Addison sat on the icy ground, her arms wrapped around her knees, trying to keep herself together. The cold seeped through her clothes, leaving her shivering. She had started crouching but couldn't hold the position for long. With a grimace, she glanced at the grimy floor and reluctantly settled down. At first, she hadn't noticed, but after sitting there for a while, she spotted a small window near the ceiling. It was wide open, and the wind rushed in, biting at her skin. The window was far too high for her to reach, so she slid further down, hoping to shield herself from the worst of the chill. The room offered no comfort. No phone. No sound of footsteps. Just the cold air closing in on her. Her gaze lingered on the open window. Through it, she could see the night sky, dark and endless.There was no moon, only a handful of stars scattered across the blackness. They twinkled faintly, as if offering her a sliver of hope. Those stars, fragile as they were, gave her the strength to hold on. She stayed there, motionless, letting her thoughts drift. Her memories carried her back to Harvey. On New Year's Eve, he always dragged her outside to set off fireworks. The nights had been as dark as this one, but they had never felt lonely. Harvey had been there, laughing and teasing, keeping the cold at bay. Now, there was no one. She could see it clearly—Harvey running ahead, a sparkler in her hand, her laughter trailing behind him. Fireworks exploded above, lighting the sky with bursts of color. She'd chase him until her legs gave out, her breath coming in short gasps. But Addison had never been one to admit defeat. She wouldn't say she was tired, and she certainly wouldn't ask him to wait. Harvey always understood, though. He'd stop, turn back, and scoop her onto his back, carrying her as though it was the most natural thing in the world. Beneath a star-filled sky, the narrow path bore two trails of footprints—one set broad and steady, the other light and delicate. Addison clung to Harvey's back, her arm resting securely around his neck. In her other hand, a sparkler hissed and glimmered, its tiny sparks casting brief flickers of light into the dark. Ahead of them, the murmur of a gathering crowd grew louder. People stood waiting for the clock to strike midnight, eager to welcome the New Year. Even as they reached the edge of the crowd, and the sparkler fizzled into nothing, Addison refused to let go. She stayed where she was, savoring the solid comfort of his back.Harvey didn't object. He simply smiled, a quiet expression of patience, and carried her as though she weighed nothing. Neither spoke. Their silence wasn't awkward, but rather a shared understanding between two people perfectly at ease with each other. The energy of the crowd wrapped around them as the countdown began. "Ten ... nine ... eight ... " The voices surged, excitement bubbling over. "Three ... two ... one!" Fireworks tore through the sky, bursting into vivid, shimmering colors. Each explosion seemed brighter, louder, and more brilliant than the last. "Happy New Year!" Addison leaned toward Harvey, her voice full of unrestrained happiness as she murmured into his ear. "Happy New Year," he replied, his tone low and warm, his smile easy. Cheers and laughter erupted all around them, but Addison hardly noticed. Without warning, Harvey shifted, lowering her to the ground. She barely had a moment to catch her breath before his hands rested firmly on her waist, drawing her closer. Startled, Addison's arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, her fingers brushing the edge of his collar. Her gaze locked onto his, the world narrowing to just the two of them. Her thoughts scattered, except for one fleeting observation. His eyelashes are impossibly long. They caught the faint glow of the fireworks, almost grazing the bridge of his nose. And then, his lips found hers. The noise of the world faded into nothing. At their feet, the ground was littered with spent fireworks casings, tiny fragments of red scattered like fragile reminders of the night's fleeting beauty. Those fragments seemed to stretch endlessly, like a path laid just for them. It was their first kiss, and it felt like the world had held its breath just for them. ...This night would haunt her forever. Addison sat on the frozen ground, her neck tilted back as she stared at the stars. Memories surged through her mind, sharp and unforgiving. But the more she lingered on them, the deeper her pain grew. She forced herself to let go, trying to shake free of the past. Above her, the sky darkened further, and stars crowded the heavens, glowing like tiny beacons. Yet no one came to find her. Her chest tightened. Could it be that no one had noticed her absence? She had imagined the worst—that she might have to endure several nights like this—but it had always been a distant, terrifying possibility. Not reality. Now, the thought clawed at her. Georgina. That name burned in her mind. A woman so spoiled, so protected—surely she had never faced a real challenge in her life.How could someone like that behave with such malice? Was it true that those who appeared the most innocent were often the most ruthless? Had Georgina really left her here without a second thought? Did she feel no fear that Addison might not survive the night? A shiver wracked Addison's body as despair settled over her like a heavy fog. Her flickering hope dimmed. The biting cold pressed harder against her skin, and a dull, throbbing pain settled behind her eyes. This could be the end. Her head pounded with a relentless rhythm, as if a chaotic symphony were being played inside her skull. The noise blurred everything else, drowning her in confusion and pain. Her vision wavered. Her thoughts slipped through her grasp. Even the image of Harvey—steady and clear moments before—began to fade. Heat coursed through her body, climbing higher until she felt as though she were engulfed in flames. Yet the cold refused to leave her. Harvey, I'm freezing. Her trembling fingers touched her forehead, finding it hot to the touch. She was sick. Harvey, I think I have a fever. I need you. In moments like these, when strength crumbled, the truth had a way of surfacing. And the truth was simple. She missed him more than words could ever express. Pain racked Addison's body, and at last, the words she had held back for so long escaped her lips. "Harvey, I miss you." Her voice faltered as she whispered, "I want to see you ... " A tear traced a path down her face, unbidden and silent. "Harvey, are you watching me?" she murmured, tilting her head to the stars. "You're watching, aren't you?"Her voice trembled. "It must be lonely where you are. But don't worry. I'll be there soon." Her lips kept moving, the words flowing out without thought. Deep down, she knew the truth. If no one came, this would be the end. The fever burned fiercely, clouding her thoughts. As her mind drifted, a sound broke through the fog. Was it loud? Or faint? She couldn't tell anymore. Barely conscious, she thought she saw the distant door creak open. Was it real? Was someone finally coming? The wind rushed through the open window, biting and sharp. The air felt thick with unease, and the silence in the room grew heavier. Then came the unmistakable sound of footsteps. A man's footsteps. The steady rhythm of leather soles meeting the floor. Addison struggled to lift her eyelids, her vision swimming. Before she could make sense of the figure, something cool and wet brushed her cheek, soft but startling. Was it rain? The man approached, carrying a flashlight that pierced the gloom with its bright, unwavering beam. The glare forced Addison to squint. She raised her arm weakly, trying to shield her face. Her voice cracked as she rasped, "Who's there?" The man's steps quickened when he spotted her. His movements were sharp and determined. As he drew closer, his features became clearer. Addison blinked, her breath catching in her throat. That face—it was so much like Harvey's.