Chapter 212: Fireworks in the Snow

“Where are you going this late!”

Johnathan turned around. His father, Chase Wynn, stood tall in the dim light not far away. They locked eyes, neither speaking for a long time. Finally, Chase said, “Tomorrow is a big day. Don’t go wandering off.”

Johnathan let out a short, cold laugh. “You have another son, don’t you?”

“The snow’s really coming down. If this keeps up, it’s going to pile up everywhere,” Dickson said, wrapping another dumpling and glancing at the window. “Ms. Sierra, when is Mr. Johnathan coming back? If the snow gets any heavier, flights might be canceled.”

“I don’t know,” Sierra said, checking her phone. “He just said soon.” She had told him before he left that he should stay a few more days, since he hardly ever went home. Johnathan hadn’t exactly agreed or disagreed. She could tell he didn’t have a good relationship with his family. The only time he had ever mentioned them was when he talked about his mother.

Thinking of this, Sierra unlocked her phone again. Two hours had passed since she last messaged him. Still no reply. Grandma was in a particularly good mood tonight. Sierra had thought about sending her to bed early, but seeing her so happy, she decided to stay by her side.

Soon, it was nearly midnight. Bundling up in thick coats, Sierra and Dickson got ready to take Grandma downstairs to set off fireworks. Sierra barely remembered fireworks from her childhood. The only time she ever had them was when she was very little. Grandma had bought them for her. She still remembered the moment. Watching other kids set off fireworks, she had wanted some too. She had gone to ask James—only to be met with a sharp slap across the face. She still remembered his words: “You think I have money for fireworks when I can’t even afford to gamble?” Grandma had stepped in before he could hit her again. Then, she had walked miles just to buy her a tiny pack of sparklers.

Sierra had been so happy she had forgotten about the pain on her face. As she grew older, she stopped asking for fireworks; they had nothing to do with people like them. Even when Sierra’s grandma offered to buy them, she had always refused, saying she didn’t care for them. Last time, at the beach, Johnathan had given her everything she had lost. So yesterday, she and Dickson had bought a whole bunch, just for fun. They had only picked small ones, but even then, Sierra still felt a little nervous.

The first firecracker exploded with a sharp pop. On instinct, she covered her ears. Dickson, on the other hand, was practically bouncing with excitement. He was younger, and tonight, he looked just like a kid again, rushing to light every fuse. The fireworks weren’t big, but they were still beautiful.

As they lit up the night, Sierra suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to see Johnathan. She pulled out her phone and dialed his number. The call connected. But before she could even say a word, a familiar voice sounded nearby. She froze. Looking up, she saw him standing in the distance. Her breath caught. Johnathan!

Without thinking, she ran to him. “You… why are you here?”

Johnathan’s gaze was steady as always. “I missed you,” he said simply. “So I came back.” He had been standing there for a while. He hadn’t expected them to come outside. Watching their smiles, their laughter, he had realized—this was what a real New Year’s looked like.

Sierra had so many questions, but before she could speak, the clock struck midnight. At that moment, she felt Johnathan lean in close. His voice was deep beside her ear. “Happy New Year.”

At that moment, her heart burst open like a firework. “Happy New Year, Johnathan.”

As soon as the door closed behind them, Sierra was pressed up against it. Johnathan caged her in, his lips capturing hers without hesitation. The heat between them flared instantly, raising the temperature of the room by several degrees. His glasses fogged up. Irritated, he pulled them off and tossed them aside. The moment they were gone, the restraint in his eyes vanished. Like a beast finally let loose, he left urgent kisses along her lips, her jaw, her neck. Sierra responded just as fiercely. The moment she saw him standing outside, something inside her had snapped. She needed to do something. Something reckless. Something wild.

They tangled together, breathless, desperate—until suddenly, Johnathan stopped. His breathing was rough, unsteady, full of restraint. His lips hovered by her ear, his voice low and dangerous. “Right now, you still have the chance to push me away.” A pause. “If you don’t… no matter how much you cry later, I won’t stop!”

She should be scared. She had been before. Last time, Johnathan had nearly terrified her. But this time… she didn’t want to stop. Without a word, she gave him her answer.