It was sickeningly solemn.

The clinking of plates, and metallic scrape of forks resonating filled peals across the room. My eyes dimly blurred with every bite; I couldn't stomach eating breakfast, and my figure refused. I felt the cramped inferiority of my existence within this family.

Across the table, my eyes briefly met another. Saint.

Such a unique name for a devilish person, labeled as 'Saint' but fully embodying a fiend.

Seven years ago, I had once considered him as a close 'brother' yet just a half year ago, he became the lunatic who wished me hell and my parent's downfall.

I inwardly scoffed, shifting to my seat as I hesitantly excused myself from the dining room.

I dropped my gaze and pushed back my chair. “Excuse me,” I muttered, my voice barely audible.

No one cared to respond. The 'Madam'—the partner of the head of this wretched family—waved a hand dismissively as a sign while I bowed and left.

The hallway stretched endlessly as I walked, my fingers trailing the intricate carvings of the Palladian windows.

This wasn't my home.

This house that I lived in wasn't where I truly belonged; this family wasn't mine, and neither was the life they'd forced on me. The people who lived here weren't people I could trust.

My reflection felt imprisoned, living fairly in a capacious mansion but seemingly cramped like a caged animal.

My parents— they've been murdered, covered up in a car accident. It was missing details, someone set them up. Way back seven years ago, I was taken in by the Leone family, the corporate partner, and mentioned to be close acquaintances with my parents.

As far as I know, the Leone group is undergoing an illegal business and operating as a criminal organization behind. Surely, my mother's hatred for such people must have ignited alarming reactions from the Leones.

The crime incident was planned meticulously, from start to finish. They made sure all was wiped out, however, they spared the Liu's descendant, Winter Liu.

My eyes observed the distorted reflection of my figure on the window.

I wonder why? During that very day, I was supposed to go with them. Yet, Saint— At that time, the seemingly frail boy with blonde hair and hauntingly pure eyes who was always quiet when he was sent to me as a playmate wailed for the first time we were always together. He threw a tantrum and gripped my clothes, begging me to stay with him to play.

The vivid faces of my parents who then felt pity for Saint, urged me to stay with him. They reasoned that it was fine for them to go by themselves.

“Winter, stay with Saint for a while,” my mother had said gently, her eyes softening at his tears. “We’ll be back soon.”

By then, I was left alone in our mansion with him.

I didn’t want to stay. But Saint had clung to me, his small hands fisting the fabric of my dress as he sobbed uncontrollably as if fearing I would disappear.

After creating a scene, he didn't speak nor did I try to.

That entire day, he never spoke a word to me, but his grip never loosened. Saint clung beside me, his face was buried in my side, and he cried until his voice was hoarse, whispering my name like a prayer.

Winter..." Saint hiccupped, tears continuously flowing. "W-Winter... Winter..."

He continuously muttered as I just patted his back softly. That eleven-year-old boy just seemed pure and pitiful. I felt this was the reason why mother felt pity for him; she mentioned Saint had such a lonesome childhood in their family.

Honestly, I wondered why he eagerly forced me to stay with him to play. However, he did not seem to show signs of being eager to play at that time and we only clinged to each other the whole day.

At that time, I felt responsible and pity for the same-aged boy beside me.

Even then, there was something unnerving about him. Something I couldn’t fathom.

———

"Winter..." A familiar voice pulled me from my thoughts.

Glancing back at the window, my hand softly gripped the window's handle, gradually opening it.

As the wind gushed inside, the figure came close and slowly wrapped his arm around my waist. Consequently, he pulled me into his embrace, leaving a kiss on my ear and then resting his head on the crook of my neck.

His grip hinted at deep affection yet just as equal aggression as he bit into the flesh of my neck provocatively.

"...Ah!" I winced in response. It was obvious his lips were forming a smile markedly on my neck as he softly kissed it.

"Why'd you leave breakfast so early?" He voiced out, affectionately pecking my hair.

