心跳瞬间

In the foggy Miami, on a late autumn night, the temperature hovers around twelve degrees.

In this weather and visibility, driving a convertible is downright foolish.

Yet, someone braves the thick fog and low temperatures, ignoring the wind tousling her hair and the pollution filling her lungs, refusing to put the top up as she speeds into a quiet neighborhood nestled in the hills.

Her pale, delicate face is flushed from the wind, like a blooming flower. Her eyes, as dark as the night, sparkle like stars, and her long hair is tied up with a scarf, with a few rebellious strands dancing in the breeze.

The driver is a young girl, barely in her early twenties, who maneuvers the cobalt blue convertible with remarkable skill, racing through the dim and tranquil upscale residential area of Miami. She seems intimately familiar with the roads, as if she has been here countless times.

The low growl of the car's engine eases as she approaches a large mansion shimmering like a gem in the darkness, finally quieting down. With a fluid motion, the car glides to a stop at the mansion's entrance.

A few flashy, brand-new luxury cars are already parked along the driveway. Beyond the tranquil garden, the living room is brightly lit, with music and laughter spilling out, creating an atmosphere of joy that is hard to ignore.

Pulling up next to the towering cypress wall, Sophia Anderson rubs her eyes, trying to ease the discomfort she feels.

It's not just the wind that has made her bright, clear eyes so red; it's the tears she has been allowing herself to shed, hoping to cry out all her grievances and sadness before reaching her destination.

With the holidays approaching, her best friend Mia Carter eagerly invited her to celebrate with the Carter family and their friends. No matter how down she feels, Sophia doesn't want to ruin everyone's happy mood.

"Maybe I should wait a bit longer before going in..." She glances at her still-red eyes in the rearview mirror, sighing softly.

The strong wind hasn't dried her tears, and the thick fog hasn't blurred the deep loneliness in her gaze. Right now, all she wants is to find a quiet corner to cry her heart out and then sleep soundly, preferably for a long time.

Just two hours ago, Sophia still held onto a faint hope that a miracle might happen—that one of her parents, either her mother or father, would call her and temporarily put aside their differences, remembering their daughter.

That's all she needed—just one phone call.

On Thanksgiving, a holiday for family reunions, schools are closed, and except for foreign students who can't go home, everyone else returns to celebrate with their families. But Sophia can only go to someone else's home.

Going to the Carters should be enjoyable; the Carter family is very kind to her. With their wealth, they offer the most exquisite food and luxurious decorations, and Sophia even has her own guest room to stay in.

However... facing the warm atmosphere of her friend's home feels like salt in her wounds, making the pain harder to bear.

Mia Carter's simple and enthusiastic nature just wants to take care of her friend. If she knew that her good intentions were only deepening Sophia's pain, Mia would surely feel guilty and upset.

So... it's best to recover quickly, at least to appear unaffected on the surface.

Retrieving her makeup bag from her designer purse, Sophia looks at the few cosmetics inside and thinks for a moment before touching up her makeup under the bright lights at the door.