Chapter 12: Into the Rain

"Yes, very much so," Lauren replied. She squeezed his hand, her eyes shining with happiness. She knew what he meant.

She pressed a kiss to his knuckles, her heart full. She’d lied before—in truth, they really were like a pair. She smiled, her cheeks flushing.

Lauren stood up. "Evan."

She reached for his hand, pulling him to his feet. "Mm?"

He looked at her, curiosity in his eyes. "Have you finished eating?"

She cocked her head, waiting for his answer. He nodded. He wiped his mouth, setting his plate aside.

She smiled and pulled him up. She tugged him toward the door, determination in her eyes. "Good. Now, come with me to the hospital for a checkup."

She grabbed her purse, already halfway to the door. Evan was startled. "Are you sick?"

He reached for her arm, concern etched on his face. "Let’s see if your stomach’s working properly."

She poked his side, her tone teasing but firm. The checkup was simple enough, but on the way to the hospital, Evan’s phone kept ringing.

He silenced it with a sigh, glancing apologetically at Lauren. He told his assistant he was going to the hospital, and Lauren overheard words like "Despair" and "audition."

She raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. Waiting for the results, Lauren suddenly remembered today was the audition for the game "Despair," and Evan was supposed to be one of the judges.

She groaned, realizing she’d completely forgotten about it in all the excitement. She’d originally planned to meet him there, even imagined the awkward scenario if he didn’t recognize her. But they’d met by chance the day before, so she’d forgotten about it.

She laughed, shaking her head at how life had upended all her plans. Evan hadn’t gone to the company, but had come to the hospital with her. She squeezed his hand, grateful for his priorities.

So...

She grinned, unable to hide her delight. Was Evan skipping work?

She shot him a teasing look. "Skipping out on your CEO duties, huh?"

Lauren suddenly burst out laughing. Her laughter echoed in the waiting room, drawing curious glances from the nurses. Evan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them. "What’s so funny?"

He raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at his lips. She shook her head, still smiling. She wiped away a tear, her laughter subsiding.

He didn’t press, just smiled faintly. Then his smile faded as he looked past her, brows furrowing. He spotted a familiar figure approaching, tension creeping into his posture.

Lauren turned around. She followed his gaze, curiosity turning to apprehension as she saw the trio approaching.

Two men and a woman were approaching. The woman, in her forties or fifties, wore a black suit, her makeup refined, her features bearing some resemblance to Evan. She stood tall, her presence commanding, every inch the businesswoman.

...Who was she?

Lauren’s mind raced, searching for any clue. She stopped in front of them. The shorter man beside her slipped behind Evan, looking awkward. He avoided Lauren’s gaze, fidgeting nervously.

"Mr. Cole, sorry. Ms. Chandler was at the company..."

The assistant’s voice was meek, barely audible. Evan said nothing, facing the woman. "Why are you here?"

His tone was cold. He squared his shoulders, his expression unreadable. Lauren realized—the man was the assistant who’d called earlier, and this Ms. Chandler must have heard Evan was at the hospital and come over.

She glanced between Evan and the woman, piecing things together. But...

She frowned, trying to remember if she’d ever heard the name Chandler before. Who was this Ms. Chandler?

She leaned in, whispering to the assistant.

"Excuse me, may I ask who Ms. Chandler is?" Lauren whispered to the assistant.

He looked at her, eyes wide with surprise. "You don’t know?" The assistant looked shocked. "Ruth Chandler—Ms. Chandler. Mr. Cole’s mother."

He spoke the words as if revealing a state secret. "Ah..." Lauren nodded, thoughtful. She processed the information, her mind racing with questions.

She’d guessed right—Evan’s mother. Also the biological mother of Nathan Chandler, who’d filmed with her the day before. The pieces clicked into place, her suspicions confirmed.

...But hadn’t she left Maple Heights after divorcing when Evan was six? She’d never appeared in the original story—Lauren hadn’t even heard her name. She frowned, wondering what could have brought Ruth Chandler back now.

And Evan didn’t seem to want to see her...

The tension between them was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife.

While Lauren was asking, Ruth Chandler had already said a few words to Evan. Her voice was crisp, her words carefully chosen, every syllable weighted with authority. Her tone matched her appearance—proper and cold, much like Evan himself.

She was decisive, speaking without hesitation. Her eyes flicked over Lauren, barely masking her disapproval.

"You haven’t come to the company these past two days, just to accompany this little girl?"

Her words were sharp, each one a subtle barb. Evan said nothing. He met her gaze, unflinching.

Ruth Chandler looked Lauren up and down. Aside from her looks, she saw nothing remarkable. She pursed her lips, her judgment clear.

