November in Frosthaven was enveloped in darkness.

A light snow had fallen the previous evening. Gazing out the window, Anna saw the courtyard blanketed in a thin layer of white frost, as if time had frozen still. She reached out to touch it but met the cold, hard glass, quickly pulling her hand back.

A soft, stifled laugh sounded behind her, as if someone couldn't hold back their amusement.

Anna's heart skipped a beat. She turned to find Michael standing there. A mix of emotions welled up inside her, and she instinctively offered a smile. "Why is it you?" she asked.

"Who did you expect it to be?" He replied with a teasing glint in his eyes.

Avoiding his intense gaze, Anna shifted the topic. "If I'd known you were coming, I wouldn't have made a fool of myself. I'm no good at appreciating piano performances—it was all Emily's idea..."

"Being overly modest can be a form of pride," Emily chimed in with a laugh. She skipped over and wrapped Anna in a warm embrace from behind.

Before Anna could react, Emily playfully touched her chest and exclaimed, "Sweetie, have your breasts gotten bigger?"

Anna's face flushed a deep shade of red.

"That's enough; you're embarrassing her," Michael gently admonished.

Emily huffed, clearly unbothered by his comment.

Soon, others from their social circle approached to say hello—some familiar faces from television, likely here to seize an opportunity. Seeing Anna, a few showed surprised expressions, glancing between her, Michael, and Emily with knowing smiles.

Back when she was with Daniel, Anna had attended various events by his side, and she'd grown accustomed to such looks.

Initially, she felt embarrassed and uneasy under their gazes, but over time, she learned to take it in stride, even offering polite smiles in return.

Some influences on a person are subtle yet irreversible.

After all, isn't it said that it's easy to go from frugality to luxury but hard to return?

Three months since leaving him, she felt as though she'd been stripped to the bone.

Sometimes, when she looked at the woman in the mirror, she felt like a stranger. It was still her face, but it seemed merely a shell, an inexplicable sense of fear creeping in.

"Stay for a bit; you rarely come by," Emily urged, pulling her down onto the sofa and ordering some pastries. She insisted that Anna share where she'd been these past few months since leaving the city.

Having grown up cherished and pampered, Emily was always sincere and unguarded—one, one of the few in their circle who didn't look at Anna through a tinted lens.

Anna, gentle by nature and not one to refuse kindness, smiled softly. "Where else could I be? Traveling with jewelry suppliers to source materials."

"Traveling all over?" Emily's eyes sparkled.

"Yes, the brand is conducting inspections in various locations."

"That's so cool! My mom won't even let me go out..." Emily pouted playfully.

Anna smiled, but a peculiar bitterness rose within her.

Only girls who were cared for and protected had their every move watched over.

Sensing her melancholy, Michael gently nudged her arm.

Emily didn't catch on and even shot him a glare.

"It's getting late; I really should go. I have work early tomorrow," Anna said, standing up to leave.

"I'll walk you out," Michael offered, grabbing his jacket and rising decisively.

Anna intended to bid him farewell at the entrance of the venue, but when she turned back, she realized he had no intention of leaving. An awkward feeling crept over her.

Truth be told, they weren't that close. Their few encounters had mostly been orchestrated by Daniel.

Never one for socializing, especially with people from their circle, Anna felt increasingly uneasy.

But he was different from the other indulgent heirs in their circle.

When she quarreled with Daniel, others either watched for entertainment or sided with him to curry favor with the young master of the Lu family. Only Michael would calmly offer a few words of advice. Anna didn't have a bad impression of him.

"Did he ask you to bring me a message?" she finally asked.

Michael replied, "I don't like trouble and never play messenger. He'll be here soon; you can speak to him yourself."

Anna was momentarily at a loss for words.

Michael glanced at her, his gaze lingering a bit longer than usual.

Although he'd seen her many times, each time her face stirred an inexplicable restlessness within him—a purely visual impact, unrelated to romance.

Compared to four years ago, she'd matured significantly. While she still had that bright and delicate face, some of the youthful innocence had faded. Her clear blue eyes were captivating, and a tiny mole near the tip of her nose added a touch of playful charm. Her appearance, however, was quite different from her demeanor. With flowing auburn hair and eyes like the ocean, she stood tall and graceful. Her shoulders were elegantly defined, and her slender figure exuded vitality. Her waist was so slim it seemed a single hand could encircle it.

Such unparalleled beauty was unforgettable.

Suddenly, Michael felt he understood Daniel a bit more.

Feeling awkward just standing there, Anna said, "Maybe you should head back inside. I can wait here on my own."

"That won't do. I've been entrusted with a task, and I need to see it through. If I leave and you slip away, where would I explain myself when he arrives and can't find you?"

Anna gave a dry laugh, thinking that was unlikely.

But seeing his unwavering stance, it was clear he didn't trust her.

She sighed softly and decided to let it go.

Michael's expression remained composed as usual. He appeared warm, yet there was an underlying aloofness—perhaps a common trait in their circle. She hadn't understood it before, but now she realized that having too much can numb a person's emotions over time.

When she sought answers to certain questions, others either dismissed her or watched from the sidelines, amused by her distress. Only Michael didn't view her as an outsider; he would calmly provide her with answers.

Anna recalled a question she had asked him not long ago. After hearing it, he pondered for a moment before asking her, if she were Daniel, what choice would she make?

