Falling for a Lie, My Stepbrother’s Hidden Revenge. novel Chapter 87

After taking photos, Asher and Sylvia began building a snowman in the courtyard.

Sylvia created an adorable large snowman about half her height.

She adorned it with a scarlet scarf and a little crimson hat, then used her peach oolong tea-colored lipstick to give the snowman rosy cheeks.

Asher leaned close to her ear, his breath warm against her skin. "Those rosy cheeks are utterly enchanting, just like yours when you're... flustered."

Sylvia laughed, a delicate blush rising to her own cheeks at his suggestive tone. "Of course they are—this is my very own daughter, after all."

After completing the snowman, Sylvia brushed the snow off her gloves and looked at their creation with the pride of a new parent. "We simply must give her a proper name, don't you think?"

"Capital idea," Asher's lips curved upward, his eyes never leaving Sylvia's face. "How about Sugar? It sounds rather like your name, Via. Sweet... irresistible... tempting..."

Sylvia's eyes brightened, ignoring—or perhaps enjoying—his playful innuendo. "That's absolutely perfect. Sugar it is."

"Let's take a family portrait, shall we?" Asher suggested, his smile warm and tender as his hand found the small of her back, drawing her just a fraction closer than strictly necessary.

"I'd love that," she replied, taking the camera. "I'll find someone to help us."

Sylvia approached the young couple who had been building snowmen earlier. "Excuse me, would you mind awfully taking a photo for us?"

"Of course," the young woman took the camera. "Though I'm not terribly familiar with how to use this contraption."

Sylvia leaned in to show her. "The settings are already adjusted. You need only press here."

"Right, I see."

"Thank you ever so much."

"It's no trouble at all." The young woman whispered to Sylvia, "You and your boyfriend make such a gorgeous couple. Are you Instagram influencers or something of the sort?"

Sylvia shook her head, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Goodness, no. And thank you—you're quite lovely yourself."

After taking photos, Sylvia and Asher visited a famous spot nearby.

It was a traditional inn with a distinctly historical ambiance. From the carved wooden windows on the third floor, one could see the snow-capped mountains in the distance, embodying the poetic sentiment of "the window frames a thousand years of snow on the western mountains."

Most tourists visiting Annecy made a point of taking photos here.

The town had been trending online for some time, and Sylvia had long wanted to visit. She had previously planned an itinerary that included this inn, but Drake had refused to accompany her.

Drake had never failed to disappoint when it came to dampening enthusiasm.

"It's just standing by a window looking at mountains. What's so special about that? I'll take you to Switzerland someday—the mountains there are truly worth seeing."

Sylvia's excitement had been extinguished by his cold water. Later, when work became busy, she no longer had time to go, and eventually forgot about it.

Now, more than two years later, she had finally made it.

Only this time, she was here with Asher.

A cold breeze blew past, causing Sylvia to suddenly sneeze.

"Chilly, my darling?" Asher pulled up the hood of Sylvia's down jacket and placed it over her head, his fingers lingering to brush a strand of hair from her face. "Keep your hood up to block the wind. I can think of much more pleasant ways to make you shiver."

"I want to take photos soon, and the hood won't look particularly fetching in pictures."

"You can take it off for the photos. The wind is rather brutal now—be a good girl for me."

"All right," Sylvia looked at Asher, her eyes playful. "Are you cold as well?"

Asher smiled, his eyes darkening slightly. "A kiss would warm me rather thoroughly."

"So you're not cold then."

"Cold or not, I still want a kiss. Call it... payment for services rendered last night."

Sylvia couldn't help but smile at him. This man who normally appeared so cool and distant was always subtly seeking affection when they were together.

Like now—by his stance, it was clear he wouldn't budge until she kissed him.

Sylvia smiled helplessly and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him.

With Asher's height approaching six feet three inches, he stood more than a head taller than Sylvia. Even on her tiptoes, she couldn't reach him.

"Lower your head, you impossible man," the young woman pouted. "I can't reach you."

Something grew increasingly clear in his mind.

The girl had once smiled and clung to his arm, playfully begging him to take her to Annecy. She had dreamed of the snow-capped mountains and the quaint, historical inn.

What had he said then?

He couldn't quite remember.

He only recalled making excuses to refuse her, watching the smile fade from her face, her disappointment painfully evident.

He had understood everything clearly in his heart, but he hadn't wanted to comfort her or compromise. He had felt it unnecessary—it was just casual fun, after all. There was no future with her anyway.

Now he had come, but she was no longer by his side.

Drake's lips tightened, his heart clenching painfully, his chest constricting, nearly suffocating him.

The couple stopped in front of him.

Asher's lips curled into a mocking smile. "What a remarkable coincidence. We seem to encounter you at every turn."

Drake's lips were rigid, his jaw tense. He ignored Asher, staring fixedly at Sylvia, his eyes flashing with pleading. "Sylvia, I'm here now. Just like you wanted."

Sylvia's expression was cold. "What are you talking about? I never made any arrangements with you."

A flash of pain crossed Drake's eyes. "Two years ago, you said you wanted to come here. I was busy then, but I'm here now. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"Belated sincerity is worth less than grass," Sylvia's tone was measured, her expression calm and detached. Though she appeared polite, her words were anything but. "And those who pretend to be sincere are worth even less."

"Look, Sylvia..." Drake's eyes mingled with regret and pain. "Can't you give me another shot? I can make it up to you. I swear I can."

"Hah." Asher laughed, his eyes filled with contempt. "You? You're scarcely worthy to speak her name."

Sylvia's expression remained cold. "Drake, your persistent harassment is becoming exceedingly tiresome. Each time you appear, I find myself more thoroughly weary of you."

Drake humbled himself completely, his voice trembling: "Then what do I need to do to make you look back at me just once?"

Sylvia stared at him, enunciating each word clearly: "Nothing. That will never happen. Not in this lifetime."