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.