Chapter Ten

Ann’s Pov……

I faced the passenger seat window and watched as the raining slowly started gaining strength and how every drop on the glass got bigger with each drop, letting my mind drift to when I would be alone in my room under my blanket trying to stay warm and scared of thunder strikes, those were one of the worst nights in my life.

How I'd hear them giggle and laugh happily to a tv show or conversations without me and it sent a sharp pain to my chest, knowing what I know now, worsened the pain, I didn't realize we had gotten home and Williams had two full minutes or watching me swing in my pain-stricken world.

“Ann, I'm so sorry for everyth….” - “its okay please you don't have to apologize for what you know nothing of” cutting him off before he could say anything more that he didn't have to, I was already sick and tired of the pity party and so engrossed in my need to hurt every single person that had been mean.

The car pulled into the driveway, the headlights illuminating the familiar facade of home ‘Home’ I smiled in my mind already calling this home but the pain of remembering it wasn’t going to be for so long pulled me out of that happy haze, with the car engine turned off and the silence settling in the car. He looked at me,my face pale and drawn,my eyes sockets burning indicating my eyes red-rimmed.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Nodding,I could only keep silent and it spoke volumes. I had just learned about her father's past,why he shut me out, why he had chosen to be distant from me and ignore my cries and pain, and how I had been treated. It was a painful revelation, one that had shaken me to the core.

Williams reached out, his hand gently cupping my both hands in his. I hadn't expected it but I let it, it felt warm and intentional. "It's okay to not be okay," he whispered,reaching for my cheek, his thumb brushing away a stray tear.

I leaned more into him, I felt my body trembling slightly and the distance between us became smaller than usual. "I feel like I don't know who I am anymore," I finally let out the weight in that sentence, my voice choked with emotion.

Williams pulled a little closer, tightening the grip on my hands but not too hard. "You are still you, Ann," he reassured me, his voice firm and steady. "This doesn't change who you are."

He knew words couldn't erase the pain, but he hoped they could offer some comfort with the depth of emotions that oozed out with every word for the first time since our agreement. I felt calm and safe, something Charles never made me feel with him. It was always me doing the talking and thinking so I think I barely had any time to process our relationship. As the rain started to fall, drumming a steady rhythm against the car windows, I leaned my head against the cool glass, lost in my thoughts hoping the coolness would calm the turmoil in my mind.

Getting out the car under the heavy rain, it was exactly what I needed, the cool water washed over me, a welcome relief from the weight of my emotions, CHARLES was the top of the chain,

“ Ann let's go in now please” I hadn't noticed him standing there with me, even though he was very close, turning to him now face to face with his wet hair and clothes, the rain cascading down his face, his features softened by the soft glow of the porch light. I watched him, captivated by the way the water beaded on his eyelashes, the way his hair clung to his forehead. There was a certain vulnerability in his posture,like he could drown in the rain at anytime, and the shivers made him cross his arms over his shoulders, drawing a sharp

breath noticing his discomfort I quickly took his hand, pulling him inside,leading him to the fireplace, the warmth of the flames beckoning.

The cold made him weak so I helped him out of his damp clothes and found thick woven blanket throwing it over his body laid up on the cushion, this has always worked for me on days like this,then I went on the dry his hair making sure my touch was gentle but firm. Then went on to the kitchen putting on a pot of water for soup which turned out bland and watery a testament to my lack of proper experience in the kitchen, and distracted state but Williams took it gratefully, showing how savoring the warmth brough made him feel.

At first I had been too embarrassed to stay around him my inability to present a proper meal, tortured me and I swore right there to go for a cooking class as soon as possible, putting on the bravery to come out and I finally was able to stay by his side as he seem abit still recovering from the shivers, watching him as he ate the last bits of his soup and then return to lay down as though I wasn’t even there he was tired too tired to notice and I had never seen him this weak, choosing to sit quietly and watch him sleep off,the silent companionship of comfort we both felt. When sleep finally claimed him, I tucked the blanket around him, my hand resting on his shoulder.

The rain continued to fall outside, but within the cozy confines of home….. and there ´it’ was again I had called this house my home a second time, this time with no regret and restrains, I felt different kind of warmth blossom.

“Thank you” he quietly mumbled in his sleep as though he meant it.

************

William's Pov……..

Slowly opening my eyes, the soft morning sun filtering through the curtains. I turned my head and smiled at the sight of Ann peacefully sleeping by my bedside, I felt bad wondering how long she'd been in that position and hoping I hadn't let her be like too long.

Carefully, I adjusted myself, making sure not to wake her, and gently lifted her, placing her comfortably in the center of the bed, taking a full took moment to look at her, feeling a warmth spread through me as I recalled the image of her under the rain and for the first time she’d been less worried and closeness we had shared the night before.

As I quietly slipped out of bed, memories of the previous evening flooded back. I remembered how he had come down with a cold, sniffling and sneezing as I tried to enjoy the bland soup she had made for me. And I also remembered how it instantly made me feel better.I remember being too embarrassed and ashamed of her seeing me so weak and sick though her presence turning the dullness of the soup into something far more enjoyable while eating the last bites.

With a soft sigh, I padded to the kitchen, determined to make a proper breakfast. I rummaged through the fridge, thinking about how nice it would be to surprise Ann with something delicious when she woke up. As I started to prepare the meal, I couldn't help but feel grateful for her company, especially on a night when I had felt so miserable.