When Summer Snow Turns To Ash

My cousins fiance was a self-styled fairy princess, and she had made it clear she wanted an exclusive, magical snowfall for her midsummer engagement party. To save money while maximizing the aesthetic for her Instagram feed, my cousin had hauled in a truckload of cottonwood fluff, scattering it across the entire living room of my villa.

In my past life, I had tried to warn them that cottonwood fluff was highly flammable. But my aunt had pointed her finger at my face, screaming that I was just a bitter, single spinster jealous of another womans romance. Tyler had accused me of ruining the mood, shoving me into the cluttered basement and locking the door from the outside.

When the fire erupted, they thought only of saving their own skins, leaving me behind to be burned alive into a charred corpse.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the very day Tyler was spreading the fluff across the floor.

I swallowed the burning hatred in my chest. This time, I didn't stop them. I even went out and bought two boxes of indoor cold sparklers with my own money.

"Tyler, what's a snowfall without a little magic? A proposal needs sparklers!"

"I even disabled the smoke detectors for you. We wouldn't want the HOA ruining the fun."

Tylers eyes lit up, praising me for finally coming to my senses.

My aunt scoffed triumphantly. "At least you know your place. If you did anything to ruin my future daughter-in-law's special night, I would have made you pay."

That evening, Tyler led his blindfolded fiance into the center of the room, stepping through ankle-deep fluff.

I applauded softly, quietly stepping out the front door.

Since they loved romance so much, they could keep the doors closed and enjoy their private winter wonderland to their hearts' content. Even if it cost them their lives.

Three day-laborers carried heavy woven sacks into the living room, unzipping the tops to dump out massive drifts of white cottonwood fluff.

The industrial fan in the corner hummed loudly, sending the fluff swirling through the spacious room, settling over the sofa, the coffee table, and the hardwood floors.

Tyler had his arm wrapped around Tiffany at the entryway. Tiffany pinched her nose, waving her hand in front of her face.

"It's not thick enough," she complained. "It doesn't have that deep, sinking-in feeling when you step on it."

Tyler turned to the workers. "Go get two more truckloads. I want it ankle-deep."

One of the workers wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking uneasy. "Man, this stuff is incredibly light. To get it ankle-deep, youre talking dozens of sacks. It's probably going to clog up your HVAC vents."

Tyler pulled a crisp five-hundred-dollar bill from his wallet, slapping it onto the entryway console. He looked thoroughly annoyed. "Cut the crap. Here's extra. Just go get it."

The worker grabbed the cash and hurried out the door.

I walked in carrying the groceries Id just bought, my shoes sinking into the white, feathery layer covering my hardwood floor.

Tyler frowned the second he saw me, his expression twisting into disgust.

"Erica, your shoes are covered in dirt. Don't ruin the snow I set up for Tiffany."

My aunt, Sharon, emerged from the kitchen holding a platter of sliced fruit, placing it on the edge of the dining table where the fluff hadn't yet reached. She rolled her eyes and pointed at me.

"Are you blind? Cant you see Tyler is busy setting up his proposal?"

I set the grocery bags down on the floor, the horrific memories of my past life flashing before my eyes.

In my previous life, seeing the house filled with cottonwood fluff had terrified me. I had immediately shut off the fan and warned them that this fluff was basically kindlinghighly volatile and prone to explosive ignition at the slightest spark.

But Aunt Sharon had sneered, calling me a bitter, unmarried prude who couldn't stand to see anyone else happy. Tyler had lost his temper, shouting that I was ruining the magic, before violently shoving me into the basement storage room filled with old furniture and locking me in.

That night, during the proposal, a stray spark from the cold sparklers ignited the fluff. The fire spread in seconds, and the three of them ran for their lives, leaving me trapped in the basement to burn to death.

Now, back on this exact day, I stared down at the white fuzz clinging to the tips of my shoes and slowly stepped back onto the doormat.

"Sorry," I said quietly. "I wasn't paying attention."

Tiffany pouted, leaning heavily into Tylers chest with a pathetic whine. "Tyler, look at her. She looks so miserable. I bet she doesn't even want to lend us her villa for our engagement."

