"My hands are so frozen they might as well be stones, and yet you''re still going at it like there''s no


    tomorrow. nning on giving up surgery?"


    The icy chill of her hands was soon enveloped by a warm embrace as Leanne looked down,


    murmuring, "It''s not too bad..."


    Before she could finish, Curtis scooped up her dangling left hand, warming it within his own.


    His fingers brushed against her wedding ring, caressing it a few times without a word.


    Leanne made no attempt to pull away. Snowkes settled on Curtis'' coat shoulders, his warmth


    transferring to her.


    It was unclear whether he was warming her hands out of kindness or he was finally having her before


    him after longing for her day and night. Curtis wanted to cherish the moment. He warmed her hands


    further, then pressed them against his face and lips.


    His darkshes partially lowered, catching snowkes, as he tenderly kissed her cold fingertips.


    Gradually, the warmth seeped into Leanne''s bones, thawing the chill. After a while, she suddenly


    asked, "How long has it been since you shaved?"


    Curtis stiffened his expression, his hand instinctively reaching for his chin. He had been here for a few


    days, living alone, neglecting to shave.


    "Does it look that bad?"


    Leanne replied, "It''s not too bad, not really ugly."


    Curtis knew she was trying tofort him. She never liked his unkempt appearance.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    "I''ll shave now. Will you wait for me?"


    Leanne nodded, agreeing, "Go ahead."


    Her eyes were serene and gentle. Curtis lingered for a few seconds, unmoving.


    "Forget it. You won''t wait," he said, understanding her as well as he understood himself.


    "Can you bear with it a little longer?" he coaxed tenderly, his eyes full of deep affection, "I haven''t seen


    you in so long. I just want to look at you."


    He had secretly visited Leanne''s Castle several times. She was unaware.


    Thankfully, the cat knew better than to tell, even though it had rubbed against his legs enough times to


    leave a mark.


    After finishing the snowman''s eyes, Leanne and Curtis sat on the porch steps together.


    "Thinking of going to Harvard Medical School?" Curtis inquired.


    He always seemed to have thetest information. Leanne had only received the email yesterday.


    "I''m still deciding." Since Curtis had


    been in Embend for quite some time, Leanne sought his opinion, "Between Johns Hopkins and


    Harvard Medical School, which do you think is better?"


    "Both are top-notch. Whichever you choose will be the best," Curtis brushed off the snow from her hat


    and fixed it back on her head, "With your talents, whichever school secures you will rank first next


    year."


    Leanne turned her head away, "My ego isn''t as big as yours."


    Curtis was generous, "No worries. I can lend you some of mine."


    "I''ll pass," Leanne said, "You didn''t shave."


    Curtis burst intoughter with a hint of regret in his voice, "I miscalcted. Had I known you were


    coming today, I would have made sure to look my best." Leanne wanted to ask him what he was doing


    all alone here, but she swallowed her words.


    The snow nketed the branches, heralding another winter season.


    That year, the snow had blocked the roads. He had spoken of living in seclusion here forever. Had they


    never left the mountain, would all that followed have been avoided?


    But all the what-ifs were pointless since they would nevere to pass.


    After staying outside for a while, Leanne began to feel the cold creeping in.


    "I should go."


    "Alright," Curtis replied.


    As she stood and descended the steps, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her from behind.


    Curtis'' voice fell softly from above her head, "Just a little more time."


    Leanne thought he was asking her to stay a bit longer, but after he spoke, he let her go.