Sunrise Without Me

On our wedding anniversary, Valerie invited her childhood friend for a mountain hike.

She forced me to carry all the heavy backpacks, even though I had just undergone heart surgery.

Halfway up, feeling dizzy and unwell, I asked for a five-minute break. She snapped at me instantly:

“You’re both men, so why are you the only one whining? If you can’t climb, get lost! Don’t ruin the sunrise for Corey and me!”

Later, completely exhausted, I collapsed on my way down the trail. A kind stranger foun