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“Rachel,are you sure?Mount Valor is extremely dangerous.If something goes wrong,how could you face Michael’s sacrifice?”
“Are you scared?”I stopped,staring her down.“Michael always said you were like a sister to him.He’s gone—don’t you want to bring him back for a proper burial?”
Her eyes darted.“Of course!But Michael,as an explorer,would have wanted to remain on the mountain.We should respect his wishes.”
“I’m his wife.I know what’s best.I’ll respect his wishes,but first,I have a right to see him!”I snapped,voice heavy.
“Don’t misunderstand,Rachel.I’m just concerned about you,”Sophia backpedaled.“You’re hardly recovered.If—”
“No‘ifs’!”I cut her off.“My life is his.If I die,I’ll die willingly!”
My tone left no room for argument.Sophia opened her mouth but said nothing.
On the way,she kept deterring me—bad roads,worse weather—anything to stop me.Each time, I shot down her excuses.
At Mount Valor’s base,heavy snow fell.
“Rachel,look at this blizzard.It’s too dangerous.Let’s wait!”Sophia glanced at her phone,frantic.
I knew Evelyn had told her to stall,giving Michael time to set things up.
I didn’t expose her.“Fine,we’ll wait.”
I needed them to think they were in control.
We took a break nearby.Then,at another trailhead,I saw a group of clmbers braving the storm to.
Even from afar,I recognized Michael among them.
My heart pounded,rage and hate surging.
Michael,you’d go this far to fool me?
I clenched my fists,nails digging into my palms,but felt no pain—only vengeance.
Sophia,likely tipped off,started chatting to distract me.
I played along,my heart growing colder.
The snow stopped.Sophia’s phone rang.After a short conversation,her tension eased.“Rachel,Evelyn says Michael’s old expedition team is joining us.They’re almost here!”
The actors were ready.Time for me to watch their performance.
Soon,Evelyn and Michael’s teammates arrived.The team pretended to mourn Michael,vowing to help me see his “body”.
Their genuine - looking grief told me they weren’t part of the scam — perfect witnesses.
As we prepared to start climbing,Evelyn tried to back out.“You go see him and come back quick.I’m not feeling well—I’ll stay here.”
I wouldn’t let her off.I wanted her to watch her son meet his end.“Evelyn,you loved Michael most.How can you miss his final moment?”
The teammates chimed in.“Don’t worry,ma’am.We’re professionals.You’ll be safe with us.”
Reluctantly,Evelyn joined us.
After hours of climbing,we reached the spot where Michael lay “dead” on a snowy ledge.
“Michael!It’s all my fault!I miss you!”I screamed,throwing myself at him,fake sobs shaking me.
