Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
What lay before them was a blanket of white, the trees glittering with icy crystals, a scene of pure enchantment.
“This is our first snow since we’ve been here,” Roscoe announced.
“Would you like to make a wish?”
It was said that wishes made on the first snowfall would come true.
Nicole smiled, nodded, and closed her eyes to make her wish.
Since their arrival, Nicole had smiled more often than in all her previous years combined. She found happiness in the small stuff, Like Wednesday video chats with Austin, Roscoe’s return with supplies, and Keith’s playful antics. All these things made her truly value the beauty of life. This was something she never imagined in her previous life.
Nicole bowed her head with reverence and wished quietly, “I hope every day forward is like today, simple yet joyful.”
Roscoe glanced at her, his eyelashes dusted with snowflakes, creating a stunning image.
As Nicole opened her eyes, she offered him a gentle smile. “Won’t you make a wish too?”
With a serious expression, Roscoe responded, “My wish is already right here, beside me.”
Their eyes met, holding each other’s gaze in the quiet, snow-covered landscape.
The cold air had brought a rosy flush to Nicole’s cheeks. She whispered, “Roscoe, once we bring Austin here, let’s make this place his home.”
Roscoe was shocked, taking a while to gather his thoughts. Happiness caught him off guard, like the snowfall today.
Over the last six months, Roscoe had clung to Nicole’s words, understanding that her emotional wounds were deep and might not heal quickly, so he had never pressed the issue.
He had thought that even if Nicole never fully healed, living out their days like this wouldn’t be too bad. He was prepared to protect her and Austin for a lifetime. Whether as a family member, an uncle, or a brother, he was content with any role.
Everyone harbored desires. Ignoring them didn’t make them vanish.
“Nicole, this isn’t a dream, is it?” With a sharp “slap,” Roscoe hit himself, his cheek flushing red from the force.
Nicole flinched and reached to caress his cheek, asking softly, “Why would you do that to yourself?”
Grasping her hand firmly, Roscoe held it tight. “Nicole, could you repeat that? It feels like I’m dreaming.”
Nicole could feel his hand shaking. She had pondered this decision for a long time. She had once tried to push Roscoe toward starting anew without her, but it hadn’t taken root.
Austin needed a stable father figure, and Nicole needed someone who could help mend her brokenness. The thought that Roscoe might be that person breathed new life into her hopes.
Knowing she was alive and wanting to live fully, moving forward was exactly what she needed to do. After all, Roscoe had already made significant strides toward her.
Today, she needed to muster her courage and take this step as well.
“Roscoe, I want to be with you. Would you…” Before Nicole could complete her thought, his lips gently pressed against her forehead.
It was a simple gesture, free of any intense desire, yet she clearly felt his tremor.
Roscoe felt that, for these words alone, risking his life a thousand times over would be worthwhile.
“Nicole, my dear Nicole, I love you.” Cupping her face in his hands, his voice shook as he said, “I will love you and Austin all my life.”
Nicole leaned her head against Roscoe’s chest, feeling his heart beat rapidly, yet to her, it was the most reassuring sound in the world.
By Roscoe’s side, Nicole felt a deep sense of security. He managed everything with such care and tenderness. At times, she almost believed he was older than her by several years.
She couldn’t pinpoint exactly when he had won her heart. Maybe it was his refusal to swear on her name, or perhaps it was the night they escaped together, or maybe it was their first night in the mountain village by the bonfire, leaning on his reassuring presence…
And every day, from sunrise to sunset, whenever he came back smiling…
Each moment made her heart skip a beat.
Roscoe, being quite resourceful, had fitted the tricycle with winter tires and powerful LED headlights, perfect for mountain driving.
Though it appeared simple, this tricycle was as costly as a mid-range car and was fully equipped for safety.
Roscoe had chosen this modest tricycle for their mountain journeys.
Today, however, luck was not on their side. Even the best vehicles could have problems, and their tricycle broke down halfway home.
Stepping out to inspect it, Roscoe found the battery had likely frozen due to the cold.
With no choice, he helped Nicole out, and they started to walk home.
It was many miles from their house, much too far for Nicole to walk.
Though Roscoe had taken good care of her, her body wasn’t up for such a long journey.
Roscoe stooped down and said, “Nicole, climb on. I’ll carry you.”
