Chapter 1

When the avalanche struck Antarctica, I risked everything to push my wife to safety, but I ended up buried forever in the frozen waste.

Afterward, seeing no sign of me, she assumed I had abandoned her and fled like a coward.

She fell straight into another man’s arms. "Derek, if it weren't for you, I never would've survived. I’m divorcing him and being with you!"

Later, our trek earned a Guinness World Record.

Riding that fame, my wife signed on as a guide for an Antarctic scientific research expedition.

Yet, out on the ice, an avalanche struck once more.

The snow washed my frozen corpse right into the open, laying bare the brutal truth.

Dropping to her knees before my body, she broke down in agonized wails, drowning in a pain worse than death!

The Guinness World Record award ceremony.

Watching Chloe step onto the stage to accept the award, I could only manage a bitter smile.

We had been a five-person expedition team, with me leading the charge.

During the polar night in Antarctica, we trekked across the continent, documenting the phenomenon in its entirety.

This feat filled a massive gap in human history, earning us a Guinness World Record.

Looking back, danger had lurked at every turn.

Yet thanks to the route I mapped out, we made it almost all the way to the finish line.

Before I could even celebrate, a catastrophic avalanche hit. I fought with everything I had to shove Chloe to safety.

I, however, was buried deep beneath the frozen peaks forever.

What stood here today was merely my ghost.

A reporter at the scene raised a mic:

"Miss Chloe, you're now a world-renowned explorer, an idol to countless young women. Is there anything you'd like to share with them?"

Chloe faced the camera with a dazzling, practiced smile.

"When choosing a partner, keep your eyes open. Adversity is the only real test of true love."

"This Antarctic trip showed me my ex-husband's true colors. I’d also like to take this moment to thank Derek for saving my life."

Watching her, a hollow laugh caught in my chest.

Back then, right after Chloe was rescued.

She looked around frantically, desperate to find me.

Seeing an opportunity, Derek spun a web of lies, insisting I had deserted her. He even produced a snippet of video.

In the footage, I was seen running off. On top of that, he took full credit for pulling Chloe out of the snow.

Furious and betrayed, Chloe filed for divorce in court the moment she returned home.

Now, a full year had passed, and her single status was officially finalized.

Smelling drama, a reporter prodded further:

"Miss Chloe, we understand your divorce was just finalized."

"Do you really have no lingering feelings for your ex-husband?"

At those words, Chloe’s face instantly darkened.

"None whatsoever! In fact, I'd like to use your camera right now to deliver a message to him!"

"Nathan Cole, when the avalanche struck, you dumped me and ran away like a coward! You hid from me for an entire year out of pure guilt! Well, the divorce is final. As of today, you and I are complete strangers!"

Instantly, the live chat erupted in vicious mockery.

"Taking his girl to Antarctica just to ditch her? What a scumbag!"

"When tragedy strikes, the rats always jump ship first!"

Seeing the livestream numbers skyrocket, the reporter pressed on.

"Mr. Nathan Cole hasn't shown up once since the avalanche. Miss Chloe, is it at all possible that he actually died out there?"

Chloe shook her head without hesitation.

"Setting aside the video proof showing him running away."

"He wore a biometric monitor. I can still see his vital telemetry showing he's perfectly healthy."

Hearing her say that, I let out another bitter sigh.

If Chloe had cared enough to look just a little closer, she would have realized that I was truly gone forever, frozen under that endless, beautiful polar night.

Right then, beneath the blinding spotlight, Derek stepped onto the stage and dropped to one knee before the crowd.

"Chloe, let me be your husband. Let me protect you in danger and walk beside you in happiness for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?"

The crowd erupted into deafening cheers.

Tears shimmering in her eyes, Chloe nodded fiercely.

"From the second you pulled me out of that snowstorm, I knew you were my destiny!"

With that, she threw her arms around Derek, locking him in a passionate kiss.

Watching them, my pale face drained of what little warmth remained, my chest aching as though ground up by broken glass.