Sylvia handed one of the peace apples to Jenna, then sat beside her and looked out at the howling snowstorm. “This is the first Christmas we’ve spent together as sisters. I never thought it would be in a hospital.”
Jenna carefully examined the gift box of peace apples. The round box was filled with raffia grass and a small string of colorful lights, giving it a romantic feel.
She opened the box and took out a large, red apple, holding it in her hands. “This apple smells so good. Being with you makes me feel so happy, whether we’re in a hospital or at home. As long as I’m with you, I feel at ease.”
She rested her head on Sylvia’s shoulder. “I lost my memory before, and when I regained it, I only knew I had a sister. I never dared to hope that my sister would be you… When I found out, I was really shocked and happy.”
The bond of blood is something that can never be replaced.
Tears welled up in her eyes. “It feels like a dream…”
“Silly girl.” Sylvia tapped her forehead. “Don’t be so sentimental. Focus on getting better. Come on, let’s eat this peace apple together.”
She got up, fetched a fruit knife, and began peeling the apple.
She peeled it quickly and skillfully, and soon had the large apple peeled. She then found a fruit plate and cut the apple into small pieces.
After preparing everything, she brought the fruit plate to Jenna. “Try it. Eating a peace apple will hopefully bring peace in the coming year.”
Clare sent Sylvia a message on Facebook: “Merry Christmas, Sylvia. I’ll give you your Christmas gift in person once you’re out of the ward.”
He included a smiling emoji.
He thought for a moment and sent Jenna the same message.
Mollie glanced at his phone screen. “I wonder if they’ll like the Christmas gifts we prepared.”
“They should,” Clare said after thinking for a moment. “I think they will.”
The room was warm with the heating on.
The air was a bit dry, so Clare got up to add water to the humidifier and turned it on. “The heating makes the house dry. You might not be used to it since you’ve been living in Larro where it’s spring all year round…”
Mollie interrupted him. “I’m not that delicate. I’ve spent winters with the Sky Team for the past two years.” She gave him a playful look. “You weren’t this considerate back then.”
“Why would I be? We were just colleagues back then.” Clare laughed and pulled her into his arms. “Alright, it’s getting dark. Time to rest.”
Unknowingly, night had fallen. Winter nights always came early.
It was another snowy night, with the wind and snow raging outside.
Early the next morning, Franklin arrived outside the transplant ward. Sylvia had just gotten up when she heard from a nurse that Franklin was there. A smile appeared on her face. “What brings you here?”
“It’s Christmas today. I wanted to spend it with you.” Franklin’s deep voice resonated from outside. “Here’s your Christmas gift.”
His long, strong fingers passed a meticulously wrapped, sterilized box through the air vent.
Sylvia pursed her lips, a smile touching her eyes as she noticed the bandage on Franklin’s middle finger. “What happened to your hand?”
“Oh, nothing.” Franklin chuckled softly. “Aren’t you going to open it and see what’s inside?”
He laughed again. “Sylvia, I really wish you could come out now.”
“Are you fully recovered?” Sylvia asked as she opened the box. When she saw what was inside, she was stunned. It was a piece of jade, clear and translucent, with only one letter carved in the center: “S.”
It was clearly hand-carved.
From her professional perspective, the carving was very amateurish and not well done.
It even looked a bit rough…
A thought crossed her mind instinctively. “Did you carve this yourself?”
Franklin cleared his throat, an unusual awkwardness appearing on his handsome face as he spoke in a low voice. “It’s not as good as your work…”
Sylvia immediately hung the jade around her neck, smiling brightly. “It’s perfect. I love it very much. Don’t say otherwise.”
She paused. “I might not be able to prepare a Christmas gift for you while I’m here…”
“You are the greatest gift of my life,” Franklin whispered almost inaudibly. “As long as you’re by my side, I’m content.”
As they were talking, Brayden arrived.
He had been very busy lately. Previously, he had stopped all his work to take care of Jenna. Now that Sylvia was in the transplant ward helping to take care of Jenna, he had time to work.
Although he was very busy with work, he still made time to visit Jenna at the hospital every day to comfort and encourage her.
Missing someone is hard.
But he knew that Sylvia could take better care of Jenna than he could, and he wanted to give them time to bond as sisters.
