The Winter Knows No Frost

Olive Winters’ voice lingered in my ears like a haunting refrain. “Maybe I should take Neal instead. Eira’s so delicate, and Liam’s strength would better protect her.”I jolted awake, memories of my past life crashing over me like a relentless wave.Before I could speak, she turned to the elder of the twin bodyguards, Liam Ramos, with practiced gracious poise. “Liam, I entrust my sister to you. Protect her well.”I stared at her, my heart gone cold.In my previous life, her feigned kindness ensnared me completely. After she chose Liam, I hesitated—and she offered to swap bodyguards.I naively believed she cared about me.In truth, she’d already counted on my soft heart, certain I would never accept anyone’s “sacrifice.”That way, she could keep the bodyguard she wanted and burnish her reputation for kindness.I didn’t see her true face until our father’s enemies kidnapped us.This time, I cut her performance short. “Alright.”Olive froze, her face a mask of shock. She hadn't

Richard stepped in, frowning. "Eira, is this truly your wish?""Yes," I confirmed. "I want neither of them."The two men's faces tightened. Neal glared, as if questioning my audacity. It stirred a familiar pang and ignited my suspicion."And your safety?" Richard asked, his concern a hollow pretense."I wish to join the company," I replied. "The professional security team there will ensure my protection."...Richard hesitated, then agreed.In my past life, I poured my heart into Neal, blind to the workings of our family's enterprise, which left me isolated and vulnerable. This time, I would seize control of my destiny, starting with mastering the company's operations.Richard placed me in the marketing department, starting at the lowest rung.He likely assumed I'd falter quickly, but I immersed myself in the work. During the day, I learned from seasoned colleagues; at night, I devoured professional texts.My efforts bore fruit, and soon I was making significant strides.Col

...The car drove through the night, stopping at a secluded dock by dawn.I stared at the cargo ship's silhouette against the horizon and exhaled deeply. Wallace handed me a black suitcase with new identity papers and cash."This ship will take you to Singapore, and then you'll fly to Switzerland," he said. "Your mother left a trust fund there, and her loyal staff manage her businesses. They'll meet you. She told me to keep this safe, in case the Winters ever failed you."I traced the suitcase's cold metal lock, my eyes stinging. My mother had never mentioned this, but she'd planned my escape long ago.Before I boarded the ship, Wallace grabbed my wrist, worry in his eyes. "Switzerland is cold, Miss. Your leg..."I squeezed his rough hand, its calluses grounding me. "Don't worry, Wallace. I'm no longer the girl who wept over a fall."As the horn cut through the morning fog, I glanced at his hunched figure on the dock and stepped onto the gangway.Out at sea, my phone lost signa

"I had the black market's contacts dig into our past," Liam said. "We were not orphans. Our parents were killed by Richard's enemies. He took us in to mold us into sacrificial pawns."Neal's eyes widened. "What?""He knew our origins," Liam explained. "He bound us to Olive to make us loyal, even dying for them. That kidnapping wasn't an accident. He leaked the location to test us."Neal's world spun. He had believed pursuing Olive was his choice, but it was all a manipulation. His coldness toward me and his devotion to Olive were both part of Richard's design.He gripped the file, nearly tearing it. His eyes, once fixed on Olive, clouded with regret."What about Eira?" he asked hoarsely.Liam pulled out a photo. "The black market said Richard targeted her mother's fortune, even scheming against infant Eira. If her mother hadn't moved key assets overseas, Eira would've been..."He trailed off, but the implication pierced Neal like an icicle.He remembered me in my past life, rea

Seeing my resolve, Kirk relented. "Alright, I'll bolster security."Days later, Liam and Neal appeared at the gallery."Eira!" Neal's voice was rougher than I remembered.I turned to see them standing there, one behind the other. He continued, "We've been looking for you."I kept my tone flat, treating them like strangers. "Oh."Neal's face paled, and he stepped forward, only to be halted by a guard. The gallery's security, handpicked ex-soldiers, formed a protective semicircle around me."I messed up," Neal said urgently. "In my past life, I was blind, fooled by Olive."I raised a brow, cutting him off with a smirk. "Past life? You seem to know more about it than I do. All I recall is someone feigning muteness and OCD for five years, ignoring me, then throwing his life away for another woman."His lips trembled, his eyes webbed with red. "I-I didn't know she was pretending or that they used us as pawns."I stepped closer and stared at him. Those eyes, once only for Olive, now