"..." I stiffened, refusing to answer. My gaze locked on the sprawling garden beyond the glass.

He scoffed as he continued to lock me in his embrace, slowly covering a hand to block my sight, "What were you thinking about?" He whispered near my ear with a kiss on the same spot.

"Winter, you'd better forget about it." He muttered.

"Look at that," he said, removing his hand to guide my gaze. "The little white dove we cared for when we were young is back; I bought it just for you."

Near the greenhouse, a small ornamental cage adorned with red salvias hung beside the hibiscus plants I had been tending. Inside it was a white dove, its feathers pristine and pure. Wrapped around one of its fragile legs was a red salvia.

The dove struggled, its wings beating against the bars, but it couldn’t escape

Bang!— The sound of a gunshot tore through the air, and my heart lurched.

The gunshot cracked through the greenhouse, the bullet shattering a pane of glass. Fragments scattered like icy rain, startling the dove in its cage and sending the villa’s serenity spiraling into chaos.

I froze, my breath catching. A tight knot of shock formed in my chest as I turned towards the commotion.

Through the window, I caught sight of a young girl.

Her pale brown hair fell into disarray as she combed her fingers through it with visible irritation. She wore frustration like a second skin, her brows furrowed in a petty scowl. Without a glance at the damage she’d caused, she dropped the rifle with an audible clatter, her lips moving in inaudible curses.

She sank onto one of the benches nestled between the plants, folding her arms.

If her aim had been true, she’d have killed the white dove in the cage. For no reason.

“Stellar,” I muttered under my breath, a mix of disbelief and exhaustion in my voice.

She was two years younger than me, the third-in-line of the Leone family—an infuriating rank that allowed her to play the reckless little tyrant. Above her was Kai Leone, and at the top of the hierarchy stood Saint Leone, the eldest and heir to the family’s empire.

The one lingering just behind me.

A scoff broke the silence as his grip on me slackened. I turned slightly, catching his face in the dim light.

Saint had grown into his sharp features—a jawline honed like a blade and eyes that seemed to see more than he let on. He was a far cry from the boy I had once liked.

“Leaving?” I asked softly, my voice steady.

He smirked, tilting his head as if amused. “Will you miss me that much?”

I said nothing, but his mouth widened and affectionate smile.

“I’ll be back,” he said casually, like a promise that meant nothing. His gaze flickered toward the dove’s cage. “I just need to retrieve that little bird you care so much about.”

I stiffened. “Do whatever you like. I don’t care about the dove.”

“Of course, you don’t,” he said with a low chuckle.

The air between us shifted, colder now, but not from the approaching winter.

“Winter’s coming soon,” he said, his tone lighter as if we were discussing something trivial. “Stay in the villa. Don’t wander too much. Rest in your room.”

His lips brushed my forehead—a gesture that should have been warm yet so cold.

I nodded, unable to look at him. His footsteps faded into the hall.

“Okay,” I whispered to no one.

My chest tightened, and before I could stop myself, tears spilled.

These days, I seem to be unhappy, don’t I?

———

Winter came quietly.

The first snow settled over the villa like a thin shroud, muffling the world outside. Frost crept along the window panes, turning the glass into a mosaic of ice.

I sat by the window, my knees pulled to my chest, watching the snowfall.

It was beautiful, but I didn’t feel it. All I could think about was how much longer I’d be trapped here.

Should I leave? Could I even organize a plan? The thought made me feel pathetic. The Leone family had taken me in when I was twelve. Back then, I had been so young, so desperate for protection that obedience had felt natural.

By fifteen, I’d been handed over like a toy—entitled to Saint. He cajoles me, making me feel like I have him under my palm, but at the same time, I feel like a puppet, manipulated by his likes.

Now, at eighteen, I realize it—he’s trained me too well.

I glance back at the window.

How much longer until winter ends—or until I find a way out?

Thud!

