Your Love Came Too Late

My cousin, Kaylee Langford, pushes me down the ski slope when there's an avalanche. My boyfriend, Atlas Ferguson, lifts her into his arms and leaves. He seems to have forgotten that I'm buried underneath the snow mountain. He leaves me stranded at the valley for seven days. He's furious when he finds me. "You should be glad nothing went wrong with Kaylee's arms. Otherwise, the only way you could atone would be to die on this mountain! Our wedding is canceled—we'll have it once you realize what you did wrong." He thinks I'll cry or kick up a fuss, but I merely nod and say, "Okay." He doesn't know that I've made a deal with the Moon Goddess. In six days, I'll be giving up the things that mean most to me—my love for Atlas and my memories of him. Once that happens, I'll forget everything about him and start afresh somewhere new. What does a wedding matter when the Ember Sloane who loved him is now dead? Chapter 1 Ember Sloane was shoved down the snowy mountain by Kaylee Langford during the avalanche at the ski resort. Kaylee had only dislocated her arms and fell in place, while Ember plummeted to the bottom of the mountain. Ember was stranded in the Aneira Mountains for an entire seven days. She probably would never have been found if it hadn't been for the branch that pierced her foot, leaving a trail of blood stark against the pure white snow. Crimson blood spread across the snow, resembling a blooming red flower. Ember leaned weakly against a tree stump, and she was so frail and lifeless that she seemed to be on the verge of dissolving into the snow. When the security team spotted her, they immediately used their walkie-talkie to notify Atlas Ferguson. "Mr. Ferguson, we've found Ms. Sloane!" Soon, a helicopter descended from the sky. The gust of wind from its blades nearly prevented Ember from opening her eyes. Even so, she caught sight of Atlas at first glance. However, trailing behind him was Kaylee. Atlas rushed toward her. He unleashed a torrent of abuse upon seeing her staggering figure. "Why are you always running off and making trouble? I had to mobilize thousands of people to search for you! "If you'd just stayed where you were, we wouldn't have spent five or six days looking for you! The security team's been working around the clock because of you! "Can't you go a single day without causing trouble?" It was November, and the mountain was sealed by snow in the bitter cold of sub-zero temperatures. Initially, Ember feared getting lost and only dared to stay put. She endured the freezing cold while anxiously waiting for Atlas to rescue her. She thought to herself that Atlas surely wouldn't leave her here to die. But as night fell, darkness enveloped everything. Glowing green eyes stared menacingly from the shadows, and the distant roars of unknown beasts echoed all around her. Terrified, Ember trembled uncontrollably. She clutched onto a torch all night, unable to close her eyes. As her last bit of food ran out, she was forced to search for wild vegetables and fruits. However, her fingers became raw and numb from digging in the harsh winter, yet she still struggled to find enough to stave off hunger. One day passed. Then two, then three. The small flicker of hope in Ember's heart was extinguished, like a candle snuffed out by the relentless wind. She simply lowered her head in silence as she listened to Atlas' reprimands, too exhausted to respond. Atlas always found her annoying—too noisy, too unreasonable, or too manipulative. No matter the situation, no matter how much she explained, his response was always the same. "Are you making things up again? What kind of tricks are you trying to pull this time?" That was why she no longer wanted to argue with him. She'd just let whatever he said to be it. A bodyguard nearby sneezed from the wind and muttered quietly, "Wolves are common in these mountains. If she'd stayed put, she'd probably be a pile of bones by now." "Oh?" Kaylee covered her mouth in feigned surprise. "Ember, is this your friend?" The bodyguard was caught off guard by the question, and he shook his head in confusion. "No, I don't know her." It was his first day on the job. He hadn't even memorized all his coworkers' names yet, let alone know Ember. Kaylee gave a knowing smile. "I see. You seemed to care about her so much, so I thought you knew each other. "Or maybe it's just Ember's charm—she gets people speaking up for her within minutes of meeting them." As expected, Atlas' face darkened instantly. "Ember, can't you control yourself for once?" He then turned to the bodyguard who had spoken and said coldly, "You. Don't bother coming back to work. And let me make one thing clear: I'm your boss. If anyone else doesn't know their place, you can all leave as well!" Upon hearing this, everyone stepped back cautiously as they were terrified of losing their jobs. Kaylee was the first to approach Ember. "Ember, are you okay?" She even reached out as if she wanted to help her up. "Atlas, Ember didn't intentionally