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.”

tourists visiting Annecy made a point of

time, and Thalia had long wanted to visit. She

never failed to disappoint when it came to

about that? I’ll take you to Switzerland someday–the mountains there

when work became busy, she no

two years later,

this time, she was here with

cold breeze blew past, causing Thalia

“Chilly, my

down jacket and placed it

“Keep your hood up to block the wind. I can think of much more pleasant ways to make you shiver.”

want to take photos soon, and the

take it off for the photos. The wind is rather brutal now–be a good girl for me.”

at Asher, her eyes playful. “Are you cold as

“A kiss would warm

Chapter 77

not cold

I still want a kiss. Call

help but smile at him. This man who normally appeared so cool and distant was always

when they were

clear he

and stood on

six feet three inches, he stood more than a head taller than Thalia. Even

your head, you impossible man,” the young woman

Thalia’s, offering himself for

never bowed to anyone was willingly lowering his head.

for Thalia Winters would he gladly and willingly

Asher’s

so she merely gave him a fleeting peck before attempting to pull

her head, deepening the kiss, his

realized what was happening, Thalia struggled free from his hold,

crimson.

tactically twice to hide her embarrassment. “Ahem, ahem.”

too many people here. We can continue this when we get back,” she whispered, the promise in her voice unmistakable.

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

head, her

Chapter 77

froze, the smile vanishing

and snow began

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

also noticed Drake.

disappeared from his eyes, replaced by an icy coldness that

took Thalia’s hand and walked toward Drake.

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