Chapter 1

Cole Beckett and I met because of our shared passion for caving. Seven years ago, he got down on one knee and proposed to me over 300 feet underground, deep inside a cave.

Every wedding anniversary, we make it a tradition to explore a new cave together, continuing our love story.

He told me excitedly that we'd be the first ones to explore this remote sinkhole.

I thought he was all about being the first to set foot there, but it turned out that what really mattered to him was just how far off the beaten path it was.

When I went deeper into the cave, he suddenly yanked out the piton securing my rope and turned away without a second glance.

Cole said, "Farewell, my beloved."

But he didn't know that the only rope leading back to the surface had already been untied by me.

We were the couple everyone saw as soulmates. Not only because we respected and supported each other, but also our shared love for caving that brought us together.

Cole used to be my team leader. He was enthusiastic and careful, always making sure I was safe during our trips.

Through countless adventures and playful banter from the team, we got to know each other, fell in love, and finally we got married.

If that insurance policy hadn't shown up, I'd probably still be living in the beautiful dream we'd woven together.

Seven years ago, after our adventure, Cole got down on one knee and proposed to me.

His face was a mix of nervousness and excitement, but more of it was the deep commitment and love in his eyes.

For the past seven years, our friends couldn't help but envy us. We were the perfect couple, the kind of couple everyone admired.

But what people talked about most was that every wedding anniversary, we'd choose to continue our love story by going caving together.

I thought this kind of romance would last until we were old and gray.

This year, for our anniversary, he excitedly told me that we'd be the very first to ever explore a remote sinkhole.

I happily thought that this was his way of expressing his love for me.

But then, I discovered a hefty accidental death insurance policy with me as the insured and Cole as the beneficiary. It destroyed the dream I'd been living in.

Cole never mentioned this insurance policy to me, and a horrifying suspicion instantly hit me.

What was even more unexpected to me was that the insurance company told me this was already the third year it had been renewed.

A chill ran down my spine in an instant.

We had been caving together countless times in the past three years.

Caving was dangerous enough on its own. If something happened to me, nobody would suspect it.

I couldn't believe that Cole, the man I trusted and loved more than anyone, had been scheming against me from the start.

My life was in his hands time and again, but I never had a clue.

I was trembling, but at dinner, I put on a brave face and acted as if nothing had happened, discussing the details of our trip with him.

Cole probably assumed I wouldn't find out, because he knew I trusted him implicitly.

With barely any effort at all, I found his spare phone, packed with messages between him and his mistress, and even photos of them having sex.

Late at night, Cole was still sound asleep. I pressed my lips together, trying to calm myself down.

Since my parents' divorce, my world felt like a sheet of paper torn to shreds, jagged at the edges, hollow right in the middle.

During those endless, lonely days, he was the only person I could depend on.

I poured everything into him, and he was the light that kept my shadows at bay.

I should've been angry, should've yelled or thrown things, but all I felt was bone-deep exhaustion and emptiness.

I turned away without crying, without questioning, or even letting him know that I had discovered everything.

Nothing hurt more than when my heart finally gave up.

I knew that from this moment on, we were finished.

But what I wanted was a dramatic curtain call, one last act to end it all.

In the middle of nowhere, surrounded by wild mountains and not a soul in sight, the battered mountain road seemed determined to mess with our car, jolting us with every bump and rut.

The radio suddenly spoke, "Attention, everyone! Yesterday, a brutal murder rocked our county. The suspect, armed with a homemade shotgun, killed his wife, then vanished into the woods. Police are on high alert and urge everyone to stay safe. If you spot anything suspicious, call the police right away."

Seeing that I was a little uneasy, Cole switched off the radio with a smile.

He said, "Are you really worried that we will meet that murderer? Come on, we're heading over 300 feet underground. Even the pros would have a hard time getting down there, let alone the murderer!"

I replied, "I'm just a little worried."

Cole said, "Relax, honey. Nothing could stop us from having an unforgettable wedding anniversary."

I gave him a reassuring smile, but I was smirking inside.

I said, "Honey, I'm not worried about running into some murderer. I'm just afraid you'll chicken out and cancel our adventure."

"You know, this sinkhole has never been explored before, and there's a heartbreaking love story behind it," Cole said.