Chapter 291

A parcel arrived at Mooncrest Manor the following morning. Clara accepted the delivery and placed it carefully on the mahogany side table.

The children squealed with delight when they saw the thick blanket of snow outside. They scrambled into their winter coats and dashed out into the winter wonderland, their breath forming little clouds in the crisp air.

Evelyn emerged from her bedroom wrapped in silk pajamas, only to retreat immediately when the chill of the living room seeped into her bones. She reappeared moments later bundled in a cashmere wrap.

"Evelyn! There's a package for you!" Clara called from the kitchen doorway, wiping flour-dusted hands on her apron.

"That's odd. I haven't ordered anything recently." Evelyn approached the mysterious parcel with cautious curiosity. "What could it be?"

"Feels like clothing - something knitted perhaps," Clara observed, peering over her shoulder.

Evelyn retrieved scissors from the drawer and sliced through the brown packaging. Her breath caught when she recognized the familiar cable-knit pattern. It was the sweater she'd painstakingly handmade for Dominic last winter.

The returned garment felt like a physical manifestation of their severed connection. He was systematically erasing every trace of their relationship.

Her first impulse was to discard it, but memories of countless hours spent perfecting each stitch stayed her hand. She couldn't bring herself to destroy something crafted with such devotion.

When seeking retribution, one must take care not to become collateral damage.

As she lifted the sweater, Dominic's distinctive sandalwood scent enveloped her senses. Evelyn's brow furrowed as conflicting emotions warred within her.

Clara took one look at her daughter's expression and understood immediately. "Darling, perhaps we could donate it to-"

"No." Evelyn's grip tightened on the soft wool. "I made this with my own hands. I'll wear it myself." She couldn't bear the thought of someone else owning this piece of her history. The sweater showed minimal wear - Dominic must have seldom worn it.

Clara sighed knowingly. "The children are building snowmen in the garden. Why don't you join them?"

Evelyn nodded absently, tossing the sweater into the washing machine before stepping outside.

Lily spotted her mother immediately and came bounding over, mittened hands outstretched. "Mommy! Help Henry finish the snowman! I'm going to ask Grandma for carrots for the nose!" The little girl dashed off before Evelyn could respond.

Evelyn knelt beside her son, noticing his flushed cheeks. "Aren't your hands freezing?"

Henry shook his head vigorously and grabbed her hands to demonstrate. His palms radiated warmth despite the cold.

"What would you like for your New Year's present?" Evelyn asked, brushing snow from his woolen hat.

"Laptop!" he answered without hesitation.

Evelyn's smile faltered. "I'll return your laptop, but you must promise not to misuse it again."

Henry nodded solemnly, his dark eyes mirroring his father's intensity.

That afternoon, Lucas sought Evelyn out with an unusual request. "I've invited Nathan to celebrate New Year's with us. You don't mind, do you?"

Evelyn's eyebrows shot up. "There's barely enough room as it is!"

"Then let's buy an apartment! The market's flooded with listings." She grabbed his arm playfully. "We'll go view properties right now."

Lucas dug in his heels. "I want to stay with you! What if I get sick again? At least here someone would notice if I collapsed." His recent health scare had left him with a newfound aversion to solitude.

Evelyn studied him carefully. "Have you and Nathan... defined your relationship?"

Lucas looked scandalized. "What? We're just friends!"

"But you've slept together."

"That was ages ago!" Lucas huffed. "He claims to be an excellent cook, so I invited him to prepare dinner. Just tell him you're hopeless in the kitchen and let him take over."

With great reluctance, Evelyn agreed.

New Year's Eve arrived in a flurry of activity. Clara prepared an elaborate feast while Evelyn positioned three tripods around the dining table to document their first holiday celebration back in their hometown.

As she adjusted the final camera angle, her phone chimed on the table.

"Mommy! Your phone!" Lily came barreling across the room, clutching the device with both hands.