Left to Drown: I Walked Away From My Billionaire Fiancé

Five years into my relationship with Ethan Vance, I accompanied him and his childhood friend, Chloe Brooks, on an adventure trip to the barren canyons of Utah.

When a sudden flash flood hit, Ethan tied the only life-saving rope around Chloe, leaving me behind in the raging, muddy torrents.

Chloe has severe claustrophobia, Summer. I have to pull her up first! Just hold on to the rock and don't move!

I soaked in the freezing, bone-chilling floodwaters for five agonizing hours, nearly dying in the middle of nowhere. Yet, all I got from him later was a text:

"Chloe is severely traumatized. Find your own way back with the rescue team."

I simply threw the engagement ring he gave me into the desert sands, turned around, and left without looking back.

The wind in the Utah Canyon carried coarse sand, scraping against my face like a sharp blade.

This was the fifth year of my relationship with Ethan. This trip was originally planned as our pre-wedding photoshoot.

But there was an extra person on this triphis childhood best friend, Chloe.

The disaster struck without warning. The once-clear sky suddenly darkened, and a massive storm upstream triggered a rare, violent flash flood.

The muddy water, carrying broken branches and sharp rocks, roared through the narrow canyon like a wild beast.

The water level rose rapidly, swallowing our calves in just a few minutes.

"Ethan! I'm scared!" Chloe shrieked, clutching Ethans arm tightly. Her face was as pale as paper, her whole body trembling.

We were trapped on a slightly elevated rocky ledge, but it was too low. The floodwaters would soon submerge it.

The rescue team above threw down a single rescue rope. But because of the wind and the tricky terrain, they could only pull one person up at a time.

Without a second thought, Ethan grabbed the thick rope and quickly, expertly tied it around Chloes waist.

"Ethan..." I stood in the knee-deep mud, struggling to stay upright against the strong current. I instinctively reached out and grabbed his jacket.

He turned his head. There was panic in his eyes, but more than that, there was a cold, absolute decision.

"Summer, Chloe has severe claustrophobia. The canyon is too narrow and dark; shes going to have a panic attack. I need to get her up first."

"But the current is getting stronger, and I don't know how to swim..." My voice was drowned out by the roaring flood, sounding weak and desperate.

Ethan forcefully pried my fingers off his jacket and pressed my hand onto a sharp, protruding rock beside us.

"Hold on tight to this rock. Don't move. The rescue team will throw a second rope down soon. Youve always been the strong one. Just wait for me, okay?"

With that, he wrapped his arms around Chloe and shouted to the top: "Pull!"

I watched helplessly as he shielded Chloe, slowly rising out of the dangerous muddy pit under the pull of the rescue team.

In mid-air, Chloe turned her head and looked down at me. There was no fear in her eyes. Only a smug, barely perceptible smirk.

The second rope never came down.

Another wave of flood crested from upstream. A massive wall of water slammed against the rock, sweeping me entirely into the freezing mud.

"Help..." Mud and sand rushed into my nose and mouth. The suffocating darkness instantly consumed me.

I struggled desperately in the water, my fingernails clawing into the cracks of the rock until they bled, just to keep myself from being swept away.

Those five hours were a living hell.

The freezing water drained the last bit of warmth from my body. My consciousness began to fade, and my life with Ethan over the past five years flashed before my eyes.

I thought that after surviving the hard early days of starting his business and spending countless nights supporting him, I would finally become Mrs. Vance.

As it turned out, in a matter of life and death, I was just an option that could be discarded at any time.

In the end, a local cowboy passing by spotted me half-dead. He used his lasso to drag me back from the grip of death.

I didnt even know how I managed to get back to the desert lodge.

My body was covered in cuts and bruises, my clothes soaked in mud. The cold wind made my teeth chatter violently.

I pushed open the door of our lodge room. The heater was running high, filling the room with warmth.

Ethan was sitting by the bed, holding a warm mug of chamomile tea. He was gently blowing on it before feeding it to Chloe.

Chloe had changed into a clean, soft bathrobe, leaning against the pillows with red, teary eyes.

Hearing the door open, Ethan looked up. The moment he saw me, his brows furrowed in annoyance.

"Why do you look like a total mess? Didn't I tell you to come back with the rescue team?"

There was no relief in his voice. Only blame.

I stared at him, my throat so dry I couldnt make a sound.

