The Donna Rose Buried in the Snow Chapter 08

The Donna Rose Buried in the Snow Chapter 08

The surveillance footage from the rose garden played across the big screen. 

In it, I was tied up among the roses, snow falling over 

me piece by piece. 

I curled into myself, lips turning purple from the cold, still staring toward the villa like I was waiting for 

someone to come. 

Mrs. Andersen’s recorded testimony echoed through 

the courtroom. 

Damien’s voice was clear. 

“Ignore her. She always runs off when she’s mad. It’s 

getting worse.” 

Then came the medical examiner’s report. 

[Cause of death: prolonged exposure to low 

temperatures leading to organ failure. Visible restraint 

marks on wrists, along with lacerations consistent 

with rose thorns.] 

Every piece of evidence read aloud made my mom 

tremble. 

My dad held her hand tight, his eyes burning red. 

They sat straight in the plaintiff’s seat. 

Like they were holding onto the last bit of dignity left 

for me. 

“Your Honor,” my dad spoke up. 

His voice shook, but every word was clear. 

“My daughter was kind. She loved Damien with 

everything she had.” 

“She gave up the career she loved for him. She was 

even willing to face her fear of childbirth for him.” 

“And what did he do?” 

“He tied her up in the snow and left her there to die like 

she meant nothing.” 

“We’re not asking for anything more.” 

“Just justice.” 

“Make him pay for her life.” 

Damien sat at the defendant’s table. 

Silent. 

From start to finish, he didn’t defend himself. 

The judge read the verdict. 

“Damien Caruso, due to negligence and failure to 

provide timely aid after unlawfully restraining Alison 

Hayes, resulting in death by freezing, is hereby sentenced to seven years in prison.” 

He didn’t resist. 

He just lifted his head. 

Looked past the crowd. 

At my parents. 

His voice was barely a whisper. 

“I’m sorry.” 

But how could an apology ever make up for a life? 

My mom turned away. 

Tears fell anyway. 

My dad held her shoulders. 

His voice was tired. 

“Alison… we got justice for you.” 

As Damien was led away in handcuffs, he passed by the 

gallery. 

Then suddenly stopped. 

He looked at the seat where I used to sit. 

Empty. 

Sunlight spilled across it. 

Soft. 

Warm. 

Like the way I used to smile. 

His lips moved. 

I drifted closer and heard him. 

“Alison… I think…” 

“I really did fall in love with you.” 

I watched as he was taken out of the courtroom. 

His figure fading into the distance. 

And for the first time, I felt something loosen inside. 

1. me. 

Not forgiveness. 

Just release. 

All the love. 

All the pain. 

All the nights I waited in the cold. 

They ended here with this trial. 

Natalia left the city not long after. 

People said she moved to some remote town. 

Never came back. 

My parents started a foundation in my name. 

They helped kids who, like me, just wanted to be loved. 

They said they’d give the world all the warmth I never 

got to give. 

I still drifted through this city. 

Sometimes I went back to the garden. 

The roses were gone. 

In their place were fields of sunflowers. 

Mom said, “Alison loved the sun.” 

“Sunflowers will keep her company.” 

When the wind blew, they swayed gently. 

Like the way I used to run after Damien. 

Laughing. 

Sometimes I sat among them. 

Watched my parents walk slowly together, leaning on 

each other. 

Watched them talk softly to my photo. 

And I thought–if there was a second chance, I 

wouldn’t love Damien again. 

I’d love myself. 

Love my parents. 

Be carefree. 

Happy. 

And never again be the girl waiting in the snow for love.