dislocate my arms. She's just been spoiled and headstrong since she was little. Maybe she didn't like me and acted out. That's all. "Atlas, don't be mad at Ember anymore… My arms have been healing for days, and Ember's been stuck on the snowy mountain all this time. She must be homesick. Let's just leave." Atlas' voice turned icy. "You should be grateful that Kaylee's arms are fine. Otherwise, the only way you could atone would be to die on this mountain! "The wedding that's a week from now is canceled. It'll happen when you realize your mistakes." Atlas' expression grew even more severe. "God! Everyone knows this natural ski slope is dangerous and unprotected. How could you be wandering around just for a good photo? That's on you! "Ember, I would've ended our engagement long ago if it weren't for the debt I owe your parents!" Chapter 2 Three years ago, Ember's parents died in a car accident while saving Atlas' parents. Her relatives quickly divided up the Sloane family's assets, leaving nothing behind for her. Atlas' grandfather, George Ferguson, took pity on Ember and brought her into the Ferguson family. He wanted to ensure she wouldn't end up on the streets. George then arranged a marriage between Ember and Atlas as he was afraid she might be mistreated, intending for her to become his granddaughter-in-law. Thus, the two naturally became a couple. Atlas, however, was extraordinarily popular. Everyone in the capital knew about the dashing eldest grandson of the Ferguson family, whose charm and good looks drew admirers from one end of the city to the other. Ember seemed insignificant in comparison. Desperate to hold onto him, Ember resorted to every tactic imaginable. Crying, throwing tantrums, and making dramatic threats became a routine for her. Any girl who got close to Atlas was driven away by Ember's schemes. Everyone said Ember was a possessive girlfriend and a master of jealousy. She often posted pictures of herself and Atlas on social media to assert her claims, flaunting their relationship for all to see. But now, Ember simply lowered her head and replied softly as Atlas berated her, "I understand." Atlas was taken aback by this. Ember would have burst into tears in the past. She'd thrown a tantrum and insisted that it wasn't fair. She would have clung to him while pouting and acting cute, just as she had countless times before. Now, she finally behaved as he always wished—submissive and quiet—yet something about it felt deeply unsettling. "Ember, think this through. If you can admit your mistakes and beg me…" "I've thought it through," Ember interrupted with a faint smile. She knew the bride of this wedding would likely never be her. In six days, she planned to forget everything about Atlas. That included her love for him, and she would start over in a new place. When the bodyguards lifted Ember onto a stretcher, they noticed her lower leg was severely frostbitten, with the flesh completely ulcerated. She had trekked through the snow, which was above her knees, for a long time. She couldn't stop—she dared not stop. She knew that if she did, the wolves trailing behind would catch up to her. The snow was so deep that she slipped and fell at one point, and a sharp tree branch pierced through her foot. Blood gushed out instantly, staining the surrounding snow a vivid red. At that moment, Ember thought she might bleed out and die there on the snowy mountain. Ironically, these people likely wouldn't have found her at all if not for her blood staining the white snow. Her wound was a mangled mess, with blood frozen onto her bruised and swollen skin, creating a horrifying sight. When Atlas saw it, his eyes filled with urgency. "Doctor, is it serious? Can it be treated?" The accompanying doctor looked troubled. "I'm not sure. For now, we can only clean the wound. The rest will have to be assessed at the hospital." "Ember, does it hurt…" Despite everything, Atlas still felt a twinge of compassion. Noticing Ember's fingertips were red and frozen stiff, he moved as if he wanted to warm them with his hands. Suddenly, Kaylee, who was standing beside him, let out a faint, suppressed sigh. Her face even showed a hint of pain. "Ouch, my hand…" Atlas immediately dropped Ember's hand and turned. His attention snapped to Kaylee as he anxiously pulled her into his arms. "Kaylee, what's wrong?" Kaylee's eyes reddened, and her tears threatened to spill over. "I'm fine. It's just that my arm aches after being exposed to the cold wind for so long. You should check on Ember first, she…" Atlas sighed while looking at her helplessly. "I should've insisted you stay in the hospital to recover properly. You're always worrying about others before yourself. What would you do without me?" As he spoke, he gently massaged the spot where Kaylee had previously fractured her arm. Though his words sounded harsh, his tone was overflowing with tenderness. Not once did he glance back at Ember. Then, he carried Kaylee onto the helicopter without hesitation. Ember staggered slightly from