Three Years Forgotten, Why Go Crazy When I Say Goodbye? novel Chapter 57

Fearing the worst, Willow immediately called her vet. The doctor explained that Cooper was likely experiencing a severe trauma trigger, violently flashing back to the abuse he had suffered. He recommended administering a mild canine sedative if the panic attack didn't subside. Willow had some leftover medication from a previous visit, so she carefully gave Cooper the prescribed dose. Gradually, the frantic pacing stopped, his breathing leveled out, and he fell into a heavy, exhausted sleep. Once Cooper was settled, Willow dialed Jade for a video call. Since Jade had left for her business trip, they checked in with each other every few days. Jade looked exhausted; her eyes were heavily bloodshot, and her hair was pinned up haphazardly with a ballpoint pen. Willow recounted the dramatic events at the gym. "How was the actual facility?" Jade asked, rubbing her eyes. "Incredible. The equipment is top-tier, and the space is immaculate." "If you like it, you should go as often as you can. It doesn't even have to be about losing weight. Just getting out and moving is great for your mental health." "I plan to," Willow promised. She was determined to stick with the gym. That was just how Willow was wired. She could easily walk away from things she didn't care about, but once she set a goal, she poured one hundred percent of her soul into achieving it. Assuming Willow was suddenly embracing an active lifestyle, Jade offered another idea. "Hey, a client gave me some VIP tickets for the Silver Run Resort this Saturday. There's no way I'll be back in time to use them. I'll transfer them to your phone. You should go hit the slopes, breathe some mountain air." "But I don't know how to ski at all." "Who cares? Just go enjoy the lodge, watch the snow, and maybe take a beginner's lesson." When Saturday arrived, Willow took a car up to the Silver Run Resort. She had done a quick search beforehand and knew it was one of the most prestigious and historic ski resorts outside New York City. It boasted massive slopes and luxury amenities, drawing thousands of winter sports enthusiasts every season. She had expected a crowd, but when she arrived, she was genuinely overwhelmed by the sea of people. Fans were everywhere, sporting face paint, carrying signs, and waving banners. After asking around, she learned the resort was hosting a major freestyle skiing competition today, and the mountain was swarming with fan clubs. Seeing Willow looking slightly lost, a bubbly young woman struck up a conversation. She enthusiastically explained that she was here to support her 'Goddess.' According to the girl, this Goddess was flawless—a high-powered career woman, breathtakingly beautiful, and a frequent gold medalist in competitive skiing. Half the crowd at the resort was exclusively there to cheer for her. As her excitement peaked, the girl tried to shove her phone into Willow's face to show off photos of her idol, but Willow politely declined. She had no interest in celebrity worship or extreme sports; she was just trying to find a quiet place to learn the basics. Because of the main event, the resort was bottlenecked. Despite her best efforts to steer clear of the chaos, Willow was physically swept up by the surging crowd and deposited right at the edge of the competition course. The athletes were already at the starting gates, prepping their gear. The overly friendly girl popped up beside Willow again, bouncing on her toes. "Look! The one in the center, that's my Goddess! Isn't she gorgeous? Look at that aura!" Willow gave a passing glance. The skier was buried under a bulky snowsuit, helmet, and mirrored goggles, leaving only the lower half of her face visible. It was impossible to make out any real features, but a creeping sense of familiarity washed over Willow. That feeling lingered uncomfortably until the announcer's voice boomed over the loudspeakers a second later.