The Memory Keeper: The Sin In Our Name

Rain's POV

Weeks had passed since everything fell apart-since my confrontation with Khai and the mistake I made with Alex. The days blurred together, a haze of avoidance and guilt. I avoided Khai in the office at all costs, scheduling my meetings at odd hours just to dodge her presence. Rehab sessions with Dr. Malcolm were strategically delayed, ensuring I wouldn't cross paths with Alex.

But no matter how much space I tried to create, the weight of what I'd done loomed over me like a dark cloud. Alex had been calling relentlessly, trying to talk, trying to explain, but I wasn't ready to face her-or myself. Khai's calls were there too, her name flashing on my screen more times than I cared to admit, but I couldn't bring myself to answer.

Late one afternoon, after a long and draining day, Therese asked me to meet her at the parking lot. I agreed reluctantly, assuming it was another mundane task. But as I approached, Alex appeared out of nowhere, her presence catching me off guard.

She looked exhausted, her usually composed demeanor replaced with something raw and vulnerable. "Rain," she started, her voice soft but urgent. "I just wanted to talk to you-please. I'm sorry if I took advantage of you that night."

Her words pierced me, and I shook my head quickly. "It's not your fault," I replied, my voice trembling. "I should be the one apologizing to you. I was vulnerable, and I allowed it to happen."

Alex's eyes softened as she listened, but then she stepped closer, her tone shifting. "No, Rain-it's not like that for me. What happened wasn't just a moment of weakness. My feelings for you are real. I've been trying to avoid them, trying to ignore how I feel, but I can't. I don't want to. Since the moment I met you, I-"

"Alex," I interrupted, my voice firm yet conflicted, but before I could continue, she cut me off with a kiss.

Her lips pressed against mine, and I froze, stunned and unable to react. My mind screamed at me to push her away, but my body betrayed me, paralyzed by the weight of everything spiraling out of control.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw her.

Khai.

She stood a few feet away, next to the side of a her car, her face pale and stricken. Her usually composed expression was gone, replaced with something I couldn't quite describe-hurt, disbelief, maybe even devastation. She didn't move, didn't say a word, just stood there, frozen, watching the scene unfold before her.

The moment shattered into a million pieces. My heart sank into the pit of my stomach as Alex pulled back slightly, unaware of Khai's presence. I turned my head toward Khai, and our eyes met for the briefest, most agonizing second.

And then she walked away.

No words. No confrontation. Just the sound of her footsteps echoing in the cold silence of the parking lot.

•••
Khai's POV

I was at the parking lot, organizing some files and documents in the trunk of my car. The evening was calm, the hum of distant traffic the only sound accompanying my thoughts. As I reached for my laptop bag, I heard voices nearby-familiar voices.

"I should be the one apologizing to you," the voice said, soft yet strained. It was a voice I knew so well, one that used to fill my days with warmth and my nights with peace. Rain.

My heart skipped a beat as I froze in place, straining to hear more. "I was vulnerable, and I allowed that to happen..." she continued, her tone laced with regret.

A gnawing feeling churned in my gut. I didn't want to look, didn't want to confirm what my heart already suspected. But I couldn't stop myself. Slowly, I peeked from behind the car to find the source of the voice.