Chapter 17
865words
The year was coming to an end, and Forrest had invited her to watch a movie on New Year's Eve.
She understood the significance of his invitation and felt the same warmth for the kind and gentle man.
Whenever she was with Forrest, she felt relaxed and at ease. It was a sense of reliance she hadn't experienced since her parents passed away.
The streets were aglow with neon lights by evening.
Everywhere was festively decorated, bustling with life. Couples strolled by, hand in hand, adding to the lively atmosphere.
Ember chose a long crimson dress paired with a wool coat to match the occasion, striking the perfect balance between playful charm and elegance.
As gentle snowflakes began to fall from the sky, Ember instinctively reached out to catch them, only for a shadow to appear overhead.
It was Forrest. He adjusted her scarf and tilted the umbrella toward her side in a natural gesture.
"Sorry, did you wait long?"
His thoughtful action brought a soft pink hue to Ember's cheeks. She smiled and shook her head. "Not at all."
"Ember," he said, his gaze sweeping over her with genuine admiration, "you look beautiful tonight."
"Thank you."
Forrest wore a brown trench coat, and his hair was neatly combed to one side, making him look tall and dashing.
Together, they turned heads, with passersby quietly marveling at the striking pair.
"The movie's about to start," Forrest said as he naturally took her hand. "Let's go in."
It was the first time they'd held hands.
Feeling shy, Ember bit her lower lip and nodded softly. "Alright."
But just as they turned to leave, a voice suddenly boomed out like thunder in the quiet street.
"Ember Sloane!"
Startled, Ember froze mid-step. She turned toward the source of the voice and saw a man in black striding toward her.
He was handsome, with sharp features. However, his face was haggard, and his cheeks looked hollow from weight loss.
His eyes burned with urgency as he stared straight at her with unrestrained intensity. Although his gait was unsteady, he moved with impatient determination.
Confused, Ember looked at the man and asked sincerely, "Um, excuse me, but who are you?"
In that instant, it was as though Atlas had been struck by lightning, and he was left frozen in place.
His eyes widened in shock as he stared at her for a long moment before snapping out of it. Gripping Ember's shoulders with trembling hands, he exclaimed, "Ember, my Ember, it's me—Atlas!"
His voice was laced with desperation, and his expression was teetering on the edge of madness. "Are you avoiding me? Are you still angry, is that why?"
Then, he glared at Forrest with a sharp turn. "Ember, tell me, who is this man? How long has it been, and you're already abandoning me for someone else?"
Forrest frowned deeply, and he forcefully pushed Atlas' hands away from Ember before positioning himself protectively in front of her.
"Sir," he said in a colder and more authoritative tone than ever, "please show some respect to my girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?"
Atlas' voice wavered as though the word was completely foreign to him. His gaze darted between the two before locking onto Ember's face again.
"Ember, is that true?"
Ember pressed her lips together and hesitated before nodding slowly. "That's correct. This is my boyfriend.
"May I ask who you are? I don't think I know you."
Atlas stared at her in disbelief. "That's impossible!"
"I'm Atlas Ferguson—your fiancé!"
"Fiancé?" Ember repeated. Her brows furrowed as she tried to make sense of the unfamiliar term.
She was certain—there wasn't a single trace of this man in her memory.
"I'm sorry," she said while shaking her head. "You must be mistaken. I don't have a fiancé, nor do I know you."
She maintained her composure and politeness. "My boyfriend and I are on our way to a movie. Could you please step aside?"
How could this be?
Atlas watched Ember turn away with a distant expression, her words and demeanor sending his emotions plummeting.
Just moments ago, he was soaring with the joy of finding her again, only to be doused in cold water by her unfamiliar gaze and calm dismissal.
How could Ember not recognize him? How could she be walking beside another man?
They had been so deeply in love!
"Wait!" he called out, reaching out instinctively to grab her. "Ember! Can we just—"
But Forrest immediately stepped between them, shielding Ember completely.
"Sir," Forrest's voice was cold and steady, laced with a warning. "My girlfriend has already told you—she doesn't know you.
"If you persist in bothering her, don't blame me for being less polite."
Atlas narrowed his eyes, studying Forrest closely. This man's aura was unmistakable—he had to be from an influential family.
Nonetheless, Atlas wasn't going to back down so easily.
His expression darkened as he stared Forrest down, refusing to yield. "This isn't over. I will come back for her. Ember belongs to me and no one else."
Forrest smirked faintly. His demeanor was calm but sharp. "Is that so? Go ahead and try.
"I guarantee you'll regret it."
