“...And Greta pulls the blanket up, covering Hansel who is shivering. She looks at him with a caring and gentle expression. Hansel lies with his head resting on her lap, his slow and steady breathing lulling him into a deep sleep. Greta sits with her back against the stone wall, looking towards the cave entrance where the snowflakes dance in the wind. She smells the aroma of the stewing pork and sees the image of the elaborately decorated Christmas tree in the flickering firelight. Tomorrow, the rescue team will arrive, and despite the harsh weather, Greta is filled with hope. They will overcome the cold and snow, and then they will go home and get married. Greta will wear the wedding dress she has always dreamed of, and Hansel can build a house by Lake Balkan, with a flower-filled garden and a few dogs. There are so many wonderful things they can do together, once they leave this place.

Greta closes her eyes. She decides to go to sleep early to rest. The rescue team will definitely come tomorrow and take them out of this cave! She believes so. She has to believe…”

Thena closes the book and breathes a sigh of relief. David's snoring breaks the peaceful atmosphere in the warm room. It has been a long time since all four of us sisters had a chance to gather and spend time together. David and Thena arrange their schedules to come home with me to overcome the difficulties. David has gained the great trust of the Hewitte family, and now I become their treasurer. Meanwhile, Thena has begun to make progress in her career. She is now Mr. Harrington's secretary, and with his help, she is about to publish her first novel.

We are honoured to be the first "listeners" of that book, even though two of those who were given the opportunity to listen fell asleep. David is now grown up and extremely tall. He inherited my father's stature and my mother's candour. David tried to listen to Thena's story, but my younger brother was too tired to follow to the end. He sat in the middle of the school bench, with his arms wide open, and Diana and I leaned on David's shoulders. Diana seemed to have had a tired day with papers, causing her to nod off before Thena could clarify the ending of the two main characters. Now, it is just me and Thena facing each other. Listening to Thena's story this time, I no longer cry. I look at her, my younger sister who is now a mature, dignified, and thoughtful woman. I asked softly:

"They won't come to rescue them, will they?"

"Maybe, or maybe not...", Thena says. "If the rescue team really doesn't come, the story will become a ton of tragedy, but in return, it becomes deeper and more profound. I can't write a truly happy ending, because there is something that has held me back. An open ending has its merits."

"So that the readers can decide the fate of the main couple themselves...", I smile faintly. "For me, I strongly believe that the rescue team will come. Greta and Hansel will live happily ever after."

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"Yes, I believe everyone wants that ending...", Thena nods.

"Even if...", I stand up, as if I realised something profound. "Even if Greta and Hansel can't make it, they will still be together in their last moments. Is this still a tragedy?"

Thena takes a deep breath as if to refresh her thoughts. The girl who always dreamed of progress or innovation now only has the old colour of the early 20th century. It seems that life in Oxford is not as she expected. Thena replied softly:

"For readers, death is eternal, Fiona..."

I still haven't understood Thena's intention, the sound of footsteps on the stairs makes me turn back to look. It is my husband in his pyjamas, Augustin, putting his hand on the stair railing, looking at me and asking:

"Aren't you coming up to the room?"

I turn my head to look at the pendulum clock on the wall. It is nearly two in the morning now, and perhaps Augustin has been waiting for me until now. We have been distant from each other for a while, and although Augustin has tried to rebuild the relationship between us, part of me still cannot forgive him. The excitement he had for me caused Elizabeth to be born prematurely, and right or wrong, I blamed him for that. I turn to look at Thena, but she does not show any expression. The ticking of the clock below the glass face also excites me. Augustin remains silent and waits for a signal. But perhaps the pain in me is still strong enough to shake my head at that. I turn around and say lightly, "No, I'll stay with everyone..."

"Alright," Augustin smiles awkwardly. I can see the disappointment on his face. "I'll leave the door unlocked in case you want to come in..."

"I'll sleep here, with my siblings."

I reply straightforwardly, as if not giving him a chance. Augustin is stunned for a moment. I know I am being unfair to him, but I still cannot face Augustin after all that. Maybe at some point, when I have completely stepped out of that shadow, I will open my heart again. But for some reason, I feel like that will not ever happen.

Augustin turns back to the room in thought, and my heart does not flutter at all. I sigh, looking at Thena full of emotions. I leave David's embrace and come to sit with her. I widen my shoulders and hug Thena tightly. I do not ask her what was wrong with her, or give her any advice. I understand my sister, if there is a problem, she will tell me when she really needs help. For now, I think just a sincere hug will warm her heart. I always trust in a saying of my father's: we were born as solitary individuals, but we grew up in the same embrace, and that will always be the support for this beautiful life.