Realizing the distance still ahead, Nicole refused, “It’s okay. I can walk for a bit. I’ll let you know when I can’t continue.”
“No, it’s too slippery with the snow. Just hop on.” Roscoe stayed low, waiting. Turning to Nicole, he challenged, “What, don’t you think I can handle it? I am a man, after all.”
He spoke playfully, his eyes twinkling with youthful mischief.
Roscoe was well-mannered and handsome, and at times, his youthful side showed through. Nicole surmised had he been from a simple family, he might have been living a content life with a wife and parents.
Sadly, he belonged to the Watts family, and unluckily, he had come across her…
Without warning, Roscoe straightened up and lifted Nicole into his arms, causing her to instinctively cling to him, exclaiming, “Hey! What are you doing? Put me down.”
“Since you won’t let me carry you on my back, I’ll hold you in my arms all the way home, my princess,” Roscoe playfully teased with a smile, his handsome face glowing in the snowy scenery.
Nicole’s cheeks warmed. Though younger, Roscoe’s flirtations often caught her off guard. She didn’t feel much Like the older sister in these moments. It seemed she had truly found the right person…
Clinging to him, she whispered, “If you get tired, I’ll get down.”
“I won’t get tired!” Roscoe spoke with a voice full of strength and clarity, showing no signs of weariness. “Nicky, I’m overjoyed. You’re here with me, and we’ll soon live with Austin. Thank you for making my dreams come true…”
Nicole felt a warmth in her heart. Roscoe’s actions and words had constantly reassured her that she was not a burden to him. In his view, she was his dream, his future, his everything…
For someone often shadowed by pessimism, meeting someone as bright and hopeful as Roscoe felt like finding a life raft in a frozen abyss. One would be determined to hold on tightly.
As Nicole rested her head on his shoulder, the tears that fell from her eyes were still warm. Meeting Roscoe was the most fortunate event of her life.
“Nicky, can you promise me something?” Roscoe suddenly asked.
“What is it?”
“Whatever happens in the future, never lose hope. Remember, you have me and Austin. We are men, and it’s our duty to protect you for a lifetime!”
Nicole was silent for a moment. Since moving to this small mountain village, she hadn’t thought about death anymore. She saw every new day as a gift of hope and often prayed for more time to spend with Austin and Roscoe…
She couldn’t even think about what might happen if she weren’t around.
The mere idea ripped at her heart, filling her with fear and sorrow, making her cling to life even more desperately and dread the thought of death.
She understood why Roscoe would pray occasionally. Sometimes, the only thing one could do was pray for divine mercy.
Nicole whispered, “I promise you, no matter what, I’ll keep going.”
Roscoe was finally relieved. His main concern had always been Nicole’s mental state, fearing that any unexpected event might break her spirit.
Nicole’s cheek rested against his shoulder, feeling his warmth Like a small sun. She spoke. “Please promise me to take care of yourself. Don’t be reckless, and learn when to bow your head, okay?”
Remembering past experiences caused her heart to tremble. A kind soul Like Roscoe shouldn’t be destroyed by his own stubbornness.
“I promise. We’ll both make the most of our lives, watch Austin grow, see him get married and have kids.”
“Good.”
The snow-covered landscape stretched endlessly ahead, and a crack formed in the otherwise clear sky above.
Yet, those wrapped in warmth and joy noticed none of this, unaware of the impending shift in the weather.
In the town, a black SUV sat parked by the roadside, shuddering continuously, occasionally emitting sounds like a woman in pain.
After some time, the car’s shaking finally stopped.
A fat, unkempt man opened the door, frowning deeply. “Now, get out.”
“Sir, you promised to buy me a necklace…” The woman, wearing a restaurant uniform, was likely a waitress.
The man threw a handful of hundred-dollar bills at the woman’s face, cursing, “Get lost! With your looks, count yourself lucky I didn’t vomit on you. And a necklace? I see you as nothing more than a living necklace, you skinny wretch…”
The waitress wasn’t going to accept this quietly. She felt nearly abused to death, and this little amount of money was the man’s dismissive gesture. “Sir, how can you do this? You promised me a necklace, and that’s why I got into your car. You’re not keeping your word…”
“Slap!” The man slapped the waitress, knocking her to the ground.