Bargained Hearts: When Mr. Coldhearted Turns Hopeless Romantic

e skin. Snow did not simply fall. It whipped across the mountains in wil

st, she checked the time again and realized that three long hours had slipped by. Disappointment pressed agains

flicker of hope clung to her and refused to fade. She told herself that perhaps he would at

pain, a dull emptiness spread through her chest, as though

erous blast tore through

eworks exploded across the sky in dazzling waves, each

d come a

returned to her expression. Hope surged through he

lted. The courtyard overflowed with people who were laughing lo

into the dark sky. Strings of decorative lights hung overhead, and they cast a gentle glow that softened the harsh winter night. From the grill nearby, thi

ers so she would not feel the cold. With barely any space between them, he leaned closer as she tilted

explosion echoed

shaped themselves into a blooming red rose. In the center of that gl

ething inside Millie seem

in this very place and promised her that it would belong only to them. He had sa

rough her chest, and it r

"Isn't that Millie? Why is she here?" The man who s

erself and forced the tears to retreat before they could fall. By the time their

lips into a pleased smile and made her way over. "Millie, did you come to

illie slowly shifted her eyes away

r curves, Zoey looked polished and effortlessly charming. A faint bl

puffer jacket that swallowed her frame. Fatigue clung to her,

herself a neat slice. With steady hands and quiet confidence, she held it out. "I had no idea you pl

Love" written in frosting, and a s

was not even invited. Why are you wasting your time talking

ay that. She's st

h she was being kind, and her tone carried the air of som

h is, if her brother had not used that injured hand as leverage to push Da

stayed on Darren as his friends mocked her without rest

drew together at the mention of the past, he kept his

g sense of composure

. All of you." Her tone carried the authority of

ou are ordering around?" she asked. "This belongs to Darre

Darren. Facing him directly, she said, "Tell them to clear out

ed between Da

lie continued, "You are fully

, stepped in carefully. He remembered the woman she used to be and h

pped in. "Do exactly as she asked," he

ace. "Darren?" she called gentl

voice, yet his tone carried firm finality. "Dustin will tak

tened her voice on purpose. "Please talk to Millie c

and considerate, as if she were the only one being

It now looked disordered and trampled, as though strangers had claimed it. After stepping o

tte, lit it, and leaned back against the wall while studying

ed composed. There were no tears and no angry accusations. Meetin