Ch. Ch 14 Don’t come back Ch 14

But it had been four years. Four years.

He had catered to Willow’s every whim, shown her extreme care, convinced he was doing right by the warrior who had perished in the flames trying to save his parents.

But what about Ember? What about his own sister?

Axel went upstairs and stood in front of Ember’s bedroom.

He pushed open the door to find it completely empty.

He went in and looked around, only now realizing she had taken so many of her belongings.

A sudden unease welled up inside him.

Like invisible, fine vines gradually climbing up his neck, making it difficult to breathe.

He sat on the sofa and opened his phone, scrolling back and forth, finding no missed calls or texts from Ember.

No updates on her social media either. Nothing at all.

Why hadn’t she come home yet?

He scrolled through his contacts list repeatedly, finally giving in and calling Professor Zhang, Ember’s academic advisor.

The call connected quickly, and the middle-aged professor’s steady voice came through.

Axel beat around the bush, talking in circles for a while.

Finally, awkwardly, he asked: “Has Ember been giving you any trouble these past few days?”

Professor Zhang’s voice was confused: “Ember? How could she possibly give me any trouble now?”

For some reason, Axel’s temple suddenly began throbbing intensely.

“Isn’t she away with you on business? She hasn’t returned yet, has she?”

There was a long silence before the professor’s voice came back, heavy with undisguised sadness:

“Axel, what kind of joke is this?

“Yes, I escorted Ember there, but how could she possibly come back with me?”