The next morning, Rain woke up to the soft hum of music playing through the penthouse's built-in sound system. She stretched, feeling surprisingly refreshed, and made her way to the living area.
Sofia was already there, sitting at the dining table with her laptop open. She looked up as Rain entered.
"Morning," Sofia said with a smile. "Sleep well?"
"Like a baby," Rain replied, grabbing a glass of water from the kitchen. "So, what's the plan for today?"
Sofia turned her laptop around to show Rain the schedule. "We'll start with vocal warm-ups and rehearsals. Then, I'll fill you in on the hospital event—who'll be there, what's expected of you, that sort of thing. After that, we'll go over your wardrobe."
Rain nodded. "Alright. Let's do this."
*****
By mid-afternoon, Rain was in a private studio space in the penthouse, singing into a microphone as Sofia watched from the side.
"Not bad," Sofia said as Rain finished a rendition of one of Amara's older hits. "Your voice is still amazing, but let's tweak the tempo a bit." luckily for Rain she was in the choir in her old life and singing was not new to her.
Rain adjusted her stance, focusing on Sofia's instructions. She was determined to make this event a success, not just for the kids but for herself—and for the real Amara Stone, whose life she now carried.
*******
The day of the event arrived faster than Rain expected. She stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a simple but elegant outfit Sofia had chosen: a white blouse, dark jeans, and a pair of ankle boots. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and her makeup was minimal, letting her natural beauty shine through.
Sofia entered the room, holding a clipboard. "You look great," she said with a smile. "Ready?"
Rain took a deep breath and nodded. "Ready."
The drive to St. Helena's Memorial Hospital was quiet, the SUV cutting through the bustling city streets. When they arrived, Rain felt a rush of nerves as she stepped out of the vehicle, flanked by Sofia and a security team.
The hospital lobby was decorated with festive Christmas lights and a large tree, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. A small stage had been set up in one corner, and a group of children sat nearby, their faces lighting up when they saw Rain.
Rain's heart swelled as she walked toward the stage, waving at the kids. She took the microphone and smiled, her nerves melting away.
"Hi, everyone," she said, her voice steady. "Thank you for having me here today. I'm so excited to spend some time with you all."
The kids clapped and cheered, and Rain felt a genuine warmth spread through her chest.
She performed two songs, her voice filling the room with emotion. The children sang along, their joy infectious.
Rain adjusted the microphone stand as the final notes of her second song faded into applause. The children in the audience clapped enthusiastically, their faces lit with smiles that melted her heart. As she stood on the small stage in St. Helena's Memorial Hospital's decorated recreation hall, she felt a sense of fulfillment she hadn't anticipated. The hours of preparation to learn Amara Stone's songs and adopt her style had been worth it.
Rain looked out at the crowd of children, their nurses, and a few parents who had gathered for the event. She waved, feeling a connection to each of them. "Thank you so much for having me here today," she said into the microphone, her voice steady and warm. "You all are amazing, and it's an honor to spend this time with you."
The kids erupted into another round of applause, and she stepped off the stage to mingle with them. Sofia had planned this perfectly, arranging time for Rain to sign autographs, take photos, and chat with the young fans. One child, a boy no older than eight, handed her a drawing of a microphone with the words You Rock, Amara! written in bold letters.
Rain knelt down, beaming at him. "This is incredible. Thank you so much! What's your name?"
"Jonah," he said shyly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Well, Jonah, you're an artist. This is going on my fridge at home," she said with a wink, earning a giggle from him.
Rain's previous life as Rain Johnson had taught her how to connect with people on a personal level, and she leaned into that now. With every smile and kind word, she felt a piece of herself healing alongside the children.
*******
After about an hour, Sofia signaled that it was time to wrap up. Rain hugged a few more children, promising to visit again someday. As she and her team made their way toward the exit, something caught her attention.
It wasn't the festive decorations in the hallway or the nurses buzzing around with trays. It was a figure—a tall, broad-shouldered man standing behind a glass door leading to one of the hospital's conference halls.
