Rain hadn't felt this light in years.
He sat in the back seat of the black sedan, his head leaned slightly against the window as the late sun painted the city gold. The gentle hum of the engine was drowned out by the memory of her. Frances. The way she smiled earlier today made his heart flutter like it had grown wings.
He stared down at the sleek, limited-edition watch on his wrist. the one Frances gave him and a wide, boyish grin stretched across his face.
"What a good day," he murmured.
"Boss, we are home," Fallon announced from the front seat.
Rain exhaled contentedly and stepped out. He made his way up the front steps with a spring in his step, hoping he'd slipped in early enough to dodge the evening madness.
Unfortunately, the chaos had already assembled.
The living room buzzed with noise. His grandmother was planted in her usual spot on the couch, eyes locked on the TV as she gossiped lazily with Delilah, who was busy filing her nails. Raven sat in a corner with her phone, arguing into her earpiece and typing furiously at the same time.
Cassidy slouched in an armchair, eyes glued to his game, fingers clicking rapidly.
But Rain's gaze sharpened on them, Mila and Lane. Both sitting unusually still, their eyes shifting toward the hallway like they were waiting. Waiting for him.
A familiar chill ran down Rain's spine.
"I'm back!" he called out casually, already halfway to the stairs.
"Come back here, Rain!" Cassidy's voice cut through the air like a blade, heavy with authority he didn't earn.
Rain paused, jaw tightening. He turned around slowly. "What do you want?"
Cassidy tossed the game controller on the couch and stood, arms folded. "Did you pack up the console?"
Rain's eyes flickered to the side, guilt settling over his features. "It was faulty, so I packed it up."
Cassidy squinted, scoffing as he reached down and picked up the console beside him. "Ain't you too slow to be lying, Rain? This was faulty?"
Rain's heart dropped. He had it fixed, he thought they'd forgotten about it. But of course, nothing stays hidden in this house for long.
"Why do you always go to my room randomly? Please respect my privacy," he said, frustration laced in his voice.
They all burst into laughter.
"If you need a privacy, leave the family house, idiot!" Delilah snapped with a shrill laugh.
The laughter grew louder, like knives carving into him.
Rain's face flushed with anger. He walked toward Cassidy, reaching for the console, but Lane sprang up and shoved him back with his shoulder, hard enough to send him stumbling.
Before Rain could react, Lane's knee drove into his stomach. A sharp gasp escaped his lips as he doubled over, pain exploding in his gut.
And then came the punch.
A hard fist slammed into Rain's face. His glasses flew off and clattered against the floor.
"Lane, why did you hit Rain?" Cassidy asked, a hint of mock concern on his face as he moved in to play mediator.
Lane was shaking with rage. "Brother, you can't believe what this bastard did today!"
Cassidy grabbed Lane's arm. "Calm down, what happened, bro?"
"He was trying to get Frances. Can you believe that?!"
Cassidy blinked, surprised. "What? Frances? The hot girl in your school?"
"Yes!" Lane fumed. "He dared to talk to Frances when he clearly knew that I liked her! I told him to send a gift to Frances last year,?he didn't even take it. He said he doesn't talk to her. Now she's suddenly gifting him a watch?"
Raven twisted around, curiosity sparked. "Frances gave him a gift?"
Cassidy grabbed Rain's wrist, twisting it until he saw the watch. His eyes widened.
"What the fuck! The girl gave him Hublot?"
"Fucking right, bro!" Lane grinned with scorn.
Cassidy yanked the watch off Rain's wrist with force. Rain staggered slightly from the pull, trying to resist, but Cassidy shoved him back with a sneer.
"If someone gave you something, you should share it with your brothers, bro," Cassidy said, examining the expensive watch with hungry eyes. "It's a beautiful piece. Must be so expensive. I'll take this one."
"I can't give it to….." Rain began, voice cracking with desperation.
Cassidy shut him up with a glare so sharp it sliced Rain's courage in half.
Rain's shoulders dropped. Silent.
His watch. His moment. Gone.
He looked around the room, his grandmother didn't even glance up from the TV. Delilah sipped her drink, chuckling. Raven grinned, still typing. Not a single person stood up for him.
It was all just… background noise to them. Like it was a regular family joke.
But it wasn't.
His vision blurred. His throat clenched. He turned away and walked out of the room, fists clenched so tight his knuckles went white. No one called after him.
The door to his room slammed shut behind him.
He collapsed onto the bed, trembling, swallowing back the sob that threatened to break free. His chest heaved with quiet, stuttering breaths. The tears came hot and fast.
The watch was gone. Frances' gift. The one thing that made him feel… special. Wanted. Seen.
And now it was just another stolen piece of him.
Rain buried his face into his pillow, sobbing silently until the night swallowed him whole.