After five years, my boyfriend was finally done with his special ops tour. He was coming home from overseas to marry me.

Except I found thirty-six letters in his duffel bag.

They were letters he'd written before every mission, pouring his heart out to someone he loved. And that someone wasn't me.

Clutching the positive pregnancy test, my heart shattered as I made my way to the top of Aspen Mountain. There I saw him, the man who was always so aloof, kneeling in front of Ashley Carter.

"Ash, please give me a chance to make things right. I'll marry you tomorrow if you want."

His eyes were full of love and his voice pleaded with her.

I tore the test to shreds and scattered the pieces across the snowy peak. That was it. I was done.

But the day I tried to run away, he lost it.

At 12,000 feet, surrounded by tourists snapping photos, I watched the man I'd been with for seven years propose.

Liam Walker, usually so reserved, was down on one knee, holding a diamond ring. It was exactly how I’d dreamed he’d ask me.

“Ash, these past five years without you have been hell. Marry me, okay?"

"Do it for the baby."

Amidst the excited shouts of the crowd, Ashley slowly reached out her left hand.

The ring I'd waited five years for slid onto her finger.

Liam stood and held her close, like she was the most precious thing in the world, then kissed her deeply.

I squeezed the crumpled pregnancy test in my hand, a sharp pain stabbing my heart.

Five years ago, Liam told me he'd been chosen for a counter-terrorism mission in Afghanistan.

He’d knelt before me, begging, “Lily, please wait for me, okay? When it's over, I promise I’ll come back and marry you.”

Because of that promise, I waited. Five long years. I turned down every guy who asked me out.

Now, my five years and the baby inside me felt like one big joke.

On the way down the mountain, I ran into Liam and Ashley again.

Ashley, rubbing her belly, pouted. "Liam, Lily Moore made my life a living hell, you have to get back at her for me!”

Liam smiled, "What do you want me to do?"

“If you really wanna marry me, you’ll ditch her on your wedding day!”

I clutched my throbbing ankle, hiding nearby, waiting to hear Liam's answer.

I’d known him for ten years. He always seemed so righteous, so honorable.

I was curious to see what he’d choose. Morality, or Ashley.

"Okay, I promise."

Liam's voice was cold.

My blood ran cold.

Ashley giggled, snuggling into his arms. "Really? Aren't you worried she'll be mad?"

Liam playfully tapped her nose. "Yeah, she'll be pissed, but I saved her life once. If it wasn't for me, she'd be dead."

“It's just ditching her at the alter. She'll get over it.”

The pain in my leg was getting worse.

I have an old injury, every time it gets cold or rainy, my leg aches like hell.

To hear Liam's explanation, I dragged my bad leg up Aspen Mountain.

My hometown is flat. The altitude, combined with my leg, made me miserable.

Still, I needed an answer.

I took a deep breath, trying to ignore the ache in my chest, and dialed my mom.

"Hey, Mom, I miss you guys. Can I come visit?"

She was quiet for a moment, then, "Of course, honey! Your room is always ready."

"But—" she hesitated. "Aren't you and Liam getting married soon?"

"What about the wedding?"

I paused. Liam saved my life, and I didn't want to tell my mom about his affair. She wouldn't be able to handle it.