the push, and she nearly collapsed. Her palm scraped against the muddy ground, leaving several bloody scratches in its wake. Chapter 3 When they finally arrived at the nearest hospital, the doctor examined Ember and delivered the grim news with a heavy expression. He told Atlas that Ember's foot injury was extremely severe, and the only solution was amputation to remove the necrotic tissue. If the infected and festering wound was left untreated, there was a high risk that she could lose her entire leg. Moreover, the severe starvation she endured had caused significant damage to her digestive system. The doctor explained that a full recovery might take at least 10 to 20 years. Atlas froze at the words, as if he was struck by a heavy blow. It took him a long moment to recover, and his fury erupted when he did. He kicked over a chair with a loud crash. "How is that possible? It's just a minor injury! How could it lead to amputation? You're nothing but a quack—don't you dare spout nonsense!" Kaylee quickly stepped in to calm him down. "Atlas, don't get upset. It's probably because the doctors in small towns like this aren't skilled enough. Once we take her back to the capital, there will definitely be a way to fix this! "My brother is a top-tier surgical specialist. Let him take a look first, okay? If that doesn't work, we can even find international experts." Though he was still tense, Atlas began to rein in his anger. Nonetheless, traces of agitation remained in his eyes. "Right. You're right. Let's have your brother take a look first," he muttered while clenching his fists anxiously. "We'll find the best doctor—there has to be a way to heal her." They then rushed Ember back to the capital without delay. The doctor who examined Ember there was Spencer Langford, Kaylee's brother and the best trauma specialist at the city hospital. After reviewing Ember's injuries, Spencer spoke to Atlas with an air of nonchalance. "It's nothing serious. Ember's injury is just a superficial wound. It'll heal as long as she rests for a while. "As for the internal damage? Absolute nonsense. She's just a little malnourished, that's all. "If you ask me, this is probably one of Ember's usual tricks. She's still trying to gain your sympathy." Atlas couldn't shake his doubt. He glanced back at Ember, and the image of her horrifying wound was burned into his memory. Was it really not as serious as it looked? Kaylee quickly clung to Atlas' arm. Her tone was sweet and coy as she said, "Atlas, stop worrying. My brother's medical skills are top-notch." Spencer shot Atlas a disapproving look. "I haven't even held you accountable yet! Didn't you promise to protect Kaylee? So, why is her hand still injured and not healed by now? "Instead of worrying about that troublemaker Ember, you'd better focus on Kaylee. Her hands are meant for painting—if anything happens to them, I'll hold you responsible!" Kaylee shot him a gracious smile. "Spens, don't say that. Ember didn't mean to hurt my hand. She was just momentarily blinded by anger and acted out. "And besides," she said while looking at Atlas with a sad yet resilient smile, "even if I can never paint again… I'll be content as long as Atlas stays with me." "How could that happen?" Atlas' attention was immediately drawn to her, and he grasped Kaylee's hand firmly. "Kaylee, don't worry. I'll make sure you can pick up a paintbrush again!" The sibling duo's perfectly coordinated act successfully shifted Atlas' focus entirely away from Ember. Ember, however, was no stranger to their skillful manipulation. A week ago, she had actually managed to avoid the avalanche when it struck. But then Kaylee had shoved her down the mountain during an argument. In the scuffle, Kaylee dislocated both her arms, while Ember tumbled to the bottom of the slope. She had crashed hard against a rock when she fell, and her entire body was wracked with pain as if all her joints had been dislocated. The agony left her unable to move or make a sound. As Ember plummeted, she clearly heard Kaylee's venomous curses. "Why don't you just die here and save everyone the trouble of dealing with you? "There are plenty of wild animals in these mountains. At least you'd have done something useful for once if you can be their food supply." Chapter 4 As she spoke, Kaylee adjusted herself into a comfortable position and lay down in the snow. By the time Atlas arrived in a panic, Kaylee was already lying there, while Ember had been buried under the deep snow at the base of the mountain. Kaylee told Atlas that Ember wasn't with her and that she had no idea where Ember had gone. Atlas then rushed Kaylee back to the hospital for treatment, leaving Ember alone and abandoned at the foot of the mountain. Ember had developed an unexplainable fear of being alone ever since witnessing her parents' deaths. Back then, though, Atlas had been there to stay by her side. It was for this reason that she had agreed to come skiing with them. She wanted to spend as much time with Atlas as possible, even