Chapter 437

The temperature dropped daily until it began snowing at night. Snowfall was infrequent in Sapphine City; when it did snow, a thin layer would cover the trees before melting away.

Heading toward Brown City, the scenery changed dramatically. Sapphine's snowfall resembled sleet—a rain containing ice crystals. Brown City was different.

The farther they traveled toward Brown City, the heavier the snowfall became. Instead of tiny droplets, large snowflakes fell, and the snow on the ground grew deeper. By the time they reached the Lodge house, the snow by the roadside was already ankle-deep.

"Sapphine City isn't far from Brown City. I didn't expect such a difference! It's snowing heavily here," Lily exclaimed, stepping out of the car to catch a snowflake. Soon, snow clung to her head, shoulders, and palm, refusing to melt immediately. Years had passed since she'd last seen snow; its presence lifted her spirits.

"That's the house. It's been a while since you've been back, hasn't it?" Alexander draped a shawl around her and handed her a cup of hot chocolate. The car's thermos held hot water, and the prepared hot chocolate was fragrant. While not comparable to home, it was comforting. Lily took a sip and nodded. "Yeah. It's probably been… six or seven years!" She hadn't returned since leaving for college. Her studies kept her on campus, and her holidays were filled with experiments, material checks, and information gathering—plenty of reasons to avoid returning.

Her grandfather, Wilfred, was stubborn and wouldn't have persuaded her to return. In his words, "If she doesn't want to come back, so be it! Do I need to beg her?" Lily felt he hadn't loved her much. Her memories were filled with endless practice, study, exercise, and tests, even at home. A peaceful night's sleep was a luxury.

After her mother's death, she felt Wilfred's affection disappear. More importantly, she likely blamed him for her mother's death, creating a distance between them.

She might have longed for family warmth as a child, but not as an adult. She simply wanted to escape the Lodge family, the suffocating environment, and live freely, even alone. Their relationship fractured completely when she began dating Nathaniel. Her grandfather, previously unconcerned, became furious upon learning about her relationship with an "ordinary" man, vehemently disapproving. Lily rebelled, his disapproval solidifying her determination to be with Nathaniel, ultimately leading her to sever ties with her grandfather.

"Lily? Lily." Snapped back to the present by Alexander's voice, Lily turned to him. His eyes held worry. "Were you reminiscing?"

She grinned and nodded.

"If you're still uncomfortable and don't want to face it yet, we can go back," Alexander offered.

"No need. It's been a long time since I last returned. It's time to see Grandpa." Lily had left for years. Could she cut off contact forever? She knew it was impossible. Now, in a relationship with Alexander, she should inform her family, regardless of their reaction.

"Let's go!" Alexander, seeing her resolve, took her empty cup and disposed of it in the car's trash can. Lily smiled and squeezed his hand. With him, she feared nothing.

The remaining journey was short, and they soon arrived at the Lodge family home.