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.

cold road before I saw a light coming from uphill. A

from a distance, I recognized Ethan. I didn't expect

you fall? Are

up. He bent down, one hand on my shoulder and the other

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

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

take responsibility. I ran because I didn't know how to face him. Now

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

intuition could be surprisingly accurate. I guessed what he wanted to say but pretended not to know and stayed

you today, I'll marry

said, "I usually

voice turned somber. "I wasn't

got drunk and

marrying you because I slept with you. I

looked up, staring

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

has at most two years. He wants to

time he mentioned his family. I realized I knew very

in his mouth. "So what? Emily, do you have so

marriage. I'd been hurt too deeply and

wondered who the woman who called him 'Ethy' on the phone was and who he was saying "Happy birthday"

you truly love. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, not a

like being with you. I want to marry

me, not that he liked me. I admitted he disrupted my inner peace, but I'm no longer a naive teenager swayed by sweet words. "This kind

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 you?" I believe that liking and love have a process. At

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