4

Late at night in a snowstorm, Lucian spots Sloane and friends sneaking out. Knox and Nash suspect an ambush and recruit Lucian to counter it. The men slip through the garage to flank the group. As Knox advances, Naomi and the others bombard him with snowballs while Jeremiah films and Stef spectates.

Lucian escalates by dumping a bucket of snow on Knox, and the chaotic fight dissolves into laughter. Amid teasing, Sloane and Lucian briefly trade jokes, revealing a momentary truce before Sloane pointedly steps away. The group disperses; the women take the dogs next door.

Past midnight, Knox and Nash insist on sleeping over at Lucian’s. Lucian returns to work, eyeing a digital fundraising platform for his business. Yet he refuses to sleep until Sloane’s lights go out, acknowledging a compulsive need to make sure she is safe.

Drawn to the window, Lucian watches Sloane in the backyard make a snow angel, moved by her grief and resilience. A shooting star streaks overhead as Sloane stands silently, then looks toward Lucian’s dark window as if sensing him. When she retreats inside and her light finally goes dark, Lucian realizes she had been wearing his coat.

The night leaves Lucian more entangled: he maintains distance in public while privately guarding Sloane, recognizing that his feelings—and her quiet acceptance of his coat—are deepening despite his plans to sell and leave.