Chapter 801: Snow Rose

A dim wall sconce illuminated the room, casting a hazy, soft halo over the scene.

Chloe Reed’s lips were a little numb from his kisses. During their intimate contact, she had felt his anxiety and unease—emotions that he had poured entirely into the kiss. It made her own heart clench in sympathetic pain. Gazing at him, she suddenly reached out to caress his cheek, her fingertips lightly brushing over his eyes.

A second later, the man’s eager breath enveloped her. Between consenting adults, there was often no need to ask for permission. A simple gesture was all it took to convey everything.

Walker Grant had been waiting. His nerves were stretched taut, his breathing growing heavier by the second. Chloe’s gentle touch acted as an encouraging silent signal, telling him he no longer needed to hold back.

Their breaths mingled like a heatwave in a fierce entanglement. The blanket was tossed aside as their body temperatures soared, warmth flowing freely between them.

The next morning.

Chloe opened her eyes to find the space beside her empty. Her brow furrowed in confusion. After freshening up, she headed downstairs, where she immediately heard Noah’s cheerful voice.

"Aunt Chloe, look!"

Chloe walked over. Following his gaze, she saw that the courtyard had been transformed into a vast expanse of white. A fresh blanket of snow had dressed Jardinelle in a sparkling new coat. Out in the garden, Walker’s tall figure was crouched on the ground with his back to the balcony. It was hard to tell what he was doing.

Puzzled, Chloe typed out a question for her text-to-speech app. "What is he doing?"

"Uncle Walker said he’s making flowers," Noah replied.

She wondered why he would be making flowers. Confusion was written all over her face.

Fiona Linton came back inside just then. With the snowstorm, the temperature had dropped sharply. Her small face was red from the bitter cold, and she kept rubbing her hands together for warmth.

"Chloe, you’re awake! Do you want to go out and build a snowman?" Fiona looked at her with sparkling eyes and a wide grin.

Chloe shook her head. "Cold."

"Yeah, it really is freezing," Fiona agreed with a nod. She walked over and caught sight of Walker out in the cold. Chuckling, she added, "That scheming man is playing his little tricks again. Chloe, you’d better hold your ground."

Chloe was bewildered. It didn’t take long, however, for her to understand exactly what Fiona meant.

Walker came back inside carrying a small tray. Resting on it were several delicate flowers—roses, meticulously sculpted out of snow.

"Noah, has Aunt Chloe come downstairs yet?" he asked the moment he stepped through the door.

Noah beamed. "Aunt Chloe is right in front of you!"

Walker’s lips curled into a gentle smile. "Chloe, this is for you."

Chloe looked at the Snow Roses resting on his tray. The petals were paper-thin, each bloom painstakingly crafted to look incredibly lifelike. They were absolutely beautiful.

Yet he couldn’t even see. Heaven only knew how long he had spent out in the freezing cold, practicing until he got them just right. Her gaze drifted to his hands. Just as she suspected, his long, slender fingers were bright red from the biting frost.

"Thank... you."

Chloe stepped forward and took the tray. She headed straight for the kitchen and placed the Snow Roses safely in the freezer, hoping to extend their short lifespans for as long as possible.

Then, she returned, took his hand, and led him over to the fireplace. The blazing hearth was much warmer and would help chase away the winter chill clinging to his body.

"I’m fine." Walker gently pulled his hand away, not wanting his icy fingers to make her cold.