I’ll die here.
Today.
Was I wrong to seek healing? To think I deserved more time?I’ve traveled enough to see people far needier than myself. Yet I kept pursuing it. Chasing life.
And look where it’s brought me.
I crawl forward a few more inches, but now that the cold has truly taken hold...
I.
Will.
Die.
But even as despair floods through me, something else stirs. That same stubborn determination that carried me up his mountain in the first place.
Not like this. Not after coming so far.
I may die out here, but I won’t die giving up.
I push myself to my knees, then somehow back to my feet.
If I’m going to die, I’ll die moving forward.
Frozen tears gather on my cheeks as I fall back to my knees.
I crawl a few inches forward in the snow, but now that the cold has got me…
I.
Will…
Die.
TWENTY-FIVE
HANNAH
Drew standsbeside me as we approach the table of colleagues. Everyone rises when I get closer, even though they didn’t for the couple who sat down moments before. I’m using my walker, and I can already feel their stares.
“Don’t. Get up. I’m fine,” I say, my characteristically careful speech pattern even more pronounced when I’m nervous, which only makes things worse.
Drew holds my arm as we reach the table, rushing ahead to pull out my chair. Everyone realizes too late that they haven’t left accessible space, so they hurriedly rearrange themselves around the large corner table.
Their gazes dart between Drew—always so perfectly handsome—and me, that unspoken question hanging in the air:what is he doing with her?
Drew steadies my waist as I transfer from walker to chair, and I grip the table to ensure I don’t fall during the awkward weight shift on my unsteady legs.
He kisses my temple once I’m safely seated, and I swear the associates’ wives practically swoon at how sweet he’s being.
They’re right. I really do have the most wonderful boyfriend. I feel ashamed for ever questioning that. I’m ungrateful for what I have, and someday I’ll regret not appreciating him more.
Suddenly, I shiver.
Cold.
I’m so incredibly cold.
