Buried in the Avalanche Our Love Expired novel Chapter 1

Buried in the Avalanche, Our Love Expired

Chapter 1 Nella, Be Reasonable

Glacieroth, Glimmering Isles.
“Alfred, I did all this research and planning. We can go glacier hiking here, and there’s an ice cave exploration just ahead. I specifically asked the locals about it, and they said we can see the northern lights during the hike.”
This time, Alfred Keywood had finally carved out two weeks to come see the northern lights with her. To make this trip happen, Nella Milo also worked several grueling night shifts in a row to swap shifts with her colleagues at the hospital.
“How about we try the glacier hike tomorrow? Would that work?”
Nella’s face was buried in a thick scarf, but her eyes sparkled with pure anticipation.
Tiny ice crystals clung to her thick, curled lashes, and her nose was pink from the cold, but her eyes shone brightly.
When she spoke, her breath turned to white mist, adding an almost dreamlike quality to her eager expression.
Alfred rarely saw Nella show her emotions so openly.
Since their contract marriage had begun, Nella had always been gentle and even-tempered, emotionally stable, as if nothing in this world could make her lose her cool.
Those beautiful eyes of hers looked like a sea of stars, especially when she looked at him with that expectant gaze, as if dusted with starlight.
Watching her, Alfred felt something stir in his chest. He smiled and said, “Sure.”
Joy spread rapidly from Nella’s eyes across her entire face.
…
The next day.
The couple dressed and got ready, then headed to the ice cave exploration with a local guide.
Heavy snow fell that day in Glacieroth. Outside the hotel, thick layers of snow had already accumulated on the mountain.
“Alfred, look. This place is so beautiful, I don’t know when we’ll get to come back here again.”
Nella grabbed Alfred’s arm, unable to contain her excitement as she marveled at the scenery.
“Next time you want to come, I’ll … ”
Alfred’s words were cut short when his phone suddenly rang.
He pulled it out and answered. “Hello? What?”
His expression shifted drastically. While still on the phone, he started walking back the way they’d come.
“Alfred, what’s wrong?”
Nella’s heart sank. She reached out to grab his arm but caught only air.
He was walking so fast that Nella, weighed down by her heavy snow gear, couldn’t keep up with him.
By the time she finally made it back to the hotel, Alfred had already changed out of his snow gear and into his regular clothes.
“What’s going on?”
She walked over to him. Seeing how awful he looked, she asked with concern.
“Zoey’s been kidnapped. I need to get back right away and save her.”
Alfred’s face was dark, his voice filled with tension and worry.
Zoey—Zoey Mack. Alfred’s childhood sweetheart.
Nella knew about her.
She’d heard that Zoey had been sickly since childhood and was later sent abroad by her parents for medical treatment and recovery. She’d only returned to the country a week ago.
Watching Alfred’s frantic state, Nella felt a bitter ache in her chest.
While she stood there in a daze, Alfred had already walked out of the hotel room. As if remembering something, he turned back to Nella and said, “You can go see the northern lights tonight. I’ll come find you after I’ve rescued Zoey.”
Before Nella could respond, Alfred had already quickened his pace and left the hotel.
Nella suddenly remembered something and chased after him. “Alfred, wait.”
The moment she called out, Alfred turned around impatiently. His pleasant expression from that morning had been replaced by irritation.
“Nella, when I married you, it was because you were sensible and understanding. At a time like this, are you really going to throw a jealous fit and try to stop me from saving someone’s life?”
Alfred looked at Nella with disappointment and annoyance as he said this.
Nella felt a sharp stab in her chest. She stared at Alfred in shock.
Seeing Nella’s expression, Alfred froze, seeming to realize his attitude had been too harsh. A flicker of guilt crossed his eyes. “I …
“I just wanted you to take these snow goggles.”
Nella cut off whatever he was about to say.
She held out the goggles in her hand and said, “The sun’s out now. Between here and there, it’s all snow. You’ll get snow blindness if you don’t wear them.”
Hearing Nella’s soft explanation and looking at the goggles she offered, Alfred stood frozen.
After a long moment, he took the goggles from her hand. With a complicated expression, he pressed two fingers against his temple and explained in a hoarse voice, “I’m sorry. I was too worked up just now. That’s why I … ”
Nella shook her head. “It’s fine. A life is at stake. I understand.”
Seeing Nella’s forced smile, Alfred felt a sudden pang in his chest. Instinctively, he started to say, “Nella … ”
“Go. Saving her is what matters. Don’t waste any more time.”
Nella interrupted him, urging him on.
Thinking of Zoey, who’d been kidnapped and whose life hung in the balance, Alfred didn’t linger. “Wait for me to come back,” he said before hurrying away.
Watching Alfred hurry away anxiously, Nella could no longer maintain the smile on her face.
Over the past two years of marriage, the Alfred she knew had always been calm, composed, and refined. She’d never seen him lose his composure like this.
She supposed this was what people meant when they said worry makes you irrational.
She sighed and returned to the hotel room. The excitement she’d felt that morning had vanished without a trace.
Her marriage to Alfred was complicated, yet oddly rational.
She’d met Alfred through her mentor, Caleb Fred, a medical school professor at Apex Medical University Hospital.
Caleb was a family friend of the Keywoods. When he learned that Alfred’s grandfather, Regis Keywood, was constantly pressuring Alfred to get married, Caleb thought of introducing the student he’s most proud of to him.
That student was her—Nella.
Although Nella’s family background couldn’t compare to the Keywoods, one of the elite old-money families in Apex, hers was still a respected household of academics and intellectuals.
Her grandparents had been among the first professors at Apex, and many of the notable families and new money families had been their students.
Her parents were also professors at Apex Medical School.
And she held dual doctorates in clinical medicine from Apex Medical School, having graduated three years ahead of schedule.
Whether it was her family background or her intelligence, she barely met the Keywoods’ standards for a daughter-in-law.
And so, she and Alfred went on a blind date.
When Nella met Alfred, she was both excited and nervous, but she put on the best acting performance of her life, making their first date absolutely perfect.
“Ms. Milo, there’s something I want to make clear. I have no intention of getting married. It’s just that my grandfather won’t stop pushing me.”
“I … me too.”
Nella kept her expression natural as she sighed helplessly.
“My grandfather is seriously ill. He wants to see me married before he passes, so that’s why I … ”
She gave an awkward smile, offering what she thought was the perfect excuse for agreeing to this blind date.
Her grandfather being seriously ill was true. That he wanted her to get married was also true. But the real reason she’d agreed to the blind date was him—Alfred.
She’d had a crush on Alfred for ten years, from sophomore year of high school until now.
“If you don’t mind, Ms. Milo, we could have a contract marriage—three years. When the contract expires, we’ll divorce on grounds of incompatibility. What do you think?”
“A … contract marriage?”
Nella was taken aback as she watched Alfred nod seriously.