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.”

a point of taking photos here.

and Thalia had long wanted to visit. She had previously planned an itinerary that included this inn, but Drake had refused to accompany her.

failed to disappoint when it came to

by a window looking at mountains. What’s so special about that?

excitement had been extinguished by his cold water. Later, when work became busy, she no longer had time to go, and

more than two years later,

time, she was here with Asher.

blew past, causing Thalia to

“Chilly, my

down jacket and

hair from her face. “Keep your hood up to block the wind. I can

soon, and the hood won’t look particularly

take it off for the photos. The wind is rather brutal

her eyes playful. “Are you cold as

slightly. “A kiss would warm me rather

Chapter 77

you’re not cold

kiss. Call it… payment

couldn’t help but smile at him. This man who normally appeared so cool

seeking affection when they were together.

he wouldn’t budge until

on her tiptoes to kiss

a head

head, you impossible man,” the young woman pouted.

to Thalia’s, offering himself for her

heir who never bowed to anyone was willingly lowering his head.

Thalia Winters would he gladly and

around Asher’s neck and kissed him.

so she merely gave him

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

what was happening, Thalia struggled free from his hold, her face instantly

crimson.

hide her embarrassment.

can continue this when

spirits, his eyes soft with affection, his lips curved in a satisfied

her face still flushed.

Chapter 77

her expression froze, the smile vanishing

through, and snow began to fall from the sky again.

at the entrance of the inn, gazing at her from afar through

also noticed

eyes, replaced by an icy coldness that cut to

and walked toward Drake.

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