Tyler patted her shoulder, whispering sweet nothings. "She wouldn't dare. The deed might have her name on it, but Mom gave her twenty grand when she bought this place. Half of this house belongs to us."

Aunt Sharon walked over, nudging my grocery bag with the toe of her shoe, letting out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Tiffany's right. Erica, are you just bitter because Tyler found someone so beautiful and successful, while youre still entirely alone?"

I forced a smile, looking up at them. "Of course not. Tyler getting engaged is a huge milestone. I'm thrilled for him."

I turned around, walked out to my car, and pulled two heavy cardboard boxes from the trunk. I carried them into the foyer and set them down on the floor.

When I tore open the packaging, dozens of bundled, cylindrical indoor cold sparklers were revealed.

"Tyler, what's a snowfall without a little magic? A proposal needs sparklers."

Tylers eyes lit up as he picked one up, inspecting it. "These are perfect. The photos are going to look insane."

Tiffany squealed, grabbing a bundle and hugging it to her chest, her face splitting into a massive grin. "Oh, Erica, you really outdid yourself! This is going to feel exactly like "Frozen"."

I pointed up at the white plastic disc on the ceiling, claiming my credit. "I even disabled the smoke detectors for you. We wouldn't want the HOA or the fire department ruining the fun."

Tyler nodded eagerly, thoroughly pleased. "Wow, Erica. You actually did something useful for once."

Aunt Sharon lifted her chin, scoffing. "At least you have some common sense. If you did anything to ruin my future daughter-in-law's special night, I would have made you pay."

I took a step back, giving them space. "You guys keep decorating. I'm going upstairs to pack a few things. I won't get in your way."

I walked up to the second floor, entered the master bedroom, and locked the door behind me. I dragged my suitcase out from under the bed.

I packed my property deed, my passport, my jewelry, and a few luxury watches, tucking them safely into the inner lining of the suitcase.

Then I opened my laptop, logged into my smart home dashboard, and adjusted the five security cameras on the first floor to their optimal angles. I enabled the automatic cloud backup feature.

Downstairs, I could hear the workers shouting as another dozen sacks of cottonwood fluff were dumped into the center of the living room.

I closed my laptop and slid it into my backpack.

"Since you love romance so much, enjoy your private winter wonderland to your hearts' content. Even if it costs you your lives."

I dragged my suitcase downstairs. The fluff in the living room was incredibly thick now. With every step, the soft white fuzz swallowed more than half of my shoes.

Tyler was busy directing two workers on ladders.

"Seal up every single window seam," Tyler instructed. "Use the heavy-duty tape. I don't want a single draft coming through."

One worker was wrapping wide black duct tape tightly along the edges of the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Tiffany was spinning around the room, holding her selfie stick high.

"Hey guys! Look at the midsummer snowfall my fianc set up for me! Isn't it incredibly romantic?" She pouted at the camera. "The proposal livestream starts at eight tonight. Make sure to tune in to catch some of this magic!"

Aunt Sharon, who was wiping down the sofa armrests with a rag, frowned the moment she saw my suitcase.

"Where do you think you're going with that?"

I stood the suitcase up by the door. "Work emergency. I have to go out of town for a business trip for a few days."

Aunt Sharon clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Of all the days to leave. You really are a dark cloud over this family."

Tyler walked over from the ladder to chime in. "Let her go, Mom. It's better she's not here to ruin the shot tonight. Tiffany has over a hundred thousand followers tuning in."

Tiffany lowered her selfie stick and wrapped her arm around Tylers. "Exactly. And my bridesmaids are coming soon. Theyve been dying to see this place." She eyed my canvas sneakers with disgust. "Erica, watch where you step. My wedding dress is a rental, and if it gets dirty, the deposit is gone."

I nodded, keeping my feet firmly on the doormat. "Don't worry. I'm not coming in."

The worker climbed down the ladder. "All the windows are sealed, boss. Not even a fly is getting through."

Tyler clapped his hands, satisfied. "Great. Go seal the back door and the basement door too. Wrap it thick."

I pointed toward the hallway under the stairs. "Tyler, the back door gets a lot of wind. Tape alone might not hold it."

Tyler looked worried. "What should we do? If the wind leaks in, it'll ruin the snow effect."

