Chapter 1

It was the third year after Liam and I broke up when I journeyed to Mount Cinderpeak.

But an avalanche… it buried me forever beneath the cruel, unforgiving snow.

In the fleeting moment before oblivion claimed me, an angelic whisper brushed against my ear.

“Eleanor, you performed many good deeds in your life, so you may enter heaven. I grant you three days to finish anything left undone.”

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back in the car, next to a body that had long since grown cold.

I understood. The angel had given me time to handle my own affairs after death.

Watching the snow drift down, I buried the last photo of Liam and me in a snowdrift.

“Liam, I came to the mountains. But you broke your promise.”

I opened the trunk, carefully arranged my own body inside a suitcase, then packed it with crushed ice and thick snow to keep it cold.

Once all that was done, I called Veridian City Funeral Home.

“Hello, I’d like to book funeral services for three days from now.”

“The deceased’s name is Eleanor.”

The angel wanted me to handle everything, so I had to drive back to Veridian City and prepare myself a dignified funeral.

With everything arranged, I drove slowly along the icy, snow-covered road.

After a few turns, I noticed a car stalled ahead.

A woman in a white down jacket stood in the middle of the road, waving. I had no choice but to pull over.

As I rolled down the window, she removed her mask, revealing a pale, delicate face.

“Chloe?”

I gasped in surprise.

My high school deskmate, whom I hadn’t seen since graduation, unexpectedly appeared here.

Chloe was equally delighted to see me.

“Ellie, it’s so good to see you here!”

“My boyfriend’s car broke down. The insurance company can’t send a tow truck until tomorrow. Can we catch a ride with you?”

I hesitated. After all, I was already dead; having living people in the car with me felt… wrong.

But then I thought, performing good deeds might earn me favor from above.

So, I agreed to their request.

Chloe quickly waved towards the Maybach stuck in the snow, and a man in a black trench coat approached.

Just one glance, and I froze.

In the three years since Liam and I broke up, I’d imagined our reunion countless times.

I never expected that when we met again, I’d already be dead, and Liam would be someone else’s boyfriend.

As Liam walked closer, my heart fluttered, and I pulled my gaze away.

Chloe smiled, linking her arm through his:

“Liam, this is my high school friend, Eleanor. It’s such a coincidence running into her today. We can all go back to Veridian City together.”

Hearing Chloe’s introduction, a storm of bittersweet emotions churned within me.

I watched the man before me, the boyish awkwardness gone, replaced by the steady composure and maturity of an adult.

The “long time no see” caught in my throat, refusing to be spoken.

Just as I was about to speak, Liam pulled a credit card from his pocket and handed it to me.

“Ms. Eleanor, this is for gas. My girlfriend gets car sick, so please, you can ride in the back.”

His icy tone instantly choked me. I didn’t take the card.

“I’m sorry, but I prefer to drive my own car. You two can take the back seat.”

As I shut the door, I heard Chloe whisper to Liam.

“Ellie is kind enough to drive us home. How can you be so rude, as if you’ve known each other before?”

Liam’s eyes, dark and deep as midnight, narrowed.

“Never met her.”

Those three simple words made my heart clench, a painful, rhythmic squeeze.

I drove calmly, unwilling to let my emotions show.

Right. There was no going back. Whether we knew each other or not, it didn’t matter anymore.

On the way, Chloe suddenly spoke.

“Ellie, what brings you to Mount Cinderpeak?”

My hands tightened on the steering wheel.

“It was a place my ex-boyfriend and I promised to visit three years ago. So, I wanted to come.”

After a long pause, Liam’s deep voice broke the silence.

“Ms. Eleanor, don’t get distracted while driving. You can’t afford to be responsible for anyone’s life.”

His sharp words brutally pierced my already frozen heart, instantly jolting me back to reality.

He was right. I was already dead. What was the point of bringing up a three-year promise to Liam now?