I had seen that very ring sitting in Rowan's online shopping cart. Back then, I had believed it was meantto be our engagement ring.

My eyes burned red and my vision blurred as I glanced down at the simple silver band I had cherished so deeply. Now, it felt like a cruel joke mocking me.

I stayed awake the entire night, alternating between pleading and praying, desperate for some miracle that might save my grandmother. But all the while, Rowan's heart was elsewhere, entangled with another woman.

The pain in my chest was so intense that I doubled over, clutching myself as tears streamed down my face. A bitter smile twisted my lips as I mocked myself for being a fool.

Deep down, I knew there was no longer anything left to ask. Everything was painfully clear.

So, I typed out a comment. [I wish you a long life together.]

Rowan saw my message and almost immediately, my phone lit up with his furious call. "Why did you say that to Madeline? Was it necessary to be so cruel to a stranger, especially when she's sick?"

My throat tightened painfully as I forced back a sob. Gritting my teeth, I choked out, "Rowan… Grandma passed away. Where are you?"

I heard the sudden panic in his voice. "Amara, I'll be there soon. Please… please don't cry."

I knelt by the coffin, surrounded by the quiet stillness of winter. The snow was falling gently, its cold touch seeping into my bones as I waited for Rowan.

In a low voice, he whispered, "Amara, I'm sorry… I'm late."

My eyes stung as I looked up, words hovering on my lips, ready to break free. But just then, I heard a voice that froze me to the core.

"Rowan..."

The sound lodged in my throat, trapping everything I wanted to say. Turning my head, I found myself staring into the face of Madeline.

Rowan stood up quickly. He took the scarf he had been holding and carefully wrapped it around her neck. "It's freezing out here and you just had surgery. Why did you go outside like this?"

His tone held a hint of anxiousness, a familiar note that reminded me so much of how he used to sound when he was worried about me.

Outside, snowflakes fell in a silent flurry, drifting down to cling to my hair, their icy chill brushing against the corners of my eyes, freezing me from the inside out.

Madeline buried her face deeper into her scarf, her eyes blinking up at him with an almost childlike look of grievance." I just wanted to see you, nothing more."