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.

know how long I sat on the cold road before I saw a light coming from uphill.

a distance, I recognized Ethan. I didn't

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

my eyes teared up. He bent down, one hand on my shoulder and the other under my legs,

you think I can't take

need to take responsibility. You were drunk; it was an accident. I'm not

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

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

could be surprisingly accurate. I guessed what he wanted to say but pretended

you today, I'll

"I usually don't

turned somber. "I wasn't

Ethan. We're both adults. You got drunk and lost control; it's no big deal. I don't need you to take

my shoulder tightened, causing me pain. "I'm not marrying you because I slept with you. I wasn't joking in the hospital

staring at him

go of my shoulder and sat beside me, lighting a cigarette. In the small flame,

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

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

in his mouth. "So

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

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

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

I want to marry you," Ethan

admitted he disrupted my inner peace, but I'm no longer a naive teenager swayed

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

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