A free trip with a stranger sounded too good to be true—but the email just requested a ticket, a hotel, and a mystery companion. Intrigued, I boarded the plane, only to discover that my “stranger” was someone I never wanted to see again.

It was a usual Friday evening, but my body felt exhausted from the previous week.

I had hardly taken off my shoes before dropping onto my sister Deborah’s couch, one arm thrown over my face and the other casually reading through my inbox on the laptop. Deborah was deep in contemplation across the room. She paraded about in front of the mirror, changing into outfits and twirling, striking poses as if she were on a runway.

The crinkling of shopping bags and the rustle of fabric filled the air as she enthusiastically shifted between her newly purchased clothing.

She took a short turn and stared at me with anticipation. “What do you think?”

I hardly looked up, inspecting her clothes casually before grinning. “That’s nice, Debbie. But I don’t see why you need so many outfits.

Deborah sneered, hands on hips. Of course you don’t. Throughout your youth, you weren’t the only one forced to wear secondhand clothing.

She dramatically flicked her hair. Consider this my therapy. “I’m healing, Charlie.”

I shake my head. “Whatever you say…” My focus shifted back to my laptop, where I was lazily browsing through emails.

Mostly junk: bills and newsletters I neglected to unsubscribe from.

Then something caused me to halt. I sat up straight, my eyes narrowing at the subject line of an email I didn’t recall signing up for. “Congratulations! You have

won a free two-day vacation with a mystery travel partner!”

Deborah’s voice interrupted my thoughts before I could process them.

“How about this one?” she inquired, changing into another garment.

I didn’t respond.

Silence lingered for a minute. “Charlie?” She turned and raised an eyebrow. “Are you even listening?”

I snapped out of it. “Huh? Sorry, I just received an unusual email…” I scowled when rereading it. “It claims I’ve won a free two-day holiday with a stranger. It is undoubtedly fraudulent.

Deborah experienced a sudden shock. “What!? Is it a complimentary trip? Let me guess: do they require your credit card information or social security number?”

“That’s the thing… they don’t.” I scanned over the email again, looking for a scammer’s red sign.

“No banking information, no questionable linkages. Just a confirmation of my identity, travel itinerary, and hotel reservation.”

Deborah virtually jumped across the couch and leaned over my shoulder. “Let me see.”

I angled my screen toward her. She studied the email, her countenance changing from skepticism to horror.

“There’s no way…” Charlie, this seems real! There is a reservation for flights, hotels, and even travel insurance. “Everything is here.”

I shake my head. “No, there must be a catch. No one just gives away free trips.

Deborah’s eyes flew around the computer, clicking on links and double-checking information. Finally, she leaned back and crossed her arms.

“I can’t find anything suspicious.” She smiled broadly as she turned to face me. “Charlie, you truly won the vacation. Congratulations, Sister.”

I nibbled my lip, uncertain whether to be delighted or afraid. “I can’t just go on a trip with some random person.”

Deborah waved her hand dismissively. “Why not?” It is free. Maybe, just maybe, this stranger is a handsome guy who can finally break through your dry spell.

I gave her a look. “Deborah! I enjoy being single, okay? “That’s my choice.”

She grinned. “Sure. I have heard that after every seasonal fling’ since your divorce.”

I took a pillow and flung it at her head.

She ducked and laughed. “Hey! Just saying. Maybe it is fate.” Whether it was fate or not, something about the entire situation felt weird.

However, a little part of me wondered…

What if?

The next day, I stood in the airport terminal, clutching my bag so tightly that my knuckles became white. The ticket in my hands felt heavier than it should.

I still couldn’t believe Deborah persuaded me to go. This was just ridiculous.

Some people had mailed me free tickets to a sweepstakes I hadn’t even remembered joining. And somehow, I had consented to spend two days traveling with an unknown individual. The more I thought about it, the more ludicrous it appeared.

I breathed loudly and moved to the exit. What am I doing?

Every rational aspect of my brain told me to go before it was too late.

I gulped and stared at the automated doors. I have always been careful. I have consistently chosen the most secure route.

I can’t keep avoiding new experiences. I took a long breath and forced myself to turn back.

Business class seems weird. The smooth leather seats, the ample legroom, and the complimentary drinks—this was a world I had never experienced before. But none of it mattered.

My attention was drawn to the passengers boarding, scrutinizing their faces and wondering who my seatmate would be.

Will they be talkative? Annoying? Would we have something in common? Then I got to my seat.

A man was already there, leaning forward and browsing through his phone.

I made a timid step forward. He made a little turn.My stomach sank.

“…Luther?” My voice hardly left my lips.

His head shot up, and his eyes widened. It was the same piercing gaze that I had always admired. I made an effort to forget the same face.

