CHAPTER 6
Fifteen minutes later, Rayne’s driver arrived. Lucian walked him to the car, and as Rayne got in, he waved at Lucian. Lucian stood there watching as the car pulled away.
When Rayne reached home, he saw his parents and Uncle Mack sitting in the living room with serious expressions.
Something had clearly happened.
But as soon as they saw him, their faces brightened into smiles.
“Oh, you’re back from your date, Rayne!” Mom said.
Rayne was about to deny it, but then he remembered, it was technically a date. So he just smiled and sat beside her.
“What happened? Why are you all sitting here looking so serious?” he asked.
“Rayne, we found out who did this,” Mom said, handing him the laptop.
There were a few screenshots on the screen.
It was Ken, and that guy, chatting. The messages clearly showed it was Ken who told that person to send his photos with someone to Rayne. Then Ken edited those pictures and spread all those stupid rumors.
“Don’t worry, Rayne,” Dad said calmly. “We’ve already taken care of everything. You’ll see the results tomorrow at the university. From now on, your campus life will be peaceful.”
A wave of relief washed over Rayne.
It reminded him of the time back in kindergarten when someone used to bother him. He had told his parents, and Dad had said the same thing, that no one would trouble him again.
And just like that, the next day, everything changed. Even the girl who bullied him started talking nicely.
So he believed him again. If Dad said everything would be fine, then it really would be.
Rayne smiled and hugged Dad. Uncle Mack patted his head gently, and after a while, he went to sleep feeling relaxed for the first time in days.
The next morning, he woke up early, ready to see what would happen at the university.
He got dressed and left for campus. As soon as he arrived, everyone was smiling at him and even waving.
He didn’t understand their sudden change, but just as Dad said, everything truly seemed fine today.
When he entered the building, his eyes immediately went to the bulletin board.
This time, there was a real photo posted, along with screenshots of the chat between Ken and that guy.
A notice from a lawyer was also there, warning that anyone who tried to harm Rayne’s reputation again would end up in jail.
No wonder everyone was being so nice. Rayne smiled and headed to his classroom.
Losif didn’t approach him that day either, which was honestly a relief.
Everything finally felt peaceful.
Days passed, and before Rayne realized it, his wedding date had already been decided.
After that incident with the omega who claimed to be pregnant with Lucian’s child, Rayne hadn’t heard anything from Lucian. Lucian didn’t call, and Rayne didn’t either.
Rayne was busy with university work anyway, and time just kept moving. Months went by.
His exams were over, and he would soon graduate. And now, he was also getting married.
Everything was perfectly planned. For the first time, Rayne felt calm, because this wasn’t something reckless.
Lucian was chosen by his parents, and he was a good man. Listening to them and doing what they wanted… it actually felt right.
One week later
“Congratulations on your graduation!” Mom and Dad cheered as they took Rayne’s picture with Lucian.
Lucian had come to congratulate him, looking exactly the same as he had months ago, calm, composed, with that same polite smile.
In all these months, neither Ken nor Losif ever returned to the university. It was as if they had disappeared from Rayne’s life entirely.
Yet, despite everything being fine now, Rayne still felt an emptiness inside his heart. He didn’t know why.
After the pictures, the family went out for dinner.
Everything seemed perfect, but partway through, Rayne started feeling unwell.
He quietly excused himself and went to the restroom, not wanting to worry his parents.
But the moment he stepped inside, everything suddenly went dark, and his eyes fluttered shut before he could react.
When Rayne opened his eyes again, he was in a hospital room, alone. He froze. Was he seriously sick? Had they brought him here because of that?
He sat up, his body aching all over. He felt drained, like he’d run a marathon in his sleep.
Just then, the door opened, and Lucian walked in while talking on the phone. The moment he saw Rayne awake, he hung up and slipped his phone into his pocket.
“Oh, kitty, you’re awake?” Lucian asked, sitting down beside the bed.
