Sean,” Charlotte called out softly, her voice barely louder than a whisper. The sound was instantly swallowed by the roar of the
rain.
But somehow, as if he could feel it, he heard her.
He turned around, and through the sheets of rain, their eyes met.
She stood under the covered walkway. He stood out in the storm.
The rain was so heavy that she couldn’t see his face clearly.
Charlotte opened her umbrella and stepped forward.
But before she could take more than a few steps, Sean was already striding toward her. He moved fast, quickly closing the distance between them.
“You haven’t healed yet. Don’t stand in the rain,” he said, his voice hoarse.
He gently took her free hand–the one not holding the umbrella and guided her back under the shelter.
His hand was ice cold.
Charlotte shivered slightly at the touch.
Sean felt it and immediately let go. “It’s chilly tonight, and it’s raining hard. You should go back inside.”
Charlotte felt her breath catch.
They said it was hard to hide a cold, and just as hard to hide genuine affection. Even in the midst of his grief, he had still instinctively worried about her.
Her emotions tangled inside her, bittersweet and heavy.
Only one dim light glowed along the walkway. The shadows were soft. The air was still.
Charlotte closed her umbrella and gently leaned it against the stone pillar.
“You…” she paused. “You shouldn’t stay out in the rain.”
“Alright,” Sean replied softly. He gazed at her without blinking, his eyes filled with sorrow and deep, lingering tenderness.
The rain kept falling, steady and loud.
They stood there in silence, facing each other.
After a long pause, Charlotte finally spoke.
“Life and death are part of this world. I’m sorry for your loss.”
Emotion rippled in Sean’s eyes. He took a step forward and slowly raised his hand, as if wanting to pull
to his arms.
But when he noticed how soaked he was, he stopped. His hand froze in midair.
Charlotte’s heart clenched.
He was always like this. Every little gesture of his carried so much care. It was impossible to ignore.
Sean quietly lowered his hand. His voice came out rough.
“I’m alright.”
“Still pretending to be strong. Just like in my dream,” Charlotte thought.
+25 BONUS
She looked up at him, her voice tight with frustration.
“If you’re really fine, then why are you standing in the rain in the middle of the night?”
Something in his eyes softened.
He was just about to speak when he suddenly froze.
Charlotte had stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around his waist.
Her familiar scent enveloped him.
Sean went rigid.
She rested her head on his chest, holding him just a little tighter. Her voice was barely audible.
“Sean, does it hurt a little less when someone holds you?”
His eyes darkened. Warmth crept into the cold corners of his heart
Her body felt like a small furnace, quietly driving out the chill and soaking into his skin like comfort.
Slowly, Sean brought his arms around her, holding her gently, as if afraid she might slip away.
“I’m not good with words,” Charlotte whispered against his chest. “I know grief doesn’t disappear just because someone tells you to cheer up. But please don’t punish your body.”
“Who said she wasn’t good at comforting people?” Sean thought.
That one embrace said more than a thousand words.
His heart softened. The pain inside him rippled like spring water.
After a moment, Charlotte stepped back.
“Alright,” she said, lowering her eyes to avoid his. “Go change into dry clothes. Don’t stay out here.”
“Okay,” Sean replied softly. He was unusually obedient.
“Eat well. Sleep properly,” she added, like she was scolding a child “Don’t make me worry.”
Her words made his heart ache in the best way.
She said she was worried about him.
It was the first time since their breakup that she had openly said how she felt.
“I will,” Sean said quietly.
Charlotte turned to leave. “I’m heading back. Drink some ginger tea and take a hot shower
He stood there, watching her until her figure disappeared from view.
By the time he got home, it was already past two in the morning.
The house was silent. Everyone was asleep.
Sean took a long, hot shower, then made himself a cup of ginger tea.
After he drank it, he lay down in bed and fell asleep almost instantly.
It was the first real rest he’d had in days.
”
