---
After helping Claire to her room, Cain gently put her to bed. Her face looked exhausted, the lines of stress etched deep into her features. He carefully tucked her under the blanket, his touch unusually tender, and lingered beside her for a moment. Her peaceful face seemed like a fleeting relief from the turmoil she'd endured. A faint smile broke across Cain's face, a rare moment of calm in his stormy life. Letting her rest, he quietly exited the room.
As he crossed the hallway, he noticed Madame Lana sitting in the same spot where he had left her earlier. Trying to avoid confrontation, he veered to the other side of the corridor, but her sharp voice halted him.
"Cain—how rude of you to make your grandmother wait while you sneak away like a guilty child?"
Cain stopped in his tracks, knowing there was no escape. His grandmother was like an open book to him—a comforting constant since his mother abandoned him and his father. She had raised him, and no secret had ever been safe from her watchful eyes.
Resigned, Cain approached her and sat beside her on the couch. With a soft smile, he said, "Lola, you never change."
Madame Lana arched her brows, her penetrating gaze demanding an explanation. Cain sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. Slowly, he began narrating the story—starting from the day he met Claire.
He recounted how bold and fearless she was, barging into his car, and how she had uncovered the illegal racket. As he spoke about how her actions intrigued and attracted him, he couldn't help but soften for a moment, a faint trace of admiration in his voice. But his tone turned somber when he admitted that their relationship had never been serious for him at first.
When he reached the part where Maria framed Claire for murder and staged her fake assault, his voice faltered. His throat felt dry, and his chest tightened under the weight of guilt. His jaw clenched, and his forehead furrowed as he paused to collect himself.
Madame Lana's keen eyes noticed every shift in his demeanor. Her usually composed expression darkened, sensing the gravity of what was coming next.
Cain resumed, confessing how he had believed Maria over Claire. His voice cracked as he admitted his hatred and disgust toward Claire back then, and how he wanted to make her suffer as he believed she had made Maria suffer. But he confessed that he couldn't bring himself to take extreme measures. His tone grew heavy as he described how Claire was treated in jail and how bailing her out after her grandmother's death shattered his already fragile perception of his actions.
"I saw her again," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "She was hurt—broken. And it hurt me to see her like that. I felt…responsible."
He explained how he had later discovered evidence against Maria, incriminating her. She had orchestrated the entire assault to frame Claire. He revealed that he was the one who framed Maria in return, sending her to the place she now rotted in.
Madame Lana listened intently, her expressions shifting from disapproval to disgust and finally to quiet sadness. When Cain finally finished, it was as though a dam had burst, and he felt a strange sense of relief, albeit tinged with shame.
Madame Lana looked at him with misty eyes, her usual sternness softened by an undeniable love for her grandson. She pulled him into a hug, her voice quivering with emotion.
"Cain, you've committed a sin," she said gently. "Hurting a woman who loved you—that's a sin you'll repent for your entire life. Loving and loyal women like Claire are rare, and breaking such a heart makes you the worst kind of sinner."
She paused and asked Cain to pour her a glass of water, Cain did and handed her the glass. She took two sips and looked at him.
"Honey if you kill someone they'll die in an instant. Pain won't matter to them. If you rob someone, they can earn their money once again. Every sin is forgivable. But heart? Once broken, you can neither buy a new one nor can you heal it completely, even if the heart is healed the scars make the person's life difficult. They live with it all their life. Even in their happy moments the scars won't fail to make them realise what they've been through and how hurtful and suffocating it was."
Cain's face tightened, his guilt evident. She patted his head lovingly, like a mother comforting a wayward child.
"I know you're no devil, Cain, but you have to try to be a good man—for her. Claire's been through hell. If you truly regret your actions, show her through your care. Treat her like the precious soul she is."
Madame Lana rose from the couch, her posture weary from the late hour. As she walked away, she stopped without turning around and added in a firm voice.
"As for Maria, bail her out. I'll handle her. I never liked that scheming girl anyway. Trust your Lola—I'll ensure your wedding goes smoothly." With that, she retired to her room, leaving Cain to ponder her words.
