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!"