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 was

distance, I recognized Ethan. I didn't expect him

me. "Did you fall? Are you

eyes teared up. He bent down, one hand on my shoulder and the other under my legs, trying to pick me up. I silently

running? Do you think I can't take responsibility or

up, unsure of his expression, but I could hear his impatience. "No need to take responsibility. You were drunk; it was an accident.

know how to face him. Now that I had to, I tried to appear calm

seriously. "Do you remember what I said in the hospital that

accurate. I guessed what he wanted to say but pretended not to know

I'll marry

said, "I usually don't

turned somber. "I

and lost control; it's no

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

up, staring at him

my shoulder and sat beside me, lighting a cigarette. In the small flame, I could see

lymphoma," he said. "The doctor says he has at most two years. He

first time he mentioned his family. I realized I knew very little about him, especially his family situation.

cigarette in his mouth. "So what?

in marriage. I'd been hurt too deeply and now tread carefully, afraid of getting hurt

'Ethy' on the phone was and who he was

find someone you truly love. Marriage is a lifelong commitment,

you. I want to marry you,"

he liked me. I admitted he disrupted my inner peace, but I'm no longer a naive teenager swayed by sweet words. "This kind of liking isn't love,"

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

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