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 figure on a

I recognized Ethan. I didn't expect him to wake

"Did you

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

"Emily, why are you running? Do you think I can't take

didn't look up, unsure of his expression, but I could hear his impatience. "No need to take responsibility. You

because I didn't know how to face

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

could be surprisingly accurate. I guessed what he wanted to

you today, I'll marry

"I usually don't

voice turned somber. "I wasn't

sighed bitterly. "Stop it, Ethan. We're both adults. You got drunk and lost control;

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

staring at

shoulder and sat beside me, lighting a cigarette. In

he said. "The doctor says he has at most two years. He wants to see me settle

his family. I realized I knew very little about

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

wasn't just about confidence; I had lost faith in marriage. I'd been hurt too

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

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

you. I want

peace, but I'm no longer a naive teenager swayed by sweet words. "This kind of liking isn't love," I

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 the time,

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