Belle peered out of the window at the relentless sheets of rain that fell from the sky. The rhythmic drumming on the roof was almost hypnotic. Despite the gloomy weather, she was resolute in her decision to celebrate her birthday on the trails of Wildwood Mountain.

“I can’t believe you still want to go through with this,” Alex said, adjusting the straps of his backpack. His voice held a mix of admiration and incredulity. “We could have just gone for dinner like normal people.”

Belle shot him a playful grin, the kind that always made him relent.

“Come on, Alex. What’s a little rain? We’ve planned this for weeks. Besides, the birds are supposed to be incredible this time of year, and I’ve read that the flowers are at their peak bloom.”

Alex sighed and shook his head, a fond smile tugging at his lips.

“Alright, alright. I guess a birthday hike it is.”

As they set off from their campsite, the air was filled with the earthy scent of damp foliage.

The path to the summit of Wildwood Mountain was narrow and winding, flanked by towering trees whose leaves danced in the wind. The rain had turned the trail into a muddy challenge, but Belle found it exhilarating. Each step squelched beneath her hiking boots, and every gust of wind felt like an embrace from nature itself.

A few paces ahead, her eyes scanning the dense canopy above.

“Look!” she shouted over her shoulder. “I think I see one of those birds!”

Alex quickened her pace to catch up. She could see a flash of brilliant blue feathers darting between the branches. Her heart leaped with excitement.

“Wow, it’s even more beautiful than I imagined!”

Belle was so happy with her arms clinging to Alex that Sabrina could not even enjoy the view.

Perhaps, Alex read her mind. He turned his head, and his gaze softened, as if pleading for some understanding despite her nearly turning green in jealousy.

"His father specifically asked me to make her birthday as memorable as possible, before she returned back to London," she remembered him said.

With one final glance, Alex turned his head back to look at what Belle was pointing at.

The three of them paused, captivated by the sight of the rare bird that flitted gracefully through the trees. Belle felt a profound sense of wonder. This moment, despite the downpour, was perfect in its own way. Her birthday wish was coming true, just as she had hoped.

“See?” she said, nudging Alex gently. “Totally worth it.”

Alex chuckled. “You win this time, birthday girl.”

They continued their trek, the rain showing no signs of letting up. The higher they climbed, the more the trail became a slippery challenge. Sabrina, ever the adventurer, seemed undeterred.

“Keep an eye out for the flowers,” he called back. “They should be around here somewhere.”

Belle’s heart raced with anticipation as they approached a clearing.

There, scattered across the landscape, were the rare mountain blooms she had read about. Their vibrant colors stood in stark contrast to the gray sky, their petals adorned with raindrops that sparkled like diamonds.

“Oh, they’re beautiful!” she exclaimed, kneeling to admire them. She gingerly reached out to touch one of the petals, feeling its delicate texture beneath her fingertips.

She then took out her camera, snapping a few pictures.

“These are going to look amazing,” she said, capturing the moment. “I’m glad we didn’t let a little rain stop us.”

They lingered in the clearing for a while, savoring the sights and sounds of the mountain. The birds, the flowers, the way the world seemed to hold its breath—it was all a gift. Belle felt a profound sense of gratitude for being here, surrounded by nature and good company.

As they started their descent, however, the rain intensified, turning into a torrential downpour. The sky darkened ominously, and the sound of thunder rumbled in the distance. They picked up their pace, eager to return to the safety of their camp before the weather worsened.

“Let’s be careful,” Alex warned, his tone shifting to one of concern. The trail was slick with mud, and every step required caution.

Belle nodded, her earlier excitement replaced by a growing unease. The rain was relentless, and the mountain trail felt more treacherous with each passing moment. She glanced at Sabrina, who seemed to be having no trouble navigating the path. Her confidence was reassuring, but her own worries began to gnaw at her.

The path narrowed as they approached a particularly steep section. It was then that Belle felt the earth beneath her feet shift slightly, a foreboding sensation that sent a chill down her spine. She glanced at Alex, who had also noticed the change.

“Stay close,” he said, reaching for her hand.

Before she could respond, a sudden, deafening roar filled the air. The ground trembled violently, and the hillside began to give way beneath them. Belle's heart lurched in her chest as she realized what was happening—a landslide.