I gestured to a pile of empty cardboard appliance boxes in the corner. "Just stack those empty boxes against the door to block the draft."

Tyler waved his hand at the workers. "Did you hear her? Do what she said. Block the door."

The two workers pushed the large, heavy cardboard boxes over to the back door, stacking them high against the handle.

Aunt Sharon walked over to the smart control panel on the wall, grumbling. "Why are the HVAC and central air still running? Do you think electricity grows on trees?"

Tyler rushed over to stop her. "Mom, if we turn off the AC, were going to suffocate in here with all these people."

Aunt Sharon glared at him. "Once the main lights are off, well just have the ambient lighting. It won't get that hot."

She reached out and flipped the main breaker switch on the panel. The hum of the house died instantly, and the air grew completely still.

Tiffany smiled, agreeing with her. "Sharon's right, Tyler. Too much air current will blow the snow around. It looks much prettier when it falls quietly."

Tyler rubbed his neck, giving in. "Fine, turn it off. And lock the front door too. We don't want any nosey HOA security guards wandering in."

I adjusted my backpack and grabbed the handle of my suitcase. "I'll take off then. Good luck tonight."

With that, I pushed open the front door and walked down the steps.

As soon as I got outside, my phone buzzed with a notification from the family group chat. Aunt Sharon had posted a video.

The clip showed the living room covered in cottonwood fluff, with the cold sparklers piled high on the coffee table.

Aunt Sharon: [Tyler is proposing tonight! Everyone make sure to tune into Tiffany's stream to support them!]

Uncle Richard replied first: [Wow, that looks incredible. Tylers really moving up in the world.]

Aunt Peggy followed: [What a gorgeous place. Tiffany is a lucky girl.]

Aunt Sharon immediately sent a bragging voice note: "Of course she is. We bought this place in cash. Unlike some people who are in their thirties, completely single, and slinking off on 'business trips' today."

The chat went quiet for a few seconds before Aunt Peggy replied: [What's the point of a girl getting so much education if she can't even find a husband?]

I stared at the messages but didn't reply. I slid my phone into my pocket, walked over to my car, and loaded my suitcase into the trunk. I climbed into the driver's seat, closing the door to shut out the summer heat.

I rolled the window down just a crack, keeping my eyes fixed on the villa. The heavy front door was shut tight.

With the blackout film on the second-floor windows and the thick tape sealing the first-floor glass, the entire house was now an airtight vault.

As dusk fell, the streetlights began to flicker on.

I opened the security app on my phone. The screen split into five crystal-clear feeds of the villa's first floor.

The main chandelier was off, leaving only the wall sconces casting a dim, warm glow. The cottonwood fluff on the floor gleamed white in the dim light, burying their ankles.

Tiffany's four bridesmaids, dressed in matching dresses, were sitting on the couch touching up their makeup, while Tyler adjusted his bow tie in his white tuxedo.

Aunt Sharon, wearing a tight, crimson silk sheath dress and a pearl necklace, was fluttering around the room. She walked to the entryway, turned the deadbolt to lock the front door, and then twisted the extra security latch.

"There, locked tight. Let's see if anyone tries to interrupt our Tiffany's livestream now."

Tyler watched her, complaining slightly. "Mom, why did you lock it so tight? We still have to go out for celebratory drinks after this."

Aunt Sharon slapped his hand away. "What do you know? The HOA sent an alert saying there's too much cottonwood fluff in the neighborhood and theyre sending inspectors. If they barge in and see this, theyll fine us a fortune."

Tyler shrugged. "Let them. Tonight's worth it."

Tiffany floated down the stairs in a white gown with a massive tulle train that dragged behind her through the fluff. She wore a rhinestone tiara and held her selfie stick high.

Her bridesmaids immediately squealed in jealousy.

"Oh my god, Tiffany, you look stunning!"

"That dress must have cost thousands! Tyler is treating you like a queen."

Tiffany smirked, clearly enjoying the attention. "Of course. And this entire villa is his engagement gift to me."

She walked to the center of the living room and mounted her phone onto a tripod. "Alright guys, I'm going live!"

