## It happened during an Antarctic expedition. A sudden avalanche buried us both. I gave everything I had to save her, pushing her to safety while the snow swallowed me whole. I was left behind, frozen forever in that icy wasteland. When she didn’t see me emerge from the snow, she assumed the worst—that I had abandoned her to save myself. It didn’t take long for her to fall into the arms of another man. “Jason, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have survived,” she sobbed. “I’m divorcing him. I want to be with you.” Later, our expedition made headlines, earning a Guinness World Record for our achievement. Ironically, my wife’s newfound fame led her to sign on as a guide with an Antarctic research team. But fate has its ways. On her next trip south, another avalanche struck. This time, the snow unearthed my body. The truth came crashing down like the ice that had buried me. She fell to her knees before my frozen corpse, wailing in regret. At the Guinness World Record ceremony, I stood in the shadows, watching her accept the award. My wife—ex-wife now—stood on stage, smiling for the cameras. Our five-person team had accomplished something historic: trekking through the Antarctic during polar night, documenting phenomena no one had recorded before. The achievement filled a gap in human history. It was a feat worth celebrating. But for me, the memory was tainted. The journey had been perilous, every step a gamble with death. Thanks to the route I had meticulously planned, we had made it almost to the end. Almost. Then the avalanche came. I used every ounce of strength to save her, shoving her out of harm’s way. And for that, I paid the ultimate price. Now, I was nothing more than a silent witness. My soul lingered, unseen, as she basked in the glory I’d died for. A reporter asked her a question from the crowd. “Ms. Bennett, you’ve become a global icon for female adventurers. Many young women look up to you as a role model. Do you have any advice for them?” She smiled into the camera, her polished image on full display. “Choose your partners wisely,” she said sweetly. “You really see someone’s true colors in life-or-death situations.” Then, with a deliberate pause, she added, “This expedition also showed me my ex-husband’s true nature. I have to thank Jason for saving me.” Her words twisted the knife in my chest. After I’d saved her, she’d searched for me in the chaos. But Jason, ever the opportunist, seized the moment. He told her I had abandoned her to save myself. He even produced a doctored video of me running during the avalanche, claiming he was the one who had pulled her from the snow. Fueled by anger and betrayal, she had filed for divorce the moment we returned home. Now, a year later, it was finalized. She was single again, free to rewrite the past however she liked. Another reporter jumped in with a provocative question. “Ms. Bennett, you recently finalized your divorce. Do you have any lingering feelings for your ex-husband?” Her smile vanished, replaced by a look of disdain. “Feelings? None,” she said coldly. “In fact, I’d like to use this opportunity to send him a message.” She turned to the camera, her voice sharp. “Zach Carter, you left me to die in that avalanche. Then you hid from me for an entire year out of guilt. Now that the court has finalized our divorce, I want to make it clear: we are done. Forever.” The live stream chat erupted with outrage. “Who takes their wife to Antarctica and runs when it gets dangerous? Disgusting!” “Marriage is supposed to be a partnership. This guy’s a coward.” “‘In sickness and in health’ doesn’t mean anything anymore, huh?” The reporter, sensing an opportunity to fan the flames, pressed on. “Ms. Bennett, is it possible your ex-husband didn’t abandon you? Could he have… died in the avalanche?” She shook her head firmly. “First of all, I have video evidence of him running. Second, he was wearing a biometric monitor. I’ve checked—it shows he’s alive and well. He just chose to disappear.” Her words brought a bitter smile to my face. If she had cared enough to look deeper, she would’ve realized I wasn’t hiding. I was gone. Truly gone. The spotlight shifted as Jason walked onto the stage. Under the gaze of the cameras, he dropped to one knee, holding out a ring. “Lia,” he said, his voice full of false sincerity, “let me be the one to protect you from now on. In your darkest moments, I’ll be your light. In your happiest days, I’ll stand by your side. Will you marry me?” The crowd erupted in cheers. Tears filled her eyes as she nodded. “From the moment you saved me from that avalanche, I knew—you’re the one I was meant to be with.” And with that, she threw herself into his arms, their kiss fiery and passionate. I stood frozen, my chest tightening as though shards of ice were stabbing my heart. I had given my life for hers. And now, she stood there, kissing the man who had lied to her, who had stolen my sacrifice and called it his own. Fate was cruel, and I was its silent witness.