Deja vu.

“Run!” Alex shouted, pulling her along as the earth crumbled around them.

The path ahead disappeared in a chaotic swirl of mud and debris. Behind him, Belle was struggling to maintain her footing. She stumbled, the ground betraying her, and before she could regain her balance, the earth beneath her gave way entirely. In an instant, she was swept down the slope, her cries of alarm lost in the cacophony of the landslide.

“Belle!” Alex screamed, his voice barely audible over the roar of the falling earth.

"Alex! What should we do?"

Alex’s grip on her tightened as he pulled her back, away from the edge. Panic surged through her, but she forced herself to focus on Alex's voice.

“We need to get to safety!” he yelled, leading her to a more stable section of the trail.

The chaos lasted only a few terrifying moments, but it felt like an eternity. When the rumbling finally subsided, they stood breathless and shaken, their hearts pounding in their chests. The path they had traversed just moments before was now a ravaged landscape, and Belle was nowhere to be seen.

“We have to find her."

“We will. But first, we need to make sure we don’t get caught in another slide.”

With cautious steps, they began to navigate the altered terrain, calling out Belle’s name in the hopes of a response. The rain continued its relentless assault, and the mountain seemed more foreboding than ever.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally spotted a glimpse of movement below. Belle was lying on a narrow ledge, partially hidden by a fallen tree. Her clothes were mud-streaked, and he appeared to be unconscious.

“There she is!” Alex gasped in horror as he hurried down the slope toward her.

When they reached Belle’s side, Alex knelt beside her, his heart aching at the sight of her injuries. Her face was pale, a bruise forming on her temple.

“She’s hurt badly,” Alex said, worry etched in his voice. “We need to get her help, fast.”

“Belle, can you hear me?” she asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.

A faint groan escaped Belle's lips, a small sign of life that offered them a glimmer of hope. But her eyes remained closed, and her breathing was shallow.

“Okay, we need to stabilize her somehow,” Alex said, glancing around for anything they could use. “We can’t move her too much, but we have to get him back to camp.”

Sabrina’s mind raced, the urgency of the situation pressing down on her. She and Alex worked quickly, using whatever they had in their backpacks to create a makeshift splint. They wrapped her in their rain gear, hoping to keep her warm as the chill of the rain seeped into their bones.

“We’re going to get you out of here,” Alex promised softly.

With painstaking care, they managed to lift Belle onto a stretch of fabric torn from Alex’s rain jacket, turning it into an impromptu stretcher. Each step back down the mountain was a challenge, the path slippery and treacherous, but they pressed on, driven by determination and fear.

The rain showed no signs of abating, and the journey back to camp felt endless. Sabrina and Alex took turns bearing Belle's weight, their muscles aching from the effort. The storm showed no mercy, but their resolve was unyielding.

“We need to call for help,” Alex said urgently, reaching for his phone. But the rain-soaked device remained stubbornly silent, the screen refusing to light up.

“Damn it,” he muttered, frustration etched on his face. “No signal. We’ll have to find another way.”

What happened next came so fast that both Sabrina and Alex could not respond. The landslide was much bigger than before, and it crashed down on them faster than she could blink.

"Alex!"

In that heart-stopping moment, Sabrina reacted without hesitation. She lunged forward and reached out towards him instinctively, her fingers grasping at empty air as she tried to grab Alex’s arm, pulling them back. Her strength and quick thinking saved them, but the momentum carried her dangerously close to the edge.

Alex's eyes widened in horror as Sabrina lost her footing, her body tilting precariously. It happened so quickly—one instant she was there, and the next she was gone, disappearing over the edge in a terrifying blur of motion.

“Run!”

I hesitated for a split second, my mind frozen with fear. But the urgency in his voice jolted me into action. I turned to flee, adrenaline surging through my veins as I sprinted down the trail, he close behind. 

The ground continued to tremble violently, the very fabric of the mountain unraveling beneath their feet.

My chest pounding; its frantic rhythm matched the chaos surrounding us. I could hear him calling out to me, urging me onward, and yet I felt so scared.

Not for me.

My life meant nothing for me today.

“Don’t look back! Keep going!” 

