In the heart of City Blue, Ember slowly regained consciousness, her head throbbing with a dull, relentless ache. As she blinked her eyes open, the familiar sight of her bedroom came into focus.
"Ember, you're getting late!" her mother's voice rang from outside her door.
She groaned, pressing her fingers against her temples. "Oh God, my head… my eyes… it hurts so much." With effort, she dragged herself out of bed and stumbled toward the washroom.
As soon as she caught her reflection in the mirror, an overwhelming sadness settled over her like a heavy fog. Dark circles framed her weary eyes, a silent testament to the restless night she had endured. Her chest tightened as memories of the previous day came rushing back, and before she could stop them, tears spilled down her cheeks.
She covered her face with trembling hands. "I can't take it… Why? Why did you do this to me? Did you ever think of me as anything more than just a plaything?"
The agony in her voice echoed off the tiled walls. She turned on the faucet, splashing cold water onto her face, desperate to wash away the pain that clung to her like a second skin. "I can't let my parents see me like this. I need to move on… forget about him… as quickly as possible."
Taking a deep breath, Ember steeled herself and pushed past the turmoil raging in her heart. But deep down, she knew—forgetting him wouldn't be easy. The wounds were too fresh, the memories too vivid. Still, she forced herself to get ready for college, determined to bury herself in studies, especially with exams around the corner.
At the breakfast table, her mother placed a plate in front of her, but Ember ate in hurried silence, avoiding eye contact. She didn't want her family to notice the storm raging inside her. As soon as she was done, she grabbed her bag and rushed out, letting the melody of heartwarming songs calm her as she waited at the bus stop.
The journey to college felt longer than usual, weighed down by thoughts she couldn't escape. Even as she walked into class, her mind remained stuck in the past. The painful memories of the day before clung to her like a shadow.
"Ember!" Sofia's voice barely registered in her ears.
She didn't respond.
"Ember!" Sofia called again, but still, nothing.
It wasn't until her friend tapped her shoulder that she finally snapped out of her daze.
"Hello, Sofia," Ember muttered, forcing a weak smile.
"I've been calling you for so long! What's going on? Is something wrong?" Sofia's brows furrowed with concern as she searched Ember's face for answers.
"I'm fine… just a bit distracted," Ember replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
But Sofia wasn't convinced. Ember wasn't her usual self. There was a dullness in her eyes, a weariness that hadn't been there before.
"Are you sure you're okay? You look so pale," Sofia pressed, her concern deepening.
"I'm fine, really. It's just exam stress," Ember lied, hoping to put her friend at ease.
Sofia didn't push further, though her eyes lingered on Ember, filled with unspoken worry.
The lectures provided a brief distraction, but as soon as they ended, the weight of her thoughts returned. As she gathered her books, she turned to Sofia.
"I'm heading to the library. Let's meet at the bus stop later."
"Alright, I need to stop by the admissions office. See you soon!" Sofia waved before disappearing into the crowd.
Ember settled into a quiet corner of the library, trying to lose herself in books, but her mind refused to cooperate. Every word blurred together, his face intruding on every page.
"Why can't I focus? Why does he still haunt my thoughts? Even after everything… even though he hurt me… I still can't forget his kindness, even if it was all a lie. Have I really fallen for him?"
The thought made her heart clench painfully.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, she met Sofia at the bus stop. The concern in her friend's eyes hadn't lessened.
"Ember, you're my friend. Can't you tell me what's really bothering you?" Sofia asked gently.
Ember offered a small, reassuring smile, placing a hand on Sofia's shoulder. "It's all good, Sofia. I'm alright. You don't need to worry about me."
But even as she said the words, she knew—she wasn't alright. Not even close.
Sofia offered Ember a warm smile before pulling her into a gentle hug. "It's good to hear that, but remember, I'm always here for you. Don't hesitate to talk to me."
Ember felt a small sense of comfort in her friend's embrace. They still had some time before the bus arrived, so they sat down on a nearby bench, watching the sun slowly dip below the horizon.
After a moment of silence, Ember took a deep breath, gathering the courage to voice the question that had been tormenting her. "Sofia, what would you do if someone lied to you?"
Sofia turned to her, sensing the weight behind the question. "I'm glad you're opening up," she said softly. "It depends on the lie."
Ember hesitated before continuing, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if the lie hurt you the most… and it came from someone you hold dear?"
