**The Fatal Ski Trail**
The wheels of the commuter train clattered cheerfully along the rails. Beyond the tracks, a thick wall of sprawling pines stood tall, their branches filtering the low winter sun. Inside the carriage, a lively group of medical students chattered away, their skis propped by the entrance.
The trip had been organised by Jake Sterling—tall, athletic, and the pride of the university, a contender for the national skiing team. Every winter, he competed for the university’s honour, never placing below second. His father held a high-ranking position in the city council. In short, a local celebrity.
Just before New Year’s, Sterling suggested a getaway to a secluded woodland lodge, perfect for skiing and unwinding. Most agreed, though none shared his passion for skiing—but who would say no to a winter escape?
Emily had only skied during P.E. lessons at school. Yet when Sterling invited her, how could she refuse? She’d do anything to be near him.
On the train, she leaned against his shoulder, glowing with happiness, oblivious to the jealous glances from Liam Miller. Others noticed too—Angela in particular kept frowning at them. *What does he even see in her?* her expression seemed to say.
Emily often wondered the same. Plenty of prettier girls surrounded him, yet he’d chosen her—modest, bookish, but utterly smitten. He’d even spoken of marriage after graduation. His father had made him promise: no wedding before the diploma, or he’d lose his support landing a prestigious hospital position.
With eighteen months left, much could change. But Emily didn’t dwell on that. Nestled against Sterling on the train, she felt blissfully happy.
Stepping onto the platform, they were met by the breathtaking stillness of the snow-laden forest. The crisp air filled their lungs as they marched toward the lodge, giddy with youth and the promise of New Year’s Eve.
After settling into the wooden cabins, Sterling rallied everyone to the ski trail.
“We’ll start with the short loop—three miles. Keep your phones handy in case anyone gets lost, but it’s safe here. Stay in sight. I’ll lead; Liam brings up the rear.”
Emily hesitated. She knew she’d slow them down. Falling to the back, she found Liam trailing her. Sterling noticed but said nothing.
Within minutes, Sterling’s group vanished ahead. Emily lagged far behind, her muscles burning, lungs stinging from the cold. Liam’s skis hissed softly behind her.
“Go ahead!” she called, glancing back.
But he lingered. A sudden crack of a branch startled her—she stumbled, wrenching her leg with a sharp cry.
“What happened?” Liam knelt beside her.
“My leg—” she gasped through clenched teeth.
He probed gently. “It’s broken.” His phone had no signal. Cursing, he tried to reassure her. “Sterling’s fast. He’ll double back soon.”
But Emily knew—he’d said *one* loop.
Shivering uncontrollably, she could barely speak. Liam gave her his jacket before trudging off to find a signal. At last, he shouted, “Got through! Help’s coming.”
Sterling arrived with a plastic sled. “We’ll get you back,” he told Emily briskly, ignoring her whimpers as they lifted her onto it.
“Snowmobile’s gone. We’ll have to drag her,” Sterling muttered to Liam, who said nothing, deferring to his experience.
They hauled her through the icy woods, Sterling pulling effortlessly while Liam staggered behind, numb with cold.
Back at the lodge, Emily lay on a sofa, leg bandaged, pain dulled by medication. Liam rubbed warmth into his frostbitten cheeks as hot tea burned his throat.
Hours later, paramedics arrived. Emily, tearful, expected Sterling to accompany her—but he stayed behind. “The others need me,” he said.
She sobbed all the way to the hospital. The break wasn’t severe, requiring only a cast. Liam, frostbite treated, visited daily with books and oranges.
“Why did I even go? Ruined New Year’s,” she lamented.
“We’ll stay in. My face would scare parties anyway,” he joked weakly.
Sterling called once. By Sunday, he still hadn’t visited. When he finally appeared on Tuesday, it was for five minutes.
“He couldn’t abandon the others,” Emily defended—until her friend Claire revealed Sterling and Angela had hooked up, with plans for New Year’s at his family’s estate.
Devastated, Emily withdrew. Liam took her home, arranged her studies, attended her exams—her steadfast shadow.
New Year’s Eve passed miserably. At midnight, she wished for love to stay.
By summer, Sterling ignored her. Liam didn’t. She married him, knowing she didn’t love him—yet.
Five years later, visiting her parents, they crossed paths with Sterling—now a surgeon climbing the ranks, wed but unfaithful. He pretended not to know them.
Catching Liam’s tension, Emily teased, “Not jealous, are you?”
“A bit. I remember how you pined for him.”
“Silly. I don’t need anyone but you.” She smiled. “And our son’s getting a sister.”
We fall for beauty—but as the song goes, that love brings only pain. Emily’s wish had come true. The right man stood beside her. She just hadn’t seen it at first.
Wish carefully at New Year’s. The universe listens—just not always as you expect.
