Chapter: Voice in the Rain

It was a cloudy afternoon, with a sky the color of lead that seemed like it wanted to cry. Olivia, after an intense morning at the gallery, decided to organize some of Tom's things that were still stored in a small box Matteo had given her a few days ago.

She sat on her bed with the box on her lap. Inside were some folded photographs, a leather bracelet he always wore, and... a small, old recorder, the kind that runs on batteries and has old memory. Olivia frowned. She hadn't seen it before.

She turned it on.

The first sound was static... then, Tom's voice.

"Did you press play, Liv?" — his tone almost mocking — "I hope so. Because this wasn't meant for just anyone, it was just for you. If you're listening to this, it's because you found the box... and well, it's likely that I'm no longer around. But don't be scared. This recording isn't for you to cry... it's for you to remember."

Olivia swallowed and tightly gripped the edge of the blanket on her lap.

"Do you remember our walk in the rain? That day we ended up soaked, sick, and happy. Do you remember how you shivered with cold, but still wouldn't let go of my hand? That was the day I knew, no matter what happened, you were going to be my safe place."

In that moment, Olivia hugged herself. Outside, the rain began to fall softly, as if the sky wanted to accompany her in silence.

"I promised I'd always be there for you. And even though not physically, I want you to know I left these recordings because I know you, and I know you're going to need to remember me with something other than pictures. So here I am. In this sound, in your memory, in every word you hear me say. I love you. I love you beyond what's possible. And don't forget what I always told you: 'When you don't see me, look for me in the rain.' Because that's where I'll be, Liv. That's where I'll be."

The audio ended with a soft sigh and a click.

Olivia left the recorder on the bed. Tears fell, but not with the same pain as before. Now there was a different tenderness. The rain outside continued, soft and constant. As if Tom, from somewhere, was fulfilling his promise.

She stood up, walked to the window, and closing her eyes, let that sound embrace her.

"I found you, Tom," she whispered.

Recording #2 – "Stolen Moment"

Olivia was sitting on the couch, going through the drawings Matteo had made that day. Luciana was in the kitchen, and everything seemed quiet. Until, while rummaging through some forgotten folders of Tom's, she found a USB memory stick with a handwritten label that read: "Random, do not delete."

With a mix of nostalgia and curiosity, she plugged it into her laptop. Inside were several audio files. Some with obvious names like "Liv's Birthday" or "Beach 2022". But one caught her attention, especially: "Hidden Voice". She played it.

The sound began with a soft laugh... Tom's.

"I don't know if you'll ever hear this, Liv... but I had to record it. I'm watching you right now, you're in the kitchen, with that shirt that's way too big for you and your messy hair. You're fighting with the coffee maker like it's your worst enemy. And you look so pretty it hurts."

Olivia covered her mouth with her hand, holding her breath.

"I have no idea why you love me. You're light in places I didn't even know had darkness. I hear you laugh and I want to record it too, but you'd notice and tease me for being cheesy. Like you always do. But I love you. I love you so much, Liv, that even your anger with the coffee seems like the sweetest thing in the world."

There was a short silence in the recording... and a sigh.

"If you ever feel alone, listen to this. Because even though I'm not there... I was. And in that moment, you were my whole world."

The audio ended with the distant sound of a teaspoon falling to the floor... and Olivia's laughter, recorded without her knowing.

Recording #3 – "Before Sleeping"

The file was simply titled: "Night 14". Olivia didn't remember any special date with that number, but as she listened to the recording, everything made sense.

The sound of sheets rustling, a calm breath... and Tom's low voice, almost a whisper.

"You're asleep now. You moved a minute ago and murmured something I didn't understand, but you smiled. I stayed still, just watching you breathe. I always say you're beautiful, but when you sleep, there's something different... a calm that makes me want to protect it forever."

There was a small silence. In the background, a ticking clock could be heard, and then his voice came back, softer.

"Today, you went to sleep worried. You said you weren't doing enough, that you were afraid of not being enough. And I just wanted to stop time, take you by the shoulders, and scream at you that you're more than I ever dreamed of having. But instead of shouting it, I hugged you... and you fell asleep like that. I hope one day you listen to this and remember it. Know that, even in your doubt, you were my certainty."

The recording ended with a slow breath... and a final barely audible murmur:

"Goodnight, Olivia. I love you. Always."

Recording #4 – "Slow Sunday"

This time, the file had no name, just a date from almost two years ago. Olivia didn't recognize it... but as she played it, everything came back.

A soft melody played in the background, like those playlists Tom would put on Sundays. Then, his voice, relaxed, as if speaking to himself:

"Today it's raining... and you're curled up on the couch with a blanket and that collection of short stories you love so much. You haven't spoken to me in half an hour because you're so focused, but I love it. I love how you frown when something grabs your attention. How you turn the pages carefully, like you're afraid of tearing them."

A sound: the click of a coffee cup being placed on the table.

"I made you tea, even though I know you're going to say you prefer coffee afterward. You always say that, but you still drink it. Because you know I made it for you. Today we didn't do anything special, but I feel full. Complete. These kinds of days with you make me think I don't need anything else. That if you give me another Sunday like this... I want it all with you."