Snow in Summer

A spread of snow-covered forest greeted Vero’s sight as she opened her eyes. The snowfall from last night had transformed the hills into a vibrant white painting with faint grey and deep dark-blue trees rising from the ground, bathed in the dim moonlight.

She woke up shivering in the early hours of the morning. Despite being covered with a thick blanket from shoulder to toe, she still didn’t feel warm. As she turned her body to face the other side, she felt Lev’s hand resting on her waist.

“You’re awake?”

Vero blinked, slightly surprised to hear his voice. She thought he was asleep.

“I’m cold,” Vero said while curling up deeper into her blanket. “Isn’t there a fireplace or a room heater here?”

Lev fell silent for a moment. “There’s a fireplace,” he said after a while. His face didn’t seem happy as he said that, which made Vero wonder.

“Would you mind if I light it?” Vero asked cautiously. Her lips started to tremble, and her fingertips felt frozen. She sat up and searched for her