<h4>Chapter 57: Guardian</h4>


    At Rain’s Apartment


    Rain gulped as she finished exining everything to Clifford. He remained silent, simply staring at her, his expression unreadable.


    "What’s with that look?" she murmured, noticing how dark his face had be. The tension in the room was almost suffocating, but it lightened somewhat when Sanya suddenly arrived.


    "What’s going on in here? It’s like someone died," Sanya remarked as she entered, her eyes scanning the room.


    Rain immediately turned to her, eyebrows furrowed. "Did you know Clifford wasing today?"


    "I did, but Clifford insisted I keep it a secret. He wanted to surprise you. But what happened here? What did I miss?" Sanya asked, her gaze shifting between Rain and Clifford.


    Clifford turned to Sanya, his voiceced with frustration. "Why didn’t you tell me about Rain’s sudden and sham marriage?!"


    Sanya raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp as she countered, "And why should I? Are you her boyfriend? It’s Rain’s private life, and it’s up to her to share it with you when she’s ready."


    Rain sighed, realizing that Sanya’s arrival hadn’t restored normalcy. Instead, it had sparked a new round of tension as Clifford and Sanya now red at each other.


    "That’s enough, both of you! How about dinner and drinks? It’s on me!" she quickly announced, eager to diffuse the situation.


    She stood up, grabbing her mobile phone and wallet. "You two handle the cooking. I’ll go buy more snacks and alcohol. Clifford is back, so we should celebrate!" she said, nearly sprinting out of the apartment.


    She had no desire to get caught between Clifford and Sanya. "Those two never change," she muttered to herself as she left. Though they were close friends, Clifford and Sanya often shed like cat and mouse, their rtionship aplicated mix of love and hate.


    Rain walked into the convenience store, sighing softly as she grabbed a basket and started filling it with snacks and canned beers. Clifford preferred beer, so she made sure to stock up. As she wandered through the aisles, she overheard a conversation that caught her attention.


    "Ah, this uing election is going to be crucial. I wonder how Mayor Astor ns to keep the voters on his side now that the president’s daughter has officially announced her candidacy," a woman said behind her.


    Rain turned to see some customers gathered around the store’s television, watching the news. The screen showed Summer Cartier, and Rain couldn’t help but smile. She had met Summer and her husband An a few times at Haven Orphanage, and each encounter had been pleasant and memorable.


    "The Cartiers are known for being good people. I’m sure we’ll have a new mayor soon. Everyone’s ready for a change," another customermented while eating instant ramen. "It’s time to get rid of the Astor family; they’ve done nothing but corrupt this city!"


    "Shhh... watch your words!" hispanion quickly scolded him, ncing around nervously.


    Rain sighed, her eyes drifting to the ring on her finger as she added more beers to her basket. Seeing it reminded her of Ca Cartier’s impending return, and a small, sharp pain pricked at her heart. It had only been a week since she’d gotten entangled with Alexander, yet she already felt caught up in a whirlwind of confusing emotions.


    She bit her lip, trying to push the thoughts away. It was just four months; not that long. But the uncertainty gnawed at her, especially when she thought about what might happen when Ca returned. Rain deliberately shook her head, clearing the thoughts from her mind. She finished shopping, grabbed a favourite ice cream stick, and paid at the counter.


    Once outside, she sat at a small table, unwrapped the popsicle, and took a bite. The cold, sweet treat helped distract her for the moment. She checked her wristwatch and muttered, "Five more minutes." By then, she hoped Sanya and Clifford would have made up and started preparing dinner together.


    Rain’s heart dropped as she stared at the images Dina had sent. Her aunt Mnie, who had always been kind to her, was kowtowing before Aunt Lydia’s grave. Rain cursed under her breath, realizing she had forgotten about the anniversary of Aunt Lydia’s death.


    The apanying message from Dina was as venomous as ever:


    <i>Dina: [Since you missed Aunt Lydia’s anniversary, Aunt Mnie had to take your ce. I guess you’re really enjoying your freedom. Anyway, Dad wants me to be nice to you, so I’ll try my best. Make sure to attend my engagement party with Paul, and bring your husband too. I’ll send you the invitation once everything is finalized. P.S. Here’s another gift for you.]</i>


    Rain hesitated, but curiosity got the better of her, and she opened the video attachment. Her heart sank as she watched Aunt Mnie crying alone in her bedroom, clearly unaware she was being filmed.


    "What the hell is wrong with this mad woman?!" Rain hissed, seething with anger. Dina had always been twisted, loving to invade people’s privacy. She had done it countless times to Rain in high school, even leaking photos of her changing clothes to ssmates just to humiliate her.


    Rain felt a wave of guilt and helplessness. She had wanted to protect Aunt Mnie, but it seemed like she was still caught in the middle of her family’s cruelty.


    Rain’s heart pounded in her chest as she desperately tried to reach Aunt Mnie, dialling her number over and over again. Each failed attempt only heightened her panic.


    "Aunt Mnie..." she whispered, her voice trembling. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks—her father might have grounded Aunt Mnie again, trapping her in that oppressive house.


    Tears streamed down Rain’s face as she struggled to keep herselfposed. The thought of her gentle, kind-hearted aunt enduring such treatment was unbearable. Rain knew she couldn’t let it continue; she had to act fast. But getting Aunt Mnie out of the yton house wouldn’t be easy.


    When Rain was seven, Aunt Mnie had tried to escape from her father, taking Rain with her, but he had managed to catch them before they could get away. After that incident, her father sessfully petitioned the court, presenting evidence that Aunt Mnie had mental and physical disabilities. He convinced the court that appointing him as Aunt Mnie’s guardian was in her best interest.


    Since then, Rain’s father had full guardianship over Aunt Mnie, giving himplete control over her life and finances.


    Rain didn’t waste any time. Her fingers flew across the screen as she typed a message to her father.