if it meant competing for his attention against Kaylee. But she never imagined it would nearly cost her life in the depths of the snowy mountain. Recalling the despair of being trapped, Ember began to tremble uncontrollably. The physical pain and mental anguish surged over her, and a cold sweat broke out on her forehead. Atlas grabbed her roughly by the arm, yanking her up from the hospital bed. "Apologize immediately! Do you hear me? "If it weren't for you, how would Kaylee have injured her arms? If Kaylee can never hold a paintbrush again, you'd better be ready to atone for it!" His rough handling reopened Ember's wounds, and blood seeped through her hospital gown, soaking it. It was only then that Atlas noticed her injuries showed no signs of improvement. If anything, they looked worse than before. "What's going on here?" he demanded while turning to Spencer with a furious glare. "She's been given the best medicine, and people are looking after her every day. Why isn't there any progress?" Spencer froze for a moment, then quickly tried to defend himself. "How would I know? I've been coming in every day to examine and treat Ms. Sloane. The nurses can vouch for me!" Seeing this, Kaylee immediately turned to Ember, speaking with apparent concern. "Ember, I know you're upset, but you can't refuse treatment like this. If you keep this up, you're just going to make Atlas and me even more worried." "Ember Sloane!" Atlas roared in fury after hearing this. "You don't even care about your own health now? There's just no saving you! "If you keep this nonsense up, the wedding can wait until your next life!" What Atlas didn't know was that Spencer had never actually treated or examined Ember during his visits. Instead, he had intentionally worsened her wounds, peeling them open for his own twisted amusement. As for the imported medicine Atlas had ordered for Ember, Spencer had secretly taken it out of the hospital to sell for profit. He didn't use a single dose on her. Ember looked at him, yet the words she had wanted to say caught in her throat. She simply swallowed them back silently. At this point, it didn't matter what she said—Atlas wouldn't believe her. Atlas was still fuming outside the hospital room. It had to be his fault for spoiling Ember over the years. He'd allowed her to develop such an unbearable personality. Yet, despite his anger, he couldn't stop himself from worrying about her. She was defying him, but wasn't she also hurting herself in the process? Kaylee, who was carefully watching his expression, seized the moment to suggest, "Ember is too stubborn and too unwilling to change. If we want her to fix her bad habits, why don't you… cancel the wedding for now?" "No." Atlas rejected the idea without hesitation. He only wanted Ember to be more obedient—he had never considered letting her leave him. Every time he saw the engagement ring on her hand, which matched his, he couldn't help but soften no matter how furious he was—especially when he thought about those horrifying wounds he'd just seen. A pang of guilt stirred in his heart. Ember had already endured so much; he couldn't bring himself to push her further. "But if you let her continue like this…" Kaylee's eyes briefly flashed with resentment, though she quickly hid it as Atlas glanced at her. "She's not just hurting herself. It pains you too, Atlas." Atlas pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "The engagement was arranged by our elders. It can't be canceled lightly. This decision is final." A flicker of malice passed through Kaylee's eyes, but she quickly masked it. She then weakly swayed slightly as she spoke, "I'll do whatever you say. I just…" "What's wrong? Is your hand hurting again?" Atlas immediately held her in concern, scooping her up and rushing toward the duty room in a panic. "Help!" Chapter 5 Ember had been in the hospital for three days, and only an interning nurse had occasionally come by to disinfect and dress her wounds during that time. Calling it treatment was an overstatement; all they did was clean the wounds and apply a bit of mercurochrome, offering negligible healing. The interning nurse's rough handling often left Ember trembling in pain and drenched in cold sweat. She clutched the bedsheet tightly beneath her, her gaunt fingers turning white from the strain. When Atlas saw this, he couldn't help but snatch the bottle of medicine and tend to her wounds himself. "Why didn't you say it hurt? Wouldn't… You have already made a fuss and demanded I comfort you in the past?" In the past, Ember would have pouted and insisted Atlas pamper her when she felt wronged. But now, she would rather grit her teeth and endure it alone. Atlas softened his tone deliberately, waiting for Ember to respond. If she gave in, even a little, he was willing to give her another chance. After all, Ember was still his fiancée in his mind. She was still his person. But Ember simply turned her head away, as though she couldn't bear to look at him. Her voice was calm as she