Chapter 345: Chapter 343: Let’s Be Together 4

A wildfire had broken out in the surrounding mountains, and the flames were spreading toward him.

Panic flashed in Aaron Wyatt’s eyes. He scanned his surroundings, but there was still no sign of Annabelle Linton.

Overcome with panic, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Annabelle! Annabelle!"

No one answered.

Aaron Wyatt scrambled to put on his shoes, then peered into the forest from the riverbank.

Flames and smoke obscured his vision. He coughed ceaselessly as he searched for any sign of Annabelle Linton.

"Annabelle! Annabelle Linton!"

He searched and searched, terrified he might miss her. He scanned his surroundings high and low, but Annabelle Linton was nowhere to be seen.

Aaron Wyatt’s eyes slowly misted over as fragmented memories surfaced in his mind.

’Many, many years ago in Borealgard, my older brother perished in a sea of flames just like this...’

’Why? Why does everyone close to me have to leave me like this?!’

Unable to find Annabelle Linton, Aaron Wyatt was on the verge of a breakdown.

But he didn’t stop. He ran into the forest to find her.

Before long, firefighters arrived. The entire forest was cordoned off. Some of them fought the fire, while others maintained order and evacuated the public.

Still, Aaron Wyatt couldn’t find Annabelle Linton.

His heart was in his throat. He couldn’t imagine how he would go on living if something happened to her.

Aaron Wyatt’s voice trembled as he roared, "Annabelle! Annabelle Linton! It’s a fire! Where are you? Come out!"

A firefighter ran up and blocked his path, his expression stern. "Sir, you have to leave this area with us. If something happens to you, we won’t be able to answer for it!"

Aaron Wyatt shoved him fiercely, his face filled with fury. "Get lost!"

"Sir, don’t be so reckless! Please, cooperate with us. We’ll help you look for the person you’re trying to find. What if she’s already down below? You can check for her at the base of the mountain!"

"She wasn’t here to begin with! What if she’s trapped in the woods? If anything happens to her, I won’t be able to live either! I told you to get lost, so get lost! I’ll find her myself! Go!" Aaron Wyatt shoved the firefighter again, roaring frantically.

"Annabelle Linton! Annabelle Linton!"

"Aaron Wyatt—"

Just as Aaron Wyatt was searching, a familiar voice called out from the distance.

He froze and spun around.

Annabelle Linton stood in the distance, wearing a white dress. She was doubled over, panting for breath, clutching a drawing board and colored pencils.

She had gotten up very early that morning to go sketch somewhere else.

Seeing he was still asleep, she hadn’t woken him.

But while she was sketching, she heard sirens. Seeing the faint signs of fire on the mountain, she had feared he would be frantic and ran back.

And sure enough, he was beside himself with worry.

Aaron Wyatt’s eyes instantly reddened. He ran to Annabelle Linton and pulled her into a tight hug. "Annabelle," he said, his voice taut with tension, "where were you? I thought something happened to you!"

Annabelle Linton’s heart ached as well; she had been frantic too when she saw the forest fire.

She glanced around. The fire was mostly extinguished, but it wasn’t a place to linger. Annabelle Linton gave him a gentle push. "I’m fine. Come on, let’s get out of here first."

"Just one more minute."

"Don’t be silly."

Aaron Wyatt released her, but kept his hands on her shoulders, gazing at her intently.

’Just moments ago, he’d truly thought something had happened to her. He had been terrified.’

’In that moment, he had felt a sense of panic and regret unlike anything he had ever known.’

’He’d loved her for so many years. The thought that he might lose her without ever even having the chance to be with her... it was an unbearable regret.’

’Just then, he had decided. He wouldn’t wait any longer. If both he and Annabelle Linton made it out of this safely, he would ask her to be his girlfriend.’