But as we reached a narrow bend in the trail, the path ahead crumbled away, leaving a gaping chasm between us and safety. We skidded to a halt, teetering on the edge of the land mass, trapped between the advancing landslide and the void that seemed eminent now once it's front of me. 

Panic clawed at my throat as I turned towards him, my eyes wide with fear.

“What do we do?” 

His gaze was steady, his determination unwavering.

“We jump. We have no choice.” 

I hesitated, fear anchoring me in place, but he took my  hand, his grip firm and reassuring. 

“Trust me,” he said, his voice steady despite the chaos around us. “We can make it if we jump together.” 

I nodded, swallowing my fear as I clung to his hand. Together, we took a deep breath, drawing strength from each other in that harrowing moment. 

“On three,” he said. “One...two...” 

We leapt into the void as one, our bodies suspended in the air for a heart-stopping moment before we landed on the unstable ground below. The impact jolted through us, the force of our landing almost knocking us off our feet. But we held on, scrambling to regain our balance amidst the shifting debris. 

The landslide bore down on us with relentless fury, the roar of destruction growing ever louder. We stumbled forward, our movements fueled by desperation and the instinct to survive. 

But the mountain was unforgiving, the trail ahead a treacherous gauntlet of falling rocks and churning earth. As we navigated the treacherous terrain, a particularly violent tremor sent me crashing to my knees, my hands clawing at the ground for purchase. 

“Sabrina!”

I struggled to rise, my body trembling with exhaustion, but the ground gave way beneath me, pulling me closer to the edge of the ravine.

"Argh!"

I cried out, my fingers slipping against the slick earth, fear coursing through my veins like fire. 

He lunged toward me, desperation etched on his face. He caught my arm, his grip strong but tenuous, as he pulled me back from the brink of disaster. The world seemed to be a blur of motion, the ground unstable and unpredictable, my mind in utter shambles.

“Don’t let go of my hand,” I heard the pleading from his voice. "Please, Sabrina, hold on.” 

I clung to him with all my strength, my heart pounding in my chest as I fought against the force of the landslide. The earth continued to shake violently, each tremor threatening to tear them apart. 

“I won’t let go,” I promised, my voice barely audible over the roar of the mountain. 

In that desperate moment, time seemed to slow, the world reduced to the singular connection between us—our clasped hands, his gritted teeth, the veins bulging from his arms, his eyes.

Especially his eyes.

And as the landslide raged on, the ground beneath his feet shifted dangerously, threatening to pull him down into the depths below. He struggled to maintain his footing, his grip on me slipping as the earth crumbled away beneath him. 

“No!”

Sabrina woke up gasping for air, a fresh wave of nausea surging through her as she fisted her hands against her bed’s comforter.

"W-Wha—?"

Awoken by the rhythmic beeping of the machines beside her, the sterile scent of the hospital room seeping into her consciousness, Sabrina blinked her eyes open. Her head throbbed with a dull pain, and a persistent ache in her ankle reminded her of the gravity of the accident. She glanced around the room, her eyes searching for any familiar face. Yet, the room was empty.

Where’s Alex?

As her mind sluggishly tried to come to terms with her current situation, Sabrina groaned when she tried to turn her head. Her eyes fell on the bedside table, where a small bouquet of wildflowers sat in a glass vase. The gesture was thoughtful, but it did little to quell the growing unease within her. The clock on the wall ticked away, each second intensifying the silence that enveloped her.

I need to call...

Just as Sabrina was about to close her eyes again, a gentle knock against her room’s door jolted her out of the pervading darkness. A moment later, a familiar figure stepped inside. It took her a moment to recognize that it was Ana Larkin—her colleague from Evergreen Conservation Group—with her wavy auburn hair tied back in a loose ponytail and a warm, empathetic smile. Seeing her disheveled look and heavily panting form, she hurriedly walked towards her.

“Sab?” asked with a concerned look, before reaching her hand to give it a little squeeze. "How's your feeling?"

She gave her a grim nod, fighting to restrain the violence inside her that threatened to lash out.

Same old nightmares, she wanted to answer. I can't seem to get rid of them.

But she said nothing. Perhaps, it still hurts to force her voice out. The restlessness that had always stirred in her escalated into a molten rage the moment she realized that her life had changed drastically.

