The Memory Keeper: The Sin In Our Name

Rain's POV

The room felt like it was closing in on me, suffocating with the weight of Lucan's words. My mind was spinning, a chaotic whirlwind of emotions I couldn't quite place. Betrayal, anger, heartbreak, love—it all jumbled together, choking me.

I stared at Lucan, kneeling before me, his usual commanding presence stripped away. He wasn't the powerful CEO of Stanton Corporation right now; he was just a father, broken and desperate, pleading for a sliver of understanding on behalf of his daughter. Khai.

Khai.

The name that once brought warmth to my heart now felt like a dagger.

I stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor as I pushed it back. Therese looked at me, concern etched across her face, but she didn't say anything. Kroft, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, had a look I couldn't quite decipher—sympathy, maybe? Or was it guilt?

I took a step toward the window, needing air, space, anything to stop the walls from closing in. The city lights twinkled in the distance, oblivious to the storm raging inside me. My hands trembled as I gripped the edge of the windowsill, grounding myself.

"I trusted her," I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. "I trusted her with everything."

Lucan didn't respond, giving me the space I needed.

"She took my parents from me," I continued, my voice shaking now. "She took my life as I knew it. My memories, my future—everything. And you're asking me to forgive her?" I turned to face him, my eyes filled with tears, but my voice grew stronger. "How, Lucan? How am I supposed to do that?"

Lucan stood slowly, brushing his hands over his knees. His face was solemn, his usual air of certainty replaced with quiet resignation. "Because holding on to this anger, this pain... it'll destroy you, Rain," he said softly. "I'm not asking you to forgive her today or tomorrow. But one day, maybe. For your own sake."

I wanted to scream at him, to yell that he didn't get to dictate how I healed. But deep down, I knew there was truth in his words.

Therese broke the silence, her voice sharp. "Rain, you don't owe anyone anything. Not Lucan. Not Khai. You need to do what's right for you."

I nodded, grateful for her unwavering support, but my thoughts were still tangled. I glanced at Kroft, who was watching me intently.

"Did you know?" I asked him directly.

Kroft hesitated, his jaw tightening. "Not everything. But I had my suspicions after that photo arrived. I came here to get answers too."

Lucan sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "I understand how all of this feels, Rain. But there's something else you should know."

I froze, my heart sinking. What more could there possibly be?

"Khai was trying to figure this out before her accident," he said. "She was looking into your past, your parents' accident. She knew something didn't add up, and she was determined to uncover the truth. That's why she went to the estate that night."

I blinked, processing his words. "She... she was looking into my past?"

Lucan nodded. "She wasn't trying to avoid what she did. She was trying to face it."

The revelation hit me like a tidal wave. Khai—the person I loved, the person who had betrayed me in the most unimaginable way—was trying to make amends.

I sank back into my chair, my body heavy with exhaustion. "I don't know what to do," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

And for the first time, Lucan didn't have an answer.