The door burst open, slamming into the wall with a force that rattled the room.

I shot up from the seat.

A young maiden was harshly thrown to the ground. A familiar confidant of mine and one of the cleaning ladies in charge of the villa.

"Eleanor!" I went to the young girl. She was coughing blood. "No... Eli, what happened?"

I knelt beside Eleanor, my heart pounding in my chest, the blood that stained her lips. Her mouth tried to open, but no words were able to come out; her complexion paled severely and showed signs of harsh beating.

"Eleanor," I whispered urgently, but her eyes were unfocused, a shallow breath escaping her as she struggled to speak.

I turned my head slowly, my eyes narrowing as I faced the person standing near the door.

"Stellar?" My voice faltered in confusion.

She showed up, heaving furiously.

"You damned klutz!" She spat, her hand stiked my face with a sharp crack. Her lips curled into a sneer, "You and that insufferable little rat..."

Her attention snapped to Eleanor, the young maid trembling on her knees. With a cruel grip, Stellar seized her hair and yanked her forward like a lifeless doll.

"Guess what this b*tch did to me!?" Stellar snarled, dragging Eleanor further as the young girl whimpered in pain. "She dared to humiliate me— spilled drinks on me in front of my friends!" Her voice rose to a shrill pitch as her foot stomped violently against the floor.

"Stop!" I cried, my exhaustion weighing heavy on my chest, "Why are you doing this?"

"Why?" Stellar scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain, "Because this little maid of yours thinks she can make a fool out of me!" Her grip on Eleanor's hair tightened, wrenching another cry from the girl's lips. "This rat and you, a useless, pathetic b*tch, really are perfect for each other!"

I tremble, frozen between rage and helplessness. Eleanor's breath grew shallow, her body slumping against Stellar's merciless pull.

"S-Stellar.. please stop." I begged, "She made a mistake. Let her go. That's enough, yeah?"

But my pleas only seemed to spur her further. With a twisted grin, Stellar began tearing through the room knocking over vases and shattering glasses in her wake. Shards littered the floor, sparkling like ice as Eleanor's fragile body was dragged into the chaos.

"Stop... please."

"Stellar Alana Leone..." I murmured weakly, the sharp chill of winter seeping into my bones. My health had been waning since the winter set in, and my body felt like it could give out at any moment.

Still, I forced myself to speak.

"Stop... this, at once." My voice wavered.

For a moment, she stilled. Then came the laughter— low, cruel, and echoing with mockery. It chilled me far more than the frost ever could.

"Ah. Well, aren't you just pitiful?" She hissed, finally releasing Eleanor, who crumpled to the ground in a heap.

I gritted my teeth, clasping my clothes lightly.

"Winter," She began with icy disdain, "you know very well your place in this house, don't you? A lapdog, surviving only because Saint allows it. You don't get to command anyone here. And you espcially don't get to command me."

"You don't get to command anyone in this house. Most importantly, not when I'm the one you're talking with!" She grips my hair.

Her hand shot forward, tangling in my hair. I gasped, struggling against her harsh grip.

"Stellar Leone," I bit out through gritted teeth, "you'll regret this."

She paused, her gaze narrowing as a mocking smirk spread across her face. Silence enveloped the room, broken only by Eleanor's faint sobs. Stellar's eyes flicked to the broken shards gathered around us, glinting with malicious intent.

Without warning, she seized a jagged piece of glass from the floor and turned it over her hand. My breath caught as she brought it closer to my face.

"Let's see," She mused, "Do you think Saint will still love you if this pretty little face gets scarred?"

The glass hovered dangerously close to my cheek as her grin widened. "What do you think? Do you think he'd cry for you? Or may he'd finally see what you are—worthless."

I met her gaze, my body trembling, but my voice steadied with resolve. "Do as you like, Stellar. And when Saint finds out, it won't be me he despises."

Her smirk fell just slightly. But the shard didn't lower.