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.
“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?
+25 BONUS
Chapter 17
They had been so deeply in love!
“Wait!” he called out, reaching out instinctively to grap her. “Ember! Can we just-
But Forrest immediately stepped between them, shielding Ember completely.
“Sir,” Forrest’s voice was cold and steady, laced with 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.” 1
Forrest smirked faintly. His demeanor was calm but sharp. “Is that so? Go ahead and try.
“I guarantee you’ll regret it.”
