<h4>Chapter 79: Family</h4>


    As Rain stepped out of the car and headed toward the bakery, she felt a sense of excitement bubbling up inside her. The store was quaint, with a warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked goods wafting through the air.


    She carefully selected an assortment of tarts, ensuring to pick out the lemon ones that she knew her father-inw favoured. But she didn’t stop there—she added a variety of other delicacies, hoping to surprise him with some new treats.


    When she returned to the car, Alexander stood close behind her, his presence almost overwhelming. As she ced the box of treats in the back seat, she felt his breath on her ear as he whispered, "How did you know he likes them?"


    Rain turned slightly, a satisfied smile ying on her lips. "He mentioned it to me once. Your father is quite the talker when he wants to be. During ourst conversation, he practically told me everything he likes and dislikes."


    Alexander’s expression softened, though his usual guarded demeanour remained. "Yes, he’s that bubbly type and he talks too much," he admitted, his voice carrying a hint of fondness. "But he doesn’t usually open up to people so easily," he added, almost as if he were talking more to himself than to her.


    Rain felt a small surge of pride at his words. "I guess I just have a way with people," she replied with a light-hearted smile.


    Alexander nced at her, his eyes flickering with an emotion she couldn’t quite ce. "It seems you do," he said, his tone carrying a mix of curiosity and something deeper.


    As they returned to the car and continued their journey, Rain couldn’t help but feel a small sense of victory. Winning over Alexander’s father was no small feat, and she hoped it would make her ce in his family a little more secure. But as she nced at Alexander, she couldn’t quite read the look in his eyes.


    Was it approval? Or something else entirely?


    Soon, they arrived at the Lancaster estate, and as Rain had anticipated, it was even more grandiose than she had imagined. The sprawling mansion stood proudly amidst meticulouslyndscaped gardens, with towering columns and intricate stonework that exuded an air of old-world elegance. The driveway was lined with perfectly manicured trees, and a fountain in the center added a touch of majesty to the already impressive scene.


    Rain couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer opulence of the ce. "It’s breathtaking," she whispered, more to herself than to Alexander.


    Alexander, who had been silently observing her reaction, simply nodded. "It’s been in the family for generations," he exined, his tone carrying a mix of pride and formality. "My father takes great pride in maintaining it."


    Rain smiled softly, feeling a sense of awe mixed with a tinge of nervousness. "I can see why. It’s magnificent."


    As they approached the entrance, the grand double doors swung open, and Mr. Rock stepped out to greet them. His warm smile and weing demeanour instantly put Rain at ease.


    "Wee to our humble abode, my daughter-inw! It’s so good to finally have you here!" Rock said, his voice full of genuine warmth.


    Rain handed him the box of tarts with a smile. "I brought these for you. I remembered you mentioning your love for lemon tarts. I also picked out a variety of vors and some other delicacies that you might enjoy."


    Mr. Rock’s eyes lit up with delight. "You have a good memory, Rain! Thank you, that’s very thoughtful of you."


    Alexander watched the exchange in silence, his expression unreadable, as they all made their way inside the mansion. The grandeur of the interior matched the exterior, with elegant furnishings and tasteful decorations that spoke of the family’s wealth and status.


    Rock’s concern was evident as he turned to Rain. "How are you feeling? You must be tired. You should rest."


    Rain felt touched by his warm, genuine concern, a stark contrast to her own father, who had rarely shown such care. "I’m feeling better, though I still get a bit dizzy once in a while, but it’s tolerable," she replied with a smile.


    "Your bedroom is ready, and I hope you’ll like it," Rock said as he led the way. "To be honest, it would be better if you stayed in my son’s room since you two are married, but I understand that you’re still getting to know each other, and I wouldn’t want to pressure you like that."


    Rain appreciated his thoughtfulness, even as she felt a pang of uncertainty. The idea of sharing a room with Alexander was daunting, given theplexities of their rtionship. But she was also grateful that Rock wasn’t pushing them too hard.


    "Thank you for understanding," Rain said softly. "I really appreciate your kindness."


    Rock smiled warmly at her. "You’re family now, Rain. We want you to feel at home here."


    <strong>Family. </strong>The word lingered in Rain’s mind, stirring emotions she hadn’t allowed herself to dwell on in years.


    Since she was a child, she had longed for the warmth andfort of a loving family. It was a dream she held onto even as she grew older, despite knowing that no family was perfect. She understood that imperfections were part of the human experience, but she believed that genuine love and care should be at the heart of any family.


    Yet, she had never truly felt that from her own father. Instead, she had grown up feeling like an outsider in her own home, yearning for the kind of affection and security she saw in other families.


    The memories of her father’s indifference and coldness made Rock’s warm wee all the more poignant. He was offering her something she had always desired but never received, a ce where she belonged, where she was valued for who she was.


    Rain forced a smile, hiding the storm of emotions inside her. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice tinged with an unspoken gratitude. She couldn’t bring herself to say more, fearing that her emotions might spill over.


    Rock patted her hand gently. "You’re one of us now, Rain. This is now your home too," he reassured her, his eyes filled with sincerity.


    As Rain walked with Rock, she could sense Alexander just behind her, quietly observing the interaction between her and his father. The mix of warmth from Rock and the silence from Alexander made her wonder what he was thinking.


    This marriage was supposed tost only four months, a fact her father-inw was well aware of. Yet, she couldn’t shake the confident look in his eyes when he told her before that time would change Alexander’s mind.


    <i>"I’m sure you can convince him to keep this marriage. Don’t worry, I’ll help you out! Just don’t forget to give me a grandchild soon, alright?"</i>


    Her face reddened as she recalled the gleam in her father-inw’s eyes and the tone of his voice when he said those words. Could she really do it? Could she make Alexander change his mind?