Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 34

Chapter 34 I Like Being with You

My head felt like it was going to explode.

Ethan was totally wasted. He suddenly leaned in and kissed me hard, the strong smell of alcohol filling my mouth.

"Ethan, stop!" I said, my voice tense. I didn't dare shout; it would be too embarrassing if someone came.

In the quiet tent, his heavy breathing by my ear made my already weak body even softer.

Finally, Ethan collapsed next to me and fell asleep. Occasionally, he pulled me into his arms, nuzzling my neck, mumbling, "Happy birthday!"

My body, which had been burning hot, suddenly felt like it was doused with cold water.

Today wasn't my birthday. Clearly, he wasn't talking to me. He didn't even know who I was. I felt a mix of frustration, disappointment, and sadness.

I don't know how long it took, but I finally heard him breathing evenly. I moved his arm off me, cleaned up quickly, and left the tent.

The observation deck was quiet. Everyone was asleep, and I could hear snoring from one of the tents. I took Ethan's bike and started riding back.

I had just learned to ride a bike, and the dark, downhill road scared me. But I was more afraid of facing Ethan when he woke up. I didn't know how to face him.

The visibility was poor, and the downhill speed was fast. The wind blurred my tear-streaked eyes. I panicked, afraid I might go off a cliff, so I braked hard.

I must have braked too abruptly because I went flying. My knees and arms scraped the ground, and the bike fell on my leg.

I tried to stand but realized I had twisted my ankle. The scene felt familiar just like that night on the mountainside, injured and alone.

It seemed I could never escape fate. Every time I felt happiness was near, reality hit me hard.

I saw a light coming from uphill. A figure on a bike

distance, I recognized Ethan. I

me. "Did you fall? Are you hurt?" he asked

one hand on my shoulder and the other under my legs,

are you running? Do you think I can't

hear his impatience. "No need to take responsibility. You were drunk; it was an accident. I'm not some inexperienced girl who needs you to

ran because I didn't know how to face him. Now that I had

stared at me seriously. "Do you remember what I said

woman's intuition could be surprisingly accurate. I guessed what he wanted to say but

I'll marry you tomorrow,"

usually

voice turned somber. "I wasn't

both adults. You got drunk and lost control; it's

not marrying you because I slept with you. I wasn't joking in the hospital that day," he

looked up, staring at him

a cigarette. In the small flame, I could see his

doctor says he has at most two years. He wants to see me settle down while he's

mentioned his family. I realized I knew very little about him, especially his family situation. "Ethan, I'm

a cigarette in his mouth. "So what?

I had lost faith in marriage. I'd been

called him 'Ethy' on the phone was and who he was

find someone you truly love. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, not a game,"

with you. I want

peace, but I'm no longer a naive teenager

pressed his fingers against his forehead, looking tired. "Emily, being too serious about everything can be exhausting. Liking can turn into love over time. Even if I said I loved you now, you wouldn't believe it, would

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255