Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 42 His Frankness

My heart felt like it got stabbed, pain spreading from my chest.

I wanted to run, scared of Ethan's reaction, but I couldn't move.

"Emily, why aren't you going in?" Frank's voice startled me from behind.

The door opened, and Oliver stood there looking at me.

"Want some oatmeal? There's still some in the kitchen," I said, trying to stay calm.

Oliver walked out, one hand in his pocket. "I'm a bit hungry. Frank, let's go get some oatmeal."

With that, Oliver hooked his arm around Frank's neck, and they went downstairs.

When I walked in, Ethan had already taken off his shirt. I quickly glanced at his strong, bare chest, then looked away. "I made some oatmeal. Not sure if you like it." Ethan leaned back, looking relaxed. "I like whatever you make."

Oliver's earlier words had made me uneasy. I was about to put down the oatmeal and leave, but Ethan said, "Feed me."

I held my breath. He raised his bandaged right hand, showing it was hard for him.

I took a deep breath, sat by the bed, and after blowing on each spoonful, brought the oatmeal to his mouth.

I felt Ethan staring at me the whole time. I didn't dare meet his gaze or look at his body, so I focused on the spoon.

"It's a bit too sweet," he suddenly said.

"Is it?" All my unease and other chaotic emotions shattered.

"Don't believe me? Try it."

I must have lost my mind because I tasted it myself with the same spoon.

After two careful mouthfuls, I said, "It's not sweet."

feed him again, Ethan's eyes were amused, but he didn't open his

have a cleanliness issue, not liking that I used

I was about to stand up, he grabbed my hand and brought the

did Ethan eat the oatmeal, but he also licked the spoon clean. He held my

felt like an electric current was passing from his tongue through the spoon. If

it?" I

the back of my head, and the bowl in

he kissed me. It wasn't forceful or domineering; it

tried to pull away, but Ethan held my head tightly, his tongue exploring my

continue," Oliver's amused voice came from the doorway. He must have

door closed again. Ethan kissed with great skill, and my resistance weakened. From resisting to indulging, I

time before stopping. When he let go, we looked at

the kiss?" He

chest, his bare chest against my face, his heartbeat so close. It was strong and steady, and as I listened, I calmed down. Later, Ethan spoke for a long time, "Emily, everyone has their past. You have yours, and I have mine. Before you came into my life, I didn't like coming home. It felt too empty, too lonely living alone. Do you remember the first time you cooked in the kitchen? I said that seeing a woman cooking in the kitchen suddenly made this place feel like a home. That day, cooking with you, I felt like this was really a home. I love watching you busy in the kitchen with an apron on; it's beautiful." I had to admit, Ethan knew how to talk, or rather, he knew how to

with you, I felt like this is what ordinary life should be like. I really want to spend my life

overheard his conversation with Oliver,

Having experienced a failed marriage, I no longer dared to

for some reason, I asked a question completely unrelated to the

smile deepened. He pulled me close and whispered hoarsely in my ear, "Not full. How do you

quickly pushed him away and stood up, awkwardly tucking my hair behind my ear. "Oliver and

pick up the broken pieces of the bowl, Ethan said, "Be careful with your hands. Use

heart. I got a broom

have already eaten; they were sitting on the couch in the living room. When I finished washing the dishes

short distance from Oliver. "You probably think I'm not good enough for

cigarette out of his mouth. After a while, he smiled. "You heard what I said earlier, didn't you? Just forget it. Maybe I wasn't thinking straight with all the commotion.

such an outstanding man, not lacking in women who

silent, the cigarette back in his mouth, his brows

Bella?" I asked

"She said I was a playboy," he laughed self-deprecatingly. "She probably looks down on

him seriously. "Oliver, Bella may seem tough on the outside, but she's actually very fragile inside. She lacks a sense of security. Unless you truly like her, you should just be friends. I don't want her to get hurt." Oliver flicked the ash from his cigarette, smiling reluctantly.