A knowing look crossed Sofia's face as she gently reached for Ember's hand. She gave it a reassuring squeeze. "If I were in that situation, I'd ask them to explain. If they mean so much to me, I'd give them the chance to tell me why they did it. If their reason made sense, I might be able to forgive them. But if not… I'd try to distance myself. Sometimes, it hurts to find out that someone we care about has lied to us, but understanding their reasons is just as important as the truth itself."
Ember swallowed hard as tears welled up in her eyes. The emotions she had been trying to suppress all day threatened to spill over.
Sofia, noticing her distress, pulled her into another embrace, whispering, "If you don't want to distance yourself, maybe you can help him change. It's not impossible."
A small sigh escaped Ember's lips as she rested her head against Sofia's shoulder for a moment. The burden on her heart felt just a little lighter.
After their heartfelt conversation, Ember felt a sense of relief—she wasn't alone in this. She had someone who truly cared.
As the bus arrived, they exchanged goodbyes and boarded, heading in opposite directions.
Staring out the window, Ember let Sofia's words sink in. "I think she's right… When I get back, I'll ask him for an explanation."
For the first time in what felt like forever, she had a flicker of hope.
At Adrien's house,
He absentmindedly scrolled through Ember's phone, but what he discovered made him pause. Only one contact was saved—"DYLAN," with the name "EMIR" attached to it.
A wave of confusion crashed over him, his mind racing with unanswered questions. "Why does she only have one number saved? No family, no friends… just Dylan. Why he is doing this ? And why is he hiding his real identity from her?"
The unsettling thought sent a shiver down Adrien's spine. His grip on the phone tightened as he debated his next move. "Should I call Dylan? Should I tell him she's here with me?"
But the history between Adrien and Dylan had always been complicated—hostile, even. His fingers hovered over the screen, hesitating. Then, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he made his decision.
"Click! Click!"
He snapped a couple of photos—one of himself and Ember together—before swiftly attaching them to a message. "She's at my home."
With a final glance at the screen, he pressed send.
On the Dylan's side ,
Emir stood near the window, lost in thought as the rain tapped softly against the glass. His phone buzzed, but he ignored it at first, not in the mood for any distractions. However, as he went to dismiss the notification, his fingers accidentally opened the message.
His breath hitched.
The photos stared back at him—Ember and Adrien, together. Beneath them, the words burned into his mind:
"She's at my home."
A sharp pang of dread gripped his chest. Without hesitation, he turned on his heels, storming out of the room.
"Nana, I'm going to Adrien's house!" he called out as he grabbed the car keys from the driver's hand.
The sky had darkened, the storm growing fiercer. As he sped through the rain-soaked streets, his heart pounded like a war drum. Every second felt agonizingly long, his grip on the steering wheel tightening with each turn.
With a sharp screech, the car skidded to a stop in front of Adrien's house. Without a second thought, Emir jumped out, his clothes—having briefly dried at home—now soaked again.
He sprinted to the door and slammed his finger against the doorbell, his urgency turning the sound into a relentless, frantic chime.
"Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong!"
The storm raged on, but Emir's storm was brewing inside.
"Ding dong!"
The door swung open, revealing Adrien standing in the doorway, a friendly smile playing on his lips.
"Nice to meet you, Dylan," he greeted cheerfully, as if this were a casual visit.
But Dylan had no patience for games. His jaw clenched, his eyes dark with urgency. "Where is she?" His voice was sharp, laced with desperation. He wasn't here for small talk—he needed to see Ember. Now.
Adrien, enjoying the chance to push Dylan's buttons, smirked. "She's in my room."
The words sent a surge of rage through Dylan. Without thinking, he grabbed Adrien by the collar, his grip tightening as he demanded, "What did you do to her? Why is she here at your house? And most importantly, how dare you touch her?"
His anger radiated like fire, his eyes burning with unspoken fury.
Adrien, unfazed, let out a chuckle. "Haha! You haven't changed at all. How about we sit down and play a little game of question and answer? That seems more important right now."
Dylan exhaled sharply, his patience wearing dangerously thin. With a frustrated groan, he released Adrien's collar and rubbed his temples. "Ugh! Just tell me which room she's in."
Finally, Adrien decided to cooperate, though his amusement was still evident. "First floor. My room. You know where it is."
Dylan shot him a glare, his fists clenching at his sides. "You…" he started but cut himself off. There was no time for an argument.
He turned on his heels and rushed upstairs, his heart pounding with every step.
When he pushed open the bedroom door, his breath caught in his throat.
There she was. Ember.
