He Abandoned Me On Snowy Mountain Chapter 03

He Abandoned Me On Snowy Mountain Chapter 03

A heavy snowstorm fell in the early morning.

The roads were completely iced over, and highway patrol had shut down the main route to the remote county ahead.

We were forced to stay stranded at the lodge.

I dragged my suitcase downstairs. Ethan was sitting in the dining area, carefully pouring maple syrup over pancakes for Amber.

Seeing my luggage, his eyes turned cold.

“What are you trying to pull now?” He set the plate in front of Amber.

“Going back to Denver.” My tone was flat.

“The highway is shut down. Where exactly do you think you’re driving?” Ethan sneered.

“Hazel, wrap it up. I already decided not to hold last night against you.”

He pointed to the empty seat across from him.

“Sit down and eat. We move as soon as the roads open.”

I ignored him and turned toward the main exit.

Just two steps in, a massive wave of dizziness hit me like a truck.

The altitude sickness completely exploded today.

I gripped a nearby pillar, gasping for air.

The young guy at the front desk saw this and rushed into the storage room, bringing out a portable oxygen canister.

“Here, use this to catch your breath.”

I reached out to take it.

A hand shot out from the side, ripping the canister right out of my grasp.

Ethan held the oxygen, staring at me with a hard frown.

“What are you faking for?”

“Amber was throwing up half the night and she’s miserable right now. This is for her.”

I looked up, meeting his eyes.

My vision was blurring from the lack of oxygen.

“I am really sick.” I enunciated every syllable.

Ethan let out a sharp scoff.

“You practically live at the gym and run half-marathons without breaking a sweat.”

“Amber’s always had a weak constitution. You seriously have to fight her for this?”

Amber walked over, lightly tugging at Ethan’s sleeve.

“Ethan, forget it. I can handle it, it’s fine.”

“Hazel looks like she’s really hurting.”

Even as she said the words, her hand clamped tight around Ethan’s arm, refusing to let go.

Ethan patted the back of her hand and turned to the front desk.

“Got any more oxygen? I’ll pay double.”

The receptionist shook his head awkwardly.

“The storm blocked the supply trucks last night. That’s the last one we have.”

Without a second thought, Ethan shoved the canister straight into Amber’s arms.

“Then she takes it. If anything happens, it’s on me.”

The guests having breakfast nearby turned their heads to watch.

Whispers broke out.

I stood in the center of the lobby, exposed to the crowd, my face burning hot.

Three years ago at the ski resort, he wrapped his only heavy coat around me while he shook from the cold.

Now, he ripped life-saving oxygen right out of my hands to give it to another woman.

A dull ache throbbed in my chest.

It choked me worse than the altitude sickness.

I let go of the pillar and forced myself to stand up straight.

Dragging my suitcase, I walked back toward the elevator, step by step.

Ethan’s dismissive voice drifted from behind me.

“So dramatic. Let’s see how long she can play this stubborn act.”

Back in the room, I collapsed onto the bed.

My head felt like it was splitting open, and every breath burned my throat.

I fished out my phone and shot a text to Brooks.

“Roads are closed. Are you still around the area?”

Brooks replied instantly: “Yeah, but two of my team’s rigs are trapped up the mountain. I’m heading out for a recovery run.”

“Might be late tomorrow. Once I grab you, I’ll take you straight to the airport.”

I sent back a single word: “Okay.”

I closed my eyes, fighting down the nausea rolling in my stomach.

A knock rattled the door.

Ethan’s voice cut through the wood.

“Hazel, Amber’s doing much better after the oxygen.”

“I brought the rest back for you. Stop playing dead in there.”

I didn’t move.

I didn’t even have the energy to open my eyes.

“Suit yourself. Keep throwing your fit.”

The footsteps outside faded away.

The corner of my mouth twitched into a smile that felt worse than crying.

He brought me the leftovers another woman was done with.

The night stretched on, impossibly long.

Drifting between sleep and waking, I listened to the howling wind and snow outside.

Tomorrow. As long as I survived tomorrow, everything would be over.