"Just a minor celebrity, not even marriage material—do as you please." She paused. She waved a dismissive hand, as if Lauren were an afterthought.

"If you can support a girl, that’s good. It means you’ve let go of that woman in your heart."

She raised an eyebrow, her tone skeptical. She despised people trapped in emotional entanglements, never expecting her own son to become one—mired in love for years.

She shook her head, disappointment flickering in her eyes. She remembered seeing Evan a few years ago, when he was lost and numb. She’d seen enough.

She glanced away, her expression softening for a brief moment before hardening again. Thinking of this, Ruth Chandler frowned.

She pinched the bridge of her nose, as if fighting off a headache. "About what I mentioned before..." She remembered her purpose. Finally finding a chance to see Evan, she had to make herself clear.

She straightened her jacket, her posture rigid. Evan looked back at Lauren, smiled, then turned to Ruth Chandler, rubbing his left cufflink. "Let’s talk over there."

He gestured toward a quiet corner, his tone clipped.

...

Lauren watched them walk away, then sat quietly, waiting for Evan to return. She fiddled with her phone, trying to distract herself from the tension in the air.

She took the chance to ask the assistant about Evan, but before she could get far, Nathan Chandler suddenly appeared, grabbing her sleeve. He burst into the room, breathless and wide-eyed.

"Where’s my brother?"

His voice was urgent, tinged with panic. He was panting, probably having rushed over as soon as he heard.

She signaled in Evan’s direction. She pointed, her expression reassuring. Nathan spotted the two silhouettes and finally relaxed. He let out a long sigh, his shoulders sagging in relief.

He’d thought his brother and mother would fight—scared him to death. He pressed a hand to his chest, shaking his head.

Lauren watched him squat down in relief, breathing heavily, sweat beading on his forehead. She rummaged through her bag, pulling out a tissue.

Kindly, she took a tissue from her bag, intending to hand it over. She held it out, a small smile on her lips.

A pale hand with blue veins reached out, its owner looking unwell. He’d come with Ruth Chandler and the assistant, standing in the corner.

He snatched the tissue, grinning sheepishly. Was he crazy, snatching tissues?

Lauren raised an eyebrow, amused. The tall man grinned cheekily, not embarrassed in the least. He winked at her, as if they were sharing a private joke.

"Sorry, the pattern caught my eye. I just wanted a look."

He handed the tissue to Nathan. Nathan: ...Is this guy an idiot?

Nathan took the tissue, muttering under his breath.

Once the checkup report confirmed Evan only had a stomach problem and nothing more serious, he and Ruth Chandler returned. Lauren breathed a sigh of relief, her shoulders relaxing.

They hadn’t talked long, and judging by their faces, there was no major conflict. Evan’s expression was calm, Ruth Chandler’s neutral.

Lauren breathed a sigh of relief, just in time to meet Ruth Chandler’s scrutinizing gaze. She straightened her posture, offering a polite smile.

She smiled politely, bowed slightly. "Hello, Ms. Chandler. I’m Lauren."

She extended a hand, her voice steady. Ruth Chandler was momentarily stunned, then nodded and turned to leave.

She accepted the greeting with a curt nod, then turned on her heel. "Wait, Ms. Chandler."

Lauren called after her, curiosity getting the better of her. She turned, her expression odd. She raised an eyebrow, waiting for Lauren to speak.

Lauren gestured to the tall, strange man behind Ruth Chandler. "May I ask, this gentleman is...?"

She glanced at the man, her curiosity plain. Ruth Chandler glanced back. She hesitated, then answered briskly.

"My assistant."

Her tone was final, brooking no further questions. Lauren nodded. "I see, thank you."

She smiled, letting the matter drop. She watched the two leave, her gaze lingering on the odd assistant. She made a mental note to ask Evan about him later.

Because of the angle, Lauren didn’t see the flicker of confusion in Ruth Chandler’s eyes before she answered. She missed the subtle exchange between Ruth and her assistant, the brief hesitation in Ruth’s usually unshakable composure.

On the way home, Evan told Lauren about his relationship with Ruth Chandler. He spoke quietly, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Ruth Chandler and Evan’s father had married for business, with no affection between them. After giving birth to Evan, she moved out, and mother and son rarely saw each other—at most, sharing a meal. He shrugged, his tone resigned. "We were never really close."

Evan remembered, the longest they spent together was when he was six, when Ruth Chandler returned home to negotiate her divorce. He stared out the window, his voice distant. "That was the only time she ever stayed longer than a day."

After that, even as the Cole family declined, Ruth Chandler never came back. He smiled bitterly, shaking his head.

