Chapter 192

Chapter 192
Rainey's POV

Sunny hadn't said much after we left the house, just held my hand across the center console while rain-washed roads blurred past the windows. I kept glancing at him, trying to read his expression, but he just squeezed my fingers and kept his eyes forward.

"Where are we going?" I asked finally.

"To meet someone important." His voice was quiet. "Someone who would've loved you."

My stomach flipped. Would've.

We drove out of the city, past the gleaming towers and into quieter suburbs. The rain had stopped overnight, leaving everything fresh and clean. By the time we pulled through iron gates into Millbrook Memorial Cemetery, the sun was breaking through the clouds, casting long shadows across perfectly manicured lawns.

Sunny parked near a section surrounded by those massive oaks. He reached into the backseat and pulled out a bouquet of white balloon flowers—delicate, star-shaped petals that seemed to glow in the morning light.

"Here." He handed them to me, then shrugged off his coat and draped it around my shoulders. "It's cold."

The cashmere was warm from his body heat. I pulled it tighter as I followed him along a stone path, my heart pounding harder with each step.

We stopped in front of a black marble headstone. Simple, elegant design. Nothing ostentatious despite what I knew about Sunny's family wealth. Just clean lines and a ceramic photo embedded in the stone.

The woman in the photo had the warmest smile I'd ever seen. Dark eyes full of intelligence and kindness. She looked young—maybe early forties—frozen in what must've been the best moment of her life.

Marcella Kim
Beloved Mother, Sister, Healer

My throat closed up. This was Sunny's mom. The woman who'd saved Jessica. Who'd died too young because she'd been too good.

"She's beautiful," I whispered.

Sunny was quiet for a long moment.

I watched him kneel down, carefully brushing dirt from the base of the stone.

The way he touched that photo—like it was the most precious thing in the world—made my eyes burn.

"She would've liked you," Sunny said quietly. "You remind me of her. That stubborn goodness. That refusal to be beaten down."

I couldn't speak. Just stood there clutching the flowers, feeling the weight of meeting someone who'd shaped everything Sunny was.

He finished cleaning the photo and stood, taking my hand. His fingers were warm despite the cold air.

"Mom," he said, voice steadier now. "This is Rainey. The one I've been telling you about." He squeezed my hand. "We're getting married next month. She's... everything."

"Hello, Mrs. Kim," I managed, my voice shaking. I placed the flowers carefully at the base of the headstone. "It's an honor to meet you."

Sunny turned to me, that crooked smile playing at his lips. "Just call her Marcella. She'd like that."

"Hello, Marcella," I whispered.

Sunny's entire expression softened. He pulled me closer, arm around my waist, like showing me off. Like saying look, Mom, I found someone who stays.

The sun broke through completely, warming my face. We stood there together, our shadows merging on the grass, and for a moment everything felt peaceful. Like maybe Marcella really could see us. Like maybe she approved.

"See?" Sunny murmured against my hair. "You're already charming my mother more than you charm me."

I elbowed him lightly, but couldn't help smiling.

Then something shifted in my chest. I looked at the photo again—at this woman who'd saved lives until her last breath, who'd given her son everything good in him—and I needed her to know.

"I promise I'll take good care of Sunny, Marcella," I said clearly.

Sunny's breath hitched. When I glanced up, his eyes were suspiciously bright.

But then his mouth curved into that devil-may-care grin. He leaned close, lips brushing my ear. "Is that so? Because last night, your way of 'taking care of me' left my back a little sore."

"SUNNY!" I shoved him, face exploding with heat. "Stop it! Not here!"

His laugh was low and warm. "Just saying. You got pretty intense with those—"

I clamped my hand over his mouth, mortified. We were standing at his mother's grave and he was talking about—about—

But he was laughing against my palm, eyes dancing, and despite my embarrassment I felt my lips twitch. This was so like him. Finding lightness even here. Refusing to let grief swallow everything.

We stayed a few more minutes, the mood lighter now. I told Marcella about school, about how Sunny had basically stalked me since Beacon Hills, making him protest indignantly. The morning felt less heavy. More like introducing Sunny's mom to her future daughter-in-law should feel.

But eventually, Sunny's smile faded. His eyes went distant.

"Rainey," he said quietly. "Could you wait for me in the car for a bit? I just... need a minute alone with her."

"Of course." I understood immediately. Some things you had to say in private. "Take your time. I'll be there."

I squeezed his hand once more, then walked back down the stone path. At the edge of the oak trees, I couldn't help glancing back.

Sunny was crouched in front of the headstone now, head bowed. His tall frame looked suddenly smaller. Vulnerable in a way I rarely saw.

My vision blurred. I blinked hard and kept walking.

---

He came back to the car maybe fifteen minutes later. His eyes were red-rimmed but he said nothing, just started the engine and pulled out of the cemetery.

We were stopped at a red light when something in me broke. I couldn't stand seeing him hold it all in. Couldn't stand the distance.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and practically crawled across the console, wrapping my arms around him from the side.

"Rainey—"

"Let's just... stay like this for a second."

He went rigid for a moment. Then I felt him exhale, all the tension draining out. His hand came up to stroke my hair, slow and soothing, like I was the one who needed comfort.

We stayed like that through the whole light cycle. Someone honked behind us when it turned green again, but Sunny didn't move until I pulled back.

I buckled myself in without looking at him, afraid I'd start crying if I saw his face.