Life was so fucking unfair.

Fisting the grief that had uncoiled in her stomach back into the dark pit inside of her, Sabrina forced the hurt back until she temporarily felt nothing.

They said time heals all wounds, but in her case, the years didn't cause the pain to deteriorate as much as they did whatever happy memories she had of her past. Those years only made her a bitter, unforgiving woman, as she had almost sixteen years of practice of punishing herself for the death of the very person she would trade her life over, having the Band-Aid ripped away over and over again from the same goddamned bleeding wound each time.

“A-Ana,” Sabrina murmured, her voice hoarse and her throat dry. “How long have I been here?”

“Two days,” Ana replied, pulling up a chair and sitting down beside her. “We were all so worried. The doctors say you’ll be fine, but you need to rest and let your body heal.”

Sabrina nodded, trying to piece together the fragmented memories of the hike and the subsequent landslide.

“Alex… he was with me, wasn’t he?”

“Yes, he was,” Ana confirmed, a hint of concern flickering in her eyes. “He’s been back and forth between here and the city, handling some urgent business matters. But he’s been calling in regularly to check on you.”

“I see,” Sabrina said, though it didn't fully soothe the unease that gripped her. She had hoped Alex would be there when she woke up.

Ana seemed to sense her turmoil and placed a gentle hand on Sabrina's. “I’m sure he’ll be back soon. He loves you, Sabrina. You know that.”

Sabrina nodded again, but her mind was already shifting to another concern.

“What about the petition? Did we get the hearing?”

Ana's expression shifted slightly, a shadow of hesitance crossing her features. “That’s actually why I’m here,” she began carefully. “I wanted to talk to you about that.”

Sabrina’s heart sank at her tone. She braced herself for the news she feared.

“What happened?”

Ana took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Sabrina’s with a mixture of empathy and urgency.

“The judge decided to postpone the petition hearing. Apparently, we’re missing some critical votes from key community members and stakeholders. Without their support, the judge isn’t willing to reconsider the case.”

The weight of the words settled heavily on Sabrina's shoulders. She had poured so much of herself into the conservation efforts, fighting tirelessly to protect Wildwood Mountain from the looming threat of development. The thought of the judge dismissing their plea was a crushing blow.

“We need those votes, Sab,” Ana continued gently. “If we don’t secure them, all our work could be for nothing.”

Sabrina closed her eyes, wrestling with the sense of defeat that threatened to overwhelm her. The accident, her injuries, and now this—the universe seemed intent on testing her resolve.

“We’ll find a way,” she said finally, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. “We have to.”

Ana nodded, her expression one of solidarity. “I know we will. But there’s something else, Sabrina. I think you should talk to Alex about this.”

Sabrina’s eyes opened again, her gaze questioning. “Why Alex?”

Ana hesitated for a moment, clearly weighing her words. “Because Sinclair Construction Enterprises is the company behind the proposed development and is HIS family’s business. Alex might have some influence. He could help us sway those stakeholders.”

The suggestion hung in the air, an unspoken tension that Sabrina felt deeply. She understood the implications—her fiancé, Alex, was intricately tied to the very corporation threatening the mountain she fought to protect. The irony was not lost on her.

“He’s bound by corporate responsibilities,” Sabrina said, more to herself than to Ana. “And family expectations. I don’t know if he would risk that for me—for us.”

Ana’s gaze was compassionate yet firm.

“But it’s worth a try, isn’t it? If anyone could make a difference, it’s him. You have to at least consider it, Sab.”

Sabrina nodded slowly, though her mind remained a whirl of conflicting emotions.

Belle sighed, "We need more backing to push this forward. Right now, the construction is proceeding as planned."

After Ana left, the silence of the room enveloped Sabrina once more. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts swirled chaotically. She knew she had to talk to Alex, but the conversation loomed dauntingly in her mind.

Reaching for her phone, Sabrina hoped for some message or missed call from Alex, but the screen showed nothing. Disappointment settled over her, but as she was about to put the phone down, a notification caught her attention—a new Instagram post from Belle.

Her name speaks itself. The golden child of the Sinclair-Montvale Clan.