---
The following morning, the sun streamed through the windows, bathing the house in a golden glow. Claire woke up, rubbing her eyes and realizing she had overslept. After a quick shower, she hurried downstairs to join breakfast, but paused when she saw Cain and Madame Lana deep in conversation. Not wanting to interrupt, she headed to the kitchen.
A few minutes later, breakfast was served. Madame Lana made Claire sit beside her, piling her plate with sandwiches.
"Cain," Madame Lana said, breaking the silence, "I saw Maria's news." Claire's grip on her teacup tightened, and she inhaled sharply.
"Bail her out," Madame Lana continued. "Your father won't leave me alone about it. I don't like her, but for the sake of family, do it."
Cain glanced at Claire, noticing her discomfort, but nodded. "I'll make the arrangements, Lola."
Finishing his breakfast, Cain grabbed his suit, kissed his grandmother's forehead. He looked for Claire but she was avoiding him. He sighed and left.
As the table cleared, Madame Lana called Claire over, seating her on the couch. Gently stroking her hair, she spoke softly. "I know it's hard, I heard about your grandma, and your sufferings, Claire." Madame Lana held her hands, "I hope you can forgive me. Forgive me for not raising Cain into a good person. Forgive me for making you suffer so much. Forgive me for not being a responsible adult. I owe you, Claire. I owe you–" Madame Lana almost broke into tears.
Claire felt a surge of shame hovering over, Madame Lana was seeking forgiveness for something she hadn't done.
"No! Madam La–I mean no, Lola. Please don't. It's not your fault. Please, you are making me feel embarrassed." Tears escaped her eyes.
Madame Lana held her hands tightly. "Forgive me, Claire. For not raising Cain to be better. For all the pain you've suffered because of him. I owe you—deeply."
Tears welled in Claire's eyes. "No, Lola. Please don't say that. None of this is your fault."
"We sure cannot reverse it, dear, but we can at least make up for those actions. We can make the present and future beautiful. Claire, I know it was and it is very hard to get over pain and suffering, especially if it is from the people we love. But I promise you, from now on, I won't let Cain or anyone else lay a finger on you." She smiled.
"Cain is very regretful and guilt ridden for his actions. I won't ask you to forgive him. But I will request you to go easy on yourself. He hurt you, right? Why are you punishing yourself? Punish him," Madame Lana said with a spark in her eyes.
Claire was amused to hear this from her, she let out a soft chuckle. Madame Lana was surely a lively person to be around.
Claire smiled softly. She remembered how her Nana was supportive of her and loved her. She looked at Madame Lana and said with a genuine smile, "Thank you Lola, I am feeling better now. I guess grandmas have the magic spell to make us relaxed and happy."
They both laughed and continued chatting about various things. And Madame Lana also reminded Claire to give a thought about their wedding and to keep Cain under her control.
In the afternoon, Cain boarded a flight to Orcana. He instructed Mark to bail Maria out and prepare for the aftermath.
Mark arranged a lawyer and a guard, as instructed they went through all legal matters and finalised Maria's bail by compensating the report and company with a huge amount.
Getting the bail documents sealed they went to the mental rehabilitation centre, they discussed with the doctors and bailed Maria out.
When Maria heard that she was being bailed, Excitement made her thrilled. She knew Cain still had a soft corner for her.
She got ready, adjusted her hair and dress, and prepared herself expecting Cain's arrival anytime now. But her wait and excitement flushed out when she saw two guys well suited walking in from the front door.
"Ms Maria Sachy, you are bailed." Said the Lawyer.
"Miss let's go, Mr Vincent is waiting for you in the mansion." The bodyguard said with a stern face.
"Cain didn't come with you?" Maria's eyes almost welled up.
"Unfortunately, Mr Wilson had some important things to do so he sent us." The guard responded.
Maria felt a sharp pain in her chest, how was this happening? Cain always sided Maria. Now he is nowhere to be seen. Blaming Claire for being a busybody in their life. Maria walked out with the lawyer and the guard.
By evening, Maria stood outside the mental rehabilitation centre. Her eyes burned with anger and revenge. Freedom filled her lungs, but hatred fueled her heart. "This all started when Claire entered Cain's life," she seethed. "Now, I'll make her pay."