Chapter 4

After a few days of rest in the hospital, Cheyenne stepped out alone. The doctor had warned her about the early signs of depression and suggested she get some fresh air. Drawn by the warm weather, she set out for a stroll. Not long after wandering through Southfield, fatigue set in. She decided to step into a cozy bar. As she settled into a window seat, her gaze landed on two familiar figures outside. It was Nolan and Georgia, weaving their way through the crowd. Noticing the cream smudged across Georgia's face, Nolan gently wiped it away with a handkerchief. He even knelt down to retie her loose shoelaces. Cheyenne watched them in silence. Back when they had been madly in love, Nolan had cared for her just as attentively. But with time, even the truest feelings were bound to change. She knew it was finally time to let go. Turning away, Cheyenne closed the window curtain. At that moment, Georgia pulled Nolan into the bar, choosing the private booth right next to hers. The booth offered little sound insulation, and their conversation carried through clearly. "After I ran away from the wedding, my parents were furious," Georgia said."They're forcing me to go on a blind date. If I don't comply, they'll cut me off. What am I supposed to do? I don't want to be with anyone else. Even if we have no official status, I only want to be with you." After a brief pause, Nolan's deep voice broke the silence. "I'll marry you. Go ahead and tell your parents." Georgia froze, her voice thick with disbelief. "You'll marry me? But aren't you still legally Cheyenne's husband?" "I only held a wedding ceremony with her. We never got legally married. In a few days, I'll send her abroad under the pretense of celebrating our 'anniversary.' During that time, I'll go to the courthouse with you." Cheyenne's fingers curled tightly into her palm. So, that was the truth. It turned out that Nolan's carefully planned "wedding anniversary" surprise was nothing more than a ruse to get her out of the way. Cheyenne felt as though her heart had been pierced by a sharp blade. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. From next door, she could hear Nolan and Georgia discussing the details of their upcoming marriage. Unable to bear it any longer, she grabbed her handbag and rushed to the restroom. Her pale face and bloodshot eyes stared back at her from the mirror. She turned on the faucet, letting cold water cascade over her trembling hands. Still, it did nothing to calm the turmoil burning in her heart. After what seemed like an eternity, the blaring sound of a fire alarm sliced through the air. "Fire! Everyone, get out now!" Amid the screams and chaos, Cheyenne pushed the door open. A thick wall of smoke swallowed her instantly. With her mouth and nose covered, she battled through the crowd toward the emergency exit. From the corner of her eye, she saw Nolan running against the tide of people. His shirt was drenched in sweat, panic carved into his features. "Georgia! Georgia, where are you?" A passerby grabbed him. "Get back! It's a raging inferno in there!" Like a man possessed, Nolan shrugged him off and plunged straight into the flames. His resolve was unshakable, as if even the gates of hell itself couldn't stop him from saving Georgia. Cheyenne froze in place, her mind flickering back to the landslide that had struck when she was 16. She had been buried beneath the rubble, clinging desperately to life. It was Nolan who had dug through the wreckage with his bare hands. Even as his fingers grew raw and bloody, he refused to stop until he had pulled her back from the brink of death. From that moment on, she had believed the young man who once risked his life for her would always be the one she could depend on. But much to her astonishment, he was now throwing himself into danger for someone else. It wasn't that Nolan had stopped caring; his heart had simply moved on. Cheyenne was soon swept to safety by the pressing crowd. In the distance, the wail of approaching fire trucks grew louder. Her heart clenched as she watched the building being consumed by flames. After what felt like an eternity, a figure staggered out from the inferno. With his body streaked in wounds, Nolan cradled Georgia in his arms. Though battered and bleeding, he had kept her safe. When he finally escaped the roaring fire, his legs gave way. He collapsed, still holding Georgia tightly against him. Paramedics raced forward, carefully lifting them both onto stretchers. Cheyenne stood frozen, watching the ambulance fade into the distance. After a moment, she turned and vanished into the darkness. Once she was home, she cut off all communication and intentionally stayed away from Nolan at the hospital. Packing her things became her sole focus. Once everything was ready, she booked a flight for five days later. Soon, the airline called to confirm her itinerary. She answered each question without hesitation. "Yes, my flight is set for five days from now—" But before she could finish, the door burst open. Nolan stood in the doorway, a bandage across his forehead. His expression darkened as he snapped, "And where exactly are you going in five days?"