Relief flooded his chest as he finally laid eyes on her. "Finally, I found you," he whispered, exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
But something was wrong.
As he stepped closer, he noticed she wasn't moving. She lay still, her face serene, yet something felt off. A cold wave of fear gripped him as he knelt beside her.
"Ember… Ember," he called softly, his voice trembling. He reached for her hands—
Cold.
His heart dropped.
She wasn't responding.
Adrien stepped into the room, his voice sharp yet controlled. "Remove your hands from her."
Dylan hesitated but eventually pulled away as Adrien knelt beside Ember, carefully assessing her condition. A frown creased his brow. "She fainted. The real question is—what did you do to her? Why isn't she responding?"
Dylan's fists clenched at his sides, his worry overshadowing his frustration. "That's none of your business. Just tell me what happened to her. Why is she like this?"
Adrien let out a slow sigh. "Let her rest. Come downstairs."
Dylan hesitated for a moment, glancing at Ember before nodding. He followed Adrien down to the living room, his thoughts a tangled mess of fear and guilt.
As soon as they sat down, Dylan's patience snapped. "Tell me what happened to her. And how did you find her?"
Adrien leaned back, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "It's a long story."
Dylan's eyes darkened. "Get to the point."
Adrien shrugged, deciding not to test his patience further. "I found Ember in the middle of the night. She had fainted on the roadside. I saw a car speeding away and rushed to help her."
Dylan's heart pounded. "And?"
"She was drenched," Adrien continued. "So I brought her here. Funny enough, your house isn't too far from where I found her."
Dylan's gaze sharpened. "Then why didn't you bring her to my place?"
Adrien smirked. "You mean send her back to where she ran from? Don't make me laugh."
Dylan's jaw tightened. "Fine. I'll take her back now."
As he stood, ready to head back to Ember, Adrien grabbed his wrist, his tone suddenly serious. "Wait."
Dylan turned, impatience flickering in his eyes.
"Tell me the truth—what did you do to her?" Adrien's voice was no longer playful. "Why was she wandering the streets in the middle of heavy rain when she should've been safe in bed? And why is your number the only one saved in her phone?"
Dylan's expression darkened, guilt flashing across his face. "That's none of your business. Thanks for taking care of her."
Adrien shook his head, his voice edged with frustration. "It's no longer just my business. When I met her this morning, she was full of life—smiling, laughing. But later…" He exhaled, his fingers curling into a fist. "I couldn't believe what I saw. Her joyful face replaced by silent tears. And when I found her? She wasn't just unconscious. She fainted, but even then, tears streamed down her face. Her body trembled, and she kept calling your name."
Dylan's breath hitched. Guilt crashed over him like a tidal wave.
Silently, he stepped forward and placed a hand on Adrien's shoulder. "Thank you… for helping her. I won't let this happen again."
Without another word, he rushed back to Ember's side.
His heart clenched as he knelt beside her, gently taking her cold hands in his own. A lump formed in his throat, and his vision blurred with unshed tears.
"I'm so sorry for not telling you everything," he whispered, his voice thick with regret. "I won't let this happen to you again. I swear… I love you."
Leaning down, he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead before carefully gathering her into his arms. Holding her close, he murmured, "Let's go back home."
And with that, he carried her out of the room, determined to never let her go again.
As they finally reached home, his grip tightening protectively around her. Without hesitation, he strode toward her room, his voice firm yet gentle as he instructed Nana, "Tell Butler Feng to come back. Let him know that I found her."
He pushed open the door and carefully laid Ember down on the bed, brushing a few damp strands of hair away from her face. Just as he was about to pull the blanket over her, his eyes caught sight of her clothes.
A scowl formed on his face. "What is she wearing?" he muttered, irritation flaring within him. "Adrien… that brat! He did this on purpose—to tease me and make Ember uncomfortable."
His jaw tightened as he turned back toward Nana. "Can you change her clothes? Hers are all wet."
Nana nodded with understanding. "Of course." She gently helped Ember into fresh, dry clothes while Dylan waited outside, pacing restlessly.
A few moments later, Nana stepped out. "It's done. But you should change too, or you'll catch a cold."
Dylan exhaled, nodding. "Yeah, I will."
Still, he couldn't walk away—not yet. His feet carried him back to Ember's bedside, where he slowly sat down. He reached for her delicate hand, holding it between his own. His heart clenched as he whispered, "I really love you. I'm not playing with your feelings. I truly, deeply love you."
The raw confession trembled in the air, and just when he thought he was speaking into the void, a faint murmur escaped Ember's lips.
