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.

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

that Tessa might see her tears, she turned away and kept

bustling Serenity Avenue pedestrian street and made

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

expression she had rarely seen on him. As if sensing her gaze, Samuel looked up. The sorrow vanished in an instant, replaced

moment, Tessa wondered if she had imagined

and, in a

gave a quiet

it was Samuel who prepared

of them gathered around the table, sharing a joyful moment. Tessa wore a crown, made

they were about to enjoy the cake,

Tyla reached for a bite, she suddenly

slipped from her hands and fell onto her

Tyla, don't scare me. I'll get you

ambulance while Tessa stood frozen, her

fine just a moment ago. Why was Tyla suddenly coughing up

say

Wasn't Tyla already recovering?

The ambulance arrived quickly.

rushed to load Tyla onto

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

but her lips formed the words,

was saying, "I'm

Tessa broke down in tears, rushing out into the

off,

a while, but soon the white vehicle carrying Tyla disappeared from

night, Tyla passed

her side

Tessa had no idea.

the snow while chasing the ambulance and was later carried back

night, Tessa developed a high fever and called out for Tyla in her

she woke the next morning, she was told

see Tyla's lifeless body

as she didn't see her mother's still form, Tyla was still alive, simply

with a smile as bright as spring

porcelain doll, refusing to eat 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 turned gray, and he no longer had the energy to

the end, he was diagnosed

would never remarry, especially after loving Tyla so deeply. But two years later,