The proposal was just the start of the event. This wasn’t just a Guinness World Records award ceremony—it was also the official signing for Lia’s upcoming role with the Antarctic Research Team. She had been hired to lead the team across Antarctica, documenting the mysteries of polar night and filming a groundbreaking documentary. The signing went smoothly, and a month later, Lia and Jason arrived to meet the research team. However, as soon as she spotted one of the team members, her smile vanished. She frowned and took a step back. “DylanBlake,” she said sharply, “what are you doing here?” Dylansmirked, his expression cold and defiant. “I’m part of this team too. Why shouldn’t I be here? I’m going to Antarctica to uncover the truth.” His voice grew louder as he took a step toward her. “Lia, for an entire year, you’ve been telling everyone that Zach abandoned you during the avalanche. You claim he’s still alive, that he ran off and is hiding. But I waited for him, too—for a whole year. If he’s alive, why hasn’t he come back to me?” I sighed as I watched the scene unfold. Dylanhad been a close friend of mine. He was the youngest scientist on the Antarctic research team, passionate and brilliant. Before I’d left for Antarctica, he had asked me to collect some samples for one of his research projects. I’d succeeded in gathering the samples, but I never got the chance to deliver them. The avalanche had ended my journey—and my life. If I had any regrets, it was for my friends like Ethan, who had been left behind with no answers. Over the past year, Dylanhad tried repeatedly to reach Lia, desperate to know what had happened to me. But she had shut him out every time. When that didn’t work, she escalated—accusing him of harassment, filing complaints, and nearly costing him his spot on the research team. Now, here he was, standing in front of her, refusing to back down. Jason, ever the smooth talker, stepped in to diffuse the tension. “Ethan,” he said calmly, “the route Lia and I took last time was far too dangerous. We barely survived the avalanche ourselves. That’s why I’ve charted a new route for this expedition. We won’t be going anywhere near the old one.” Ethan’s face turned red with anger. He pointed a finger at Jason, his voice rising. “This isn’t about safety—it’s about hiding the truth! Zach didn’t abandon anyone. He died because of you two!” Lia crossed her arms, her expression icy. “Ethan, you’re a scientist. You’re brilliant when it comes to research. But when it comes to outdoor exploration, you’re out of your depth. Let the professionals handle this.” She glanced at Jason, then back at Ethan. “If Zach had listened to Jason’s advice last time, none of us would’ve been caught in the avalanche. He made reckless decisions, and look where that got him. Do you think you’d fare any better?” Her words cut deep, and I could feel the frustration bubbling inside me. Jason, a so-called “expert,” was actually my protégé. He’d only started learning about outdoor expeditions a year before our trip to Antarctica. If it hadn’t been for Lia insisting he join us, I never would’ve brought him along. His “new” route may have seemed shorter and safer on paper, but in reality, it was riddled with dangers. It passed through wolf-infested mountains and icy rivers prone to flash flooding. Any slip-up along the way could’ve been fatal for the entire team. The route I had planned, on the other hand, had been tested and proven safe. If it hadn’t been for the freak avalanche, nothing would’ve gone wrong. But Lia had ignored my decade of experience and placed her trust in Jason—a rookie who barely knew what he was doing. The irony was almost laughable. Before Dylancould respond, Professor White, another member of the research team, stepped in to calm things down. “Let’s not argue,” the professor said, pulling Dylanback. “We’re all here to work together, and we’ll leave the logistics to the professionals.” He turned to Lia and Jason with a polite nod. “Don’t worry. We’ll follow your route exactly as planned.”
Escorted by helicopters, the research team finally stepped onto the icy terrain of Antarctica. Lia immediately stepped forward, assuming command. “From this moment on, everyone must follow Jason’s and my instructions to the letter. No exceptions. We can’t afford any mistakes out here. Understood?” The team members nodded in agreement, including Ethan, though his expression was heavy with doubt. The First Few Days The first day passed uneventfully, and so did the second. But by the third day, trouble arrived. The team found themselves in the middle of a wolf pack’s hunting grounds. The male team members gripped their rifles tightly, scanning the snow for any movement. At the center of the group, Ethan’s face was grim as he turned to Lia. “This is only the third day, and we’ve already attracted a pack of wolves. Wolves don’t just wander off—they’ll stalk us from a distance until they find an opening. How are we supposed to conduct research like this?” Lia’s face darkened. “This must be a freak occurrence. We couldn’t have known the wolves would migrate to this area.” Behind her, Jason shrank back, hiding behind her like a child, avoiding