“Stephen,” she called out softly. Her voice was so soft that it was instantly drowned out by the pouring rain.

Yet, Stephen still heard her voice despite the low volume.

He turned around, locking eyes with Tessa across the curtain of rain.

She was standing by the entrance while he was out in the downpour.

The rain was so heavy that it obscured her vision.

Tessa opened her umbrella, fully intending to walk into the rain.

However, Stephen, who had been emulating a statue earlier, seemed to have had his switch finally flipped the right side up. He wasted no time striding toward her.

Since he was tall and had long legs, he crossed the distance faster than Tessa could. She had only taken two steps toward him when he arrived right in front of her.

“You haven’t fully recovered just yet. You shouldn’t go out in the rain,” he said hoarsely.

Stephen reached for her hand that wasn’t holding the umbrella and gently guided her back inside.

His hand was ice-cold. Tessa couldn’t help but shiver at his touch.

Stephen noticed it and immediately let go of her. “It’s cold out and raining to boot. You should go back inside.”

Tessa’s breath caught in her throat.

It was said that one could never fake a cold, nor could they conceal the love they felt for another.

He would instinctively place her needs first, even though he was clearly grieving. Tessa felt a mix of complex emotions well up within her.

There was only a single dim light turned on in the hallway due to the late hour. Tessa closed her umbrella and placed it against a stone pillar.

“You…” she trailed off. Then, she continued, “You shouldn’t stay out in the rain either.”

“Alright,” Stephen replied, staring at her the entire time. She could see the affection he held for her in his eyes despite the sorrow swirling in their depths. The rain continued to lash against the ground, furiously unleashing its wrath. They stood across from each other in the hallway, the silence deafening.

After a pregnant pause, Tessa finally said, “Death is a natural part of life. My condolences.”

A ripple of emotion appeared in Stephen’s eyes. He stepped forward, wanting to pull her into his arms.

However, he stopped short when he noticed his drenched state.

His actions made Tessa’s heart waver once more.

He had always treated her with the utmost care. Every single act he did or didn’t do was something that was done out of love.

It was the little details-the same details that she couldn’t possibly dismiss.

Stephen let his hands fall and said quietly, “I’m fine.”

However, he was also stubborn.

It was like another repeat of her dream.

Tessa glared into his eyes in frustration, saying huffily, “You call taking a shower under the rain ‘fine’?”

The ice in Stephen’s eyes seemed to melt. He was just about to say something in response when his pupils shrank.

Tessa had wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him close.

Her familiar scent surrounded him. Stephen instantly went stiff under her touch.

Tessa pressed her cheek against his chest and tightened her hold around him, whispering, “Will you feel better if I hug you, Stephen?”

Stephen’s gaze darkened as he felt a surge of warmth flowing through his cold, broken heart.

She felt like a soft furnace, chasing away the chill in his bones, warming him from the inside out.

Stephen slowly returned her embrace, his movements light and cautious.

“I don’t really know how to comfort people,” she started, leaning into his touch. However, I know grief isn’t something you can suppress. just hope you won’t neglect yourself whilst grieving.”

“How could she say that she had no idea how to comfort another? A hug from her

could work miracles,” he thought.

The ice in Stephen’s heart thawed instantly, melting into a puddle of goo.

After a while, Tessa stepped away from his arms.

“That’s that, then.” Tessa lowered

her eyes, avoiding his gaze. “Younet

should change out of your clothes. Don’t stand in the rain anymore, okay?”

“Alright,” Stephen replied with gentle eyes, behaving as obedient as ever.

“Remember to eat and sleep well.

Don’t make me worry about you ret

a added sternly, acting aet

though she was instructing a child to eat their vegetables.

Stephen’s heart softened further upon hearing her words.

His thoughts echoed in his mind, “She said she’s worried about me.”

This was the first time Tessa had openly expressed her feelings to him after their breakup.

Stephen answered softly, “Okay.”

“I’ll be off, then. You should eat a hot meal after taking a hot shower.” Tessa spun on her heel and left.

Stephen remained in place, watching her retreating figure until she disappeared from his line of sight.

It was already 2:00 am by the time he got home.

The staff were all fast asleep. So, Stephen cooked a simple meal for himself after taking a hot shower.

After his late meal, he lay down on his bed and soon fell asleep.

It had been days since he had a proper night’s rest.