Chapter 13: The Night of Rain and Confession
The evening sky slowly darkened.
Clouds gathered quietly above the city.
Lina stood in the kitchen, preparing dinner while glancing outside the window.
It looked like it would rain.
Upstairs, Adrian sat at his desk, staring at a document but not reading it.
His thoughts kept drifting.
Fragments.
Lina's smile.
Her voice.
Her eyes.
Every time he tried to focus, her face appeared in his mind.
He rubbed his temples.
"Why…"
He didn't understand.
Just then—
Thunder rumbled softly.
Moments later, rain began to fall.
Heavy.
Sudden.
Adrian looked toward the window.
Rain poured down the glass.
Something inside him stirred.
A faint memory.
Rain.
Lina.
Warm light.
His head throbbed again.
He stood up slowly and walked downstairs.
Lina was placing dishes on the table.
"You came down," she said softly.
Adrian nodded.
"Is it raining?"
Lina smiled slightly.
"Yes. You like rainy days."
Adrian looked surprised.
"I do?"
Lina nodded.
"You said… rain makes you calm."
Adrian walked closer to the window.
The rain fell harder.
Suddenly—
A flash.
Lina standing in the rain.
Holding an umbrella.
Waiting.
Adrian froze.
His breathing slowed.
Another flash—
He ran toward her.
Pulled her into his arms.
"You'll get sick…"
The memory disappeared.
Adrian grabbed the table slightly.
Lina noticed immediately.
"Adrian?"
"I'm… fine."
But he wasn't.
His heart beat faster.
Why…
Did those moments feel so real?
Just then—
The doorbell rang.
Lina walked to open it.
Sophia stood outside, slightly wet from the rain.
"Sorry… I came without calling."
Lina nodded politely.
"Come in."
Sophia entered.
She looked at Adrian.
"You're okay?"
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
Sophia smiled gently.
"I brought some medicine. Just in case."
Lina noticed.
Sophia always came prepared.
Too prepared.
They sat at the table.
Dinner felt quiet again.
Sophia tried to talk.
But Adrian mostly listened.
Then suddenly—
Thunder struck loudly.
Lina flinched slightly.
Adrian noticed.
"You're scared?"
Lina smiled faintly.
"A little."
Sophia spoke softly.
"You were always scared of thunder."
Lina looked surprised.
"You remember?"
Sophia nodded.
"You used to hold Adrian's hand."
Adrian froze.
His chest tightened again.
He glanced at Lina.
She looked embarrassed.
"It was long ago…"
Sophia smiled faintly.
"But Adrian always stayed with you."
Adrian felt something warm.
Then—
The lights suddenly went out.
Darkness filled the room.
Lina gasped softly.
"It's okay," Adrian said quietly.
He stood up.
"I'll check."
He walked toward the hallway.
Lina followed behind.
The rain outside grew heavier.
Only faint lightning illuminated the house.
Adrian found a flashlight in the drawer.
He turned it on.
Soft light filled the hallway.
Lina stood close to him.
Very close.
Thunder echoed again.
Without thinking—
Lina held his sleeve.
Adrian looked down.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
His heart softened.
"It's okay."
He spoke gently.
Lina nodded.
They checked the fuse box together.
After a few minutes—
The lights returned.
Lina let go quickly.
"Sorry…"
Adrian shook his head.
"It's fine."
Sophia watched from the living room.
Her eyes darkened slightly.
She saw everything.
The closeness.
The comfort.
She clenched her fingers.
—
Later…
The rain didn't stop.
Sophia checked outside.
"It's too heavy… I might need to stay."
Lina hesitated.
Mrs. Blake wasn't home.
It felt awkward.
But she nodded politely.
"We have a guest room."
Sophia smiled.
"Thank you."
Adrian stayed silent.
But something inside him felt uncomfortable.
He didn't like the idea.
He didn't know why.
Lina prepared the guest room.
Sophia followed.
"You're kind," Sophia said softly.
Lina smiled faintly.
"It's nothing."
Sophia looked at her carefully.
"You really love him."
Lina nodded.
"Yes."
Sophia's eyes softened briefly.
But then—
They darkened again.
"Even if he never remembers?"
Lina answered calmly.
"Yes."
Sophia smiled faintly.
"You're stronger than I thought."
But inside—
She was thinking something else.
If Lina remained this strong…
It would become harder.
—
Night fell deeper.
Lina went to her room.
Adrian was already there.
He looked at her.
"You okay?"
Lina nodded.
"Yes."
They both lay down.
Silence filled the room.
Rain continued outside.
After a moment—
Thunder echoed again.
Lina flinched slightly.
Adrian noticed.
Without thinking—
He moved closer.
"Sleep."
Lina looked surprised.
"You don't mind?"
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
Lina hesitated.
Then nodded softly.
She lay closer.
Adrian gently pulled the blanket over them.
Rain fell softly outside.
The room felt warm.
Comfortable.
Slowly—
Lina fell asleep.
But Adrian remained awake.
He stared at the ceiling.
Then slowly—
He looked at Lina.
She slept peacefully.
Her face calm.
His heart softened.
He whispered quietly—
"Lina…"
And without realizing—
He gently brushed her hair aside.
His touch gentle.
Familiar.
Natural.
Down the hallway—
Sophia stood silently.
She had come for water.
But what she saw—
Stopped her.
The slightly open door.
Adrian close to Lina.
Her eyes darkened.
Her lips tightened.
She turned away quietly.
Because she knew—
If she didn't act soon…
Adrian's heart…
Would return completely to Lina.