Chapter 97
In Chapter 98 of “Fireflies in Winter Rain,” Roana stands at the edge of a lake, grappling with feelings of betrayal and abandonment from her parents, who she sees as cold and calculating. Rye, a friend, voices the harsh reality of her family’s expectations, emphasizing that they discard those who show weakness. Roana feels the weight of her emotions, depicted through the icy environment around her, reflecting her inner turmoil and sense of isolation.
Her solitude is interrupted by Sean, who arrives with apples and raspberries, concerned for her well-being. Despite her initial reluctance to engage, his warmth and gentle demeanor draw her in. As they head to the farmhouse, Roana’s mind is still clouded with thoughts of her family’s rejection, yet the vibrant surroundings and the smell of baking begin to lift her spirits momentarily. Sean’s request for her to gather strawberries and roses leads her to a brief moment of joy as she indulges in the sweetness of the fruit.
The atmosphere shifts dramatically when Sean and Keane surprise Roana with a birthday celebration, complete with confetti and a floral wreath. The revelation that they remembered her birthday fills her with disbelief and joy, but it is quickly overshadowed by the arrival of Cassian, who brings roses and a heartfelt kiss. This unexpected intimacy overwhelms Roana, triggering a flood of emotions tied to her family’s cruelty and her own vulnerabilities.
As she breaks down in tears, Cassian holds her tightly, providing a sense of comfort and safety that she desperately needs. Roana’s sobs reveal the depth of her pain, and Cassian’s gentle presence becomes her anchor amid the chaos of her emotions. The chapter culminates in a poignant moment of connection, where Roana allows herself to be vulnerable, and through Cassian’s support, she begins to confront the hurt she has buried deep within.
**Title: Fireflies in Winter Rain — Neil A. Varma p>
**Chapter 98 p>
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I found myself standing at the edge of the lake, the world around me blurring into a haze of thoughts and emotions. Time seemed to slip away, and I couldn’t quite grasp how long I had been there. The chilly breeze brushed against my skin like an icy caress, sharp and stinging, a stark reminder of the cold reality I faced. I had been willing to accept the chaos of my family as nothing more than unfortunate happenstance, but now that the truth had revealed itself, it felt like a cruel joke played at my expense.
How could parents so easily discard a child simply because they were perceived as weak? Was this some twisted form of humor?
“They aren’t parents, Roana!” Rye’s voice cut through my thoughts, filled with an anguish that mirrored my own. “They’re like ruthless businessmen. They choose their successors based on strength and capability. Once one of their children shows signs of weakness, they toss them aside like yesterday’s garbage p>
I nodded slowly, sinking onto the grass. My knees felt like jelly, and I could feel my fingers trembling as they grazed the frosted blades beneath me. This frozen world around me seemed to echo my feelings of emptiness—cold and indifferent, devoid of any warmth or comfort.
As I sat there, enveloped in my own solitude, a hand suddenly landed on my shoulder, causing me to flinch. I turned my head so quickly that my breath caught in my throat.
“Is everything alright? Why are you out here p>
It was Sean, standing there with two buckets filled to the brim with apples and raspberries. Concern etched across his features, his brows furrowed slightly. “It’s freezing! Shouldn’t you be wearing something warmer p>
I hastily wiped my face with the back of my hand, standing up awkwardly. “What are you doing here p>
“Delivering these. But what’s wrong? Are you crying? Did you have a fight with His Majesty?” he asked gently, his eyes narrowing as if trying to decipher the storm of emotions swirling within me.
“Nah. Just feeling a bit under the weather. Can I have one apple?” I gestured toward his bucket, my voice barely above a whisper, shaky and uncertain.
“Come with me!” he urged, reaching out for my hand. Instinctively, I recoiled, pulling my hand back before I even realized it. My heart raced at the thought of being seen holding another man’s hand in public.
“Ah. Sorry!” he replied, offering me a tight-lipped smile, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.
“It’s fine,” I mumbled, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks in the cold air.
