Chapter 2

When I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself not in a hospital, but in a strange warm place.

Alarmed, I quickly sat up.

But as soon as I tried to stand, my body collapsed weakly to the floor.

"Why are you getting up? Your body hasn't fully recovered yet, you still need more rest."

A strange man helped me up from the ground.

I instinctively looked up at him.

The young man supported my body and helped me back into bed, then sat down beside me.

Compared to Ryan's striking good looks, the face before me could only be described as fresh-faced.

He handed me a bowl of medicine.

"Drink this."

I looked at him hesitantly.

"What is it?"

The bitter herbal smell alone made me wince. I've never liked bitter things.

"It's medicine I found to drive out the cold from your body. You were frozen for so long in the snow, if the cold isn't expelled completely you'll get sick."

"Were you the one who saved me?"

The young man nodded, still holding out the bowl to me.

Seeing his boyish smile revealing dimples, I smiled back slightly and took the bowl from his hands.

The man introduced himself as Ethan Chen. His family lived at the foot of the mountain and ran a traditional medicine clinic.

He said Ryan and Sophia had come to his clinic earlier to use the phone, and that's how he learned there was still someone stranded on the mountain. So he went up specifically to rescue me.

I felt incredibly grateful and thanked him profusely.

Ethan blushed in embarrassment.

"By the way, could I borrow your phone? I've imposed on you for so long, I should..."

Ethan didn't say anything, just went to get his phone from across the room.

I instinctively took the phone, but as soon as I turned it on, I saw news flooding the internet about an engagement celebration.

Seeing two familiar names, I couldn't help but click on the article.

The report showed Ryan and Sophia in hospital gowns.

As I scrolled through photo after photo, the final image showed the two of them in formal attire, faces radiating happiness.

The internet was flooded with stories praising their undying love on the snowy mountain. There wasn't a single mention of me anywhere.

I held back my tears and looked up at the awkward Ethan.

"Why... why are you crying?"

I sniffled, trying to contain my heartache, and asked: "Was I unconscious for a long time? Did any rescue teams come up the mountain?"

Ethan instinctively shook his head.

"I live here and I didn't see any rescue teams..."

Seeing my tears fall harder, he hurriedly tried to explain: "Maybe I just didn't notice. Hey, don't cry. Your body hasn't recovered, you can't get too emotional."

I forced myself to hold back my tears and nodded slightly.

Mountain rescues are always a big operation. How could Ethan, who runs a clinic at the foot of the mountain, not have noticed?

I gritted my teeth and still dialed my brother's number.

"Brother..."

As soon as the call connected, I couldn't hold back my sobs.

"Emily? Is that you? Where are you right now?"

I told my brother my location in detail, my throat tight with emotion.

My brother didn't say much, just promised he would come get me soon.

"By the way Emily, there's one more thing I need to tell you. The Parker family notified us that they want to break off your engagement."

My brother sounded hesitant, as if afraid of hurting me.

But surprisingly, I felt nothing at this point.

"It's okay brother, let's talk about it when we get back."

"Alright, I just wanted to give you a heads up. Never mind, I'll head back now."

With that, I reluctantly hung up the phone.

At the same time, I reconsidered my feelings towards Ryan.