“Yes, I’m fine now. But… was I sick? How many days have I been asleep?” Rayne asked, voice hoarse.
Lucian smiled and held his hand. “You were just tired last night, that’s all. You passed out, so we brought you here to make sure you were okay. Don’t worry, you’ll be discharged tonight.”
So it was just fatigue. Rayne sighed in relief. “And my parents?”
“They went to work. I sent them home since they stayed with you the whole night,” Lucian replied.
That sounded like his parents, worry first, rest later.
Rayne took his hand back and touched his face, checking whether he looked as exhausted as he felt. At least his face wasn’t swollen.
That night, he was discharged, and Lucian dropped him home.
Since he had already graduated, Rayne didn’t have much to do, so he joined his parents’ company as an intern.
He still had a lot to learn before taking over. Dad had told him before that one day the company would be his, and he’d be the next CEO.
Everyone at the company was kind and willing to teach him. To his surprise, he was quite good at handling the work.
A week passed quickly, and soon, it was the day of Rayne’s wedding with Lucian.
Lucian slipped the ring onto Rayne’s finger, and Rayne did the same. They vowed to belong only to each other and signed their marriage certificate.
“Congratulations, Rayne and Lucian!”
Everyone cheered. The moment felt surreal, like a beautiful dream unfolding too fast.
Then, amidst the crowd, a man walked in. His hair was black, tied up in a small ponytail on top of his head, and his eyes were just as dark. His skin was fair, and he wore black pants with a matching jacket over a white T-shirt.
As he came in, he first looked at Rayne, then extended his hand to shake. Rayne took it.
“What’s your name, sister-in-law?” the man asked.
“Huh? Rayne,” he replied.
“Oh, congratulations on your wedding, sister-in-law,” Ren said.
Rayne smiled at his words. Just then Ren hugged Lucian, a hug so tight it felt like one of them wanted to kill the other. Rayne couldn’t tell which.
Thank goodness Ren didn’t hug him. He would have died from that hug.
After that dangerous embrace, the two finally separated.
“You said you hated omegas, my dear friend Lucian. Then how come you’re married to one? But he is an elite one,” Ren said, sounding surprised.
“I said no to getting married, but my family pressured me to meet him. After meeting him, he said, ‘Let’s get married,’ so I agreed,” Lucian replied.
Rayne listened to their whole conversation while standing beside them, thinking: Man, you also wanted to get married, that’s why you got ready to marry me. And now you’re lying to your friend.
Just then Lucian turned to him.
“I didn’t introduce you two yet. Ren, meet my partner, Rayne. Rayne, meet Ren, someone I know,” Lucian said.
“What do you mean ‘someone you know’? Of course I’m his best friend. We’ve been friends since childhood, you shameless man!” Ren protested.
Honestly, Ren’s personality was very different from Lucian’s, but they were still friends. It was good.
Rayne smiled at Ren, and afterward everyone congratulated them. They all ate together. That night, Rayne was nervous.
They had to do it now. But he wasn’t ready. His entire body was shaking. He was scared of the pain. He had heard the first time hurt like hell, so he sat alone in the room, terrified.
The room was decorated for them. There was even a wine bottle and two glasses. Still, his nervousness didn’t go away.
Lucian wasn’t there. He said he had some work and that he would come later, and he sent Rayne ahead.
Rayne took a bath and wore only a bathrobe. It felt weird.
He decided to wait for Lucian. Who knew, maybe he wouldn’t feel pain once they were done.
After about fifteen minutes, Lucian still hadn’t returned. Rayne grabbed his mobile and called him, but Lucian didn’t answer.
What was he doing that he wasn’t coming back at all? Was he busy with his friends or company work? Rayne didn’t think he should be working, it was their wedding day.
He called again, and this time Lucian hung up. What was happening? His husband wasn’t answering his calls on their wedding night.
Rayne put the phone down and closed his eyes. He knew he wouldn’t fall asleep.