Stop Your Crocodile Tears

My husband is a rock climbing route setter. It's our wedding anniversary today, but he brings his female best friend with him on an adventure to discover uncharted territory. It comes about because his female best friend says life is so boring.

We're trapped in the mountains when we encounter extreme weather, and the rescue helicopter can only take two people with them. They climb up the ladder deftly, leaving me to slowly grow colder in the rain.

I shout his name with all my strength. "I have a heart condition! I'll die if I don't get to the hospital soon!"

He throws a rope down at me without even sparing me a glance. "Luna has menstrual cramps—she never says she's in pain. You, on the other hand, are only good at acting. Think of a way to get down yourself."

What he doesn't know is that his "good friend" has already sliced the rope he threw to me.

I found myself floating in the plane when I opened my eyes again. My transparent body led me to realize that I had died on that cliff and that my flesh had been eaten clean by the birds and the wild animals.

Eyes on the cleanly cut rope, I recalled the evil look that Luna Langdon gave me before I died hugging the ropes halfway on the mountain.

When I was dying, my dearest husband, Austin Milley, took off his jacket and covered Luna with it. As if that weren't enough, he had the audacity to ask the rescuers for more. "Do you have a blanket? She can't catch a cold; she's on her period."

The rescuer shot Austin a speechless look. Luna quickly pulled Austin back with a disagreeing look. "Don't worry. I'm not as pampered as Ruby. My cramps are nothing, but it'll be better if you could keep me warm."

As she tried to highlight how different she was from me, she boldly grasped Austin's hand and placed it on her lower abdomen. Even as a spirit floating mid-air, I had an urge to slap her in the face.

I suffered from heart disease. Before I died, my lips had turned purple. I begged for Austin to get me to safety too, only to be dismissed as being dramatic.

On our fifth wedding anniversary, Austin ignored my protests and insisted on climbing an undeveloped mountain area, all because Luna wanted some fun and thrill.

I was forced to join them and then called a bad sport. Luna did not show any remorse for leaving me behind at the cliff.

"Sometimes, it baffles me what you see in her. She didn't even give you a child in the five years of your marriage. She's always sick and a crybaby. What a drama queen!

"I apologized to her, but look at that face she showed me. I really can't stand that problematic woman. She's better off dead."

Austin nodded empathetically while caressing Luna's lower abdomen. He grumbled, "All Ruby does all day is complain about her heart, but it's not like she's in actual pain. She's just lying. I left her at the cliff to train her guts. She has the ropes anyway. She won't die."

I stared at him coldly as he spoke animatedly without a hint of concern for me. Pressing my face against his, I whispered, "I'm dead now because of you. I guess you and Luna can finally get together with me out of the way."

After the plane landed, Austin carried Luna out of the plane. He ignored the rescuer behind him who seemed hesitant to speak.

Austin and Luna wouldn't stop badmouthing me as they made their way to the airport. This was the first time I was hearing their many complaints about me.

I had been a sick child with congenital heart disease. On top of that, I was a crybaby. Thanks to my older half-sister, Mandy Flores, I was raised with much love and care. Mandy always tried to keep my emotions stable for fear of emotional agitation that might jeopardize my heart health.

The first and only time I went against Mandy was when I fell in love with Austin. I admired his carefree spirit. Ignoring Mandy's disapproval, I married him.

Now, I regretted my decision. Mandy was right; Austin was not the right guy for me.

The rescuer finally ran after Austin and Luna. He politely inquired, "Please wait. Who's that woman you left behind? What's her relationship to the both of you?"

Looking embarrassed, Austin still held onto Luna. "Oh, Ruby's my wife. She's a bit dramatic. You don't have to rush back to rescue her. It's about time she gets some exercise. I left her some rope; she won't die."

The rescuer frowned at Austin's cold-blooded words. "Do you know it's raining in the mountains? She might die from hypothermia! We're going back for her, and you'd better come with us to calm her down. We'll get her to the hospital."

Austin shook his head without hesitation. He adjusted Luna in his arms and left without looking back. He insisted, "I know Ruby won't die. At most, she'll suffer a little. I'm a professional route setter, after all. If I don’t go, there's no reason you should, either. I have something more pressing to take care of."

The hefty rescuer stared at Austin. His expression was laced with contempt and disgust before he turned back toward the plane. Muttering to his colleagues, he said, "Let's head back for that woman. What a shame she's married to a man like that. Poor soul."

I shot the rescuer a grateful look, but as my spirit was bound to Austin, he unknowingly pulled me along.

Austin's so-called "pressing matter" turned out to be tending to Luna's menstrual cramps.