From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 140

140 /190

Something I said must have made Elliot smile, though he didn’t show it. He glanced away, fussed with my gear, fixed my grip on the trekking pole, and said in that sharp, get-things-done voice, “I’ll go first. Ms. Greenwood, you’re in the middle. Mr. Garcia, you’re last. Any objections? No? Let’s move.”

He didn’t wait for a response. He headed up the trail, calling out over his shoulder, “Follow me.”

I had to jog a little to catch up, my backpack bouncing wildly with every step like it was trying to escape.

Finally, I was on the winding mountain path I’d been dreaming about for ages. I couldn’t stop grinning, my heart racing with excitement.

At first, the hike wasn’t bad. The slope was gentle, and trees crowded both sides of the trail, offering sturdy branches to grab if I slipped. I was still full of energy, even chatting and laughing with Blake as we walked.

But as we climbed, things got real. The trail narrowed until only one person could fit at a time. The trees thinned out, leaving the path exposed. One wrong step and I’d be tumbling down the side of the mountain.

Tall, wild grass scratched at my knees. The trees above looked endless. The incline was brutal.

My legs started to burn, turning to mush with every step. My nerves kicked in, and all that cheerful chatter stopped. I glued my eyes to the ground, terrified I’d trip and go rolling into the abyss.

My breath came in short, shaky bursts. Sweat soaked my shirt, and every time the wind blew, I shivered.

Because I was slowing us down, Elliot kept stopping to check on me. Blake was stuck behind me, forced to match my snail’s pace. We were moving embarrassingly slow.

After about twenty minutes, my legs felt like they were soaking in vinegar or weighed down with a hundred-pound sandbag. Every step was pure torture.

Regret set in hard. Why did I insist on this adventure?

Stuck halfway up the mountain, I didn’t want to go up or down. Both seemed impossible.

Lost in thought, I suddenly slipped. My foot slid out from under me and my heart just about leapt out of my mouth. I yelped and landed hard on my knees, my trekking pole flying somewhere behind me. Without thinking, I grabbed for Elliot’s pant leg to keep from falling any further.