Rain stopped in her tracks, her breath hitching. She squinted slightly, her heart pounding as she focused on him. The man was speaking to a group of doctors, his posture confident and commanding. He gestured with his hands, emphasizing a point about some medical procedure she couldn't hear through the glass.
It was him.
Rain's heart raced as recognition flooded her. This was the man she had seen in her dream—the handsome surgeon who had appeared to her in those last moments before she, as Rain Johnson, had died. He looked exactly the same: tall with piercing eyes, dark wavy hair, and a presence that seemed to command the room without effort.
For a moment, Rain felt disconnected from reality. The vibrant, bustling hospital around her faded, and all she could see was him.
"Amara?" Sofia's voice broke through her trance.
Rain blinked, turning to find Sofia looking at her with concern. "Are you okay? You stopped suddenly."
Rain hesitated. How could she explain what she was feeling? "I'm fine," she said, her voice a little shaky.
Sofia glanced toward the conference hall. "Oh, that's Dr. Lucas Grant," she said casually. "He's one of the top surgeons here. Very respected—and, as you've probably noticed, ridiculously handsome." She smirked.
Rain swallowed, forcing herself to look away. "Right. Handsome," she muttered, though the word didn't seem to do him justice.
Sofia raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Come on, the car's waiting."
Rain nodded, but as they walked toward the exit, she couldn't help glancing back at the glass door. Dr. Lucas Grant was still there, his deep voice carrying faintly through the hallway as he continued speaking to his colleagues.
********
The drive back to Amara's penthouse was quiet. Sofia was busy checking her phone and chatting with someone on a call, while Rain stared out the window, lost in thought.
Why had she seen Dr. Grant in her dream before she died? Was it a coincidence, or was there some deeper meaning? Rain's fingers absently traced the edge of her seatbelt as her mind raced with possibilities.
When they arrived at the penthouse, Sofia finally hung up her call and turned to Rain. "You were amazing today. The kids loved you, and the press is already buzzing about your performance. This is exactly the kind of positive attention you needed."
Rain managed a smile. "Thanks, Sofia. I'm glad it went well."
Sofia studied her for a moment. "You sure you're okay? You've been quiet since we left the hospital."
Rain hesitated, debating whether to confide in Sofia about Dr. Grant. Finally, she shook her head. "I'm fine, just a little tired."
Sofia nodded, accepting the answer for now. "Get some rest. We'll debrief tomorrow and start planning your next move."
******
Later that evening, Rain found herself sitting on the couch, staring at her phone. She couldn't stop thinking about Dr. Grant. The way he had looked, the way he had commanded the room—it was all too vivid in her mind.
Before she could overthink it, she opened the browser on her phone and typed his name: Dr. Lucas Grant, St. Helena's Memorial Hospital.
A list of results appeared, mostly articles and professional profiles. She clicked on the first link, which led to an interview he had given to a medical journal.
Dr. Lucas Grant is a leading cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Helena's Memorial Hospital, known for his groundbreaking work in minimally invasive heart surgeries. With over a decade of experience, he has saved countless lives and is widely regarded as one of the top surgeons in the country.
Rain's eyes skimmed the article, her curiosity growing with every word. He wasn't just a skilled doctor—he was exceptional.
Her gaze lingered on a photo of him accompanying the article. His piercing blue eyes stared back at her, and she felt that same inexplicable pull she had felt at the hospital.
"What's your story?" she murmured, her fingers brushing against the screen.
Rain didn't know why she was so drawn to him, but one thing was certain: meeting Dr. Lucas Grant had stirred something deep within her, something she couldn't ignore.
As she sat there, staring at his picture, Rain made a silent promise to herself. If fate had brought her back in Amara Stone's body, there had to be a reason. And if Dr. Lucas Grant was part of that reason, she was determined to find out why.
The world of fame, music, and second chances was complicated enough, but now, Rain had another mystery to unravel—a mystery that might lead her to answers about her new life and the man who seemed destined to be part of it.