Amid the biting cold, Bella felt her hands were warm.
Justin held her numb little fingers, enveloping them in warmth like
never before.
It was as if her nervous system was kicked back to drive.
Bella closed her eyes with ease and leaned against his wide back. Her cold hands regained
temperature in his grasp, her fingers curling for
more.
Feeling a tingle, Justin clutched tighter in case she withdrew her hands in repulse.
âBe a good girl and donât move,â the man said sternly, feeling the pain
on his back harder to ignore.
Still, he managed to keep his injuries from her.
For once, he hoped he could gain her trust and be the shoulder she
could lean on.
âUh⦠Itâs cold. Walk faster,â Bella murmured in a daze.
âHang on. Iâm sure weâll find a place to shelter from the rain soon.â Between heavy breathing and foggy
rain obstructing his vision, Justin
took each step with much difficulty.
âWhat if we canât find one?â Bella had lost her strength. Her voice was
soft and sweet.
âJust take cover in my arms, then,â Justin blurted.
âI-I donât want to! Donât try to cop a feel!â Bellaâs heart skipped a beat, and her eyes turned flighty.
Justin curled his lips. The restless woman on his back seemed to
supply him with boundless energy and affection he did not think his
heart could hold.
He should quit messing with her and focus on the road. She was not going anywhere, anyway.
They were stuck together, their breaths and heartbeats mingling as
one.
It was like they were back at that dramatic moment thirteen years
ago.
The girl he carried on his back was all grown up.
She was even married to him once and had been his wife for three
years.
Meanwhile, Steven could not shake off the worry for Bella and ran to the campsite with an umbrella in
hand.
Upon arrival at the camp base, his black umbrella was ravaged by the
rain. His suit was soaked, and his leather shoes were covered in mud.
âMs. Bella!â
Steven ran into Frank, dressed in a raincoat, and lan.
âHuh? Isnât that Young Madamâs lapdog?â lan nearly blurted out the
pet name he gave Steven.
âWhy are you⦠Donât tell me Justin is here. Whereâs Ms. Bella?â
Steven had been working with Bella long enough to know that something was amiss. His throat was in
his throat.
âCan you stop yelling, Mr. Lovett?â
lan was a bundle of nerves, too. However, he trusted that Bella would make it through the landslide and
storm. He had faith in Justin to find her and protect her. âMr. Salvador and the park rangers are looking
for the young madam in the mountains as we speak. I have gotten three choppers on the search and
rescue team, just as Mr. Salvador instructed. Mr. Salvador vowed not to return until he finds the young
madam.â
Stevenâs jaw dropped.
Justin made a point not to return unless he had found Bella.
Steven found it hard to believe that Justin, despite his indifference would make such a proclamation for
Bella.
âItâs all my fault. I shouldnât have let Anna hike up the mountain.â
Frank pounded his chest and blamed himself.
âDonât say that. You must trust Mr. Salvador. He is the GOAT.â
Steven and Frank were speechless.
lanâs words did not offer comfort. Instead, he filled the air with
awkwardness.