Chapter 45: The New Year III

Seraphina Frostmoor, the eldest child of the main Frostmoor family, was the individual Minerva referred to earlier. She was two years younger than Dylan and also pursuing a career in medicine.

Unlike the cold traits often associated with her family, Seraphina grew up bright and active, defying expectations and even going against her father, Rudolf Frostmoor, in his insistence that she study real estate to contribute to their family empire.

She was resolute in pursuing her goals, regardless of how her family treated her. This determination made her the black sheep of the family, ostracized even by her relatives.

When she entered university, she noticed Dylan and, impressed by his brilliance, insisted he tutor her. Knowing she wasn't the brightest in her class, Seraphina recognized the need to seek help to achieve her dreams.

"But you never pushed her away, despite looking like you were forced to tutor her," Shawn remarked.

Dylan pressed his lips together, silent for a moment.

Indeed, he could have rejected her outright when she first approached him. The Frostmoor and Ashcroft families seldom interacted, as their businesses—real estate and entertainment, respectively—rarely overlapped.

And there was something about the Frostmoor family that kept Dylan guarded around them.

Seraphina's sudden appearance five years ago, when she boldly asked him to tutor her, had caught him off guard. He was just about to be done with his pre-med, and she was just like him, entering the Advance Program to shorten her time in pre-med, but her persistence eventually won him over.

Over the years, as he watched her push through challenges.

Ending up taking 3 years in pre-med unlike him but kept going. And when she started her first year in medical school, Dylan decided to continue helping her. Even though she has failures, he did not see her having the thoughts of giving up.

Despite this good view towards her, Dylan often found himself intentionally avoiding their scheduled sessions, only to reschedule them later.

Now that he is starting his residency, she is starting her second year in medical school.

"I don't understand you," Shawn said, curiosity lacing his voice.

"You really don't want to do it, but at the same time, you don't seem to hate it either. You reschedule the sessions you miss—sometimes on purpose."

Dylan chuckled lightly, "I wonder about that myself. I'd deliberately avoid meeting her, but then I'd find myself asking her to reschedule."

Shawn squinted at him, suspicion creeping into his expression, "Are you sure you're wondering?"

Dylan let out a small laugh.

"I don't know, Shawn. That's the truth. I'm not attracted to her, but I don't dislike the way she works so hard for her dreams."

Shawn nodded slowly, "I see."

He knew it wasn't his place to pry further. While he and Dylan were close enough to discuss personal matters, Shawn respected boundaries and chose not to dig too deeply.

Dylan gave a slight shake of his head and chuckled again, and the two continued chatting until the night came to an end.

…

"Do you know how embarrassed I was?"

Wynter stood silently as her mother, Minerva, berated her the moment they stepped into the house.

"You weren't smiling enough, Wynter! It wasn't enough! What's wrong with you? Are you sad right now?"

"No, Mother," Wynter replied calmly.

Minerva scoffed, "You're not sad? Then why aren't you happy? Are you angry?"

"No, Mother."

"Then tell me! What was with that smile?!"

Wynter stayed quiet. There was no answer to give.

Thud.

Minerva hurled her purse, striking Wynter on the shoulder.

But Wynter didn't flinch. She remained still, enduring her mother's anger without complaint.

Minerva continued throwing whatever objects she could grab, though she was careful to avoid hitting parts of Wynter's body that would be visible to others.

When the tirade ended, Wynter retreated to her room, just in time for a message to light up her phone.

'How are you?'

A faint smile crossed her lips.

'How much are you monitoring this place?' she replied.

'Was she mad again?'

'Isn't that the norm already, Hymn?'

The person she was messaging was saved as "Hymn" in her contacts.

'You were hit again.'

The statement wasn't a question.

'Yup, as always.'

'It seems her anger escalated because you've been acting differently these past few days,' Hymn noted.

Wynter pressed her lips together.

'I suppose I've been doing things I shouldn't.' She sighed, resigned.

'What happened? Are you starting to feel like you don't want to follow through with the plans?'

She shook her head.

'You know very well that the plans will proceed, no matter what.'

'Then don't hurt yourself further, or the plans will be jeopardized. Remember, I'm in this with you.'

'You could just tell me not to get hurt. No need to be roundabout,' Wynter replied with a small shrug.

The messages began disappearing one by one.

"I guess you must've seen her anger, which is why you messaged me," she murmured, knowing full well it was Hymn who was deleting the conversation.

The Morgrave household was rigged with cameras, and Hymn had access to them—something Minerva was oblivious to.

Phone calls were out of the question, as conversations could be overheard, and Wynter's family would grow suspicious of her actions. Messages, too, had to be erased immediately after being exchanged.

As Wynter lay back, she reflected on how normal her mother's outbursts had become in her daily life. This routine had been her reality for years.

…

Meanwhile, in another location, Hymn stared at the now-vanished conversation. A sigh escaped as they glanced at Wynter's contact name—Ice.

"Stay strong. I promise I'll be there for you, no matter what."