Chloe shrank back slightly, her voice sweet and innocent. "Summer, please don't be mad at Ethan. I was so terrified, I couldnt let go of him. That's why he couldn't go back for you. You're soaking wet, you should go take a hot shower."

I dragged my stiff legs into the bathroom and turned on the faucet.

But the water running from the shower head was ice-cold.

As it turned out, the hot water supply at this remote lodge was limited. The only tank of hot water had already been used by Ethan to fill the bathtub for Chloe.

I slid down against the cold tiles, water dripping down my face. I couldn't tell if it was the shower water or my tears.

Five years. Even if you raise a dog for five years, you develop feelings, don't you?

I dried myself, changed into clean clothes, and pulled out my phone. Silently, I canceled the round-trip flight I had booked for the two of us and booked a single ticket back to Los Angeles for tomorrow morning.

This time, I was done waiting.

The next morning, I woke up with a pounding headache.

The freezing floodwaters from yesterday had given me a high fever. Every bone in my body felt like it had been crushed and put back together. It was excruciating.

Just as I struggled to sit up and pack my bags, the door pushed open.

Ethan walked in, wearing a sleek windbreaker, holding two pairs of sand goggles.

"Summer, get up and pack. We're going off-roading in the sand dunes today."

I leaned weakly against the headboard, my voice raspy. "I have a fever, Ethan. I can't go. I want to go home."

Ethan walked over and touched my forehead. His frown deepened.

"You do feel a bit warm. But Chloe has been looking forward to this off-road trip for months. Shes too scared to go alone. Just push through it. The SUV has air conditioning. It won't be that bad."

I looked at his dismissive face, a cold laugh bubbling in my chest.

"Ethan, I almost died in that flood yesterday. I am sick."

"Stop talking about dying all the time. Aren't you standing here perfectly fine?" His tone carried a hint of impatience. "Yesterday was my bad, I admit it. But like I said, Chloes situation was special. We finally got some time off. Can't you just be a little more mature and stop ruining the mood for everyone?"

"Mature?" I whispered.

So, when it came to choosing between my actual life and Chloes entertainment, choosing to survive made me "immature."

From outside, Chloes cheerful voice called out, "Ethan! Is Summer ready? The guide said the sandstorm will pick up if we wait any longer!"

Ethan shoved the goggles into my hands and practically dragged me out of bed.

"Alright, stop throwing a tantrum. I'll get you some ibuprofen after lunch."

The SUV sped over the rolling sand dunes.

Chloe sat in the passenger seat, squealing with excitement. Ethan kept one hand on the steering wheel, occasionally looking over to gently remind her to hold on tight.

Meanwhile, I was tossed around like a ragdoll in the bumpy backseat.

The window wasn't fully closed. Dust swirled in through the gap, making me cough violently. Every bump made my stomach churn and my head throb.

"Ethan, look at that dune! It's so high!" Chloe pointed ahead.

Ethan stepped on the gas. The car flew into the air and slammed heavily back down.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I covered my mouth and dry-heaved.

Ethan glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his voice filled with annoyance. "Summer, if you really didn't want to come, you could have just stayed. There's no need to show your attitude in front of Chloe. She was traumatized yesterday, and shes finally having some fun today."

I closed my eyes, too exhausted to even argue.

At noon, the car stopped in front of a roadside diner in the middle of the desert.

Chloe took the menu and ordered a table full of greasy, heavy diner food, including a plate of spicy buffalo wings dripping with hot sauce.

"Summer, their wings are famous. Have some," she said with a sweet smile, placing a spicy wing onto my plate.

Looking at the red hot sauce, my stomach clenched.

I had a high fever and a severe stomach ulcer. Ethan knew this. Back when we were happy, he never allowed a single drop of hot sauce on the table if I was around.

"I can't eat spicy food," I said, pushing the plate away. "Can I just get a plain oatmeal or some toast?"

Before Ethan could speak, Chloe lowered her head, looking incredibly hurt.

"I'm so sorry, Summer. I forgot your stomach is sensitive. But... this diner only serves these fast foods. They don't have oatmeal. If you really hate it, maybe Ethan can drive you to another place?"

The nearest town was thirty miles away.

Ethans face darkened completely. He slammed his fork onto the table.

"Summer, enough! Youve been acting passive-aggressive since yesterday. Chloe was just trying to be nice, and you're throwing a fit? We're in the desert. Stop being so high-maintenance!"

