His Unveiled Passion

Chapter 14

The day Tyla was discharged from the hospital, the snow had just stopped, leaving behind a pristine winter wonderland. The trees lining the road were coated in frost, and the sky was a clear, brilliant blue. Samuel had driven to the hospital to pick up Tyla. The couple sat in silence, the atmosphere was thick and heavy between them.

In the backseat, Tessa breathed on the frosted window, her small finger tracing playful pictures on the glass. Her joy was uncontainable.

Finally, Tyla was leaving the hospital.

As they drove, Tessa drew a picture of their family on the window, her face lighting up with delight.

When Tyla caught sight of the drawing, her heart ached, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She turned her head to wipe away a tear and forced a smile. "It's almost your birthday, Tess. What would you like as a present?"

Tessa kept drawing shapes on the fogged window. "Mommy, I want a Cinnamoroll," she replied sweetly. "Cinnamoroll? Is that a type of dog?" Tyla asked gently. "I've never heard of that breed."

Tessa shook her head. "No, Mommy. It's a cartoon dog. I want a ceramic Cinnamoroll. Sienna told me there's a workshop on Serenity Avenue where we can buy an unpainted ceramic dog and paint it ourselves."

Turning to face Tyla, Tessa added, "Last week, Sienna and Henry went there and painted two really cute porcelain dolls."

Tyla's smile softened. "Alright, Tess. Let's go."

On Tessa's twelfth birthday, the snow fell thick and heavy.

Tessa and Tyla walked hand in hand into the workshop. Their pre-ordered unpainted Cinnamoroll figure was ready and waiting. The two of them eagerly began to paint.

It was the first time they had worked together on something like this.

Tessa was overjoyed with the final result. Her Cinnamoroll turned out exactly like the picture-perhaps even cuter.

Afterward, they left the shop and headed to a nearby bakery.

Tyla carried the cake in one hand while holding Tessa's hand tightly with the other. As they strolled through the falling snow, Tyla suddenly stopped and turned to Tessa, gazing at her with a tender expression.

"Tessa, Mommy loves you very much." Tyla's voice was soft, carried away by the breeze.

Tessa's nose was red from the cold.

Her mother said those words often, so she didn't think much of it. "I love you too, Mommy," she replied with a cheerful smile.

Tyla's nose twitched, and she felt tears begin to well up.

only 12 years old. Tyla couldn't stay with her much longer. What was she

tears, she turned

Serenity Avenue pedestrian street

distance, she spotted Samuel's car. Her father stood nearby in the snow, a cigarette between his fingers. His face was

him. As if sensing her gaze, Samuel looked up.

a moment, Tessa wondered if she had

and, in a

gave a quiet

it was Samuel

three of them gathered around the table, sharing a joyful moment. Tessa

were about to enjoy

bite, she suddenly started coughing up large

slipped from her hands and fell onto

Tyla's side, his voice thick with emotion. "Tyla, Tyla, don't scare me. I'll get you

for an ambulance while Tessa stood frozen, her mind racing but unable

just a moment ago. Why

say she could be

Wasn't Tyla already recovering?

The ambulance arrived quickly.

paramedics rushed to load Tyla onto the

a glimpse of Tyla looking at her with tear-filled eyes. Her

to speak, but her lips formed the words, and Tessa

was saying, "I'm

tears, rushing out into the swirling snow, shouting, "Mom,

ambulance sped off, leaving

it for a while, but soon the white vehicle carrying

Tyla passed

her side all night,

Tessa had no idea.

later carried

a high fever and called out for

next morning, she was told

couldn't bear to see Tyla's lifeless body and avoided the

to the hope that as long as she didn't see her mother's still form, Tyla was still alive, simply away on a long

smile as bright as spring sunshine

or drink. She would sleep when exhaustion overcame her, and when she woke, she would cry quietly. Samuel seemed to age ten years overnight. His eyes lost their spark, his hair

end, he was diagnosed with

loving Tyla so