They met again a few years ago, when Ruth Chandler told him she was ill and didn’t have much time left. He glanced at Lauren, his eyes clouded with old pain.

After divorcing, she’d gone to New York, married a well-known entrepreneur, had Nathan, then took over the company after her husband’s sudden death. He listed the facts mechanically, as if reciting a history lesson.

She wanted to hand the company to Nathan, but her son had no interest in business—only showbiz. He smiled wryly. "Nathan’s more interested in acting than boardrooms."

She thought she still had time to train him, but then she was diagnosed with cancer. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, the tension clear in his posture.

So she came to Evan, now a prominent businessman, hoping her son—whom she hadn’t seen in twenty years—would take over the company she had built. She couldn’t bear to see her life’s work fall apart. He sighed, glancing at Lauren. "She wants me to take care of her legacy."

Lauren felt uncomfortable. So she’d come to Evan not for family, but for her own ambitions? She frowned, her heart aching for the boy who’d grown up without a mother’s love.

Never cared for her own son, didn’t see him for twenty years, and now asked him for help at their first meeting. She shook her head, unable to hide her disappointment.

"What about today? What did she want?" Lauren asked. She turned to face him, her curiosity tinged with concern.

Evan hesitated, choosing his words. "She wants me to agree to a business marriage."

He kept his eyes on the road, his jaw tight. Lauren turned to look at him.

She raised an eyebrow, disbelief clear on her face. "A business marriage? Seriously? With whom?"

She crossed her arms, waiting for his answer. Even though she knew it was impossible, it still stung to hear. She bit her lip, trying to hide her jealousy.

Evan chuckled, fingers tapping the steering wheel. He shot her a reassuring smile. "Don’t worry. I’m not interested."

"I forgot. I wasn’t really listening."

He shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Lauren stared at him, unsatisfied. She narrowed her eyes, trying to gauge if he was telling the truth.

Evan’s smile deepened. "Really, I’m not lying."

He reached over, squeezing her hand. "So how did you answer?"

She arched an eyebrow, her tone playful. "I told her to wait a few days, let me think about it."

He grinned, knowing exactly how that would sound to Lauren. Lauren, who had just been reassured, was now annoyed, glaring at him.

She poked his arm, half-annoyed, half-amused. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

He feigned innocence, grinning. "I’m jealous." She didn’t look away. She pouted, crossing her arms.

Evan tilted his head, his smile widening. He leaned in, pressing a kiss to her temple. "She won’t get my answer, Sis. By then, we’ll already be back where we belong."

He squeezed her hand, his voice full of quiet certainty. ...That’s right.

Lauren nodded, satisfied. She liked that answer. She smiled, her jealousy melting away.

Meanwhile, in the back seat—

Nathan: ...I shouldn’t be in this car. I should be under it.

He slouched in his seat, rolling his eyes at their blatant affection. Why did my brother bring me along? Why am I listening to these two lovebirds? What’s with calling her ‘Sis’? Is it a kink?

He pulled his hoodie over his head, trying to block out the conversation. I’m still so young. This is too much. He groaned, wishing he could disappear.

"Why did you suddenly greet her just now?" At a red light, Evan rested a hand on the wheel and turned to her.

He glanced at her, curiosity in his eyes. "Huh? You mean Ms. Chandler? Well... she’s your mom, so she’s kind of like my, um..."

She trailed off, embarrassed by her own awkwardness. Evan understood, eyes narrowing as he covered his mouth, stifling a laugh. He bit his lip, trying not to smile.

"Then why did you ask about her assistant?" That was what he really wanted to know. He raised an eyebrow, feigning jealousy.

Lauren, flustered by his teasing, realized he was jealous and half-joked, "I thought her assistant looked interesting. Wanted to get to know him."

She winked, her tone playful. Evan: "..."

He rolled his eyes, but couldn’t hide his smile. She poked his arm to comfort him. She squeezed his hand, her laughter infectious.

"Just kidding. Compared to you, he’s nothing. I just thought he was odd, so I asked."

She grinned, nudging him with her shoulder. "Hey, green light. Let’s go."

She pointed at the traffic signal, her tone light. In the back seat, Nathan: Ugh, this is too sweet. I’m hugging my single self for comfort.

He hugged his knees to his chest, muttering under his breath.

Lauren didn’t know why Evan brought Nathan home, and as soon as they arrived, he went into the study. She watched him disappear down the hall, curiosity piqued.

She watched TV in the living room to pass the time. The study door was open, their voices clear, Nathan’s exclamations audible from time to time. She tried to focus on the show, but her attention kept drifting to the muffled voices from the study.

Even so, Lauren didn’t go listen. She knew this was Evan’s own decision—he had his reasons. She respected his privacy, trusting him to handle things in his own way.