Anna fell silent.

Michael continued, saying that in their family, with so many children, not all could be successful. Only a few truly stood out. If Daniel weren't as accomplished as he was, things between them might not have turned out this way.

She had heard many harsh words before, but compared to those, Michael's were quite tactful.

Yet they were even more profound, leaving her feeling powerless and desolate.

As night deepened, the city unveiled its true facade of bustling glamour.

"He's here. I'm off," Michael said, giving her a light pat on the shoulder before descending the steps.

Snapping back to reality, Anna looked up to see a car parked at the nearby corner.

A tall figure stood in the snow, seemingly melding with the darkness. It was impossible to tell how long he'd been there.

After a long pause, Anna walked over and asked in a strained voice, "When did you arrive?"

"Not long ago," Daniel replied.

Anna smiled softly, unsure how to continue the conversation.

Over three months had passed. The initial wave of intense pain had subsided, leaving behind a calm indifference.

"Walk with me," Daniel finally said.

"Alright."

Anna couldn't quite grasp her own feelings as she walked alongside him for a long stretch.

"We should head back; it's a dead end ahead," she eventually halted.

Daniel turned to look at her, his gaze lingering, eyes filled with complicated emotions.

She knew she should turn away, perhaps even show some coldness, but she could never harden her heart against him.

Anna finally managed a gentle smile. "Don't be like this. We agreed to part on good terms; we can still be friends..."

He interrupted her coldly, "I don't stay friends with ex-girlfriends."

Silence fell between them. She gazed at his face, partially hidden in the shadows, unsure of what to say.

Daniel's expression remained composed, but the faint tension in his jawline hinted at something unusual. Despite his efforts to maintain his composure, his voice carried a slight hoarseness when he spoke. "Have you made up your mind?"

Anna subconsciously clenched her fists, then slowly released them as if letting go. "I've received the acceptance letter."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"When do you leave?"

His relentless questioning left her feeling helpless and pained. "Please, don't ask anymore."

Daniel gave a slight smirk. "You've decided to go but won't tell me when?"

Some things needed closure. She heard herself say clearly, "The day after tomorrow morning."

Daniel didn't press further.

After a moment, as if remembering something, he pulled out a small slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. Anna glanced down to see a phone number written on it.

"If you need anything, you can call this number."

"Whose number is this?"

"Michael's."

"Why would I contact him?"

"He's a good guy."

They stood in silence by the roadside for a long time, as if awaiting the final curtain of a play.

Anna remained with him a bit longer. When she felt there was nothing left to say, she turned to leave.

Suddenly, a strong hand grasped her wrist. The firmness of his grip, the coolness of his fingertips penetrating her skin, sent a jolt straight to her heart.

Anna shivered, an overwhelming urge to cry welling up inside her.

She tried to hold back, but eventually, her voice quivered as she spoke. "Take care of yourself. Don't travel so much, and stop working late nights. Remember to eat on time; stomach problems can be serious..."

"Stop. You're making it sound like a farewell speech." He chuckled softly, the grip on her wrist loosening.

Anna wiped her eyes and smiled faintly. "Don't jinx yourself like that."

Daniel gazed out at the city's distant skyline. After a prolonged silence, he said, "I've had the house on Willow Lane transferred to your name. When you have time, you can sign the papers or have them sent to you."

Hearing this, Anna was quiet for a long while before murmuring, "That's not necessary... I won't cause any trouble at your wedding."

Daniel's hand trembled slightly at his side. Forcing a smile, he replied, "Listen to yourself."

Just as she was about to turn away, he suddenly called out to her. His voice was urgent, strained—filled with a sudden panic and determination, as if awakening from a dream. "Anna! If—if I said I won't go through with it..."

Would you stay?

He left the question unfinished because he saw the look in her eyes.

Anna offered him a gentle smile, clutching her bag as she turned away.

Allowing her heart to shatter into pieces, sinking into a darkness that would never see light again.

They parted ways at the intersection. She didn't ask him to escort her but instead got into a car she'd booked in advance.

He got into his car as well.

Late at night, the vehicle drifted aimlessly through the city streets like a wandering spirit. At some point, the scenery outside his window began to blur and race past. By the time Daniel realized it, the bridge loomed directly ahead.

Panicking, he slammed on the brakes.

The airbags exploded, pushing him back as incessant alarms blared in his ears.

Yet in that moment, the world fell silent. His chest felt heavy, filled with something that made it hard to breathe.

He tried to laugh, but a strange salty taste filled his mouth.

When he woke the next day, he found himself in a hospital room, the sharp scent of antiseptic in the air. The afternoon sun was glaring; he raised a hand to block it, frowning slightly.

Michael stood by the window, peeling an apple. Seeing Daniel awake, he walked over and handed it to him.

As he offered the apple, he took a careful look at him and remarked, "A suicide attempt? Plenty of other fish in the sea—no need for that, is there?"

"You're crazy," Daniel snapped irritably, closing his eyes. "It was an accident."

"Glad to hear it wasn't suicide." Michael pulled up a chair and sat beside him. Noticing Daniel didn't take the apple, he took a bite himself. Looking down calmly, he said, "Try to let it go. Some things are just the way they are and can't be changed."

The hospital room was quiet; not a sound could be heard.

Daniel's face was expressionless. He said nothing.