“Charlotte?” He blinked. “What the hell are you doing here?” I breathed hard, my heart pounding against my ribs. “Please don’t tell me you also got these tickets.”

Luther ran his hand through his hair, still appearing as perplexed as I was.

“…via a contest email?” Yeah. “You, too?”

I moaned, every fiber of my being urging me to escape.

“Oh no. No, no. This is too much. “I am leaving.” I whirled on my heel and prepared to march right off the plane.

But before I could take a stride, a delicate but firm hand touched my shoulder. I turned to see a flight attendant,

with a courteous but unwavering grin. The plane is ready for takeoff, Ma’am. Please remain seated.” I opened my lips to disagree, but Luther spoke first.

He looked at the attendant with the same dang charming smile I’d seen a million times before.

“It’s okay; everything’s fine.” Subsequently, he reached for my hand and gently squeezed it, as he would do when he desired for me to relax.

My body recalled before my brain did. My breath caught for a single second. Then I snatched my hand away. No. Not again.

“Charlotte, our marriage ended years ago,” Luther explained, his voice lower now. “Please do not ruin your free trip only because of me. I vow not to annoy you.

I narrowed my eyes. “If I had a dollar for every time I heard that from you…” Luther smirked. “Then you’d be wealthy. But honestly, let us cohabit for two days.” I paused, my whole body aching to reject.

What did I expect to do? I would not be able to miss my first business class journey due to Luther, as the jet was boarding.

With a long, exasperated sigh, I took my seat. “Fine. Please don’t spoil this vacation for me.

Luther leaned back, smirking. “Only your best years of youth.”

I turned to face the window, ignoring him.

I never expected to see Luther again. And honestly? I had hoped never to. I felt my breath catch as we entered the beachside hotel.

The enormous entryway, the tall glass windows reflecting the sea, the marble flooring that appeared to stretch indefinitely—everything about the building exuded luxury.

I was almost relieved that I had arrived for the first time since the inception of this foolish excursion.

Luther then walked up alongside me. “Nice place, huh?” He put his hands in his pockets and said, “Nice place, huh?”

I mustered a stiff grin. “Yeah. “Not bad.” “This reminds me of the hall where we had our wedding. “Same decor.”

My stomach turned. My jaw clenched. “Oh, so now you’re reminiscing about our wedding?” I snapped. My voice came out rougher than I wanted, but I didn’t mind.

Luther’s pleasant demeanor slipped. “Charlotte, let’s not—”

“No, let’s.” I folded my arms, my pulse thumping with rage. “You suddenly wish to revisit the past? Let’s discuss how you wrecked everything.”

The muscle in his jaw clenched. He grumbled and shook his head before gathering our things and heading to the elevator. “Can we not do this in the lobby?” He murmured.

I should have let it go. I should have kept my mouth closed.

However, years of pain, betrayal, and hatred had been buried within me for far too long.

And now? I was not going to let him walk away from it. When we walked inside the hotel room, the door hardly clicked shut when the words poured out of me.

“Afraid someone will hear about what you did?” Luther stiffened. He turned to face me, his eyes darkened by something I didn’t identify.

“Charlotte, please—”

“Don’t call me that!” My voice cracked. “You cheated on me, Luther!” A heavy stillness descended between us.

Luther ran his hand through his hair and exhaled as if bracing himself for something awful.

For the first time since seeing him, he appeared humiliated.”I know.” His voice was soft. “And I apologize. “I never intended to hurt you.”

A sour laugh escaped me.

“Well, congratulations.” You did. And I don’t care about your apologies or justifications.” I took a step back, my voice growing colder. I won’t allow you to ruin any more of my life. Do you hear me?

I raced across the room, seizing one of the beds and hauling it to the other side.

“Don’t talk to me for the next two days.” “Do not even look at me.”

I then closed the bathroom door behind me. The first day passed quickly. I spent it beside the pool, avoiding Luther at all costs. But something nagged me.

He didn’t leave the room. When I returned that night, I could hear coughing coming from the restroom. Deep, dry, and unpleasant.

A tissue was on the floor. Blood had stained it. I froze. The bathroom door opened, and Luther stepped out. I gazed at him. “What stage?” His gaze softened.

“Stage four.”

I swallowed hard. “When did you find out?”

“Six months ago.” He exhaled. “It’s strange, living when you know you’re dying.” I bit my lip. “I’m sorry.”

“This trip was not a contest.” “I arranged everything,” he admits.

My heart has stopped beating.

“Why?”

“I needed to see you one last time,” he explained to me. “I apologize. And let me tell you… “I have never stopped loving you.”

Tears obscured my eyesight. “Is it too late?” I whispered.

Luther grinned regretfully. “For me, definitely. But for you? You have your entire life ahead of you, Charlotte. And I hope it is a lovely one.”

I gripped his hand. “Thank you, Luther.”