Nothing but white snow. It was everywhere. Twirling in the sky, cowering naked tree branches and... As it seems, freezing her heart numb with unbearable pain. It wasn't physical pain, it came from within. From what she had seen. From what she had heard. And so, there she was- standing barefoot in the middle of the night, all alone. With no one following her footsteps left in the snow...........

...Earlier that day...

Today was her 24th birthday. To be frank, she didn't really care about that. Somedays she even forgot how old exactly she was. And it didn't matter between her ordinary everyday life and her blue eyed baby boy and loving husband who, by the way, was the one to persuade her in celebrating this one-of-a-many birthday.

"Hi, mommy! Today I made you a present with the help of my teacher! Happy Birthday!" a voice so magical like tiny silver bells greeted her. Before she could even say a word, tiny hands wrapped around her waist, trapping her in the purest form of love.

" Oh, Markuss, thank you." She couldn't help the small tear shining in her eyelashes. One could say the delicate mothers heart is to blame for being so soft , and she wouldn't object it.

"Close your eyes, mommy, no peeking" the little blue eyed angel giggled and ran away, only to return half a heartbeat later with paper flower. It was kinda messy, with unevenly cut edges and some glitter sprinkled in the middle. To her, it was the most beautiful thing.

"Thank you, my dear" she whispered again and hugged for another moment before saying "You should better get changed, your dad has been working hard to make this a special evening".

Without saying another word she was left standing with unique paper flower in her hand while little boy was struggling with his shoes. "No, mommy, I want to do it myself, I will be a big boy soon" he said every time she tried to help him...

Soon they stopped in front of the "Summer hotel".

"How thoughtful, this is the same place where we met 6 years ago, did you know that?" she said matter-of-factly to Markuss.

But there was no time for chit-chat as they were surprised by cloud of aquamarine blue balloons, bouquet of white roses and her smiling husband.

"Happy birthday!" screamed crowd made of her closest family as she stepped out of the car.

"Happy birthday, my goddess" whispered soft lips in her ear as her one-and-only put his arms around her waist.

Everyone was there. Her mother Diana, sister Elizabeth and brother Ralph, her grandmother Hope and mother-in-law and father-in-law with his new wife. There were also some close family friends and her besty Alma. Everyone was there, except her father. The obvious absence stabbed at her heart, but, ever since her parents divorced 12 years ago, the only contact they had was a phone call maybe twice a year. But she tried not to think of it too much. "His loss" she always looked for comfort in these two words.

"Let's get inside, it's starting to snow" her husband Nikolay ushered her and little Markuss in with guests following right behind them.

The celebration was grand and glamorous! Nikolay had booked the whole Spa and a banquet hall, and also room for every guest to spend the night in, just for this occasion. She enjoyed watching him interfere with her family. They got along really well. Even her sister, who usually disliked talking with anyone who was insignificant to her career.

Music, head-spinning dancing, delicious meal with her favorite yogurt layered cake with almond bits and strawberry whipped cream. After meal everyone went to enjoy what Spa had to offer- relaxing hot spring under the open sky, kiddy pool for Markuss and his young relative's, sauna, various types of massages. Oh, it was terrific. She couldn't be more happy- feeling the care Nikolay had put into arranging everything and the love from everyone.

As the daylight faded, slowly everyone went to rest or to party further in city.

"Honey, how was it?" Nikolay quietly hugged her from behind, expectation lingering in the air.

"A-MA-ZING" she answered with smile on her lips. "It was really thoughtful of you..." for a moment she was quiet, lost in thoughts, and Nikolay knew exactly what was on her mind.

"I tried to get him to come here, but he said his new lovey-dovey had booked a plain ticket for them. Where to, he didn't say", Nikolay knew her so well...

"Anyway..." as he was about to say something, she interrupted him " My head hurts, I will ask mom to take Markuss with her for this night and go for a short walk. For fresh air, please don't mind me. But you should go, enjoy yourself, I will be back in a moment." she kissed her husband, it was a slow, sensual kiss that left raw passion lingering between them the moment their lips parted.

Without saying anything else, she went for her coat. The air was cool, refreshing. Winter frost left love-bites on her fingertips as she gripped the collar of her coat and pulled it closer.

Everything seemed so peaceful, even the elegant snowflakes in her mahogany hair. It was a beautiful contrast. But something made her feel uneasy. It seemed wrong to experience such a peace. It felt like the silence before the storm. No, this was a insignificant day that was made special. And all just for her, how lucky she was!

Was it ten minutes or maybe half an hour? Time to go back.

Her dream man was waiting for her. Probably laying in bed, fresh out of hot shower, with nothing but a wrapped towel around his waist. His light hair still messy from the shower steam, blue eyes hiding behind glasses that made him look extra cunning, like wise predator waiting for his pray...

With this image in mind, she hurried back inside. She usually wasn't the patient one, so she couldn't wait to get back to her Hotel room.

"Knock knock, room service." she whispered seductively while walking in and taking off shoes and coat.

"Honey, are you asleep?", but it was quiet, no answer. The room was empty. She tried calling Nikolay only to discover that his phone was left on the bedside table. "Where could he be? The bar? Sauna?" she wondered while leaving her room once more.

"How careless, Elizabeth has left the door to her room open." she noticed, the room was just across the hall.

"I haven't had a chance to really talk to her today, I wonder how the wedding preparation is going" she pondered while approaching her room. If Elizabeth were to be in the room, she wouldn't miss the chance. Her sister was always a busy bee queen, with her own perfume brand becoming more popular by each passing day, and also her modeling career and the upcoming wedding.

Approaching the slightly open door, she could hear a quiet but intimate moan.

"Strange, I didn't see Nate getting here". Elizabeth's husband was even more unaproachable, he had his father's law firm to look after. A good lawyers are always on demand, and Nate was one of the best!

"Ahhh, I want you....... Mhhh...yes..." she felt more and more ashamed by every passing moment.

"Kiss me.... Ahh, Nik!".

She froze in place. What? That... couldn't be, could it? She must have overheard. She must have! With trembling fingers she opened the door. Her feet felt numb, but she had to know the truth. She had to make sure! One numb step after another and she was at the entrance of the bedroom. On the floor in disarray laid Elizabeth's silver high heels and little black dress, classic. There were also a pair or male shoes. Blue shirt and a black tie with blue stripes. Just like the one she had given Nikolay to celebrate his big promotion...