“Come on, anyway. Keane is there too. It’ll be nice to spend the afternoon together, don’t you think p>
“Keane? Doesn’t he have duty today?” I asked, trailing behind him, my steps reluctant.
“Nope! I heard His Majesty granted the commanders the rest of the day off. That’s why I wondered if you had a fight with him. Keane mentioned he looked grumpy!” He winked at me before opening the door to his pickup.
Grumpy? It seemed that the earlier conversation still lingered in his mind.
I climbed into the pickup and fastened my seatbelt, my fingers fumbling slightly. I needed to clear my head, but for a fleeting moment, I felt the weight of someone’s gaze upon me. A cold shiver ran down my spine.
I glanced outside, searching for the source, but found nothing.
Convinced it was just my imagination, I forced myself to relax into the seat. Sean remained silent, simply offering me an apple, his expression gentle.
“My sister will be home today. Let’s enjoy the evening together, okay p>
11:04 Tue, Dec 16
**Chapter 98 p>
I nodded and took the apple, my hands still slightly chilly.
My mind buzzed with a whirlwind of thoughts that I struggled to push aside until we reached the farmhouse.
The yard was a riot of colors, flowers blooming vibrantly all around, creating a stunning visual feast. I inhaled deeply, and the sweet aroma of apple pie and plum sauce wafted toward me, momentarily easing my troubled mind.
It seemed his sister was busy baking.
“Let’s go,” he said with a warm smile.
As we approached the house, just as I stepped forward, Sean called out to me from behind, his voice quick and a touch anxious, “Roana. If you don’t mind, could you grab some strawberries and those Rugosa roses from the yard? I forgot to collect them!” He held up a small basket like it was evidence of his forgetfulness. “My sister asked me to pick them, but I completely spaced out p>
“Sure,” I replied, nodding.
“Just pick enough to make jam!” he added, his tone light.
“Got it.” I made my way to the yard, starting with the strawberries. Their vibrant red hue was so enticing that I found myself snacking on a few as I picked, the sweetness bursting in my mouth.
I hadn’t eaten anything since the night before, and a light pang of hunger twisted in my stomach.
By the time I had gathered a good amount of strawberries and roses, the sky had deepened into a warm orange hue. A gentle breeze brushed my hair against my cheek.
“Roana. Are you done?” Sean called from the porch, waving his hand.
“Yeah! Coming!” I responded, quickening my pace.
He greeted me with a soft smile, glancing at the basket and nodding in approval. “That’s perfect. Let’s head inside p>
He motioned for me to follow, but suddenly paused, his gaze flickering toward me as if he had something to say. My brow furrowed in confusion.
Before I could inquire, the front door burst open with a loud bang, confetti exploding outward, and two cheerful voices rang out,
“Happy Birthday, Your Highness p>
I froze, my eyes widening in disbelief. Keane stood there, alongside a stunning woman who looked remarkably like a female version of Sean, both of them brandishing confetti poppers.
Sean smirked, placing a floral wreath atop my head. “Here’s our birthday girl p>
I was too stunned to utter a word. My throat constricted. They knew it was my birthday?
“How?” I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Keane smiled knowingly, a playful glint in his eyes. “We have our ways, Your Highness p>
“Does His Majesty know too?” I asked, anxiety creeping into my chest.
Keane’s expression shifted momentarily, something unreadable flashing in his gaze. But he quickly recovered, nodding. “He does. But it seems you two had a disagreement. So we thought we’d make your day special p>
I didn’t quite grasp what he meant. Just then, a voice called out from behind me.
**Chapter 98 p>
“You should have told me today was your birthday, My Queen p>
My heart raced as I turned around, eyes widening in surprise. Cassian stood there, a bouquet of red roses in his hands, his gaze soft yet troubled.
“No wonder I felt someone else was here,” Rye teased playfully inside my mind.
Cassian stepped closer, and before I could process what was happening, he leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. My breath hitched, and my chest tightened at the unexpected intimacy.
