Chapter 1

Snowlit Madrigal

“Woah, my baby girl is a fine woman now,” Mom gasped, leaning against the doorway of my bedroom. I was busy fixing my hair and finishing my makeup, considering today was my 20th birthday.

I turned around and offered her a soft smile. She walked over, wrapping her arms around me in a warm embrace.

“You’re so pretty, baby girl. Happy birthday,” she whispered softly, pressing a gentle kiss against my cheek.

I hugged her tighter. Truth be told, I was incredibly lucky to end up with them. Fourteen years ago, they took me in as their own. They didn't just treat me like an adopted child—they loved me as if I had truly come from them.

“Let’s go downstairs. Your Dad and Damon have been waiting for you,” Mom said with a smile.

I smiled back, but a sudden pang of ache throbbed in my chest.

“W-where’s Lion? Is he not here yet?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“He said he’s on his way, so come on, let's head down.”

Mom and I walked down to the dining area. We didn't prepare a grand party because I explicitly asked for a simple family celebration. Dad originally wanted to throw a huge bash, but I insisted on keeping it intimate with just us—a request they willingly granted.

“Look who’s here!” Damon hollered, clapping his hands playfully with that signature taunting smirk of his.

Dad stood up from his seat and walked toward me. “Happy birthday, my daughter,” Dad greeted, pulling me into a warm hug.

“Thank you, Dad,” I replied, casting a quick glare at Damon, who looked like he was already concocting his next round of teasing.

I took a seat beside Mom. Dad sat next to her, while Damon was directly across from me. The chair beside Damon remained empty—the spot reserved for Lion.

“Is Lion still not here? He always loves playing hard to get! Doesn't he know it’s Snow’s birthday today?” Damon grumbled irritably.

I chuckled, looking at his childishly annoyed expression. “You act like it’s your birthday, Lion will be here. He promised me he’d come,” I smiled, which only made him frown deeper.

Before he could retort, the sharp clicking of high heels against the marble floor echoed through the hall. We all turned our heads toward the entrance. Lion stepped inside, and right beside him was a woman. She looked sophisticated, her features gentle and unmistakably kind... but my heart painfully constricted the moment I saw their fingers tightly intertwined.

“Oh, Lion! Perfect timing,” Dad greeted immediately.

“And who’s this pretty lady with you?” Mom asked warmly.

Underneath the dining table, my hands clenched tightly into fists.

“Ah, this is Jewell... my girlfriend,” Lion answered with a soft smile—a single word that shattered my world into pieces.

Girlfriend?

“Finally! I thought you were gonna die as a bachelor!” Damon teased, but out of nowhere, his eyes flicked toward me with an unreadable glint. I forced myself to ignore it.

“Hello, good evening,” Jewell greeted Mom and Dad in a soft, polite voice. Then, her eyes shifted toward me. “You must be Snow. Happy Birthday,” she said cheerfully.

I secretly bit the inside of my lip before flashing her a bright smile. “Thank you. Please, take a seat,” I urged enthusiastically, though inside, I felt like a heavy weight was suffocating the breath right out of my lungs.

“You okay, Snow?” Damon asked suddenly, his eyebrows knitting together. “I mean, let’s start your birthday!” he quickly recovered, but his piercing gaze only made the air feel heavier.

Mom lit the candle on the cake in the center of the table. They sang the birthday song, and right after, I blew out the candle.

“Yeyyy!” Damon cheered, handing me a large paper bag bearing a luxury brand logo. “Happy Birthday, Baby Girl! Make sure you use that all the time!” he winked, drawing a small laugh from me.

“I will, thank you, Damon,” I answered, placing the paper bag on the side.

“Of course, Dad and I won't let ourselves be outdone,” Mom chimed in, handing me a long velvet jewelry box. “We had that customized in London. Try it on, hurry!”

I opened the box, my eyes widening at the sight of an elegant silver necklace featuring a clover pendant with the name Snow delicately engraved on it.

I immediately stood up, walking over to wrap my arms around both Mom and Dad. “Thank you, Mommy. Thank you, Daddy,” I murmured as they both pressed kisses against my cheeks.

Before I could return to my seat, Lion placed a velvet box on the table.

“For you. Happy Birthday,” he said softly with a small smile.

My heart fluttered, but my eyes involuntarily strayed down to his hand—still firmly holding Jewell's.

“Thank you, Lion,” I offered a tight, artificial smile before sitting down to grab the box. I was about to tuck it inside my gift bag when Jewell spoke up.

“Oh, you should look inside! I’m sure you’ll love it,” she encouraged, her eyes crinkling with genuine warmth.

I looked at Mom and Dad, who were beaming at me, while Damon sat back with a smirk. Both Lion and Jewell watched me expectantly.

