Chapter 407: Rainy Night
It was Kate.
She wore a sleek black training outfit, her hair pulled into a high ponytail, eyes sharp and unyielding.
The guards exchanged uncertain glances.
They'd all come up through the same training program—they knew each other's capabilities. And they knew Kate outclassed every one of them.
Nathan's voice cut through the tension. "Kate, stand down. This is Mr. Windsor's order."
Kate didn't budge. "Mr. Windsor also ordered me to protect Ms. Johnson. Nathan, you can't treat her like this."
"This is Windsor property. I'm in charge here."
"Then don't blame me for what happens next."
Kate positioned herself protectively in front of Emily, squaring off against the guards.
The standoff held, neither side willing to yield.
"Enough!"
William's voice rang out from the manor entrance.
The old man approached slowly, leaning heavily on his cane. He studied Emily with an expression impossible to read. "Emily. Go home. Charles won't see you."
"Why not? Grandfather, please—tell me what's happened to him."
William fell silent for a long moment before speaking. "I forced him to file for divorce."
Emily froze.
"The Windsor family needs an heir. It needs stability. Your marriage to Charles was a mistake from the start. It's time to end it."
Emily couldn't believe what she was hearing. "But... you'd accepted me. I thought—"
William looked away. "That was then. This is now. Emily, you don't belong in the Windsor family. Charles needs a woman who can help him run Reaper, not just some businesswoman managing a company."
Emily stared at him, then suddenly laughed—a bitter, broken sound. "These words... did Charles tell you to say them?"
William didn't answer.
But his silence spoke volumes.
Emily stepped back, eyes bright with unshed tears. "I don't believe you. I need to hear it from him. From Charles himself."
She suddenly turned toward the house and shouted: "Charles! Come out here! Look at me—just come out!"
Her voice echoed across the empty grounds.
Emily kept calling.
From noon into afternoon. From bright sunshine into gathering storm clouds.
William had long since returned inside, but the guards remained at their posts. Kate stayed by Emily's side, refusing to leave. "Emily, let's go back. You can't keep this up—your body won't take it."
Emily shook her head. "I'm not leaving. I'm waiting for him to come out."
"But—"
"Kate, you should go. This is between me and him. I can't drag you into this."
"Mr. Windsor ordered me to protect you. Wherever you are, I am."
Emily's eyes filled with tears. She said nothing more.
The sky darkened steadily.
Storm clouds thickened overhead, the air growing heavy and oppressive.
Outside the gates, Elodie paced frantically, trying several times to force her way through before being stopped by security.
"Emily! It's starting to rain! Please come out!" she shouted.
Emily glanced up at the sky.
Rain was coming.
But still she didn't move.
When the first drops fell, she remained rooted in place.
The rain intensified quickly, soaking her through within minutes. Water streamed down her hair, blurring her vision.
Kate tried to drape her jacket over Emily's shoulders. Emily refused it.
"Emily."
"I'm fine. Kate... do you think... do you think he really doesn't want me anymore?"
Kate didn't know how to answer.
She only knew that Charles must have his reasons. Otherwise, he would never treat Emily this way.
The rainy night stretched endlessly.
Emily stood in the downpour, her body growing colder, her consciousness beginning to fade.
She remembered another rainy night, years ago, when Charles had driven to pick her up from work. She hadn't brought an umbrella. He'd given her his jacket and gotten soaked himself.
"Silly girl, why didn't you call me to come get you?" he'd said.
"I didn't want to bother you."
"You could never be a bother. Not to me."
Back then, his eyes had held only tenderness.
But now...
Emily closed her eyes. Tears mixed with rain streaming down her face.
Charles, where are you?
Why won't you come out and see me?
Do you really... not want me anymore?
Inside Windsor Manor, in the bedroom.
Charles lay in bed, burning with fever, consciousness flickering between waking and oblivion. Ice packs covered his forehead, but his temperature remained dangerously high.
"Emily... Emily..." he murmured, his voice hoarse and fractured.
Nathan sat vigil at his bedside, eyes red-rimmed. He gripped Charles's hand, voice low. "Mr. Windsor, you have to hold on. Ms. Johnson is still waiting for you."
But Charles couldn't hear him.
He'd sunk deeper into fever dreams.
In the dream, Emily wore a white wedding gown, standing at the church entrance, smiling as she reached out her hand. "Charles, marry me."
He ran toward her, tried to embrace her—but caught only empty air.
The scene shifted. Emily stood in the rain, soaked through, crying as she asked him: "Charles, why don't you want me anymore?"
He tried to explain, but no words would come.
"Mr. Windsor, wake up!" Nathan's voice dragged him back to reality.
Charles forced his eyes open, vision swimming. "Emily... where is Emily?"
Nathan hesitated. "Ms. Johnson... she's fine. You need to rest now."
Charles struggled to sit up. "No... I need to see her... I need to see her..."
Nathan held him down. "Mr. Windsor, you can't move. The doctor said you need to stay still."
"Let me go... I need to see Emily... I need to tell her... I love her."
Nathan watched Charles's anguish, his own heart breaking.
He knew Emily was right outside, waiting in the rain.
But he couldn't say anything.
Because Charles's current physical and mental state couldn't withstand any emotional upheaval. And if Charles revealed the truth now, all his previous suffering would be for nothing.
Charles was delirious. If Nathan actually followed his confused instructions right now—let Charles see Emily, clear up the misunderstanding—Charles would regret it once he regained his senses.
Nathan could only lie to comfort him. "Mr. Windsor, sleep for a while. When you wake up, I'll let Ms. Johnson come see you."
Charles looked at him, eyes pleading. "Really?"
"Really. I promise."
Only then did Charles close his eyes, though his hand still gripped Nathan's wrist tightly. "Don't lie to me, Nathan."
"I won't."
Charles slipped back into unconsciousness.
Nathan watched his pale face, tears finally falling.
Downstairs, at the manor gates.
The rain grew heavier.
Emily stood in the downpour, soaked to the bone, body trembling uncontrollably. Rain streamed down her hair, obscuring her vision, but still she stared fixedly toward the house.
Kate tried again. "Emily, let's go back. You're going to get sick if this continues."
Emily shook her head. "I'm not leaving."
"But—"
"Kate, please go. This is my choice."
Time crawled by.
The rain showed no signs of stopping.
Emily's body grew colder and colder, consciousness beginning to blur. She felt her legs weakening, could barely stay standing.