I looked up, staring straight into his eyes.

"Ethan, I have a stomach ulcer and a fever. You're forcing me to eat spicy food. Do you want me to end up in the emergency room?"

"Don't exaggerate!" He stood up abruptly, grabbing Chloe's hand. "Since you're so miserable here, stay by yourself. Chloe, let's go eat some energy bars in the car. We don't want to ruin her appetite."

Chloe let him drag her out, turning back to look at me with a face full of innocent triumph.

"Ethan, is it really okay to leave Summer here alone...?"

"Don't worry about her. Ive spoiled her too much. She needs to cool down and get a grip!"

With a loud slam of the car door, the SUV kicked up a cloud of dust and sped away.

I stared at the plate of greasy wings, and suddenly, I laughed.

I laughed until tears streamed down my face.

Since he had abandoned me again and again, I didn't need to treat him as my home anymore.

Thanks to the kind-hearted diner owner, I managed to hitch a ride on a supply pickup truck and made it back to the lodge by sunset.

By the time I reached my room, my fever had spiked to 103 degrees.

My body felt like it was on fire. Even breathing felt like inhaling hot needles.

Ethan pushed the door open, walking in from the outside. Seeing me curled up under the blanket, shivering violently, his expression finally changed.

He rushed over, touching my forehead, and quickly pulled his hand back as if he'd been shocked.

"How is your fever this high? Why didn't you call me!"

I weakly opened my eyes, looking at his panicked face. It felt incredibly pathetic.

"Call you? So I could listen to you call me high-maintenance again?"

A flash of guilt crossed his eyes. He hurriedly searched his duffel bag for medicine, pouring a glass of warm water and holding it to my lips.

"I'm sorry, Summer. I was out of line this afternoon. I thought you were just playing difficult. Take the medicine first. I won't go anywhere tonight. I'll stay right here with you."

I looked at the water and finally swallowed the pills.

Because I needed my strength. Tomorrow morning, I had a flight to catch.

Right then, the door was pushed open.

Chloe stood there, wearing a beautiful bohemian dress, perfect makeup, and holding a glow stick.

"Ethan! The guide said there's a meteor shower deep in the dunes tonight, and a bonfire party! Everyone is waiting for us!"

Seeing Ethan sitting by my bed, her smile stiffened for a fraction of a second before turning into a look of deep concern.

"Oh my gosh, is Summer really that sick? Then... Ethan, you should stay here with her. I'll just go by myself. Even though the dark desert is super scary, I'll try my best to be brave."

Ethan froze.

He looked at me, then at Chloe, who stood at the door looking fragile and helpless.

"Chloe, going into the desert alone at night is too dangerous. I'm not comfortable with that."

"It's fine. I'll just stay close to the guide," Chloe bit her lip, looking like a brave martyr.

Ethan stood up, tucking my blanket in.

"Summer, sleep after taking the meds. I'll just drop Chloe off and make sure shes safe, then I'll come right back. Thirty minutes max."

I looked at him, my voice so calm it surprised even myself.

"Ethan, if you step out of this room tonight, we are over."

He paused, turning around with a flicker of anger in his eyes.

"Summer, can you stop being so unreasonable? What if Chloe gets lost in the desert? You're lying in a warm room with a heater and water. What danger could you possibly be in? I said I'll be back in thirty minutes!"

With that, he walked out without looking back.

The door slammed shut. The room fell into a dead, suffocating silence.

I didn't cry. I just stared quietly at the ceiling.

As the medicine kicked in, I drifted into a heavy, feverish sleep.

When I woke up in the middle of the night, the room was still empty.

I picked up my phone. There were no messages from Ethan.

I opened Instagram. The very first post on my feed was an update from Chloe, posted ten minutes ago.

In the video, a huge bonfire was crackling.

Ethan and Chloe were wearing local flower crowns, holding hands, dancing around the fire to the music.

Ethan had a bright, brilliant smile on his facea relaxed, happy expression I hadn't seen on him in years.

The caption read: [Brilliant stars, endless desert, and the best view is right next to me. ???]

In the comments, a mutual friend wrote: [Omg, Ethan and Chloe look like the perfect couple!]

Ethan didn't deny it. Instead, he had liked the comment.

Looking at his casual betrayal, I finally realized that some love is rotten to the core.

The next morning, just as the sky was turning gray.

My fever had gone down a bit. My body was still weak, but it was enough to get me out of here.