Chapter 594 Footsteps in the Snow

That one chance to call for help had not only failed but had ended with Yunice dragged into the punishment room and beaten within an inch of her life.

Some lessons couldn’t be taught by people; they had to be taught by pain. And one time was enough.

It was then she finally understood: Owen wasn’t deceived or misled. He simply didn’t care anymore.

After she was released from the asylum, the orderly who had tormented her under Elsie’s orders vanished without a trace. The only ones left who knew what had happened were the other patients.

But who would believe the words of a madman?

Yunice said lightly, “It was just an accident. The assistant nurse happened to be absent that day, and the patients decided to play their ‘pile–up‘ game. I’ve been caught in it myself–it usually stops right away when someone shouts. But Lauren… she wasn’t as lucky. They pinned her down for ten full minutes. Her bones shattered, organs ruptured… she suffocated to death.”…

Wyatt already knew Yunice had once been injured the same way. He’d seen the bruises she’d had when she first arrived. But he hadn’t imagined the scale of Lauren’s suffering.

And now, he wondered how Yunice–so small and fragile–had survived daily abuse like that.

Noticing his reddened eyes, Yunice teased, “It really was just once or twice. I’m not made of steel. If they’d hit me any harder, I would’ve died.”

Wyatt turned his head away. He didn’t want to hear any more.

Yunice didn’t want to dwell on the past either. She reclined in her chair, flipping through her book, refusing to meet Wyatt’s gaze.

Just then, a servant stepped in. “Sir, Ma’am, Ms. Nora has been picked up.”

Something about the way she looked at Wyatt seemed off, though Yunice could only see the back of his head.

She didn’t know what expression he wore.

Her phone buzzed on the table, interrupting her thoughts.

She assumed it was Peggy or Owen, but to her surprise, it was a message from Tommy–someone she hadn’t heard from in a while.

“Yunice, CET–4 and CET–6 exams are next week. The week after, there’s a one–month practical course. Attendance is mandatory for your graduation certificate. Please take it seriously.”

Yunice tapped her fingers against the screen. The English exams were no problem.

But the practical course….

She replied: “Thanks. I’ll be there.”

1/2

Chapter 594 Footsteps in the Snow

The medical university was far from Pavilion Hall and Wellinges Pharma. If she needed to attend the full month, she might have to temporarily move into the dorms.

Yunice glanced at Wyatt and decided she’d tell him later.

A maid approached. “Ma’am, the snow in the yard has stopped. If it’s of no use to you, the housekeeper plans to have it cleared before it gets messy.”

Fresh snow could get everything wet and slushy if not cleaned soon.

Yunice looked out the window. The blanket of snow was pure, untouched–no trace of humans yet. A few plum blossoms were budding on a green bough, delicate against the white.

She actually wanted to go out, to hear that satisfying crunch of snow underfoot.

Wyatt said, “Don’t clear it. I still need it.”

He turned and held a hand out to her. “Wanna go for a walk?”

He’d skipped work today for this snowfall.

Yunice noticed his eyes were still rimmed red. She also wanted to go out, so she didn’t refuse.

Wyatt told the maid, “Bring Yunice the pale blue cloak from the wardrobe.”

When they stepped out, Yunice wore a dressy little outfit, but Wyatt had forcibly swapped her lambskin shoes for thick snow boots.

Yunice didn’t want to change–her cloak and dress were beautiful, and the boots didn’t match. It bugged her just looking at them.

But Wyatt knelt, one hand on her ankle, the other gently removing her shoe and slipping on the boots. Then he took her hand and tugged her out the door.

Yunice trailed behind him, muttering under her breath the whole way.

Once they were outside, she began crunching through the snow. The soft powder compacted beneath her feet with that familiar crunch.

That sound took her back to a winter long ago when the family had shut her out, and she’d walked alone through the snow.

It had sounded exactly like this.

Back then, it had felt bitter and cold. Her shoes had been stiff, her feet frozen.

Now her boots were warm, her body snug, her heart content.

2/2

Chapter 595 A Snapshot in the Snow