The sound of rain drowned out Miles Sterling’s voice, and Vanessa Sterling couldn’t hear clearly.

But what was certain was that Miles Sterling had come to find her.

Vanessa Sterling stood by the window in a daze, then shut it.

Miles Sterling continued to look up at the upstairs window, feeling a bit uneasy, wondering if Vanessa Sterling would avoid him and not want to meet.

He was unsure if Vanessa would come down, yet he remained standing downstairs, not moving.

Vanessa rushed to her room upstairs, pulled a jacket from the closet to put on, and hurried downstairs.

When she reached the staircase on the first floor, she took a deep breath to calm her panting appearance.

Then she slowed her steps, nervously clenching her fists tightly, and walked slowly towards the door.

The frosted glass carved with flowers faintly revealed the silhouette standing outside the door.

Her hand landed on the door lock, she took a deep breath before opening the door.

Facing each other without words, only the sound of rain pattered, preventing the atmosphere from becoming excessively awkward.

Both seemed to have things they wanted to say, yet neither knew how to begin.

After a long silence, Miles Sterling asked softly, "So late and you’re still awake?"

For a moment, Vanessa Sterling didn’t know how to address Miles Sterling.

Like replying to someone whose relationship was estranged and who hadn’t been in touch for a long time, she pursed her lips and answered, "...Preparing for the art exhibition at the beginning of the month, and happened to be sleepless, so it’s better to find something to do and not waste time."

Upon hearing Vanessa say such a long sentence to him, calmly too, Miles Sterling felt inexplicably restless inside.

He couldn’t guess what mindset Vanessa was currently facing him with, and was overwhelmed with words he didn’t know how to express.

"...Why are you here so late?"

Miles Sterling shook his head, "Not for anything special, just saw that you’re not asleep, so came to check."

The conversation seemed to circle back to a dead end, after a few seconds of silence, Miles Sterling added, "Oh by the way, thank you for the flowers you sent my mom."

Vanessa Sterling was stunned, not knowing how to respond.

"...Also wanted to apologize on her behalf. Or maybe I shouldn’t say on her behalf, it’s also on my own."

Miles Sterling seemed a bit incoherent, babbling on, "I know an apology is too thin, it can’t make up for anything. But aside from apologizing, I don’t know what else I can do for you."

Vanessa Sterling looked blankly at Miles Sterling; this side of him made her feel incredibly unfamiliar.

He was cautious and tentative, afraid of saying something wrong, yet didn’t know how to accurately express his heart.

In the silence, Miles Sterling took two steps back, hesitated several times before saying, "Sorry for bothering you again. It’s late, get some rest."

After saying this, Miles Sterling paused for two seconds, not waiting for Vanessa Sterling’s response, hesitated to stay longer, and turned, disappearing into the rain with his umbrella.

Vanessa Sterling stood at the door, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

She stood by the door, watching the tall silhouette in the rain curtain, feeling for the first time a sense of pity towards Miles Sterling.

She couldn’t help but shiver, her thumb’s pad covering the uneven ridges of her ring finger’s nail.

Those bloody and horrifying images flashed in her mind, her heart still quaking, hurriedly locking the door, she raced upstairs.

Wrapped in blankets, the sound of rain outside disturbed her even more, the chaotic thoughts made her somewhat troubled.