The cold wave had arrived. The temperature dropped below 32 degrees Fahrenheit and Rivertown welcomed its first day of snow in the winter season.

The days were short during winter. When Tessa exited the law firm, it was already dark. Snowflakes floated down from above, adding to the romantic atmosphere that was illuminated by the city’s neon lights.

Tessa stood on the pavement, reaching out to catch a few snowflakes in her palms. An icy gust blew past, the cold seeping directly into her bones. She wrapped her scarf closer around her as her warm breaths condensed into puffs of fog whenever she exhaled.

Stephen’s Maybach was parked on the curb. Tessa strolled toward it, noticing that he had already alighted from the car. He was also walking briskly toward her.

Tessa had arranged to visit Anne in the hospital with him today.

She shut the car door, trapping the icy wind outside. He was in the backseat with her, holding her close to him. Grabbing her hands, he rubbed her palms with his own hands, noticing how frosty her hands were to the touch.

Stephen lowered his gaze. His words were tinged with worry when he asked, “Why didn’t you wear your gloves? Your hands are all red.”

Tessa sniffled. “The car was just a few steps away.”

“It doesn’t matter if it was just a few steps away,” Stephen said as he continued to warm up her hands. “Remember to wear them next time.”

She hummed in agreement.

When Tessa pushed open the door to Anne’s hospital ward, she noticed Anne sitting on the bed while staring at the snowstorm outside her window. She wondered what Anne, who was lost in her thoughts, was thinking about.

Anne didn’t even react when Tessa and Stephen entered the room.

“Anne, I came to visit you.”

Tessa placed the things she had brought with her on the small table nearby. Her voice was low when she greeted Anne.

Only after hearing Tessa’s voice did Anne snap back to the present. She turned her head to look at them. When her gaze fell on Stephen, surprise and confusion flickered in her eyes.

Tessa introduced Stephen with a smile. “Anne, this is my boyfriend, Stephen.”

Understanding washed over Anne’s features. She greeted Stephen cheerfully, “Nice to meet you, Stephen.”

Stephen recalled how Tessa had reminded him repeatedly to greet Anne with a friendly smile. She didn’t want Anne to be frightened by his cold nature, so he did his best to inject as much warmth as he could into his tone.

A small smile curled his lips as he said, “Nice to meet you.” Anne rolled her lips inwards as she looked away, embarrassed.

Tessa walked closer to Anne and sat down next to her bed.

Anne’s complexion was pallid. The

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skin under her eyes was sunken and she was deathly thin. Tessa’s heart throbbed painfully. She ignored how upset she felt and retrieved a cream-colored wooly hat from the gift bag. Her eyes had crinkled into crescents as she offered it to Anne. “Anne, look. I got this present for you. Do you like it?”

Anne’s eyes glimmered brightly as she smiled sweetly. “I love it! Thank you, Tessa.”

Tessa and Anne had become fast friends after spending some time together. Anne no longer addressed Tessa as “Ms. Yates” but instead referred to her by her first

name.

Anne accepted the hat. She pulled off the one she was wearing and wore the wooly one instead. Then, she looked at Tessa with expectant eyes, asking, “Does it look nice on me, Tessa?”

Tessa reached out and caressed Anne’s head gently. She said softly, “It looks adorable on you.”

As Tessa chatted with Anne,

Stephen’s phone started ringing. He pulled his phone out and waved the device at Tessa, signalling to her that he was going to leave the room to take the call.

Tessa got his message and nodded.

After Stephen left the ward, only Tessa and Anne were left in the room.

Anne looked like she wanted to say something, opening her mouth a few times,

but no words came out.