Yeah! He came just for me! I need to go home now, okay? I'll text you on the phone." He leaned in and kissed her forehead, then her hand, then ran off like a whirlwind.
Frances sat still, stunned by the abruptness. Her hand lingered in the air for a moment after he left. She watched him disappear with his brother, both of them laughing and walking side by side, faces glowing with joy.
She swallowed hard.
"Must be nice…" she whispered under her breath.
All around her, there were cheers, camera flashes, and laughter, the sound of celebration. Of families. She had received so much love today, gifts, hugs, flowers, shares in a company for goodness' sake but her chest felt heavy, tight.
She sat in silence, legs still crossed, water bottle resting on her lap. Her eyes flitted across the crowd, and the loneliness sat beside her like a quiet shadow. Her throat burned, but she bit it back.
She wouldn't cry.
Not now.
Not over something so petty.
But oh, how much she wanted to.
Rain followed his brother back home, By the time they pulled into the driveway, the golden hue had faded, and the lights in the mansion were already on. Inside, the house buzzed with chatter as relatives and family friends gathered in the living room, reliving the highlights of the graduation party.
Rain barely spared them a glance. His eyes were distant, his steps quick. He brushed past them, ignoring the congratulations and light teasing, and stormed up the stairs. His heart pounded, his chest tightening with every step as he entered his room and shut the door behind him.
The silence wrapped around him like a blanket, but instead of comfort, it stung. He sat on the edge of his bed, picked up his gaming console, and tried to play anything to keep his thoughts from spiraling. But the screen blurred, his fingers were stiff, and the hum of excitement that usually accompanied his favorite game was nowhere to be found.
With a sigh of frustration, he tossed the controller aside and trudged to the bathroom. The warm water offered some relief, washing away the tension from his limbs, but his mind remained restless. After drying off, he changed into a loose black hoodie and joggers, something more comfortable, more familiar like a hug he could give himself.
Night crept in. The house grew quieter. Still, no sign of his father.
Rain's stomach twisted. The anticipation had turned sour, and finally, unable to take it anymore, he burst out of his room and found Taylor leaning against the railing on the second floor.
"Why is he not back yet?" he asked, his voice sharp and urgent.
Taylor looked at him, concerned, then sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "He should be here soon, just be patient. His flight probably got delayed."
Rain scowled. "It's been so long! I shouldn't have left school so early."
Taylor gave a short laugh and pulled out his phone. "Let me call him to know where he is."
Rain stood rigid, arms folded across his chest, eyes locked on the screen as Taylor dialed. His heart thudded harder when the call connected.
"Dad! Where are you?" Taylor asked and quickly put the phone on speaker.
Rain leaned closer, his chest rising with hope.
"I have something urgent so I had to go back," came Madison's cold, clipped voice. "Please apologize to Rain on my behalf, okay? I will send him some funds as compensation!"
It was like a slap. Rain's eyes widened, mouth falling slightly open as the words sank in.
Taylor's face tightened with panic. "But dad you said you will definitely show up today! Rain was looking forward to seeing you?"
"I told you I'm busy! I will come back in few months!"
Rain's world turned red.
He snatched the phone from Taylor's hands with a force that startled both of them. His voice cracked, raw with pain.
"You shouldn't come back! I don't even need you to come back! Even if you do I will never see you!" he screamed, and then hurled the phone across the hallway. It slammed into the wall with a loud crash, pieces scattering.
"Rain!" Taylor called out, stepping forward to stop him, but Rain jerked his arm away violently.
"Fucking leave me alone!!" he snapped, tears now falling freely down his flushed cheeks. He wiped at them angrily with the back of his hand and turned around in a storm, disappearing down the corridor.
Taylor ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Oh shit! Dad messed up again! Rain, wait for me!"
But Rain didn't wait. He shoved open his bedroom door, flung his backpack on the bed, and shoved his gadgets inside, laptop, charger, tablet, headphones, everything he could see. Zipping it shut, he charged downstairs.
He had barely reached the bottom when a sneering voice hit him like a cold slap.
"This idiot really thought that his father will come for his graduation!" Delilah said with a cruel laugh, loud enough for everyone to hear. The living room erupted in mocking laughter.
"He really thinks he is something special. Your father does not even want you, how special can you be?" his grandmother chimed in, shaking her head with a wicked grin.
"I knew brother will never return today. He was really expecting him to come? What an idiot!" Delilah repeated, clearly enjoying herself.
Rain's fists clenched at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. His knuckles turned white, and his breathing grew shallow. Rage burned beneath his skin, but he said nothing. He stormed through the front door, face stiff with pain and humiliation.
Fallon was just pulling into the driveway, stepping out of the car with a chipper smile that faltered when he saw Rain's face.
"Boss! Where are you going by this time?" he asked, eyes scanning the tense lines of Rain's body.
"Go to Imperial Garden," Rain muttered through clenched teeth.
"Imperial Garden? What are we gonna do there?"
"Frances's house! I'm going there right now!"
"Yes, boss!" Fallon said quickly, sensing his urgency. He rushed back into the driver's seat, and Rain climbed in without another word, slamming the door behind him.
The car pulled out into the night, headlights slicing through the darkness, heading toward the one place Rain knew he would be welcomed without conditions, without judgment.
To Frances. His only true family.
