Stephen had replied, texting, “I’m fine. You should rest.”

The worry in Tessa’s heart didn’t abate even after reading that text.

How could he be fine? His father and grandmother had both passed away.

She wanted to comfort him. She rubbed her eyes, desperately willing herself to stay awake.

She typed a response… and then hastily deleted that sentence.

She tried to type out another line of words, but found it lacking.

In the end, Tessa couldn’t shoot him a comforting text. She felt as though anything she could offer was a hollow comfort.

Soon, she felt drowsiness dragging her down to its sleepy depths. She couldn’t keep her eyes peeled.

Eventually, she clutched her phone to her chest and fell asleep.

Tessa had a dream that night.

A boy was watching his father hugging another boy. He watched the scene with sad and envious eyes.

She approached the boy and noticed that he had Stephen’s eyes.

“Stephen,” Tessa murmured.

The boy looked disappointed as he lowered his head, whispering, “I’m his son, too.”

Tessa felt her heart twist in pain upon hearing his words.

She gently ruffled the boy’s hair and said kindly, “It’s alright. You’ll meet someone

who loves you the best. That person will be your salvation.”

The boy raised his head and looked up at her. “Are you that person?”

Tessa’s breath hitched as she felt a pang of pain.

Suddenly, the scene shifted into a thunderous night.

It was raining cats and dogs.

Yet, a lone man stood under the rain, uncaring that his lonely figure was soaked to the bone.

It was Stephen, all grown up now.

She walked closer and saw the redness in his eyes. She saw the heartbreak and devastation written on his face.

“He’s dead,” he murmured.

Then, he said vaguely, almost to himself, “I’ve missed my chance.”

Tessa

Chat he was referring t

to feel Caleb’s fatherly love

chand that he would never h for him. Content behave a

ta

She wanted to say something, anything. Alas, nothing came out of her lips. Stephen stood under the pouring rain, looking no different from a lifeless statue. “Stephen,” she breathed as she roused from her slumber.

The pain and sorrow she felt because of her dream lingered like a curse.

Sunlight streamed in through the curtains, signaling a brand new day.

Tessa finally saw Stephen on the third day after Caleb’s death.

It was a

ripped through the skies as

me normy night. Lightning

das rain battered they

The trees writhed in agony, protesting by way of grotesque and terrifying shadows.

Tessa put on

Chherself off the bed,

the window, intending to pull the curtains shut.

slippers, and walked to et

Suddenly, she saw someone standing in the rain.

The person’s silhouette was all too familiar to her.

It was none other than Stephen.

The exact same scene from her dream had come to life in reality.

Her hand froze before she could close the curtains.

She stood there, silently observing the man in the rain.

Eventually, she let out a resigned sigh before pushing the door open and walking

down the stairs.