Two seconds later, she giggled lightly, as though his stern words had rolled right off her. “Alright, then let’s pretend I didn’t make that wish. But if that one doesn’t count, you still owe me a wish for later, okay? You’ll have to agree to one condition in the future!”
Her playful tone was enough to make Christopher chuckle. “Fine. Save it for later.”
Satisfied, Charlotte straightened up, choosing not to press the issue further.
But inside, resentment burned hotter than ever, simmering beneath her polished facade.
This was the first time Christopher had denied her anything—and it was because of that woman, Evelyn, who had only entered their lives five years ago.
In the past, Christopher had entertained other women in his life, but none of them had ever mattered. Charlotte had always been his priority, his constant. If she’d asked him to end things with someone, he wouldn’t have hesitated.
Why was Evelyn different? What made her so special?
If Charlotte hadn’t left for her studies abroad, Evelyn would never have had the chance to worm her way into Christopher’s life.
But no matter. Soon, Charlotte’s health would be restored and time would be on her side. She had no intention of losing to Evelyn.
***
Later that night, when Christopher returned home, he found Evelyn still kneeling in the snow.
Her body trembled from the cold and snowflakes had piled onto her shoulders, forming a thick, undisturbed layer. She hadn’t even bothered to brush them off.
Christopher stood there for a moment, watching her silently. The sight of her like this stirred something unnameable within him—frustration, concern, perhaps guilt.
Finally, he walked toward her and broke the silence.
“Do you know what you did wrong?”
Evelyn’s eyelashes quivered as the frost clinging to them glinted faintly in the moonlight. The icy crust masked most of the emotions in her eyes, leaving her expression unreadable.
Evelyn lifted her head slowly, her voice barely above a whisper, hoarse and broken,
“Chris, my knees hurt.”
Her words hung in the icy air, fragile yet defiant.
Christopher let out a soft sigh, the kind that spoke of exasperation laced with resignation. He crossed his arms, visibly trying to rein in his temper.
“Evelyn, you know Charlotte and I grew up together. I’ve always been close to her and I care about her like family. That’s not something you can just change.”