Chapter 2

At Frederick's remark, Colette covered her mouth to suppress a laugh.

I clenched my teeth and pushed myself to my feet.

The mountain trail was steep. Before long, we were making our way down.

I lagged far behind the rest of the group. It had rained the day before, leaving the ground slick. I could barely keep my balance and fell four times. Each time, the pain was so intense that it nearly knocked me out.

The last slip almost sent me tumbling over the edge of a cliff. In that split second, Frederick yanked me back and wrapped his arms tightly around me.

I looked up at him. At that moment, I caught a flash of fear in his eyes.

It reminded me of the Frederick I used to know. Back then, even the smallest scrape on my hand would leave him riddled with guilt.

Those days had been beautiful. That was why I never imagined love could be this fragile and fleeting.

"Anastasia Sherman, are you an idiot? Can't you watch where you're going?" Frederick asked sharply. "You've lived in these mountains for five months, and you still don't know there's a cliff here?"

His voice snapped me out of my reverie. I stared down at the abyss below and remained silent.

A second later, he crouched down, muttering in frustration, "You're such a klutz! Get on. I'll carry you the rest of the way."

Right then, a startled scream rang out ahead. Colette had slipped, too, and her body was tilting dangerously toward the cliff's edge.

Without hesitation, Frederick sprang up and dashed forward. I couldn't grab him in time and hit the ground hard, my head slamming against a rock.

As soon as he reached Colette, he pulled her into his arms. She looked petrified, so he gently reassured her.

After that, he turned around and lifted her onto his back.

Someone asked if I was okay. I nodded in response. However, when I moved, I felt something trickle down my head.

I reached up to wipe it away, only to realize it was blood.

If this were the old me, I would've panicked and screamed for Frederick to take me to the hospital. I would've whined just to make him worry. But now, the pain meant nothing to me.

I figured I had about five days left. The effects of the radiation were already starting to show.

…

By the time I staggered down to the foot of the mountain, Frederick was helping Colette into the front seat of the car.

The moment he saw me, he froze. He furrowed his brows before asking, "Why are you bleeding so much? Cat got your tongue, Anastasia? Why didn't you say you were hurt?"

"You were too far ahead. I couldn't call out to you," I replied.

I hadn't spoken in so long that my voice came out hoarse.

Back then, I had taken vocal lessons just because Frederick once told me he liked my singing. I even got certified.

On top of that, I stopped eating spicy food. Even though I loved it, I had to protect my voice. But now, none of it mattered anymore.

Starving, I reached for a bag of chips in the car. They were spicy enough to make my eyes water, yet I kept eating.

Frederick looked like he was about to scold me. Yet, the words got stuck in his throat. He looked at me with a conflicted expression, his frown deepening.

"That's enough. Stop eating, or your stomach will act up again!" he snapped.

Having said that, he snatched the food from my hands and threw it to the floor.

Then, without another word, Frederick pulled me into the passenger seat before turning to Colette, who was still standing outside the car.

"Colette, take the back seat," he instructed.