Curiosity piqued, Sabrina tapped on the notification.

The first post was a snapshot of a belated birthday celebration, taken right there in her hospital suite. Belle stood at the center of the image, surrounded by the Sinclair family. Everyone was present, including her very own fiancé—Alex, who held a birthday cake while Belle blew out the candles. The image was a tableau of happiness, their smiles bright despite the sterile hospital setting.

"Really?" Sab scoffed bitterly, tilting her face upwards to stop the sudden watering of her eyes.

The cheerful scene felt out of place, given the current circumstances. She couldn’t help but wonder why such a gathering had taken precedence when she was lying here alone.

Swiping to the next post, Sabrina’s unease deepened. The picture was of Belle and Alex, side by side, both smiling. The caption read, “Thank you for prioritizing my safety.”

Sabrina stared at the screen, her mind racing with questions.

Why was he even with Belle instead of by my side?

What was he prioritizing?

Did he really save her first before me?

The image stirred a mix of emotions within her—confusion, hurt, and a simmering doubt.

The hospital lobby was bustling with activity as Sabrina made her way toward the exit, her ankle still tender but manageable with the aid of crutches. Her thoughts were a turbulent mix of relief and apprehension. She was grateful to be leaving the confines of the hospital, yet the situation with Alex weighed heavily on her mind.

Earlier, just before her discharge, a heated argument had erupted between them over Belle’s Instagram post. Speculation about Alex's fidelity had circulated online, fueled by the comments beneath the cheerful images. Sabrina's own cryptic comment on the post, born out of frustration and confusion, had added fuel to the fire.

"We need to talk about your comment on Belle's post, Sabrina," Alex began, trying to keep his voice calm but failing. He stood by the window of her hospital room, his posture rigid. “People are talking! There’s speculation about us, about our engagement. It’s damaging.”

Sabrina had met his gaze, trying to keep her own emotions in check.

“And what about your actions, Alex? You were with Belle while I was lying here. It’s not just the post that’s causing problems.”

He had run a hand through his hair, exasperation evident in every line of his face.

“You know I’ve always been there for you, Sabrina. That post—it was just a misunderstanding. Belle’s family came to visit, and I was trying to support her after the accident.”

And what about me!? What about me, Alex? I've been hurt, too. But where were you?

In her mind, she'd lashed those words. But it would make her sound desperate like she truly was. And she was tired of baring herself raw to him just so he could pierced the dagger in her heard and twist it for fun.

Instead, she said, “You have to see how this looks, Alex. Especially when I’m the one fighting for the mountain, and you’re…” She had paused, unable to finish the sentence.

“...and I’m what? Trying to navigate between the company and what’s right?” Alex had finished for her, his voice softening slightly. “Sabrina, you know I’m in a difficult position. But I’m here, trying to make it work for us.”

Despite his explanations, doubt lingered in her mind. Alex’s relationship with Belle had always been platonic, she believed, but the optics of the situation were hard to ignore. Her heart ached with the weight of the uncertainty that had settled between them.

"Work for us? More like, work for you," she said quietly, her shoulders drooping in defeat. "I've told you about the petition, Alex. You know how important this is to me," she said, searching his face for any sign of understanding. “And Ana suggested that maybe you could help.”

Alex’s expression shifted subtly, a flicker of tension crossing his features.

“I was afraid you’d ask me that. Again.”

Sabrina’s heart sank slightly at his words. “Alex, this development—it threatens everything we’ve been working for. Wildwood Mountain is more than just land; it’s part of our identity, our heritage.”

He nodded, his gaze steady. “I know, Sabrina. But you have to understand, it’s complicated. The company has obligations, and my father is heavily invested in this project. There are expectations I can’t just ignore.”

Sabrina felt the weight of his words settling over her, the reality of their situation starkly clear. Yet, she couldn’t let go of hope. “But can’t you try? Maybe there’s something you can do to influence the stakeholders?”

Alex hesitated, his eyes reflecting the inner conflict he was wrestling with. “I’ll see what I can do,” he said finally, though the uncertainty in his voice lingered. “I can’t promise anything, Sabrina, but I’ll talk to my father.”

It wasn’t the definitive answer she had hoped for, but it was something.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, appreciating the effort he was willing to make.

