Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Amber felt like she was struck by lightning. Each breath she took weighed heavily on her chest as she gazed out the window. The flames outside reflected in her eyes.

She knew it was only a matter of tbefore Jameson disposed of her. After all, he had already harbored suspicion toward her. Yet, she refused to let that beast use her against Axel, the man she loved.

"Amber, will you be scared if I invite you to jump down withfrom here?" Axel grabbed her firmly on the waist with a smile.

Staring into his eyes with a look of determination, she answered, "I'm not scared." "Tsk. Can't you makefeel like a man, just once?" He playfully glared at her and pinched her on the waist. "You could at least pretend to huddle in my arms and tremble like the typical damsel in distress." "I'm scared, to be honest." She gazed at him longingly. "But I'm fearless when I'm with you." Axel's heart of steel melted from her sweet words. Giving her another kiss, he urged, "Let's go!" Next, he wrapped her body under his black windbreaker before firing a few shots at the windows.

They held their breath as smoke filled the room. Then, they sprinted toward the window with all their might. Axel rammed his body into the glass, shattering it, and he jumped off the fifth floor while holding Amber tightly.

The flames licked the sky while glass shards and sparks rained on them.

Amber's heart nearly cto a stop. She shut her eyes in fear.

In the frenzy, she overheard Axel's labored breathing, which only added to her anxiety.

A swishing sound was heard when an extremely thin metal rope whizzed out from his sleeve and attached itself to the wall.

Holding Amber in one arm, Axel scaled down the wall using the metal rope. They landed safely within 10 seconds—a short but memorable tfor her.

Having no tto take a breather, they held onto each other as they escaped into the woods. Suddenly, Amber cto a pause and tremblingly shook off his hands.

Axel spun around with a look of shock. "Amber-" "I'm sorry, but I can only make it up to here with you." Tears brimming in her eyes, she took a resolute step away from him. "I will only be a burden to you if we stick together. Leave while they haven't reached us.

"Also, please do not look foragain. This thing between us shall end here." "Are you askingto give up on you? At this dangerous time? Amber Altman, what do you takeas?" Gripped by worry, he gritted his teeth and approached her, but she stumbled backward.

He argued, "Even if you refuse to leave with me, you cannot possibly return to Jameson's side. He wanted you dead alongside me. Don't you get it?" "That's true. Jameson Schmidt wanted us dead, but you're still alive. Isn't that right?" She flashed an impassive, heartless smile, yet her heart was torn apart. "I can only live knowing that you're alive. If we stick together, Jameson will never let you go, and we'll never enjoy a day of peace. "Axel, I have important business here. I don't have the luxury to be in love. That's not what I want. But I will always remember the romance we once shared." With that, she ran into the hellish ocean of flames, leaving him shouting futilely behind her. "Amber Altman! Cback!" Her tears scattered in the chilly breeze.

The fire turned the entire villa into a ruin. Not a living being escaped the tragedy.

Ten men, dressed in black and holding flashlights, launched a search in the scorched building.

Meanwhile, Carl stood outside the scene with a pale face and teary eyes. "Search carefully! I need to see her, alive or dead!" "Yes, sir!" At that moment, he heard a series of heavy and familiar footsteps approaching him from behind.

"Amber... Altman?" He turned around, his features contorting in a mix of shock and delight when he saw Amber, covered in dirt and blood.

"Call off the search. Axel Whitaker is gone." Amber cast an icy glance at Carl. With a smirk, she added, "I'm sorry for letting down Mr. Schmidt again." Startled, Carl rushed up to her and interrogated her in a repressed voice, "Did you let him go?" "Do you think I'm all-powerful? Of course I didn't." "Amber, this is a final warning. Got it?" Carl grasped her shoulders firmly and panted heavily. "The next tyou run into Axel Whitaker, you must kill him!" "We're longtcolleagues. I don't want you dead!" Carl was ten years older than Amber. Indeed, she had grown up in front of his eyes. He had formed a bond with her because he'd been by her side ever since she enrolled in special training in her teens. "Amber, just be patient! Let's all be patient. Once Mr. Schmidt completes the drug experiment for Sir, he'll gain power over the Schmidt Group and monopolize the country's pharmaceutical industry! He'll crush the likes of KS Group and Beckett Group! "When the tcomes, you'll reap your rewards. We'll live a good life. Serving MK Schmidt is your only way out!" A greedy look flashed across her eyes. He did not mind sharing the secret plan with Amber inhis desperate attempt to convince her. Carl, getting emotional from his heartfelt speech, suddenly pulled Amber into a hug. Despite feeling disgusted by him, she did not shove him away.

"Amber, listen to me. You must kill Axel Whitaker the next time!" Inhaling deeply, Carl promised her in a tender tone, "I'll talk to Mr. Schmidt about this. Just listen to me. Stay alive, no matter what it takes!"