replied, "I'm sorry for troubling you in the past. "It won't happen again. If the engagement is an inconvenience to you, I can talk to Mr. Ferguson Senior and have it annulled." Atlas' expression darkened instantly. "What?" "Ember Sloane, are you pulling another one of your tricks? Are you playing hard to get again? Can you just stop being so unreasonable?" His temper flared like an enraged lion as he tossed the bottle aside and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. He simply left her alone, surrounded by scattered bottles and disarray. Ember gave a faint, powerless smile. She wasn't playing any tricks—she was simply speaking the truth. The next day, George appeared at the door to her hospital room. Ember's eyes welled up with tears the moment she saw the man who wasn't family but had always treated her as such. During her time trapped on the mountain, beyond her fear of death, her greatest concern had been this kind and gentle old man. Years ago, it was George who held her hand and brought her into the Ferguson residence when she lost both her parents. He personally arranged for her care, ensuring she was clothed, fed, and housed. He had always told her, "If you're ever wronged, come to me. I'll stand by you no matter what." Seeing George's kind smile, Ember swallowed all the grievances she had buried deep inside. After all, she was planning to leave soon. There was no need to make him worry more. But George trembled with rage the moment he saw the wounds on Ember's leg. "Do the doctors here even know what they're doing? Is this how they treat my precious granddaughter-in-law? What kind of useless fools are they?" George's cane thudded heavily on the floor as he emphasized his words. In his younger years, George had dominated the business world, and he exuded an intimidating authority. Now, Spencer was drenched in cold sweat with just a few sharp words. "P-Please, don't be angry! I'm an expert—I couldn't possibly make a mistake!" Spencer stammered. "It's Ember who refused to cooperate with treatment. She's just trying to gain sympathy and use you to her advantage!" But George didn't buy his excuses. With a swift swing of his cane, he struck Spencer and sent him rolling on the ground. "You little scoundrel! How dare you spout lies in front of me? Looks like you're asking for a beating!" Hearing the commotion, Kaylee rushed into the room with a panicked expression. "What's going on? What happened? Mr. Ferguson Senior, did Ember upset you again? "Please, calm down. Ember's always been unruly. Don't let her get to you…" Before she could finish, George raised his hand and delivered a slap across her face. "Ember upset me? She has never upset me, not even once! "As for you and your brother—who do you think you are? Did you really think I wouldn't see through you? "You're just two frauds trying to worm your way into my family, and you dare to deceive me! Let's see how I deal with the likes of you!" George's fury was so intense that no one dared to intervene. The slap landed squarely on Kaylee's face, leaving a streak of blood slowly trailing from the corner of her mouth. Atlas arrived just in time to witness the scene. Kaylee seized the opportunity to throw herself into his arms, sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath. "Atlas, I'm so sorry. I don't know what Ember said to Mr. Ferguson Senior to make him hate me so much… "But I don't care how much he hits me, as long as it makes him feel better…" Atlas' expression turned icy as he shielded her protectively. "Ember doesn't even deserve to be compared to you. "Let's see who dares to lay a hand on you with me here to protect you!" Chapter 6 Atlas turned his gaze to Ember. His eyes were filled with disdain. "Ember, you truly won't change, huh? "Let's see how long you can survive without the Fergusons! From this moment on, we're breaking off the engagement. You're no longer my fiancée!" George's face turned ashen with fury. His hand trembled as he pointed at Atlas. "You… You blind, ungrateful fool…" Before he could finish, George shut his eyes and collapsed on the spot. The doctors rushed in to take care of George. In her panic, Ember instinctively tried to stand but pulled at her wound and fell back to the ground. "Mr. Ferguson Senior…" Tears streamed down her face as she reached out to tug on Atlas' sleeve. "Let me see him, please… I'm begging you…" Blood and tears mixed, forming dark red blooms on the floor. Even so, Atlas shook her off with disgust. "What are you pretending for now? If it weren't for your meddling, would Grandfather have fallen ill out of anger? "Ember Sloane, you're utterly despicable!" He turned and followed the doctors out of the room, pausing only to instruct the bodyguards to keep a close eye on Ember and make sure she didn't go anywhere. When Atlas' parents, who were out of town, heard the news, they rushed to the hospital in a flurry. "We've only been gone a few days, and this happens! If anything happens to your grandfather, I'll beat you within an inch of