Chapter 2

The next morning, I was sorting through research files at the planetarium when my phone rang.

The call came from an unfamiliar landline number.

"Hello, is this Betsy Hull? I'm calling from Aurora Expedition Tours. Our system shows that Elton Werner's travel companion has been changed to Lula Buckley," the staff member said.

"Since we only have your personal information on file and you're no longer listed as a participant, could you provide the necessary details for both of them?"

My hand froze on the mouse.

I'd waited three long years for this expedition. I had even paid most of the upfront costs, planning to make it our honeymoon.

Ever since I was a child, I'd been fascinated by the stars. Seeing the northern lights had always been my dream. Elton had promised to fulfill that dream with me.

Now, without telling me, he'd replaced my name with Lula's.

I closed my laptop and took a deep breath.

"I'll be right over."

Half an hour later, I arrived at the tour office.

The lobby was nearly empty, so I spotted Elton and Lula immediately. They stood at the front desk, leaning close together as they examined the travel documents.

I walked over and stopped behind them. Lula noticed me first. Surprise flickered across her face before she put on a faintly apologetic smile.

"Betsy, don't blame Elton. I've wanted to see the northern lights ever since I was a little girl."

She stepped closer and gently tugged at my sleeve. "Elton said you work at the planetarium every day, so you'll have plenty of chances to see them in the future. But this might be my only chance in my entire life."

Elton turned around, briefly avoiding my gaze before quickly composing himself.

"You work at a planetarium, Betsy. You must be tired of seeing pictures and videos of the aurora by now," he muttered. "Lula has barely had a chance to travel anywhere, so this is a rare opportunity for her. It's just one trip. I'll make it up to you later."

I walked past them and went straight to the counter.

"Hello, I'm Betsy Hull, the primary applicant."

After the agent verified my identity, I continued in a flat voice, "I won't be paying the remaining balance. I'm willing to cover any cancellation fees, but I'm withdrawing from the trip."

Under the booking terms, canceling the primary applicant's reservation would automatically void the accompanying guest's spot. Elton wouldn't be able to use my booking to take Lula after all.

His expression darkened, and he grabbed my wrist.

"Betsy, have you lost your mind?"

It was the first time I'd seen him genuinely angry with me.

"If you don't want to go, fine," he said through clenched teeth. "But why do you have to ruin it for Lula? Do you have to make everyone miserable? How long are you going to keep throwing a tantrum over something so trivial?"

I pulled free and walked out without answering.

The bright sunlight made me squint as I stepped onto the street. For a moment, my thoughts drifted back to the first time I'd had to deliver a public lecture on my own.

I'd been so nervous that I kept messing up during rehearsals.

At the time, Elton had just taken over the Werner Group. His schedule was packed, and he was working around the clock. Yet he'd canceled a crucial executive board meeting just to help me calm my nerves.

He came straight to the planetarium and rehearsed my speech with me line by line until I felt confident enough to face the audience.

That night, he held me close and whispered, "Just focus on talking about the stars you love. I'll take care of everything else."

He'd given me the kind of unwavering support I'd never forgotten. Yet the man who once promised to handle all my problems had now become the biggest problem in my life.

My phone rang again.

This time, it was the head of the Arctic research station expedition.

"I've confirmed everything with upper management. As long as you're willing to go, the spot is yours." He paused before adding, "The conditions out here are harsh, and you'll be working long shifts. Have you really thought this through?"

I watched the heavy traffic moving along the street.

The time I'd set aside to prepare for my wedding could now be used to hand over my responsibilities at work.

"I've thought it through," I replied. "I'll take the spot."