eye contact with anyone. “Let’s just keep moving,” Lia said, trying to wave it off. “Maybe they’ll lose interest in a few days and leave us alone.” Professor White intervened before the argument could escalate. “It’s a minor setback, Ethan. We’ll keep an eye on the situation and proceed cautiously.” Reluctantly, Dylanlet it go. The Fifth Day By the fifth day, the strain was beginning to show. One of the team members fell ill, weakened by the harsh conditions. It didn’t take long for the wolves to notice. A lone wolf darted out from the shadows, closing in on the vulnerable team member. Bang! Jason fired his rifle, killing the wolf instantly. He turned to Lia, expecting praise for his quick thinking, but instead, the team erupted in anger. “What the hell is wrong with you?” one member shouted. “Do you not know the rules? You can’t just fire a gun out here! What if you trigger an avalanche?” “Not to mention,” Dylanadded coldly, “gunfire doesn’t scare off wolves—it provokes them. Congratulations, you’ve just made things worse.” Jason’s face turned red as he stammered, “I-I was just trying to help!” Lia immediately stepped in, shielding Jason from the team’s criticism. “He was just trying to save someone,” she said defensively. “He didn’t mean to make things worse. Cut him some slack.” From where I stood, watching unseen, I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. If this had happened on one of my expeditions, Lia would have torn into me without hesitation, blaming me for everything. But for Jason? She had endless patience. The Argument Ethan’s expression hardened. “Professor White,” he said sharply, “I think we need to call off this expedition. If we keep going, someone’s going to get seriously hurt—or worse. We’re here to conduct research, not throw our lives away because of poor planning.” Professor White hesitated, clearly torn. “The funding for this expedition was enormous. If we pull out now, we’ll waste months of preparation and resources.” “And if we don’t pull out?” Dylanshot back. “What happens when we run into something even more dangerous?” Lia’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. “Ethan, you’re being ridiculous. A little adversity is part of Antarctic research. If you can’t handle the risks, maybe you shouldn’t have come in the first place.” I knew exactly why Lia was so insistent on continuing. She wasn’t worried about science or safety—she was worried about her reputation. If the expedition failed, it would tarnish her carefully constructed image as a fearless adventurer. Ethan’s face turned red with frustration. “Adversity? You call this a little adversity? Do we need someone to get mauled to death before you admit this was a mistake?” Professor White’s expression wavered, clearly considering Ethan’s point. Sensing that she might lose the argument, Lia clenched her fists. “Oh, I see what this is about. You just want me to go back to his route, don’t you? Fine. Let’s do it.” She turned to Professor White. “Let’s use the route Zach planned before. Does that satisfy you, Ethan?” The professor nodded. “If he charted that route before, it should be safer. Let’s proceed.” Dylandidn’t object. I knew why. He didn’t trust Lia or Jason, but he trusted me. Even when the world had condemned me, accusing me of abandoning my wife, Dylanhad always believed in me. A Safer Path As soon as they switched to my route, the tension began to ease. The wolf pack disappeared by the fifth day, and the team was finally able to set up camp and focus on their research. For the next month, they worked without incident, completing all their objectives. But as the team prepared to move deeper into the frozen wilderness, I couldn’t take my eyes off the snow-covered mountain in the distance. That was where it had happened. That was where I had died. My body was still there, buried beneath layers of ice, hidden from the world. The Avalanche Site “Is this where it happened?” Ethan’s voice broke the silence as he walked up to Lia. Lia crossed her arms, her expression cold. “Yes,” she said flatly. “This is where Zach abandoned me. You wanted to know if he’s dead? Go ahead and look for him. I’d love to see if the man who left me behind is still out there somewhere.” Ethan’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond. Before he could say anything, one of the team members came running over. “Professor White, we’ve spotted something unusual nearby—a seal acting strangely. The area seems unnaturally quiet. It could be a sign of…” The professor’s face darkened. “Everyone, stay close. Keep your weapons ready, but don’t fire unless absolutely necessary. Let’s check it out.” The team moved cautiously, rifles raised, scanning the horizon for any signs of danger. When they reached the seal, they immediately noticed something odd. “There’s something attached to it,” Dylansaid, narrowing his eyes. “Could it belong to someone?” “Catch it,” Lia ordered. “And nobody fire a shot.” Working together, the team managed to capture the seal. When they examined it, they found a small device attached to its back. Ethan’s eyes widened as he recognized it. “Wait a second… This… This is Zach’s tracker from a year ago!”
