Chapter 77

After taking photos, Asher and Thalia began building a snowman in the courtyard.

Thalia created an adorable large snowman about half her height.

She adorned it with a scarlet scarf and a little crimson hat, then used her peach oolong tea–colored lipstick to give the snowman rosy cheeks.

Asher leaned close to her ear, his breath warm against her skin. “Those rosy cheeks are utterly enchanting, just like yours when you’re… flustered.”

Thalia laughed, a delicate blush rising to her own cheeks at his suggestive tone. “Of course they are–this is my very own daughter, after all.”

After completing the snowman, Thalia brushed the snow off her gloves and looked at their creation with the pride of a new parent. “We simply must give her a proper name, don’t you think?”

“Capital idea,” Asher’s lips curved upward, his eyes never leaving Thalia’s face. “How about Sugar? It sounds rather like your name, Lia. Sweet… irresistible… tempting…”

Thalia’s eyes brightened, ignoring–or perhaps enjoying–his playful innuendo. “That’s absolutely perfect. Sugar it is.”

“Let’s take a family portrait, shall we?” Asher suggested, his smile warm and tender as his hand found the small of her back, drawing her just a fraction closer than strictly necessary.

“I’d love that,” she replied, taking the camera. “I’ll find someone to help us.”

Thalia approached the young couple who had been building snowmen earlier. “Excuse me, would mind awfully taking a photo for us?”

you

“Of course,” the young woman took the camera. “Though I’m not terribly familiar with how to use this

contraption.”

Thalia leaned in to show her. “The settings are already adjusted. You need only press here.”

“Right, I see.”

“Thank you ever so much.”

Chapter 77

“It’s no trouble at all.” The young woman whispered to Thalia, “You and your boyfriend make such a gorgeous couple. Are you Instagram influencers or something of the sort?”

Thalia shook her head, her eyes crinkling with amusement. “Goodness, no. And thank you–you’re quite

lovely yourself.”

After taking photos, Thalia and Asher visited a famous spot nearby.

It was a traditional inn with a distinctly historical ambiance. From the carved wooden windows on the third floor, one could see the snow–capped mountains in the distance, embodying the poetic sentiment of “the window frames a thousand years of snow on the western mountains.”

Annecy made a point

long wanted to visit. She had previously planned an itinerary

had never failed to disappoint when it came to dampening

special about that?

extinguished by his cold water. Later, when work became busy, she no longer had time to go, and eventually forgot about it.

two years later, she had finally made

she was

past, causing

“Chilly, my

hood of Thalia’s down jacket and placed it over

lingering to brush a strand of hair from her face. “Keep your hood up to block the wind. I can think of much more pleasant ways to make you

the hood won’t look particularly fetching in pictures.”

The wind is rather brutal now–be a

her eyes playful. “Are

smiled, his eyes darkening slightly. “A kiss

Chapter 77

you’re not

still want a kiss. Call it… payment

him. This man who

seeking affection when they were

stance, it was clear he wouldn’t budge until she

stood on her tiptoes

he stood more than a head taller than Thalia. Even on her tiptoes, she

man,” the young woman pouted.

down, bringing his lips closer to Thalia’s, offering himself for her kiss. “Your wish

bowed to anyone was willingly lowering his

would he gladly and willingly

Asher’s neck and kissed

Thalia was too self–conscious for a deep kiss, so she

back of her head, deepening the kiss, his lips urgent against hers, reminding her

happening, Thalia struggled free from

crimson.

to hide her embarrassment. “Ahem,

here. We can continue this when we get back,” she whispered, the promise

his lips curved in a satisfied smile. “I shall hold you to that promise,

her head, her face still

Chapter 77

smile

snow began to fall from the sky

stood at the entrance of the inn, gazing at her from

noticed Drake.

replaced by an icy coldness that cut

took Thalia’s hand and walked toward

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