Ella stood at the edge of the frozen lake, her breath ghosting into the frigid Swiss air.
She was wrapped in a wool coat, designer boots sinking slightly into the untouched snow.
But none of it mattered.
Because across the white silence—
Leon stood.
Real.
Alive.
Holding the hand of a little girl with black hair and wide, wary eyes.
Eyes that mirrored her own.
Her mind screamed.
This isn't possible.This isn't fair.This isn't happening.
But her heart—damaged, duct-taped, bruised to hell—ached with a terrifying hope.
Because somewhere in all those months of pain, she'd accepted she would never see him again.
Now he was here.
And so was a child.
His child.
No.
Their child?
The scene looked like a painting—soft snowflakes falling between two broken souls, a child the bridge and the question between them.
It felt like the universe had taken their love story, buried it in ice, and was now daring them to dig it up with bare hands.
She stepped forward.
Leon flinched.
Not from fear.
From shame.
"You left," she said, voice steady but trembling. "You disappeared like a coward."
Leon looked down.
"I thought… you'd finally breathe without me."
"And the girl?" Her voice cracked. "Is she…?"
He looked up. Straight into her.
"I didn't know," he whispered. "Not until she started drawing pictures of a woman with your face… and nightmares of fire and cages."
Ella's heart slammed against her ribs.
She looked at the child—clutching a worn stuffed bear, staring at her with something like recognition.
"I named her Elara," he added. "Because she's light. And you were always my moon."
Ella took one more step.
And the little girl… smiled.
For the first time.
That smile shattered something in Ella.
But before she could speak—
Sirens wailed.
A black SUV skidded across the icy road, tires screeching.
Men in suits jumped out, shouting in French.
Leon's eyes widened.
"No—" he breathed. "I told them I was done!"
He turned to Ella.
"Take her."
He shoved the child toward her, eyes wild.
"If anything happens to me—protect her."
And then—
Gunfire split the mountain air.