The Memory Keeper: The Sin In Our Name

As I stepped into the penthouse, the soft glow of the dimmed lights greeted me. The faint hum of the city below seeped through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but the space itself was quiet and peaceful. My gaze landed on the couch, and there she was—Rain, curled up with a book in her hands, her head resting against the cushions.

Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, and a strand of hair had fallen across her face. The book was still open, her fingers loosely clutching its spine. She must have been waiting for me and drifted off.

A small smile tugged at my lips. Despite everything going on, seeing her like this brought a sense of calm I hadn't felt all day. I set my bag down quietly, not wanting to wake her, and walked over to the couch. Gently, I knelt beside her, brushing the stray strand of hair out of her face.

"Babe," I whispered softly, my voice barely above a murmur.

She stirred slightly, her lashes fluttering but not quite opening. She mumbled something incoherent, her grip on the book loosening. Carefully, I slid it from her hands and set it on the coffee table.

"You should get some proper rest," I said quietly, though I doubted she could hear me.

Instead of waking her fully, I grabbed the throw blanket draped over the back of the couch and tucked it around her. She shifted, curling into the warmth, a small sigh escaping her lips.

I stayed there for a moment, just watching her, the stress of the day fading as I took in her peaceful expression. Rain had a way of grounding me, even when she wasn't conscious of it.

"Goodnight," I whispered, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead.

As I stood and headed to my room to change, I realized how much she had become my anchor in a storm of uncertainty. No matter what chaos awaited me tomorrow, having Rain here reminded me why I kept fighting—for her, for us, and for the future we were building together.

•••
The morning light filtered through the blinds as I rushed through my morning routine, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. Rain had already left for her therapy session, and I felt a sense of calm knowing she was focusing on her well-being. But the looming workday ahead kept my mind active, especially with the meeting I had scheduled.

I grabbed my bag and headed out, giving the penthouse one last look before stepping into the elevator. My phone buzzed just as the doors closed. It was a message from Dad—"Be at the office early. Ella and Mr. Robertson will be here soon. We need to finalize the contract."

I couldn't help the knot that formed in my stomach. Ella. Again. The mere thought of her stirred up so many emotions—both from the past and from the present. But I pushed those feelings aside. This was business. Nothing more.

Arriving at the office, I made my way straight to the conference room. Dad was already inside, conversing with Ella and Mr. Robertson. The atmosphere was a blend of professionalism and subtle tension. Dad was seated at the head of the table, as always, his demeanor commanding but calm. Ella stood across from him, looking every bit the polished professional. Mr. Robertson, the Eco-energy CEO, was seated next to her, discussing something with Dad, papers spread out in front of them.

I cleared my throat as I stepped into the room, and their conversation paused. Ella's eyes immediately flicked toward me, her expression unreadable. For a brief moment, I caught a flash of something—regret? Longing?—before she masked it with a neutral smile. But it didn't go unnoticed.

"Ah, Khai, glad you could join us," Dad said, giving me a nod. "We were just going over the final details."

I returned his nod, my gaze lingering on Ella for just a second longer before I turned my attention to the papers in front of me. "What's the status?" I asked, trying to keep my voice professional.