Alex reached out, taking her hand in his before dropping a kiss onto her forehead.

"Okay. Meet me at the lobby, baby. I will just finish your discharge papers so we could go."

It only took them a few minutes to process her discharge, and as they approached Alex’s car in the hospital parking lot, Sabrina braced herself for what she hoped would be a smoother ride home. But the sight that greeted her set her on edge once more.

She again.

Belle sat in the passenger seat, her forehead still adorned with patches from her own injuries. She held an ice cream cone in one hand, a casual air about her that seemed at odds with the tension surrounding the trio.

Sabrina halted in her tracks, her grip tightening on the crutches. Her eyes flicked between Alex and Belle, searching for some indication of why Belle was here, taking the seat that Sabrina expected to occupy.

Belle’s voice broke the awkward silence, though it carried an edge of entitlement that made Sabrina's jaw tighten. “I asked Alex if I could sit in the front. I’m still a bit uncomfortable from my injuries, you know?” She offered a smile, but it lacked sincerity. “Would you mind sitting in the back, Sab?”

Alex remained silent, his expression unreadable. Sabrina’s heart sank at his lack of protest or support. The expectation for her to comply felt like another blow to her already fragile state of mind.

For a moment, she considered insisting on sitting in the front, but the hospital parking lot was not the place for a confrontation. Taking a deep breath, she nodded, biting back the words she wanted to say.

“Sure."

With measured movements, she maneuvered into the backseat, her crutches awkwardly positioned beside her. Alex helped her with the door, but his silence lingered, amplifying the tension.

As they pulled out of the parking lot, the atmosphere in the car was heavy with unspoken words. Sabrina stared out the window, her thoughts a jumble of emotions.

So he was letting her eat in his car while I'm not allowed?

And why does Alex drive her home when she had dozens of bodyguards in her disposal?

Is she so use to being his passenger princess whenever he drove her around?

She wanted to ask Alex more questions, to push for answers that might alleviate her doubts, but the presence of Belle made it difficult.

Instead, she listened as Belle chatted about mundane topics, her tone light and conversational. Sabrina’s thoughts drifted to the way Alex occasionally glanced at Belle, a subtle connection that seemed to reinforce the insecurities that had taken root within her.

The drive stretched on, punctuated only by Belle’s continued monologue. She talked about her plans to recuperate fully, her voice carrying a sense of entitlement that made Sabrina’s skin prickle with unease.

“Oh, and Alex,” Belle said suddenly, turning her attention to him with a bright smile, “I wanted to treat you to dinner tonight. You’ve been such a support through all this.”

Sabrina felt a twinge of resentment at the suggestion, but before she could respond, Belle added, “Sabrina, you should come too, if you want. I’m sure we can find a way to celebrate your recovery.”

The invitation felt more obligatory than genuine, and Sabrina couldn’t help but wonder if it was simply a way to keep up appearances. She glanced at Alex in the rearview mirror, hoping for some sign of solidarity, but his eyes were fixed on the road.

“Thanks, Belle,” Sabrina said finally, her voice neutral. “I’ll think about it.”

"No need to think about it. Tonight's dinner is on me, clear?"

The rest of the journey passed in silence, the tension simmering beneath the surface. Sabrina’s mind continued to race with thoughts and questions she couldn’t voice.

When they finally arrived at the restau, Sabrina carefully exited the car, grateful to be back in familiar surroundings. Alex helped her inside, his hand steady on her elbow, but the unspoken rift between them seemed to widen with each step. Belle marched first to make reservations, and they were left alone at the parking lot.

“Sabrina." He looked like he was not sure what to say. "I want you to know that I’m doing my best to sort this out. With Belle, with the company, with everything.”

She nodded, appreciating his attempt to reassure her, but the words felt like a temporary balm rather than a solution.

“I know. I just wish things were clearer.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “So do I. But we’ll figure it out, okay?”

Sabrina offered a small smile, though it felt strained. “Yeah. We’ll figure it out.”

With that, Alex excused himself, leaving Sabrina alone with her thoughts once more. She knew she needed to have a deeper conversation with him, to understand where they truly stood. But for now, she needed time to process the whirlwind of emotions and uncertainties that had become her reality.