Avalanche of Betrayal

When I was eight months pregnant, my husband's foster sister invited me to hike a snow-covered mountain.

Midway up, an avalanche hit. We were both buried.

My husband rushed to the scene, but before I could utter a word, his sister accused me: "She planned this! She tricked me into coming today!"

I tried desperately to explain. He didn't listen.

Instead, he lashed out at me. "Sandra doesn't know any better, but you should! So what if she's blunt? Is this your petty revenge? Your pathetic life couldn't even begin to repay hers if she'd been hurt!"

Then he left. Took her hand. Walked away.

I screamed after him, begging him to save our baby. He didn't even glance back. Worse, he unhooked my safety harness and shoved me out of the rescue group.

"Since you're so clever, find your own way down."

Not long after, another avalanche hit. This time, I couldn't get back up.

Three hours later, Sandra was in a car accident. She needed a blood transfusion. That's when he finally thought of me.

But by then, he didn't know—I was already gone. Me, and the child I'd never hold, were still buried under the snow.

Outside the hospital room, Reese Bradley's face twisted with impatience. "Where the hell is Carmen? She's got that rare blood type. Get her here to give Sandra a transfusion. Now."

His assistant's voice trembled. "Mr. Bradley… it appears Mrs. Bradley is... deceased."

"What do you mean?" Reese's brows knitted, clearly annoyed. "She's probably just sulking because I left her on that mountain. Track her down. Bring her back."

He didn't even turn around as he barked out his next order. "Sandra comes first. Everything else can wait. Once you find Carmen, draw 800cc of blood from her."

The assistant hesitated, his face uneasy. "Sir… the heart-rate bracelet you had made for Mrs. Bradley… it stopped. That means… it's very likely both she and the baby are…"

Before he could finish, Reese turned sharply, his expression dark. "She's throwing another tantrum, isn't she? She did the same thing last time—took off the monitor just to threaten me. Unbelievable. Even with lives on the line, she still plays games like this.

"Go. Find her. Bring her in and draw the blood. I don't care how you do it. Even if she tries to use that bastard child in her belly to bargain, ignore her."

At the word "bastard," my soul—already detached from my body—wavered.

My nails dug deep into my ghostly palms as I watched him, face tense with irritation, giving out orders. Not a trace of sorrow. Not even a flicker of regret.

I closed my eyes. Tears slid silently down my cheeks.

'Reese… I regret ever meeting you. I regret ever loving you…'

As soon as the assistant left, Reese turned back—just in time to see the operating room lights go out.

He rushed forward, anxiety all over his face. "Doctor, how is Sandra? How much blood does she need?"

Before the doctor could answer, he pressed on. "I've already sent someone to get it. 800cc will be here soon. Just do everything you can to save Sandra. I'll handle the rest."

I stood there, watching my husband, a cold and decisive businessman, now completely unraveled for one woman.

A cold, bitter smile tugged at my lips. Not even when I nearly miscarried did he show this kind of panic.

The doctor removed his mask and let out a slow breath. "She's stable for now. But we need to transfuse blood as soon as possible. I just got word—another surgery's waiting. I'll head there first."

Moments later, a nurse wheeled out Sandra.

At the same time, another patient was rushed in. Nearby, two nurses whispered to each other.

"Wow, that woman's lucky—her boyfriend's so good-looking, and he's stayed by her side the whole time. Not like the pregnant one they just brought in. She was already eight months along…"

"Yeah… I don't get it. What were her husband and in-laws thinking, allowing a pregnant woman to hike up a snowy mountain…"