Chapter 40

Liam jolted awake again, gasping.

The nightmare had returned.

For two years, he had been tormented by Isabella and their child. The stress had aged him beyond his years.

He pulled the crumpled paper rose from his drawer. A bitter smile touched his lips as he threw it away. Then he poured a full glass of whiskey.

The liquor burned his throat. Suddenly, he remembered. Years ago, how my eyes had sparkled whenever I held that paper rose.

But now. My latest social media post showed two hands clasped together. The caption read: “Slow and steady wins the race.”

He couldn't take it anymore. He broke down completely, sobbing into his hands.

The week before Christmas Eve brought the first snow.

I was curled on the sofa under a blanket, watching a film. Oliver purred softly on my lap.

Sebastian was busy in the kitchen. The rich scent of beef bourguignon filled the apartment.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, snow fell silently.

“Victoria.” Sebastian peeked out from the kitchen. “Can you grab the cinnamon from the top shelf?”

I scratched Oliver’s head and stood. My bare feet sank into the plush rug.

Reaching for the small brown bottle, I felt arms suddenly encircle me from behind.

“Got you,” Sebastian murmured, his chin resting on my head.

His hand covered mine, easily retrieving the spice jar. But he didn't release me.

“The beef will burn,” I laughed, nudging him playfully.

“I didn’t need the cinnamon.” He turned me gently, pressing me against the counter. The stove’s flame flickered in his eyes. “I just wanted to hold you.”

Oliver had padded over. He sat at our feet, head tilted, observing us.

Sebastian bent and scooped him up. He placed the cat in my arms. “Let’s take this little chaperone to the balcony.” He wrapped the three of us in a large blanket like a giant cocoon.

Oliver wriggled free and pounced on the thin layer of snow dusting the railing.

We watched the snow fall. Then Sebastian pulled a small box from his pocket.

“What’s this?” I asked.

“I had this ring made when you were still with him.”

He opened the box. A simple platinum band lay inside.

“I’ve held onto it. I have other rings, but this one felt right.” Oliver suddenly jumped and batted the box. The ring tumbled into my palm. It felt cold, yet it burned.

Sebastian rarely spoke of his years loving me from afar. He only hinted at it sometimes, in unguarded moments. “Victoria,” he whispered, holding my trembling hand. His voice was softer than the falling snow. “I know you don’t believe in forever. So I won’t promise that.”

“I just want to be the next name on your marriage certificate.”

In the distance, church bells began to ring. Oliver’s tail brushed gently against my ankle.

“Okay,” I heard myself say, my voice lost in the quiet night. “But you have to add Oliver’s paw print too.”

Sebastian froze, as if paused. Oliver meowed impatiently. Finally, Sebastian snapped out of it. With shaking hands, he slid the ring onto my finger.

It fit perfectly. It shimmered with a soft silver glow under the snowy sky.

“I wrote a whole speech,” he mumbled into my neck, his voice thick. “I forgot every word.”

I smiled, kissing his reddened ear. “This was better.”

A sudden poof came from the kitchen.

Oliver immediately scratched at the glass door, alarmed. Sebastian dashed to save our dinner, but he never let go of my hand.

We stumbled into the kitchen together, laughing. The windows were fogged from the steam. Three blurry shadows were cast upon the glass.

Outside, the first snow continued to fall. It covered every trace of the paths we had walked before.

(The End)