Ashes and Rain

At Ardenleigh University, where legacy and power rule the halls, Sebastian Ashford is untouchable—rich, brilliant, and feared. A second-year medical student with a cold smile and a ruthless streak, Sebastian hides a dangerous obsession: Rain Wang, the scholarship student with the midnight-black hair and fierce intelligence who doesn’t belong in his world.

Rain is used to fighting for every inch. From a struggling background, she’s clawed her way into Ardenleigh on sheer talent and grit. But Sebastian’s bullying isn’t just cruel games—it’s a desperate, twisted plea for attention from a boy who doesn’t know how to ask for love.

As Sebastian’s torment escalates, Rain’s quiet strength is tested like never before. With every insult and cold glance, the line between hatred and desire blurs. But love built on ashes can’t last without rain—and when the truth finally breaks through, both must decide if redemption is possible, or if they’re doomed to burn alone.

It was just a smile.A stupid, tiny thing.


Barely a curl of my lips. Not even enough to show teeth.


Leo had said something about the garden roses. Something dumb, really—about how they were starting to look like me. And for a second, it didn't feel like the world was weighing down on my shoulders.


But that was before the whispers started.


I was sitting in the back of the lecture hall when I heard it.


"Did you hear what Sebastian did?""He beat Leo up, like full-on punched him.""All because of her.""Rain Wang. That scholarship girl. The freak.""Guess she finally snapped him in half."


At first, I thought it was a joke. A sick rumor. People made things up all the time about Sebastian—about me.But then Ava turned to me, pale, phone screen glowing.


It was blurry, shaky, but unmistakable. Sebastian slamming Leo against a locker. His voice, low and vicious. His fists, over and over.Blood on his knuckles. Blood on Leo's shirt.Security pulling him off.


My chest twisted so hard I thought my ribs might crack. My hands were shaking—no, trembling—and I couldn't stop them. I didn't know what I felt. Horror? Guilt? Fear?


He had done that because I let someone talk to me. Because I let someone be kind.


I left the hall in a blur. Voices followed me, words like knives.


"She finally got someone to fight for her.""Bet she loved it.""She's probably doing this for attention."


I curled up on my bed the moment I reached my dorm.Blanket over my head. Lights off. Phone muted.


My phone buzzed again. Messages I didn't check. People I didn't want to talk to. My fingers hovered over a call—the one name I knew I could trust.


"Rain?" Her voice, soft and accented and warm. "Baby, what's wrong?"


I didn't answer right away. Just choked back the sound that was trying to claw out of my throat.


"And I think someone almost died because of it."


She didn't say anything for a long time.


Then, quietly, "You're allowed to smile, Rain. You deserve to."


Chapter 18 - I Shouldn’t Have Smiled