When The Rain Forgot Our Names

CHAPTER 4 : When The Rain Forgot Our Names

Chapter Four: Headlines and Heartbeats

The city woke to gossip.

Every newspaper stand displayed the same front-page photograph.

"MYSTERY WOMAN CAPTURES BILLIONAIRE'S HEART."

Another headline read:

"WHO IS THE GIRL BESIDE ETHAN COLE?"

People whispered in cafés, offices, and markets.

Some admired the beautiful picture.

Others invented stories that had never happened.

Amara stood frozen outside a newspaper stall.

Her smiling face stared back at her.

Beside her, Ethan gently wiped away a tear from her cheek.

The moment had been private.

Now the whole city had seen it.

She quietly folded the newspaper and walked away.

---

At the Cole Mansion, the atmosphere was colder than ever.

Richard Cole slammed the newspaper onto the dining table.

"What is this?"

Ethan remained calm.

"A photograph."

"Don't play games with me!"

Richard's voice echoed through the mansion.

"Do you know what people are saying?"

"I don't care."

"You should!"

Richard pointed toward the headline.

"You are the future of this family."

"You don't fall in love with ordinary girls."

Ethan looked directly into his father's eyes.

"She isn't ordinary."

Silence filled the room.

Daniel watched the exchange with amusement.

Richard's face darkened.

"From today onward..."

"You will never see Amara again."

Ethan stood.

"You don't get to decide who I care about."

Without another word, he walked out.

For the first time in years, Ethan had openly defied his father.

---

Meanwhile, Amara returned to the bookstore, hoping to clear her name.

Her employer welcomed her warmly.

"I've been waiting for you."

He showed her the security footage from the day she had been accused.

The elegant customer—the same woman who had bought several books—was clearly seen slipping her own wallet into another handbag before leaving the shop.

Minutes later, she had called to accuse Amara.

The owner sighed.

"I'm so sorry."

"I should have checked the cameras sooner."

"So... I wasn't fired?"

He smiled.

"Of course not."

"You've always been the most honest person here."

Relief washed over Amara.

For the first time in days, she smiled.

---

Across town, Vanessa received a phone call.

"The bookstore has security cameras."

Her expression changed.

"What?"

"They've cleared Amara."

Vanessa slowly lowered the phone.

For a few seconds, she said nothing.

Then she swept everything off her desk in one furious motion.

Glass shattered across the floor.

"So she's luckier than I thought."

Her assistant stepped back in fear.

"What now, ma'am?"

Vanessa's eyes grew cold.

"If I can't destroy her reputation..."

"I'll destroy her heart."

---

That evening, Ethan stood outside the bookstore.

When Amara stepped out, he handed her a small paper bag.

"What's this?"

"Open it."

Inside was a brand-new leather journal and a silver fountain pen.

Amara looked at him in surprise.

"You already gave me a notebook."

"I know."

"This one is different."

"How?"

"The first one was for writing your story."

He smiled softly.

"This one is for writing your dreams."

Amara couldn't help laughing.

"You really think I dream that much?"

"I think you don't dream enough."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The evening breeze carried the scent of approaching rain.

Finally, Ethan broke the silence.

"Would you have dinner with me?"

Amara hesitated.

"I've never been to a fancy restaurant."

"Good."

"Neither have I."

She raised an eyebrow.

He laughed.

"I've been to expensive restaurants."

"But never one that meant something."

She smiled.

"I'd like that."

---

Across the street, Daniel Cole watched from inside his car.

He made a call.

"It's happening."

A voice answered from the other end.

"Should we move now?"

Daniel's gaze remained fixed on Ethan and Amara.

"Not yet."

"Let them fall in love first."

"The deeper they love..."

"The harder they'll break."

He ended the call with a smile that carried no kindness.

Above the city, dark clouds gathered once again.

Neither Ethan nor Amara knew that someone was carefully planning to tear their worlds apart.

And somewhere, hidden in an old wooden box, lay a faded photograph of two children standing together in the rain—proof that their story had begun long before either of them could remember.