Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 27 I Don't Take Advantage of Others' Misfortune

"Ethan, why are you so good to me?" I asked, staring at his face lit by the faint moonlight from the stairwell.

He set me down at my doorstep, lowered his head slightly, and his damp hair fell forward. His Adam's apple bobbed like he had a lot to say, but he just took my keys and calmly said, "I don't want you to suffer." I must've used up all my luck meeting him. Growing up, I got very little genuine care just my parents, Seagull, and Bella.

Ethan came into my life when I was at my lowest. His kindness made me both attached and uneasy.

First thing I did at home was place my mom's photo on the mantel.

I moved a stool over, and Ethan offered to help. I insisted on doing it myself, so he held the stool for me, his other hand hovering near my waist like a steadfast knight.

After I placed my mom's photo next to my dad's, he said, "Go change out of those wet clothes, or you'll catch a cold."

The soft light from the desk lamp bathed him, his

should, but it hasn't been used in a long time," I said, drying my

tape in. The sound was distorted at

played, my mind

of hope, deep down inside. Hold on, weary soul, don't give in. A new dawn awaits,

a story. When my parents had

dollars to me. It was a huge sum. I wanted to thank him, but he was already gone, leaving

by The Thorn Birds Band, a local favorite known for

one of their originals. The soulful voice and healing lyrics

kept in touch through emails, but I never

from the tape recorder. Ethan stood with his hands in his pockets, and I stood not far behind him. We were both

lyric inspired me, urging me to