“That’s it! This tracker belongs to Zach!” Dylanexclaimed, gripping the device tightly in his hand. His voice cracked with emotion as he looked up, glaring at Lia. “This can only mean one thing—Zach is dead. That’s why this device ended up on this seal!” Lia’s face froze, but before she could respond, Jason stepped forward, frowning defensively. “That’s impossible!” he snapped. “I saw him escape with my own eyes. You must be mistaken. Lots of explorers use trackers like this one.” Lia crossed her arms and scoffed. “Exactly. This doesn’t prove anything. The avalanche struck in the north, and we’re in the south now. There’s no way this tracker belongs to him—it must’ve been dropped by someone else.” But Dylanjust laughed bitterly, tears streaking down his face. “Oh, really? Then explain why the initials ‘ZC’ are engraved on the back! Lia, stop lying to everyone—Zach is dead, and you’re responsible for it!” Lia stared at the tracker in shock, her face pale. “That… that has to be a coincidence,” she stammered. Ethan’s voice trembled with fury. “A coincidence? The evidence is right here, and you’re still trying to deny it?!” At that moment, one of the team members called out from a distance. “There’s a body over here!” Everyone froze. The team rushed over and found a frozen corpse, its face unrecognizable from the harsh conditions. But something else caught Ethan’s attention—a small action camera strapped to the body’s chest. Ethan’s eyes lit up with determination as he turned to Lia. “Let’s see what’s on that camera. Once the footage is recovered, I want to hear you explain this!” The atmosphere grew tense as the team worked to recover the video. Finally, the camera flickered to life, but the screen was filled with static, green blurs, and distorted audio. One of the researchers scratched his head. “It looks like the file’s corrupted…” Lia let out a sigh of relief and crossed her arms. “Even if it worked, I’d know if that body was Zach’s. I don’t care if he’s turned to dust—I’d still recognize him. That isn’t him.” Jason nodded quickly, chiming in. “Exactly! Zach ran north when the avalanche hit. Even if he died, his body wouldn’t be here, in the south.” Dylanclenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white, his bloodshot eyes locked on Lia. Lia sneered, her tone dripping with bitterness. “Zach always claimed to love me. But when it really mattered—when the avalanche hit—I was unconscious, lying there in the snow. “And what did he do? He left me behind! If Jason hadn’t saved me, I’d be dead right now. Zach was nothing but a selfish coward. That body can’t be him!” Her words sent a ripple through the team, their anger and disgust aimed squarely at me. Suddenly, the researcher working on the camera let out a triumphant cry. “I fixed it! Everyone, come take a look!” The team crowded around as the video began to play. Lia glanced at the screen, her expression softening as she explained. “This footage is from two of our teammates who joined us on the last expedition. They were collecting fresh water when the avalanche hit, and we lost contact with them. I prayed they’d survived, but it looks like their bodies have been here all along.” She sighed heavily, her voice tinged with fake sadness. “They must’ve survived the avalanche but lost their equipment and succumbed to the cold. Ethan, they’re not the ones you’re looking for.” I watched the scene unfold with a heavy heart. I remembered those teammates clearly. After the avalanche, I had left the safety of our camp to look for them, knowing the shelter I’d set up had been designed to withstand the snow. That was when Jason had captured the infamous video of me “running,” twisting the truth into a lie that would haunt me even after death. But Dylanwasn’t ready to let it go. “What about the tracker?” he shot back. “How do you explain it, Lia? Did Zach ‘drop’ it while he was supposedly running away?” Lia hesitated, staring down at the device in her hand, her brow furrowed in frustration. Dylanlet out a bitter laugh. “Lia, do you even understand how a tracker works? Human and animal signals are completely different. Are you telling me you never noticed? Did you ever really care about Zach at all?” I flinched at his words. Even though I knew she couldn’t hear me, I whispered softly, “Lia… did you ever care about me?” I shook my head, laughing bitterly at my own foolishness. Of course, she didn’t. But to my surprise, Lia answered, her voice cold and cutting. “Of course I cared.” I froze. Her voice cracked as she continued, “I loved him more than anyone else in this world. I would’ve died for him without hesitation. I thought he was my everything.” Her expression darkened, tears glistening in her eyes. “But what did he do? When I needed him most, he abandoned me. He left me to die in the snow while he saved himself. Ethan, how can I love someone like that? How can I care about a man who ran away and left me behind?” Her voice broke as she shouted, her tears spilling over. I dropped to my knees in the snow, clutching my head. “Lia, I didn’t leave you! I swear I didn’t abandon you!” But all I could hear in response was the howling wind. I turned to Ethan, my last hope, silently begging him to defend me. Dylanclosed his eyes and sighed deeply. “Lia, what if I told you that Zach planned this entire expedition because he wanted to declare his love for you in front of the world?” Lia’s breath hitched, her eyes wide with shock. Dylancontinued, his voice softer now. “He wanted to cross the polar night with you so that when the sun finally rose, he could make you his forever.” “Do you really think someone who planned something like that would abandon you?” Lia stood frozen, her mouth opening and closing as if searching for words but finding none. Suddenly, one of the team members pointed at the camera. “Wait! There’s more footage!” he shouted excitedly.
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