I switched over to her social media app. The very first recommended live stream was Tiffany's.

The title read: "Exclusive Snowfall in a Multi-Million Dollar Mansion: Witnessing True Love."

I tapped into the stream. Tiffany was standing in the middle of the drifting fluff, the industrial fan on its lowest setting gently blowing the white fibers around her.

The viewer count surged quickly, jumping from five thousand to thirty thousand.

The comment section was scrolling at warp speed:

[Oh my god, is this actually inside a house? That is so romantic!]

[How much did this cost? I am too poor for this world.]

[He's so handsome, she's so gorgeous. Absolute couple goals!]

Tiffany blew a kiss to the camera, blushing. "Thank you all so much. My fianc bought this place in cash, and he set up this entire winter wonderland just to surprise me."

Aunt Sharon squeezed her way into the frame, grinning ear to ear. "Make sure to hit that follow button, everyone! My Tyler is quite the catch."

Meanwhile, the family group chat was blowing up again.

Uncle Richard: [Look at Sharon on camera! That dress is so elegant.]

Aunt Peggy: [With this many followers, Tiffany's going to make a fortune doing brand deals.]

Aunt Sharon, feeling generous, dropped a digital gift card link into the group chat: [A little celebration for everyone!]

I tapped the link and claimed my fifty cents.

On the camera feed, Tyler walked over to the corner, picked up the box of cold sparklers from the coffee table, and ripped it open.

"Girls, come here. Take two each. The moment I get down on one knee, light them up."

The four bridesmaids scrambled over to grab their sparklers, while Tyler stuffed the largest bundle into his jacket pocket.

He checked his watch. "It's time."

He walked up to Tiffany, pulling a black silk ribbon from his pocket. "Close your eyes, babe. I have a surprise for you."

Tiffany giggled and closed her eyes as Tyler tied the ribbon snugly behind her head.

He took her hand, leading her slowly to the exact center of the room. Her train carved a deep path through the thick fluff.

I leaned back in my car seat, turning up the volume on my phone.

The viewer count on the live stream cracked a hundred thousand.

Tyler stopped Tiffany in the center of the room. The fluff beneath their feet was packed tight, but the surrounding piles remained massive.

Aunt Sharon stood by the couch, filming with her own phone, while the bridesmaids took their positions at the four corners, holding the sparklers.

The comments were a blur of excitement:

[This is like a movie!]

[Is that a ring box in his pocket?]

[One hundred thousand people watching. Im crying!]

Tyler took a deep breath, let go of Tiffany's hand, took a half-step back, and sank to one knee into the drift.

The white fluff swallowed his shin.

He pulled out the red velvet box and popped it open, the diamond ring catching the dim ambient light.

"Babe, you can take off the blindfold."

Tiffany reached up and pulled the ribbon away.

Seeing Tyler on one knee, she gasped, wrapping her hands over her mouth as tears welled in her eyes.

"Tyler..."

Tyler looked up, his voice thick with rehearsed emotion. "Tiffany, from the moment I met you, I promised to give you the world. This mansion, this snowfallit's all my promise to you. Will you marry me?"

Tiffany nodded frantically, sobbing. "Yes! Yes, a million times yes!"

Tyler stood up, slid the ring onto her finger, and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Aunt Sharon clapped loudly, cheering. "Yes! Beautiful! A perfect match!"

The bridesmaids screamed in delight, and virtual giftssports cars, yachtsflooded the live stream screen.

Tyler let go of Tiffany and turned to the camera, shouting, "Thank you to all hundred thousand of you witnessing this!"

He pulled the giant bundle of cold sparklers from his pocket. "But babe, the romance isn't over yet."

He nodded to the bridesmaids in the corners.

"Get ready."

The bridesmaids raised the sparklers high, forming a circle around the couple.

Tiffany held her dress, her face full of anticipation.

The chat was in a frenzy:

[Here comes the magic!]

[Light them up! Light them up!]

[Real-life Disney princess!]

Tyler reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek, windproof metal lighter.

He flicked the cover open, spinning the wheel to produce a bright, steady flame. He held the sparkler fuses right over it.

He looked up at Tiffany, giving her a smug, confident grin.

And then, he pressed the ignition.