I opened the box, and my eyes welled with tears at the contents. “You’ve always loved the stars and the moon, so I had it customized... I honestly thought it wouldn't make it in time for your birthday,” Lion explained quietly.

A genuine smile broke across my face. “Thank you, Lion!” I said softly, slipping the delicate charm bracelet onto my wrist.

“I’m glad you like it,” Lion murmured softly, his deep voice barely carrying across the table.

“Anything from you—I mean, from all of you—I’ll always love it,” I corrected quickly, looking around at them.

“Okay! Cut the drama! Let’s eat, I’m starving!” Damon interrupted playfully, making everyone break into laughter.

Dinner went smoothly, filled with warm banter and non-stop teasing from Damon about how I used to be a runny-nosed kid who had suddenly grown into a young woman. Jewell comfortably joined in the laughter, but what caught my attention was Lion... he was unusually quiet, offering only tight, fleeting smiles.

After dinner, I found Lion standing alone out on the terrace. “Is something wrong, Lion?” I swallowed hard at the title.

“Just thinking about things. Why are you out here? Head back inside,” Lion said softly, his deep voice sending a sudden tremor through my chest.

“What about you? Why are you out here in the garden? Your girlfriend is inside, and yet you’re hiding out here?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s fine. It’s better this way so she can bond more with Mom and Dad. Especially since they’re leaving tomorrow.”

“Leaving? Mom and Dad are leaving? Where are they going?” I asked, caught completely off guard.

Without waiting for his answer, I walked back into the living room to face Mom and Dad. “Mommy? Daddy? Is it true that you’re leaving?” I demanded. They exchanged guilty glances.

“You haven't told Snow yet?” Damon chimed in, leaning against the archway.

“So I’m the only one who didn't know about this?” I felt a sting of betrayal.

“Actually, we didn't want to tell you today because it’s your birthday... We knew you’d get sad—”

“Were you just going to tell me after you left?” I cut Mom off, my voice laced with disappointment.

“It’s not like that, Snow...”

I squeezed my eyes shut, holding back the sudden surge of hurt. But who was I to throw a fit? I was just an adopted child, after all. “It’s okay, Mommy. I understand. I was just surprised because Lion said your flight is early tomorrow morning,” I breathed out, fighting to keep my tone neutral.

“Yes, baby, don't worry. Whenever we have time, we’ll visit. Dellion will take care of the main company, and Damon will manage the other businesses. As for you? Just focus on your studies and reach for your dreams. We’ll always be supporting you,” Dad said gently, patting my head. I offered a forced smile and nodded.

The gathering inside continued, but my mood was completely ruined—not just by the news of Mom and Dad leaving, but because Lion and Jewell were practically glued to each other. It sickened me to watch, especially whenever Lion casually kissed the back of Jewell’s hand.

“You’ve been frowning for a while now. Ever since Lion and Jewell arrived.” I spun around to find Damon standing behind me. He was holding a glass of whiskey, his eyes fixed on Lion and Jewell across the room.

I didn't answer. Instead, I took a long sip from my glass of champagne and swallowed hard. Damon stepped closer, taking a seat beside me on the outdoor sofa. Goosebumps erupted across my skin as I felt his palm rest casually on my thigh.

“It’s okay, baby girl. Even if Lion has a girlfriend, I know he won't neglect you. Especially me—hell, I might not even get married just so we can stay together forever,” Damon chuckled playfully.

I wanted to laugh along with his joke, but I couldn't. Ever since I turned eighteen, I had grown increasingly uncomfortable around him. When I was younger, I didn't mind him calling me 'baby girl,' being overly sweet, hugging me, or kissing my cheek... but now, it felt different. Maybe because we weren't kids anymore? Or maybe because I was starting to read malice into things where there shouldn't be any.

It was the same with Lion. But over the past few months, he had grown distant and cold. He barely wanted to cross paths with me in the house. He used to drive me to school every single day, waking up early just to wait for me, but lately, I’d wake up to an empty house. I tried telling myself he was just busy with the company, but now... I finally knew the real reason. His girlfriend.

“Are you jealous of Jewell?” My hands trembled violently at Damon’s sudden question.

Was it that obvious?

“Huh? Why would I be jealous of Lion’s girlfriend?” I feigned confusion, forcing a light chuckle.

“Nothing, just a random thought,” Damon chuckled, squeezing my thigh gently before standing up. “I’ll leave you to it. Headed back inside.”

I offered a tight smile and watched him walk away. Of course I’m jealous... because I was madly in love with Lion. I loved him not as a brother, but as a man. I had deep, romantic feelings for him—feelings I knew were completely wrong. But what was I supposed to do? I couldn't dictate the beating of my own heart.

Even if... even if in the eyes of the entire world, he was my brother.