"I love you too."
Dylan's breath hitched. His body went still. He stared at her peaceful face, stunned. The words may have been spoken in her sleep, but they shattered the last wall holding back his emotions.
A sob broke from his throat, and before he knew it, he was crying—silent, painful tears that he had held back for far too long. He clutched her hand tighter, pressing a soft kiss against her knuckles.
"I promise I will never hurt you again. You can trust me... truly, from now on."
A sudden knock at the door snapped him out of his moment of vulnerability.
"Knock, knock!"
Dylan quickly wiped away his tears, clearing his throat before asking, "Who is it?"
"It's me, Butler Feng."
Dylan sighed, getting up. "Coming."
Stepping outside, he faced the elderly butler, who handed him a small device. "Sir, this is footage from the street. I thought you might need to see it. It's a relief that she's alright now."
Dylan took the device, his fingers tightening around it. His gut twisted with unease. "Yeah… she's fine now. You should rest, Butler Feng. It's late."
"Goodnight, sir," the butler said before walking away.
Dylan returned to Ember's room, but something still didn't sit right with him. A lingering anxiety gnawed at his mind.
After a moment's thought, he grabbed a fresh set of clothes and took a quick shower in Ember's bathroom, hoping to clear his head.
When he emerged, the sight of her sleeping soundly in her bed brought a wave of relief over him. But even then, the thought of leaving her alone unsettled him.
What if she disappeared again? What if he woke up and she was gone?
The very idea sent a chill down his spine.
Without a second thought, he pulled the sofa closer to her bed and lay down, keeping her within his sight. As a final precaution, he locked the door and hid the key.
Only then did he allow his body to relax. His gaze remained on her peaceful face, his heart silently vowing—he would never let her slip away again.
On the Ember's side…
When Ember returned home, her mother greeted her warmly, "Hey, Ember, go freshen up and come for dinner. I made all your favorite dishes today."
Ember forced a small smile. "Okay, Mom." Though she had planned to give Dylan time to explain himself, something inside her still felt unsettled.
After washing up, she joined her family at the dinner table, settling beside her younger brother, Zen. He turned to her with his usual curiosity. "How was your day today, Ember? What about you, Mom?"
Their mother, sensing the unease in Ember's expression, replied, "The same as every other day—some lectures and a trip to the library."
Ember nodded, barely touching her food. The conversation around her continued, but her thoughts remained elsewhere.
Once dinner was over, Zen suggested, "Let's watch a movie together tonight!" Excitement filled his voice, and their mother agreed enthusiastically.
Ember hesitated before standing up. "Mom, I think I'll head to my room to study. I have an exam coming up."
Her mother frowned, reaching for Ember's hand. "No, you can't. Sit with us and watch the movie. How many times have I told you not to stress so much over exams? Just look at yourself—you look so pale today. You need to relax your mind."
Ember understood her mother's concern and gave her a reassuring smile, squeezing her hand gently. "Okay, okay, I won't stress. I'll stay."
The family gathered in the living room, enjoying the film, but Ember's mind was far from the screen. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the weight pressing on her chest.
When the movie ended, they all bid each other goodnight and headed to their rooms. Just as Ember was about to step inside, her parents called out to her.
"Ember, don't stay up all night, okay? Take it easy—it's just an exam. Everyone has to face them," her father said, his tone filled with concern.
Her mother nodded in agreement.
Ember chuckled softly. "Okay, okay. I love you guys. Goodnight. And yes, I won't stay up late."
But as she entered her room and shut the door, she already knew she wouldn't be able to sleep.
She settled at her study table, flipping through her notes, but her mind refused to focus. Restless, she sighed and whispered to herself, "I can't sleep tonight."
She picked up the study notes Sofia had given her, but even that didn't help. The thought of facing Dylan weighed too heavily on her.
With a tired sigh, Ember grabbed a book and lay down on her bed. Holding the book close to her face, she tried to focus—but exhaustion took over. Her eyelids grew heavy, and before she knew it, she drifted off into sleep.
When she awoke, something felt… different.
The softness beneath her, the warmth in the air—it wasn't her bed.
Slowly, she tried to open her eyes, but they felt unbearably heavy. A bright stream of sunlight filtered through, making her squint. As her vision adjusted, her breath hitched.
Dylan.
He was right there, lying next to her, his face illuminated by the golden morning light as he slept.
A whirlwind of emotions crashed over Ember as reality settled in.
She wasn't in her room.
She was in Dylan's house.