The first semester of senior year hadn’t even ended, and Aveline had already received invitations from numerous prestigious universities due to her outstanding academic achievements.
“Mommy, don’t tell Orion about me skipping a grade. I want to surprise him,” Aveline said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Alright, alright, I won’t say a word. Have you decided which university you’ll attend?” Aurora asked, smiling at her daughter.
Aveline was a prodigy, the kind of student universities would fight over. Similarly, Orion had received offers from several schools long before. He had stayed back an extra year solely for Aveline; otherwise, he would have skipped grades as well.
“Good, I won’t say anything. By the way, I heard Orion isn’t coming home for the holidays this year either.”
“Mommy, can I go spend the holidays with him instead?”
“Of course, darling. You’re not eighteen yet, but I’ve always said that once you’re in college, you’re free to make your own decisions.”
“Thank you, Mommy,” Aveline said, her face lighting up. She had already purchased a plane ticket and was preparing to fly to England ahead of schedule.
“Christmas is just a few days away. Go spend it with him,” Aurora said, gently ruffling Aveline’s hair. In the blink of an eye, her little girl had grown into a young woman.
“Thanks, Mommy.” Aveline beamed as she headed back to her room.
Julian appeared behind Aurora and wrapped his arms around her. “Orion hasn’t come back to see Aveline in years. Do you think it’s really because he’s busy, or…”
Aurora understood his concern. As a man, he couldn’t help but worry-what if Orion had already moved on and was using his busy schedule as an excuse?
“In New York, when Orion was just a boy, he said he wanted to marry Aveline. That kind of bond is fate. As for how far their fate will take them, no one can say. But I believe in Orion. He’s a good kid. He wouldn’t break Aveline’s heart.”
Aurora gazed out into the night sky. She knew better than anyone how difficult it was for two people to stay together through life’s twists and turns. Even if Aveline and Orion’s relationship seemed perfect now, the future was unpredictable. Not even she and Julian could control what lay ahead.
“Alright, it’s getting cold. Let’s head inside,” Julian said.
“Okay.” Aurora leaned into his embrace as they walked back into the house.
In her room, Aveline glanced at the many peculiar gifts scattered around. During the two years they had been apart, Orion’s gifts had arrived like clockwork-Valentine’s Day, Lunar New Year, every occasion was marked by his thoughtful gestures.
She opened a drawer, revealing two ornate boxes. Every year on her birthday, Orion sent her a diamond ring.
How could someone as thoughtful as Orion possibly fall for someone else?
Even though they hadn’t seen each other in nearly three years, Aveline never doubted their bond.
To her, love was absolute. Once it was etched into the soul, nothing in the world could tear it apart.
As always, she sent Orion a goodnight message and finalized her travel plans. Every night, she placed a small jade pendant over her heart, believing it brought her closer to him.
The next morning, Aveline left for the airport. As she arrived in the terminal, a loud, exaggerated voice greeted her.
“Dearest Aveline, don’t you think we’re fated to meet?”
Kieran, wrapped in a scarf and wearing a navy coat, stood in the waiting area.
The sight of him made Aveline’s head ache. “Don’t tell me you’re headed to England too?”
“Of course! My dad opened a branch office there, so I’m going to check it out. By the way, I’ve chosen Cambridge. What about you?”
Aveline stiffened.
“Judging by your face, don’t tell me we’ll be attending the same university again? Aveline, we’ve been classmates from elementary school to college. Isn’t that a little too coincidental?”
She didn’t know how, but every time she made a decision, Kieran seemed to follow. She hadn’t even told him her plans, yet here he was again.
“I feel like dying,” Aveline muttered under her breath.
“When the plane lands, it’ll be Christmas Eve. How about we celebrate together? As your longtime desk mate, I think I’ve earned that much.”
“No.” Aveline had already planned to surprise Orion. Of course, she wanted to spend Christmas Eve with him.
“Hmph. Knew you’d say no. Let me guess-you’re planning to spend it with Orion, aren’t you? Aveline, he hasn’t come back to see you in years. Have you ever considered that maybe he’s already moved on?”
Before Kieran could finish his sentence, Aveline punched him square in the face. “Even if you turn to stone, Orion would never change his heart!”
“Pfft! Talk about dramatic. We’re about to board the plane, and you’re already saying such ominous things.”
Ignoring him, Aveline sent Orion a message: “Orion, I have a Christmas Eve surprise for you.”
His reply came quickly: “Hmm? What surprise?”
Despite the time difference, Orion always responded immediately when her special ringtone chimed, even if it woke him from deep sleep.
“If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise,” she replied with a smiling emoji.
“Hah, look at you grinning. You must be texting Orion. After all these years as your desk mate, don’t I deserve some acknowledgment? Like spending Christmas Eve together?”
“Get lost.” Aveline pocketed her phone and boarded the plane, dragging her suitcase behind her.
The flight passed in a blur, despite Kieran’s incessant chatter. As the plane soared through blue skies and white clouds, Aveline felt herself drawing closer to Orion.
When the plane landed, she quickly parted ways with Kieran.
“Alright, go to your dad’s office. This is where we part ways.”
“Why rush me off? I want to check out our university first. You’re going to Cambridge too, right? We’re headed in the same direction.”
Kieran’s usual carefree demeanor masked a sharp intuition that annoyed Aveline to no end. He always seemed to know exactly what she was thinking.
“Do whatever you want,” she said, resigned.
They arrived at Cambridge together. Having seen countless photos and videos of the place before, Aveline felt no sense of novelty.
Her only thought was finding Orion.
By the time they reached Cambridge, it was already evening. Snowflakes danced under the streetlights, creating a picturesque scene.
Aveline and Orion had an app that tracked each other’s locations. Step by step, she followed the map, closing the distance between them.
She had crossed mountains and oceans just to see him.
With less than 500 meters to go, her heart pounded in her chest.
What should she say when she finally saw him?
Would he like the scarf she had knitted for him? Would he think it was ugly?
Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, so much so that she barely registered Kieran’s chatter beside her. All she wanted was to see Orion as soon as possible.
But as she turned the corner, the sight before her shattered everything.
Orion stood in the snow, holding a woman in his arms.
Tears welled up in Aveline’s eyes and fell, breaking apart every hope she had carried with her.