“Kaylee, I won’t let you insult my parents!
“They were selfless heroes! What gives you the right to speak about them that way?
“And for all these years, I’ve been the one by Atlas‘ side. You’re nothing but an intruder–a third party!”
Just as Ember’s words ended, a few teammates appeared in the distance.
Kaylee clearly noticed the teammates approaching as well and gave Ember a taunting smile.
“Oh? You should know that the one who isn’t loved is the real third party. Atlas doesn’t love you at all. Don’t believe me? Just wait and see.
With that, she slammed her wrist hard against a nearby rock.
The injured
area instantly swelled, turning a deep shade of purple. Turning around, Kaylee began to cry,
and her voice was trembling as she spoke to the approaching teammates.
“Could you guys call for help?
“Ember and I got into an argument, and… She pushed me! My hand hit the rock, and it hurts so much right now…”
The teammates were alarmed by her words, and they hurried off to find help, leaving only Ember and Kaylee behind.
Atlas remembered this incident vividly. When the teammates first reported it to him, his immediate reaction was to blame Ember.
“What? She hurt Kaylee? Why the hell does she always cause trouble for me?”
By the time he rushed over, the avalanche had already occurred. The snow had swept Ember off the cliff; erasing all traces of what had happened.
He recalled considering using Kaylee’s camera footage to track Ember’s location. But Kaylee had claimed Ember had wandered off elsewhere and wasn’t standing in the same spot.
That last critical lead to finding Ember had been lost because of her.
Back on the screen, the video continued to play. Ember’s voice now carried a trembling sob.
It was the tone she always used when she felt wronged–angry, hurt, and frustrated.
Since Kaylee’s arrival, Atlas had heard that tone countless times.
In a voice shaking with emotion, Ember demanded, “Why are you always targeting me? I’ve never done anything to hurt you!
“Can’t you just like someone else? Why do you have to take Atlas from me?”
But before Ember could finish speaking, a thunderous rumble echoed in the distance, growing louder
and closer.
The screen shook violently, and the camera panned to show an avalanche roaring down the mountain. It was an unstoppable wave of snow.
Chapter 11
+25 BONUS
“Avalanche! It’s an avalanche!” Ember screamed in panle.
But before she could react, Kaylee suddenly shoved her with all her strength. Ember tumbled off the cliff as she was caught off guard.
The wind roared past her ears, drowning out all other sounds, except for Kaylee’s venomous curses that followed her down.
“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.
“Just die already, Ember Sloane!”