Frances had been sprawled on the velvet couch since she got back from school, her slender legs curled under her robe. The large living room now resembled a high-end boutique. Gifts of all sizes, handbags, flowers, jewelry boxes, even a stuffed alpaca were neatly arranged across the room like a showroom display, thanks to her diligent housekeeper. The scent of lavender and cinnamon candles gently perfumed the air, but it did nothing to lift the heaviness in her chest.
She rolled onto her back, then her side, then flopped facedown into a pillow with a muffled groan.
"I'm so bored! Why is everywhere so quiet today?!" she said, her voice strained and cracking slightly. A long sigh escaped her lips.
Her eyes welled up, but she blinked fast and scoffed at herself. "Haha! That's funny! I possibly can't be crying just because I got no family, right? I have been living that way for more than six years." Her forced laugh echoed around the room like glass about to crack. "It's all that Rain's fault! We have been together for months now and he abandoned me immediately his father called! We should have been on a date now at least I won't feel bad."
She stood up abruptly, brushing invisible dust off her sleeves like she could also shake off her disappointment. Slipping off her slippers, she padded into her sleek marble bathroom. The mirror was kind but her eyes weren't red-rimmed and tired. She washed her face slowly, letting the cold water ground her before beginning her skincare routine with methodical precision. Each motion, from applying toner to brushing out her damp hair, was mechanical, like a practiced ritual meant to soothe a soul too tired to cry.
She threw on a silky red robe, vibrant against her pale skin, and walked back into her room. Her fingers scrolled absently through social media, smiling faces, family dinners, celebratory toasts. She liked every photo, even as her face stayed blank.
"Today is almost over, I just need to sleep and wake up to a bright morning. I think I'm gonna die of boredom now that high school is over," she muttered. She tossed her phone onto the bed with a frustrated huff, then immediately picked it up again.
"Today is May 30? Wow so tomorrow is May 31? No wonder I'm so mad!" she muttered, her tone bitter, as she dropped the phone more forcefully this time and headed downstairs in a swirl of crimson silk.
She had just opened the freezer door and was scanning for something to munch on when her bodyguard, Sean, came in quickly, his boots clicking against the polished floor.
"Miss!"
"What's wrong?" she asked, not looking up, still rifling through frozen treats.
"The estate gate called!"
Frances straightened, her eyes sharpening with expectation. "Rain is here?"
Sean blinked, surprised. "How did you know?"
A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, small but smug. "I already told them that if anyone named Rain Piper ever came to look for me they should let him in immediately."
Sean looked stunned. "Did you give him your home address?"
Frances chuckled softly as she pulled out a water bottle and turned toward him. "Have I ever given anyone my home address before? Never! Rain is into tech, he just needs to do a few things and he will find his way here."
"Oh true! I will go and wait for him at the entrance"
"The security will bring him here. I already informed them about Rain too. I knew he will come here someday, not just this soon! You can return to your quarters. It's late."
"Thank you Miss! Goodnight!"
"Goodnight, Sean."
As Sean exited quietly, Frances sipped her water and placed it gently back on the marble countertop. The house was silent again, but her heart was pounding now, faster with every second.
Then, the front door creaked open.
She turned, and her breath caught.
Rain stepped inside, his head low, shoulders hunched under the weight of something heavier than exhaustion. His hoodie was damp from the night air, his curls flattened and dripping like a soaked kitten. His backpack hung loosely over one arm. He looked like he had dragged his soul to her doorstep.
Frances almost laughed. almost. But she clenched her teeth and scoffed instead, masking the pang in her chest.
"Why do you look so pitiful? Were you sent out or you left by yourself?" she said, voice laced with sarcasm, her brow raised.
Rain didn't answer. He stared at the floor, guilt spreading across his face like ink in water.
Frances slowly descended the stairs from the elevated diner to the living room, her arms crossed over her chest, her robe trailing behind her like a cape.
"You seem to look more miserable than I am!" she said coolly.
Then, without warning, Rain surged forward and threw his arms around her. His grip was desperate, crushing, like he was clinging to the only thing anchoring him in the world. His face pressed into her shoulder, and she felt it, warm tears soaking through her robe.
"Frances, he didn't show up He failed me again," he choked out, voice trembling with betrayal.
Frances' hands hovered for a moment before wrapping around him gently, patting his back with tender strokes. "Oh, my little cat is crying again," she whispered, her tone softening into something warm and maternal.
Rain wept harder, his whole frame shaking against her.
"Why would he do this to me? Does he hate me that much? I was so excited, I wanted to say so many things but he went back. He actually left because of some damn business issues, making me a laughingstock. I feel so unwanted, Cici, I'm so mad!"
She pressed her face into his hair, closing her eyes to stop her own tears from forming. "Oh baby! Don't cry too hard. If he doesn't want you, I definitely want you. If he hates you, I love you more than anything!"
Rain cried into her shoulder, letting all the humiliation, pain, and disappointment pour out. Frances didn't speak much. She didn't need to. Her silence was fierce, brimming with unspoken loyalty.
She held him for hours that night, her robe wrinkled, her heart aching. And though she wanted to cry with him badly she didn't.
She couldn't.
If she cried, she'd be letting go of the rage.
And Frances wasn't ready to forgive anyone just yet. She wasn't ready to give up her fire.
When the time came, she would need that anger to burn everything that dared hurt him.