Chapter 219
Once the children were ready, I turned my attention to myself.
Tonight was important, and I wanted to feel like my best self, despite the many thoughts swirling in my mind.
I slipped into a long, tailored coat of deep crimson wool, the fabric soft and heavy, keeping the cold at bay.
Underneath, I wore a simple yet elegant black dress, the fabric clinging to my form in just the right way, with a high neckline and sleeves that flared at
the wrists.
My boots were black, sleek, and practical, made for walking through snowy streets but stylish enough for the evening’s plans.
Tranced in the mirror, adjusting the fur trimmed hood of my coat.
My reflection stared back at me, calm and composed, though beneath the surface, my heart fluttered with a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite name.
My lips were painted a soft shade of red, matching the coat, and I had let my hair fall loosely around my shoulders, a soft wave catching the light.
With the children in tow, we left the house, the cold winter air nipping at our cheeks as we made our way through the snow–covered streets.
The city was alive with the spirit of Christmas–twinkling colored lights draped over storefronts, evergreen wreaths adorning every door, and the smell of roasting chestnuts drifting through the air.
Snowflakes fell softly, landing on our coats and hair, dusting the ground like sugar.
As we passed through the park on our way to the restaurant, something caught Shirlika’s attention.
“Mummy, look!” she exclaimed, tugging at my hand.
I followed her gaze and saw it–a beautiful wishing pool, nestled in the heart of the park, surrounded by a light dusting of snow.
The water was crystal clear, shimmering as though tiny stars had fallen from the sky and settled on its surface.
A statue of a fairy stood in the center, holding a water bottle, from which a gentle stream of water poured, as though she were blessing the earth with
sweetrain.
The pool had always held a certain magic for me, even as a young girl.
Now, in the quiet of the snowy evening, it seemed even more enchanting.
Lights were strung around the pool, casting a soft glow on the water’s surface.
The snowflakes that fell did not melt but instead floated gently, creating a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere.
People had gathered around the pool, their eyes closed, hands clasped together in prayer or hope, making their wishes to the universe.
“Mummy, I want to make a wish too!” Shirlika cried, letting go of my hand and dashing toward the pool.
“Shirlika, wait! Don’t run!” Sherlock called after her, his usual calm demeanor breaking for a moment as he hurried after his sister.
I smiled, watching them. Shirlika, ever the adventurous spirit, had already closed her eyes, her hands pressed together as she whispered her wish into
the cold air.
Sherlock, though he often pretended to be above such things, had followed suit, his eyes closed, his expression serious as always.
I stood back, letting them have their moment, though I couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia.
When I was their age, I had stood by this very pool, hands clasped in the same way, wishing fervently for the chance to meet my beloved.
That wish had never come true, of course. Life had taken me in directions I could never have predicted, and the dreams of my youth had faded like whispers in the wind.
But now, here I was, watching my children make their own wishes, their breath visible in the cold winter air.
12.51
After I Amazed the World the Cold Alpha Regretted
9.1%
Chapter 219
“I wish. Dad would appear beside me,” Shirlika whispered, her voice barely audible as snowflakes settled on her head.
She sniffled, her nose red from the cold, but her wish was clear, pure, and full of longing.
Sherlock didn’t say his wish out loud, but I knew in my heart it was the same.
After all, what little boy wouldn’t wish to meet his father?
A familiar ache rose in my chest as I thought of Leo.
He had been such a huge part of my life, and his absence had left an emptiness that still lingered.
The emotions that stirred within me now were no longer just sorrow and regret.
re was something deeper, a mix of love and hate that I had learned to live with.
But time had changed me.
I had found my own happiness, built my own peace,
and I no
longer waited for someone else to fill the spaces in my life.
“Shirlika, Sherlock, it’s time to go,” I said gently, urging them to leave the pool.
But as I turned to walk away, something caught my eye–a reflection in the water.
My heart skipped a beat, my breath catching in my throat.
