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.

the cold road before I saw a

I recognized Ethan. I

and braked beside me. "Did you fall? Are you hurt?" he asked urgently,

my shoulder and the other under my legs, trying to pick

you think I can't take responsibility or

unsure of his expression, but I could hear his impatience. "No need to take responsibility.

I didn't know how to face him.

grabbed my shoulder and stared at me seriously. "Do you

I guessed what he

you today, I'll marry

"I usually

voice turned somber. "I wasn't

bitterly. "Stop it, Ethan. We're both adults. You got drunk and lost control; it's no big

causing me pain. "I'm not marrying you because I slept with you. I wasn't

up, staring

of my shoulder and sat beside me, lighting a cigarette. In the small flame, I could see his furrowed brows, showing his

grandfather has late-stage lymphoma," he said. "The doctor says he has at most two years. He wants to see me settle down

knew very little about him,

looking at me with a cigarette in his mouth. "So what? Emily, do you have so little

confidence; I had lost faith in marriage. I'd been hurt too deeply

who called him 'Ethy' on the phone

you truly love. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, not

you. I want to marry you," Ethan said

not that he liked me. I admitted he disrupted my inner peace, but I'm no longer a

turn into love over time. Even if I said I loved you now, you

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