Snowfall Valley glowed in the fading light of the late afternoon, the town still abuzz with excitement from the sculpture competition. The crowd had begun to disperse, families heading home for dinner, and the streets were quieter now, blanketed in soft snow that glittered under the warm glow of the twinkling lights. Holly walked beside Jack through the festival square, her hand still tucked in his. His touch was warm, steady, grounding—everything she hadn’t realized she needed.
Jack had won. He’d done it. And even though the victory belonged to him, she couldn’t help but feel like she’d been part of something bigger than herself. Watching him stand on that stage, his face lit with pride, had filled her with a happiness so pure it had nearly brought tears to her eyes. And yet, a quiet sen
