As soon as the car pulled to a stop on the snow-covered driveway, a gasp escaped Aliana’s lips at the sight of the beautiful property before her.

The house was a stunning modern chalet nestled at the foot of snow-capped mountains. Built from dark stone, rich timber, and floor-to-ceiling glass, it radiated both luxury and warmth. Golden light spilled from its expansive windows, creating a striking contrast against the snow-covered landscape, while the towering peaks and pine forests surrounding it made the residence feel like an exclusive winter retreat hidden from the rest of the world.

Her eyes lingered on every detail before she turned her stunned grey gaze toward the man seated beside her.

He was already watching her, as though he had been quietly savouring her reaction the entire time.

"This is yours?" she asked, still in awe.

Gavriel responded with a small nod.

A breathless chuckle escaped her lips. "I didn’t take you for someone who would enjoy spending time in a snowy place like this."

"Why?" he asked, a hint of curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"I don’t know." Aliana shrugged lightly. "You seem more like the type who would prefer greenery over snow."

"I have a property somewhere like that too." His matter-of-fact response earned another soft chuckle from her.

"I’m not surprised," she said, shaking her head.

But her breath got caught in her throat when he suddenly leaned close to her.

His eyes remained fixed on hers as he reached out to undo her seatbelt, murmuring in his low voice, "Let’s get you inside. I don’t want you falling sick out here."

His words were simple and logical, yet they still managed to make her heart somersault inside her chest.

Before she could even respond, the stoic man had already stepped out of the car and was making his way around to her side.

Absentmindedly, Aliana raised a hand to her chest and whispered to herself, "Stop it. He’s only being logical because the wedding is around the corner and there probably isn’t a hospital anywhere near here."

With that, she tried to reassure her traitorous heart, but it didn’t work. Not when he opened her door and extended his hand like a perfect gentleman.

Light snow drifted down from the sky. The air was freezing as the winter chill brushed against her skin, but somehow, those icy blue eyes of his warmed her from within, as though he had ignited a small hearth inside her chest.

Wordlessly, she placed her hand in his and stepped out. The moment she did, Gavriel wasted no time pulling her flush against his body. He radiated an unnatural amount of heat, and Aliana couldn’t help but cling to him as they made their way toward the chalet.

With a quick press of his finger against the biometric sensor, the door unlocked. Gavriel guided them inside before shutting the door immediately to lock out the biting chill.

The first thing Aliana noticed was the incredibly warm temperature inside the chalet... a stark contrast to the freezing world outside. But as her eyes finally focused on the interior, her breath caught in her throat once again.

To say the place was beautiful would be an understatement as she slowly looked around, utterly mesmerised.

The interior was the perfect blend of modern luxury and natural beauty.

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls dominated the residence, offering spectacular views of the snow-covered mountains and the crystal-clear lake from nearly every room. The design embraced dark timber, stone accents, and sleek contemporary furnishings, creating an atmosphere that felt both sophisticated and inviting.

The open-concept living spaces were vast, with warm ambient lighting reflecting off polished surfaces and designer décor.

A gourmet kitchen on the right side featured a massive marble island, state-of-the-art appliances, and uninterrupted views of the winter landscape beyond.

As she walked deeper into the house, she noticed the dining area, which felt especially romantic. It was positioned right before a towering glass wall that framed the mountains like a living masterpiece.

Stopping at the centre of the house, she took in every single detail before slowly turning around to look at Gavriel, who was still standing by the main door, watching her the entire time.

Seeing her finally focus her attention back on him, he asked in a quiet voice, "Like it?"

"Like it?" she replied, lifting a brow before a beautiful smile bloomed across her face. "I’d say this is probably one of the best things you’ve ever spent money on."

Still smiling, she shook her head and walked towards one of the large windows, where she could faintly see the pristine lake outside under the night sky.

"It’s so beautiful," she murmured softly. "Worth every single penny. If I weren’t marrying you, I would probably have made you a very generous offer to buy it from you."

That was one of the highest compliments Aliana could give. As a cut-throat businesswoman, she was always meticulous about where she invested her capital, and in her eyes, no amount of money could truly match the breathtaking beauty of this place.

Lost in the scenic view, she didn’t see the pleased smile that tugged at Gavriel’s lips, nor did she notice him stalking up behind her until she felt his arms wrap securely around her waist.

A soft gasp left her lips as he pulled her flush against his frame.

Dipping his face close to her ear, he whispered, "It’s yours now, too."

A blush rose to her cheeks at his words as she remembered what he had said in front of her parents: ’Whatever belonged to me, belongs to her as well.’

Only now was she truly feeling the weight of those words.

It had nothing to do with becoming the co-owner of his luxurious assets. Rather, it was the simple fact that, regardless of the circumstances that had brought them together, he was giving her the respect and consideration reserved only for a spouse.

And that made a small lump rise in her throat.

Pushing her inexplicable feelings down, she turned around in his embrace and met his eyes. She gazed into them for a silent moment before clearing her throat. "So... this place seems to be functioning perfectly. Is there someone else who lives here?"

She asked because the house was spotless, with the lights on and the heat seemingly having been running for quite some time for it to be this warm.

"No, no one lives here. I informed the caretaker to have it ready for us," he replied, finally releasing her waist. He stepped back and began walking toward the front door. "I’ll get the luggage. There should be food in the fridge. Our room is on the far left."

With that, he was gone, leaving her blinking at how quickly the man switched.

One moment, he was scorching hot, and the next, he felt as though he could set her on fire.

Shaking her head slightly, she looked around the beautiful house before making her way to the bedroom he had mentioned. When she reached it, another sigh escaped her lips as she took everything while leaning against the door.

The expansive room consisted of dark timber, stone walls, and soft ambient lighting that created a warm, intimate atmosphere. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered breathtaking views of a serene lake and snow-covered mountains, while a low-profile platform bed sat at the centre of the room. It was dressed in plush charcoal bedding accented with beige and brown pillows. Behind it stood a rough, dark, natural stone-textured wall. On the other side was an electric fireplace facing the bed.

Overall, it still screamed Gavriel, just like his bedroom back at Valentine Residence.