Between Life and Death, Love and
Hate Intertwine
Chapter 1
When the plane started going down, my
husband, the pilot, looked at me and his old
flame, totally conflicted.
I didn’t hesitate, though. I shoved the last
parachute into their hands.
Last time around, Mark, my husband, had
weighed his options and given the parachute
to me, because I was pregnant. He stayed on
the doomed plane, planning to die with his
precious Sarah.
Except their Romeo and Juliet fantasy didn’t
pan out. Sarah bought the farm in the crash,
<
but Mark somehow survived.
After that, he was always at my side, waiting
for our baby to be born.
I was so happy, but on my baby’s first month
birthday, he smothered her right in front of
- me.
“If you hadn’t insisted on coming, there would
have been one more parachute.”
“You killed my love, now I’m gonna make you
feel that pain!”
I was devastated, and I went to meet my end
with him.
I woke up again, I was back on that plane.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calm!
Locate your life vests, and do not panic!”
The familiar voice snapped me back. No
grabbing for a life vest or parachute this time.
Instead, my hands went straight to my
stomach.
My baby was still safe.
I was lost in my thoughts, until someone
tapped my shoulder.
I looked up, surprised. It was the head flight
attendant on this fancy–pants flight.
She saw my spaced–out expression and
rolled her eyes.
“The captain says to let the regular folks go
く
first. Since you’re the captain’s wife, you’ll
stay back with us.”
I thought for a moment, and then I said
something totally different than before.
“I’m just a regular passenger on this flight.
Why should I take responsibility for your
crew?”
She looked at me with a sneer.
“Please, everyone knows you only came to
keep an eye on Ms. Carter.”
“You’re married with a kid, and you’re still
jealous. You stole Sarah’s spot, and that’s
why she had to squeeze into the cockpit. And
get this: we’re one parachute short.”
With that, she got her own gear on and went
back to checking on the passengers.
I sat there, a mess of emotions.
I was reliving the nightmare.
Last time, Mark, had brought Sarah, his old
flame, on board without permission.
I didn’t even know about it. I just happened to
be going to the same city for a conference.
I bought the last ticket, so Sarah, who was
riding free thanks to Mark’s position, had to
cram herself into the cockpit, fuming.
That meant one extra person on the plane,
and one less parachute.
<
When the crash happened, clueless me was
all ready to stay behind and die with Mark.
But at the last second, Mark gritted his teeth
and gave me the last parachute.
I was crying with gratitude, and he said
something like:
“Annie, please raise our kid. Tell him his dad.
was a hero.”
He pushed me toward the door, but as he did,
I heard him whispering to Sarah, “Sarah, we
can’t live together, but we can die together.
How can it not be a blessing?”
Then, Sarah died in the crash, while Mark
walked away without a scratch.
L
Later, this “hero” dad, the one I was
supposed to tell our son about, smothered my
newborn daughter in front of me.
I shook at the memory.
He wanted to die a tragic death with his
mistress. He chose to save me. He broke
regulations and that’s why there were too
many people on board.
Why did my child have to die to make up for
his mistake?
The plane started shaking like crazy, and I
gripped the armrests to stay in my seat.
The screaming got louder, and the flight
attendant made another announcement.
“The plane is at the right height. If you’re
ready, start lining up for the emergency
exits.”
I glanced back and saw the crowd lining up to
jump. My nails dug into my palms.