“Happy Birthday, My Marshmallow,” he whispered, his breath warm against my lips.
A knot formed in my stomach, leaving me momentarily paralyzed. I couldn’t think, couldn’t move. My heart raced painfully fast, as if it might burst. His warm breath mingled with the scent of him, enveloping me like a drug.
I lowered my gaze, my eyelashes fluttering. In a moment of overwhelming emotion, I set the basket of strawberries and roses down on the floor.
My hands trembled as I took the rose bouquet from him and tossed it into the basket.
He looked bewildered, his eyes widening in confusion. Before he could react or feel hurt, I wrapped my arms around his waist tightly.
Tears spilled over onto his waistcoat, and my body shook as a sob escaped me, unbidden. My throat burned with the weight of unspoken words. I wanted to tell him everything about the Mortias, how deeply their words had cut me, how they made me feel vulnerable and unwanted, as if I didn’t deserve anything at all.
But the words wouldn’t come. The wall I had built to keep myself together finally cracked, then shattered, and I fell apart completely.
Cassian didn’t move at first, his breath catching slightly, but then he enveloped me in his arms, holding me tightly—firmly enough that I felt anchored. His eyes widened, filled with confusion and pain as he drew me closer.
“What happened? This doesn’t sound like happy crying,” Sean’s sister murmured, her voice small and filled with concern.
“As I suspected, something really did happen to them,” Sean said quietly.
“You all go inside. We’ll join you in a bit,” Cassian instructed. Then, without warning, he scooped me into his arms.
I didn’t lift my head. I buried my face deeper into his chest, muffling my sobs against him. His heartbeat thudded steadily against my ear.
“Cry as much as you want,” he whispered, walking toward the flower garden. His scent enveloped me, warm and comforting, wrapping around me like a soft blanket.
I clung to him tightly, my nails digging lightly into his shirt. In response, he placed gentle kisses on my head—silent consolations that made my chest tighten even more.
In the embrace of Cassian, Roana finally allowed herself to confront the torrent of emotions that had been building inside her. The weight of her family’s rejection, the sting of feeling inadequate, and the fear of vulnerability all coalesced into a powerful release. As she wept, the warmth of Cassian’s presence became a beacon of safety in the midst of her turmoil, reminding her that she was not alone in her struggles. His unwavering support and understanding offered a glimpse of hope, a promise that she could be accepted for who she truly was, flaws and all. In that moment, the icy tendrils of despair began to thaw, replaced by the warmth of connection and the possibility of healing.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Roana felt a shift within herself. The chaos that had once consumed her began to dissipate, replaced by a newfound clarity. Surrounded by friends who genuinely cared, she realized that her worth was not defined by her family’s expectations but by the love and acceptance she found in those around her. With Cassian’s gentle encouragement and the support of Sean and his sister, Roana took the first steps toward embracing her true self, ready to confront the challenges ahead with courage and resilience. The fireflies of hope flickered within her, illuminating the path forward, even amidst the winter rain.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter p>
As the warmth of Cassian’s embrace envelops Roana, the emotional storm brewing within her is far from over. The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the complexities of her feelings—both for Cassian and the haunting shadows of her family’s betrayal. Will she find the courage to voice her pain, or will she retreat further into her shell, allowing the weight of her sorrow to fester? With tensions simmering beneath the surface, the dynamics between Roana, Cassian, and the others will shift dramatically as they navigate the aftermath of this emotional revelation.
Moreover, the arrival of Sean’s sister and the festive atmosphere of the birthday celebration may serve as a backdrop for healing, but it also introduces the potential for conflict. How will Keane react to Roana’s vulnerability? Will Cassian’s protective instincts ignite a spark of jealousy in Sean, complicating their friendship? As the chapter unfolds, readers can expect unexpected alliances and confrontations that will challenge Roana to confront her past and redefine her relationships. The stakes are rising, and the path forward is fraught with uncertainty, leaving readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating the twists and turns that lie ahead.
Mark Twain