After all… they had been separated for so many years and each had their own lives.
They might never have another chance to spend so much time together again. It was a way to make up for their lost childhood.
So everyone tacitly agreed to let Sylvia stay with Jenna.
As her fiance, Brayden chose to step back.
Sylvia and Franklin tactfully left Jenna and Brayden alone.
“You should go back now; it’s cold outside,” she urged Franklin.
Franklin nodded. “Alright, I’ll come to pick you up when you’re out of the ward.”
“Okay.”
Franklin went downstairs and headed straight to the parking lot. The snowstorm that had lasted all day and night had finally stopped, but there was still a lot of snow on the ground. Only the roads had been cleared; other areas were still covered in snow.
It was getting colder. Once inside the car, he told Jasper to turn on the heater.
“Ah, no place feels as comfortable as Larro,” he sighed as he looked at the snow outside.
“Missing Larro, sir?” Jasper skillfully maneuvered the steering wheel. “It’s Christmas today; would you like to come home with me? We can have a lively celebration together.”
“No need.” Franklin didn’t want to join in the festivities and watch others enjoy family time.
Jasper chuckled and didn’t say anything more.
Jasper returned home in the evening to find his three-bedroom apartment warmly decorated.
A green Christmas tree stood by the door, adorned with small ornaments and twinkling lights that seemed to welcome him home.
Mrs. Howlett and Geoff were busy preparing food in the kitchen.
Evie brought out a double-flavor electric hot pot, plugged it in, and started preparing hot pot ingredients.
Little Jaime was happily playing with building blocks on the couch.
The homely scene deeply moved Jasper.
He took off his coat and walked into the kitchen. “Are we having hot pot tonight?”
Mrs. Howlett looked back at him while cutting duck blood. “Come help me peel these shrimp; I’m going to make shrimp balls.”
Jasper: “…” Making her son work as soon as he walked in wasn’t very nice…
“Evie, go play with Jaime. Let Jasper handle this,” Mrs. Howlett said as she finished plating the duck blood.
Jasper shook his head helplessly. “Mom, your favoritism is too obvious.”
When he was young, Carolyn was always the most favored at home. Now that Carolyn was married into the Mcguire family, Evie had become Mrs. Howlett’s favorite.
“Honey is meant to be pampered; she shouldn’t have to work,” Mrs. Howlett glanced at him. “Stop talking and get to work.”
Meanwhile, Evie called Carolyn on video chat after leaving the kitchen. “Sis, when will you and brother-in-law come to Aettosa? We might not be able to go back for New Year’s; it depends on Mom’s decision.”
“Jaime? Sure!” Evie raised her phone high to show Jaime. “Jaime, say hi to Auntie.”
Little Jaime smiled at the camera and greeted obediently, “Auntie, Uncle, Merry Christmas.”
His performance was perfect.
Carolyn looked enviously at Lukas Mcguire. “When will we have our own baby?”
Lukas Mcguire hugged her tightly. “Don’t worry; if we try hard enough, we’ll have one.”
The internal strife within the Mcguire family had reached a boiling point recently.
His stepmother, Katie’s biological mother, was causing trouble again.
And it seemed they were involved in some plan with Tyrell and his wife; even Mr. Mcguire was involved.
Thinking about these things gave Lukas Mcguire a headache.
“Look at our hot pot for tonight-one spicy pot and one mushroom soup pot,” Evie showed them the dishes and hot pot set up on the dining table.
“Having hot pot at home is cozier than eating out at a restaurant,” Carolyn said enviously again, wishing she could join them.
Given the current state of the Mcguire family, having such a warm family meal seemed unlikely.
“By the way, let me talk to Jasper; I have something to tell him,” Carolyn said after thinking for a moment.
Evie smiled and skipped back into the kitchen. “Your sister wants to talk to you.”
Jasper was washing vegetables when he heard Evie and dried his hands before taking the phone into his bedroom.
“Carolyn, what’s up?”
“Jasper, my father-in-law seems to be involved in some research project with Tyrell. I’ve found some clues recently about a strange man-a very sinister-looking man who somehow feels familiar even though I’m sure I don’t know him,” Carolyn said worriedly. “I have his photo; I’ll send it to you later.”
“A strange man? Ugly? Or what?” Jasper frowned slightly.