Chapter 469


    For her, the phrase “first snow” was distant and foreign.


    Snow was nothing exceptional. It graced the streets of Summitville, painted Sunburst City white, and


    even cloaked Velvetwood in its silent embrace.


    She had never harbored an abundance of love or anticipation for snow, except when she was 17. That


    year, having fallen for Leandro, she found herself eagerly awaiting each new day.


    Yet he was invariably busy, often away from home for long stretches, which only made her yearn all the


    more.


    Finally, on New Year’s Eve, she caught a fleeting glimpse of him, a hurried encounter before she


    scurried off to her room to shower.


    After her shower, hair dried and clothes changed, she emerged only to see him, simrly freshened up,


    ready to step out.


    He was wearing a coat. Seraphina’s heart sank, her eyes betraying a hint of disappointment. “You…


    you’re going out again?”


    “Yep.” Leandro nced at her, stepping closer, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Can’t stand to be without


    me?”


    Turning her face away, Seraphina felt the sting of unshed tears.


    She hadn’t seen him in days, and just when they had reconnected, he was leaving again.


    The hurt welled up inside her, her eyes reddening with the effort to hold back tears.


    She truly didn’t want him to go, the disappointment was genuine, but the words wouldn’te.


    Leandro chuckled at her pained expression, but his voice softened. “Had a priormitment, I’ll be


    quick. Will you wait up for me?”


    She looked away, murmuring after a pause, “You won’te back…”


    She knew his habits too well; ate-night departure meant he wouldn’t return.


    At best, he’d be gone for the day. More often, he’d vanish for days on end.


    She was ustomed to it, shouldn’t have expected any different.


    Without another word, Seraphina retreated to her room.


    She had hurried downstairs to see him, but with him leaving, there was no point anymore.


    Back at her desk, she slumped forward, the sorrow deepening.


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Then, a knock at her door. Her heart skipped, guessing who it might be, yet hardly daring to believe.


    When Leandro stepped inside, she looked up, her gaze frozen on him.


    “If you’re using me of breaking promises, I’ll have to be a man of my word this time.” Leandro


    leaned against the doorframe, checking his watch. Frowning slightly, he peered out the window, then


    said, “Before dawn. I’ll be back before then.”


    Heat crept into Seraphina’s cheeks.


    Despite his busy life, he hade to make a promise, as if she were the unreasonable one.


    Yet, was she happy? Ecstatic, in a way she had never felt before.


    “I’m leaving, okay?” Leandro sought her confirmation once more.


    This time, she managed a soft “Okay.”


    She didn’t leave her room, just perched by the window, watching Leandro descend the stairs, get into


    his car, and drive off, her heart surprisingly full of joy.


    That night, Seraphinay in bed, sleep eluding her.


    She kept vigil by the window, straining for any sign of him. He said he’d be back by dawn, so she


    waited. From two to three, from four to five, from six to seven, Leandro did not return.


    At seven o’clock, Sandra had already sent three messages, urging her to get moving. They had


    nned to hit the amusement park together, but Seraphina was utterly disinterested now.


    He had broken his word, again.


    She despised her own weakness, knowing she’d soon be longing for him once more.


    Frustrated and powerless, Seraphina got up, washed her tear-stained face, and dressed to leave.


    New Year’s Day was just breaking, the city still quiet, the Reynolds household no exception.


    She stepped out of the main building, unable to resist ncing towards the parking lot – no sign of


    Leandro’s car.


    Biting her lip, she strode away.


    Exiting the gates, the tears she had been holding back fell freely. Her cheeks stung in the cold, crisp air


    as if they might crack. Gritting her teeth, she wiped her tears and continued on.


    Reynolds Manor nestled deep in a quiet, old neighborhood. Everyone had cars, and no one bothered


    walking.


    But she didn’t, so she had to walk two blocks to the main road to catch the bus.


    Tears blurred her vision as she trudged along, until, at the corner, she collided with someone.


    Both in a rush, Seraphina nearly toppled over but was caught in a firm embrace.


    Startled, her heart raced until she found herself in a warm, familiar hold.


    For a moment, her emotions overwhelmed her, and when she looked up to see him, all she saw was a


    blur.


    Only when he wiped away her tears did Leandro’s facee into sharp relief.


    It was him, truly him.


    His eyes were red, perhaps fromck of sleep, his nose slightly pink, as if frosted by the cold.


    “What’s this?” Leandro smiled at her, a yful tease in his voice. “I’m a littlete and you’re ready to


    run away from home?”


    Her voice failed her, she was unable to answer him.


    The sky wasn’t fully bright yet, tree-lined streets casting deeper shadows.


    No cars, no people, just the two of them in their own world.


    Suddenly, Leandro leaned in and kissed her.


    His lips were cold, but the kiss sent warmth flooding through Seraphina.


    It was a long while before she spoke in a hushed voice, “You said you’d be back before dawn…”


    “Yeah,” Leandro exhaled softly, “I thought I’d make it, but I didn’t expect the car would break down on


    the road…”


    Seraphina’s heart skipped a beat as she looked up at him. The car broke down on the road, so he


    had… walked all the way back?


    Tears threatened Seraphina again.


    The car was broken; he could have rested nearby or stayed inside waiting for a tow truck, but he had


    hurried back on foot because of a promise he made to her?


    She stared at him, dumbfounded, wanting to ask, yet too embarrassed to voice it.


    “Still mad at me?” Leandro leaned down and asked.


    Seraphina shook her head slightly, eyes downcast.


    “Are you still going to run away?” he prodded.


    “I wasn’t running away from home,” Seraphina retorted. “I had ns with a friend to hit the amusement


    park…”


    A chuckle escaped Leandro, “Oh,” he said before adding, “What if I asked you to bail on your friend,


    would you?”


    Seraphina found herself in a bind, “I’ve already promised her…”


    Leandro sighed, a hint of disappointment in his breath.


    Still, even with him looking at her like that, Seraphina’s gaze was hesitant, with no intention of


    canceling her ns for him.


    “You sure stick to your principles,” Leandro reached out to pull her along, “Let’s go then.”


    “Where to?” Seraphina startled.


    “You wanted to go out, right?” Leandro said, “I’ll walk you out. Though I didn’t see a single taxi on my


    way back, I’m not sure when you’ll be able to catch a ride.”


    Silently, Seraphina followed him, not mentioning that just a ten-minute walk down the street was the


    bus she needed to take.


    She looked at the hand Leandro was holding and quietly hoped, hoped that a taxi would show upter,


    muchter…


    They emerged from the tree-lined street into the dim world, which was suddenly touched by icy,


    feather-light flurries settling silently onto Seraphina’s eyshes.


    It had started to snow.


    On this first day of the year, as Leandro held her hand walking down the empty street, Sunburst City


    finally weed its bted first snow.


    Leandro reached out to brush a snowke from hershes, then chuckled at the sight of the sparse


    snow upon her hair, saying, “If this snow gets any heavier, it would look like we’ve gotten while hair and


    grown old together.”


    Seraphina’s heart thumped heavily, her body feeling suddenly weak.


    “Do you want to grow old with me, Seraphina?” Leandro asked.