your life!" Wade Ferguson erupted at Atlas, scolding him relentlessly. He was on the verge of hitting him when Atlas' mother, Alana Hill, intervened just in time. Seeing this, Kaylee spoke up first. "Ember was acting up again. Atlas just said a few words to her, and she went straight to Mr. Ferguson Senior to complain, which is why he…" Wade's face immediately turned cold. "That orphan dares to stir up trouble in the Fergusons? She's out of control!" "Does she really think she's some kind of heiress now? She thinks she's all that after living with our family—how delusional!" Alana scoffed. Atlas frowned at Alana's words. "Mom, don't say that. Ember's parents gave up their lives to save you and Dad…" "Enough!" Wade cut him off sharply. "Just because of that one thing, does she expect us to cater to her for the rest of her life? "With how arrogant and reckless she is, if you marry her, what will become of the Fergusons? It's better to call off the engagement now and kick that troublemaker out!" Atlas' initial reaction was to refuse. He had only wanted to scare Ember into listening to him and never intended to truly discard her. With her severely injured and utterly alone, who would she have to rely on if not him? But Kaylee stopped him while speaking softly. "If you insist on being stubborn, won't it just make Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson even angrier at Ember? Take it slow. After all, there's still time." She paused to think and then offered a suggestion. "Why not send Ember abroad for now? "She's acting so spoiled because she's too dependent on you. This way, she can have some space to calm down. Once Mr. Ferguson Senior recovers, we can revisit the situation." Alana readily agreed to this plan and immediately began preparing the necessary arrangements. They couldn't wait to send Ember as far away as possible. Atlas held Kaylee's hand in gratitude. "I'm truly thankful that you're around. Even after everything Ember did to you, you're still considerate enough to think of her…" Kaylee smiled gently. "How could I not? Ember was just caught up in a moment of poor judgment. I'd never hold it against her." In the days that followed, Ember was confined to her hospital room. She had no one to talk to and spent her time alone with her phone. Her photo album was filled with pictures of her and Atlas. At first, it had only been the two of them—sharing a single cup of coffee, walking hand in hand, and capturing moments that proved they had once been in love. But at some point, things had changed. What were once dates for two always seemed to include Kaylee. Ember scrolled through her phone and opened her Instagram account. There were hundreds of posts, and they were almost all centered around Atlas. They were photos of their life together and heartfelt essays she'd written on anniversaries. The comments from netizens had mocked her, calling her love-obsessed. It was as if Atlas was the only thing that mattered in her world. As she read through them, Ember chuckled bitterly and shook her head. At this point, there was no reason to hold onto these photos and posts. She then pressed the deactivate button. Chapter 7 During Ember's hospital stay, Atlas came by to ask about her condition, but Spencer dismissed his concerns with perfunctory answers. "You've seen how she is. If she doesn't cooperate, there's nothing I can do. When she finally decides to take her treatment seriously, she'll recover quickly. "Once she's abroad, there will be even better specialists to treat her. You can rest easy." Atlas was torn—angry at her supposed stubbornness, yet secretly pleased by how much she seemed to care for him. It was clear that he was important to Ember—so important that she was willing to push her body to its limits just to cling to him. "Ember, wouldn't it be better to accept treatment and recover sooner? Why must you insist on making things worse for yourself?" But Ember simply asked in a calm voice when she saw him, "Has Mr. Ferguson Senior woken up?" The brief flicker of compassion Atlas had felt vanished instantly. He scoffed. "You still have the nerve to ask? If your legs weren't injured right now, I'd drag you over to kneel and apologize to him!" Ember muttered weakly, "I'm sorry." Nonetheless, it seemed Atlas either didn't hear her or chose not to. Soon, Ember's belongings were packed up from the Ferguson residence. The sheer amount made it look as though they were preparing to throw her out completely. Among the items was a small wooden carving she had once intended to give Atlas for his birthday. When she'd first arrived at the Ferguson residence, she had been just a young girl, who was unfamiliar with the world around her. When George was too busy, it was Atlas who accompanied her—to the amusement park, shopping trips, and even movies. Atlas was kind and attentive back then. He showered her with warmth and care. She had even started secretly keeping a diary, carefully writing Atlas' name over and over on its pages. She spent an entire