"You kept them?"

"Mm. I kept them to remind myself that there was an idiot who resigned from cardiothoracic surgery for me, nearly ruined his leg for me, and did so many things he would never have done before for my sake."

She gripped his hand tightly.

"This idiot, I’m keeping him."

The snow fell heavier and heavier.

He stood in the snow, smiling like a man who had gained the whole world.

When they moved back in together, Julian picked up the ring she had once taken off and held her hand.

This time, his hand didn’t tremble; he steadily slid the ring back onto her ring finger.

"There," he said. "You’re my wife again."

"I always was. You never signed the divorce agreement."

"Then I will never sign it from now on."

Clara smiled, her eyes slightly curved, looking gentle and relaxed.

Julian stared intently at her smile, his eyes reddening silently as he tightened his grip on her fingers.

"Clara, thank you."

He lowered his gaze, his eyelids tinted with a faint red.

"Thank me for what?"

She looked up at him, her expression soft, the coldness of the past faded away, a faint, relieved smile playing on her lips as she looked at him quietly.

"Thank you for being willing to give me another chance, and thank you for letting me know what it feels like to love someone."

"What does it feel like?"

He lifted his gaze to look deeply at her, his Adam's apple bobbing, his voice low, hoarse, and earnest.

"It feels like heart-wrenching pain when you lose, and deep, quiet stability when you possess. It’s only after being hurt that I truly understand what it means to be unwilling to let go."

That night, they sat on the balcony watching the stars. The night sky over Anhe was very clear, and the stars were dense and packed.

Clara turned her head to look at Julian, a trace of imperceptible anxiety hidden in her eyes, her fingertips gently hooking onto his fingers.

He immediately tightened his arm to pull her close, resting his cheek against the top of her hair, his gaze solemn.

"It won't happen again."

Julian lowered his head, his forehead resting against hers, his eyes filled with total sincerity and regret.

"I was selfish and cold before, taking your tolerance for granted."

"Having suffered the pain of losing you once, I would never dare to repeat the same mistake in this lifetime."

"All my temper and stubbornness in the future, I will keep them hidden; I will only be gentle with you."

He turned his head to look at her, the moonlight falling upon his face.

"It won't happen. Because I have seen what life is like without you, and I never want to experience it again."

Clara reached out and took his hand.

His hand was warm, just as warm as it had been the first time she held it.

The difference was that, this time, she would never have to let go again.

On the windowsill, the white roses swayed gently in the moonlight.

"Julian."

"Yes."

"Welcome home."

"I'm home."

—End of Story—