Cramps and Cheating: A Ski Trip From Hell

I nodded and wiped my mouth with a napkin.

I then said, "Revoke the access and notify resort security that there will be a fire drill tonight. All unauthorized personnel are to leave the premises."

Mr. Kern was taken aback. A moment later, realization dawned on him, and his expression turned sharp.

"Understood, Ms. Greer. And what about Mr. Schultz?"

I walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window and gazed out into the dark night.

"He likes skiing, right? Then let him ski to his heart's content. Stop the ski lift and make him walk down on his own."

When Owen's call came, I was lying on a massage chair with a facial mask on. I let the phone ring three times before I leisurely answered it.

"Brooke, where the heck are you?" Owen's roar carried on the wind, sounding especially pitiful.

"Why did the ski lift stop? Sandy and I are stranded halfway up the mountain! There's not even a single light in this godforsaken place, and you're not answering your phone. Are you trying to freeze us to death?"

I adjusted the massage chair's intensity and let out a contented sigh.

"Why are you calling me about the ski lift? Owen, aren't you supposed to be in great shape? Isn't skiing a sport for the brave? Just walk down. A little trek shouldn't be anything for a star athlete like you, right?"

Owen was completely thrown off. He'd never heard me talk like this before. Back in the day, I'd panic if he so much as sneezed.

"Brooke, have you lost your mind? Sandy's barely wearing anything. Her lips are already turning blue! Call the hotel and tell them to send a snowmobile up! You're a VIP here, so they'll listen to you!"

I laughed softly. So, he knew that I was a VIP here. And he was using the points from my card, no less.

"Sorry, I just checked with the front desk, and they said there's a fire drill tonight. So, no vehicles are allowed up the mountain."

I paused, then added coldly, "Besides, isn't Sandy wearing that turtle cushion on her butt? It has the protective charm inside that I got from Mount Cloudview. With the universe protecting her, I'm sure she won't freeze to death."

Owen was beside himself with rage on the other end of the line.

"Brooke, you're just jealous and petty! That stupid turtle cushion is useless! If anything happens to Sandy because of the cold, I'll make you pay!"

Just then, Sandy's tearful voice came through the phone. "Owen, I'm so cold. It feels like my leg is cramping. Is Brooke angry? It's all my fault. I shouldn't have worn that protective cushion. You shouldn't be too hard on Brooke. She probably just cares about you too much."

He was truly a master of playing the victim. The stench of her fake sweetness wafted through the phone, giving me a headache.

Owen, predictably, grew even more frantic.

"Sandy, don't be afraid. I'll carry you. Brooke, I'm warning you for the last time—send someone to get us right now! Otherwise, when I get back, we're getting a divorce!"

He had never brought up divorce before. Yet, he now said it with such conviction, all for a ski instructor.

I watched the snow fall outside the window, feeling not a ripple of emotion.

"Fine. Let's get a divorce. Owen, you're the one who wanted it," I replied serenely.

With that, I hung up and blocked his number.

Divorce? Nothing would make me happier.

But before that, there were some accounts to settle.

I sent Alfred a message, "Freeze every supplementary bank card under Owen's name, including the one he set up for Sandy. After that, pull out the angel investment I made in Owen's company."

Once that was done, I turned off the lights and slipped under the warm covers.

That night, I slept more soundly than ever—until the next morning, when frantic pounding on my door woke me.

Outside stood Owen, covered in snow and looking utterly miserable. He was holding a shivering Sandy in his arms.

The moment he saw me standing at the door in my silk pajamas, looking completely relaxed, his eyes turned bloodshot with fury.

He handed Sandy off to a waiter behind him and stormed inside. Then, he raised his hand to deliver a violent slap right across my face.