month crafting that wooden carving. Even when the carving knife accidentally cut her hand, the sharp pain didn't stop her. At that moment, all she thought about was not letting the carving get stained with blood. But when she arrived at his party on the day of his birthday, brimming with joy, she saw that he had already chosen his date. It was Kaylee. She was holding Atlas' arm intimately, and their smiles were glaringly painful in Ember's eyes. Ember felt like she might burst into tears right then and there. To make it worse, Atlas was entirely oblivious to her feelings. He even brought Kaylee over to her and said, "Ember, this is Kaylee's first time at an event like this. Make sure to take care of her…" She didn't hear the rest of his words. Overcome with sorrow and anger, she flung Atlas' hand away and ran out. She was the one who was supposed to stand by Atlas' side. She was his fiancée! Afterward, she and Atlas had a heated argument. He accused her of being unreasonable. "Can you stop lashing out at everyone like a mad dog? Don't you feel embarrassed? Kaylee is my friend—can't you show her some respect?" But Ember had seen it clearly—the way Kaylee looked at him wasn't how a mere friend would. From that point on, Atlas gradually grew colder toward her. He no longer called her name in the same warm, gentle tone as before. Her heart would ache every time he addressed her with that impatient tone. The day she was stranded on the snowy mountain as her life was hanging by a thread, she sat under a tree after dragging her injured legs for miles, consumed by despair. In the face of death, all her obsessions felt as weightless as a feather. Suddenly, the ethereal figure of the Moon Goddess appeared before her, dressed in flowing white. "Ah, it's a human on the brink of death, heartbroken from love. Let's make a deal. I'll let you survive this." Barely alive, Ember whispered, "What kind of a deal?" "Give me the most precious thing you have, and you can live." "I have no parents, no power, no wealth. The most precious thing I have is my love for Atlas. But how can I give that to you?" Ember let out a bitter laugh, feeling somewhat pitiful. "Jump from a building six days from now. I will take your love for Atlas and all your memories of him. Then, you'll begin a new life." Ember closed her eyes as flashes of her past with Atlas played like a montage before her. "Atlas, I'm letting you go now," she thought to herself. Finally, she nodded. "I accept." … On the sixth day, an employee from the Ferguson residence came to Ember's hospital room to ask if there was anything else she wanted to take with her. "Ms. Sloane, all the belongings from your room are here. Please check and confirm." Ember glanced at the pile of items briefly before shaking her head. "There's no need. Throw them all away. I don't need anything." Atlas came to see her before her departure. Knowing it would be a long time before they met again, a strange discomfort stirred within him. "While you're abroad for treatment, take the time to reflect and fix your attitude. When you've realized your mistakes and changed, I'll come to bring you back. Do you hear me?" Ember merely nodded without any emotion. "I understand. I'll change." Atlas frowned, and his unease grew stronger. This obedient, compliant version of Ember gave him an inexplicable sense of unease. It was as if, deep down, he knew Ember wasn't supposed to be like this… At that moment, Kaylee walked in and hooked her arm through his, momentarily breaking his train of thought. "Ember, are you ready?" Seeing their intimate posture, Ember smiled faintly. "You two go on ahead. I'll just change my clothes and come out." Atlas hesitated. There was a flicker of concern flashing through him, but he ultimately allowed Kaylee to guide him out of the room. A growing sense of dread swirled in his chest. Why wasn't Ember clinging to him like she used to? Why wasn't she jealous of him and Kaylee anymore? Noticing his expression, Kaylee's eyes flashed venomously. "That wretched Ember. What could she possibly have left to hold his attention? She's already nothing more than a broken shell of her former self, and yet Atlas still cares for her," she thought to herself. But when she looked up again, her face bloomed into a sweet smile directed at Atlas. "Atlas, don't worry so much. Your parents have everything arranged. Ember will be well taken care of." Atlas nodded absentmindedly. At worst, he could always fly over to check on Ember from time to time. But she mustn't know—otherwise, she'd cling to him just like before with her temperament. The thought made him unconsciously curl his lips into a small smile. But the next moment, his peripheral vision caught a figure sitting by the fifth-floor window—a familiar silhouette. "No…" His pupils dilated as panic surged through him, and his body moved instinctively to rush forward. But it was too late. The slender figure plummeted to the ground, and a crimson bloom exploded on the earth below. "Ember!" he screamed.