Chapter 2

New Year's Eve, 4 AM, Skyridge Peak.

The wind was fierce. I stood wrapped in my down jacket at the edge of the observation deck, watching the city lights twinkle in the distance.

Chloe Davis stood beside me, shivering uncontrollably.

She wore a short skirt with black stockings, topped with a thin-looking white cashmere coat.

"Hiking really isn't suitable for short skirts," I casually remarked.

It really was just a casual comment.

The next second, her eyes welled up.

"Scarlett, I didn't mean to dress like this. I thought it wouldn't be so cold on the mountain..." Her voice trembled, as if I'd been the one to upset her.

Before I could even speak, Ethan started blaming me.

"Scarlett Hayes, it's her freedom to wear whatever she wants. Do you have to be so harsh?"

"I was just reminding her," I said, looking at him, my voice calm.

"Reminding?" Ethan sneered. "That tone of yours was a 'reminder'?"

Chloe quickly pulled his sleeve.

"Ethan, don't blame Scarlett. I'm sure she was just concerned about me. It's my fault for not dressing properly."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

Ethan's expression grew even darker.

He pulled a tissue from his pocket and handed it to Chloe, then turned to me.

"Scarlett Hayes, why can't you ever be more gentle?"

I didn't say anything.

The friends around us exchanged glances. Someone tried to smooth things over. "Alright, alright, let's not fight. The sunrise is almost here!"

"Yeah, Chloe, don't cry. Here, take my jacket."

Someone took off their waterproof jacket and draped it over Chloe.

Chloe wiped her tears and thanked them, looking as sweet and innocent as could be.

I just stood there, feeling like the villain.

Ethan didn't look at me again. He walked with Chloe to the other side of the observation deck, murmuring to comfort her, "Don't take it to heart. She's just like that, she speaks without thinking."

Twenty-three years I'd known him, and that's how he described me.

The horizon in the distance began to lighten. Someone yelled "Sunrise!" and a group of people gathered to take photos.

I didn't move.

I stood still, watching them huddle together. Chloe was protected in front of Ethan. She looked up at him and asked, "Ethan, isn't it beautiful?"

Ethan looked down at her and smiled. "Beautiful."

I couldn't tell if he meant the sunrise or her.

Suddenly, I felt a little tired.

The sunrise quickly ended. Everyone took photos on the observation deck, then discussed heading down for breakfast.

"Let's go, let's go! I'm freezing! There's a great diner at the bottom of the mountain; let's grab some brunch!"

When we reached the cars, I found Ethan's car door locked.

He leaned against the driver's side door, looking at me, his expression indifferent.

"Scarlett Hayes, you stay here."

I stopped.

"What do you mean?"

He raised his chin, gesturing toward the peak. "Go up there and be alone. When you've figured out what you did wrong, call me, and I'll come get you."

Everyone around us was stunned.

"Ethan, what are you doing?"

"Stop messing around, get in the car. Scarlett, you too."

Ethan ignored them, just looking at me.

His gaze was absolute, like he was watching a cat that couldn't escape.

He knew I didn't have a car.

He knew we were at the summit, and getting a ride was impossible.

He knew I had no other choice but to give in to him.

"Are you sure?" I asked him.

"Sure," he said. "You're too proud; it's time you learned a lesson."

I nodded.

Then I turned and walked toward the peak.

"Scarlett!" someone called after me.

I didn't look back.

From behind me, I heard Ethan's voice, "Don't worry about her. She won't go far, she'll be back. She hates the cold."

Then came the sound of car engines starting.

The convoy drove off into the distance.

I walked back to the observation deck and found a sheltered spot to sit.

I called my dad.

Half an hour later, a roar came from the sky.

A black helicopter slowly descended.