Chapter 3

I could die anywhere, but absolutely not at the base entrance.

With only one breath left, I was finally allowed inside. Staggering to my feet, for those last few steps, I practically crawled into the building.

Seeing me in this state, Levitt looked even more disgusted.

"Stop with the pity act, Christie. It makes me sick to watch."

I didn't defend myself. I moved closer to the heat source to warm up. The snow on my clothes melted and soaked the floor, leaving a puddle of water.

"That's disgusting. Make sure you clean it up."

I was shivering from cold, too preoccupied to respond. Several fingers on my left hand still had no feeling.

Levitt left. She was concerned about Matthew's scraped shin and insisted the base station doctor examine him.

When she saw me coming to find the doctor, she blocked the doorway completely, refusing to let me advance a single step.

"What do you think you're doing? Don't come here!"

"The base doctor is busy. They don't have time for your minor issues. Don't you dare go near Matthew. Get lost!"

Full of wariness, she said I wasn't acting like a man while driving me back to my room.

I changed into a fresh set of clothes, but my fingers still had no feeling. Looking at my discolored fingers, I frowned and tried to get past her.

"I just need to see the doctor for a moment. You..."

Slap!

Before I could finish speaking, I was hit with a slap. Glaring at me with furrowed brows, Levitt blocked my way firmly, not allowing me to advance a single step.

Amid the jeering, she glanced at me smugly, then quickly looked away.

"Stop pretending. What could possibly be wrong with you? You climbed out of an ice crevasse and walked all the way back to the base station. You're tough as nails. Matthew is different from you."

"See the doctor tomorrow. Tonight you're not allowed near the infirmary!"

My face burned. My anger had also been provoked.

I tried to speak again but was pushed away from the infirmary by others.

"Alright, alright, go back to sleep!"

"Your own wife is pregnant and you still want to hit people? Go tomorrow."

"Levitt already told you. What more do you want, coward?"

Matthew stood with his arms crossed watching me, his face full of disdain. Hearing the other team members curse at me, he curved his lips and silently mouthed at me.

"Worthless."

I was driven back to my room. Lying in bed, I received a video on my phone.

Levitt lay in Matthew's arms, sleeping sweetly. Red marks showed on her neck, and there was a small cut at the corner of her mouth.

Matthew had deliberately filmed this to show me.

But right now, more than jealousy, I needed a doctor.

At this moment, the only doctor at the base was busy following Levitt's orders to "take care of" Matthew.

Levitt did it on purpose. She stood guard all night, not allowing me near the infirmary. Only early the next morning was I finally able to see the doctor.

"Your fingers... I'm afraid they're already severely frostbitten..."

"The base station doesn't have the medical facilities for this. You need to get to a hospital for treatment as soon as possible."

Even though I'd had a premonition, hearing the doctor's words still made my heart sink.

Getting from the polar region to an outside hospital for treatment was easier said than done, but I couldn't worry about that now.

I couldn't become disabled. I had to save my hand.

The first thing I did upon returning to my room was call for outside help. After receiving confirmation, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Headquarters would send a helicopter. As long as I received treatment in time...

I stayed in my room all day. It wasn't until I heard the roar of a helicopter that I pushed open my door.

By the time I arrived, two figures stood in front of the helicopter, preparing to board.

"We're the injured! Matthew is hurt. Take him to the hospital to recover. I need to go with him!"

Seeing me, Levitt's face was cold. Touching her belly, she tried to squeeze onto the helicopter.

"They can only take two people at a time. I need to go to the hospital for a prenatal checkup."

"Christie, you wait for the next one."

When the next one would be, I had no way of knowing.

Compared to being abandoned in the ice crevasse, this moment felt even more chilling.

Watching Levitt's resolute back, my chest felt cold.

"Levitt, I can't wait any longer. My hand..."

"Stop talking. Let's go."

Matthew put his arm around her shoulder. Through his face shield, he flashed me a mocking smile, waved at me victoriously, and signaled the pilot to take off.

The roar echoed in my ears. Before takeoff, Levitt looked at me, her face full of disappointment.

"Stop the act. It makes me sick."