As night fell, Lauren stared at the rain outside the window. Nathan came out alone, walking slowly, looking heavy-hearted. He paused at the doorway, his shoulders slumped.

She figured he must have learned what Evan had decided. She watched him, her heart aching for the boy who’d just lost his brother to a new world.

He stopped nearby and called,

"Sis-in-law."

His voice was shaky, the words thick with emotion. It was his first time calling her that, probably also the last. He offered a weak smile, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

His eyes were wet, as if on the verge of tears. He wiped his nose on his sleeve, trying to act tough.

"Take care of my brother, please." He liked his brother most. Though cold, he was a good person—gentle at heart. He looked at Lauren, his gaze pleading. "He’s not good at showing it, but he cares a lot."

Now his brother said he was going abroad and not coming back. It left him feeling empty. He shrugged, his voice barely above a whisper. "I’m gonna miss him."

He told her to take good care of Evan, and before she could reply, went to the entryway and prepared to leave. He grabbed his jacket, pausing at the door.

"My brother... really likes you. Please treat him well." Nathan couldn’t help but add, like a father entrusting his child. He tried to smile, but his voice cracked.

Lauren nodded solemnly, watching him go. She pressed a hand to her heart, silently promising to do her best.

The rain outside was tangled and dense, more like endless spring rain than early summer. She watched the droplets race down the glass, her thoughts drifting.

Lauren traced circles on the window, watching raindrops merge into mist, the high-rises shrouded in a hazy veil. She drew little hearts in the condensation, her mood bittersweet.

Nathan’s farewell stirred up her own melancholy. Soon, she would leave this world where time had stood still for fifteen years—this ordinary, yet warm world that felt like home.

She hugged her knees to her chest, staring out at the city she’d grown to love. The glow of neon signs painted the rain in streaks of red and blue.

This place carried the deepest love and pain of Lauren’s long life, making her reluctant to part. She wiped away a tear, steeling herself for the journey ahead.

She’d known this day would come, but now that it was here, she still felt lost and hesitant. She pressed her forehead to the cool glass, her breath fogging the window.

"What’s wrong?"

Evan hugged her from behind, and Lauren leaned into his arms. She relaxed against him, letting his warmth chase away the chill.

"Just melancholy—the sadness before parting."

She smiled, her voice tinged with sorrow. Evan seemed to understand, saying nothing, simply keeping her company. He rested his chin on her shoulder, holding her close.

After a while, Lauren suddenly asked, "Do you like rain?"

She tilted her head back, looking up at him. Evan nodded.

He smiled, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I do, too," she said. "Do you know why?"

She laced her fingers with his, their hands resting on the windowsill. "Why?"

He looked at her, curiosity in his eyes. She laced her fingers with his. She squeezed his hand, her smile wistful.

"Because the first time I met you, it was raining."

She laughed softly, the memory warming her heart. Evan didn’t ask further, just held her tighter. He closed his eyes, savoring the moment.

After a long silence—

"Will the rain affect the going-home ritual?"

He spoke the words quietly, a hint of anxiety in his voice. "No."

She shook her head, reassuring him. She thought he was just curious, but—

She glanced at him, surprised by the seriousness in his eyes. "Sis, let’s go."

He squeezed her hand, his resolve clear. "Now?"

She raised an eyebrow, her heart pounding. "Mm, now." He had already told Nathan his plans. Other than that, he had no more attachments.

He smiled, his eyes shining with anticipation. Only his sister. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his love unmistakable.

In the rain at dusk, Evan held a black umbrella. Lauren leaned close, and they walked together. They moved in sync, their steps matching, the world shrinking down to just the two of them.

There were few pedestrians on the road. The city felt hushed, the rain muffling every sound. The neon lights reflected off the wet pavement, painting the world in streaks of color.

"Evan, in the end you still shared an umbrella with me," Lauren said, a hint of pride in her voice. She grinned up at him, her eyes sparkling.

"Good memory," he replied. He squeezed her hand, smiling.

"Mm, good memory."

She rested her head on his shoulder, content. Lauren actually had a terrible memory, but when it came to Evan, even the smallest things and briefest words, she remembered clearly.

She closed her eyes, letting the memories wash over her. Maybe, deep down, she already knew she would love this person, so she remembered everything about him from the start.

She smiled, her heart full.

The rain shrouded the city, water vapor swirling, white mist blurring the newly lit city lights. They walked in silence, the only sound the soft patter of rain on the umbrella.

Step by step, they walked toward the place that belonged to them both. Their footsteps echoed in the empty street, a quiet promise of all the tomorrows yet to come.