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."

eyes were

cleanliness issue, not liking that I used the spoon. My face turned

he grabbed my hand and brought the oatmeal to his

oatmeal, but he also licked the spoon clean. He held my hand, licking the spoon, his gaze fixed on me

scene made my heart race. It felt like an electric current was passing from his tongue through the spoon. If he

is it?" I was super

back of my head, and the bowl

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

opened, and I tried to pull away, but Ethan held my head tightly, his

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

to

long time before stopping. When he

the kiss?" He gave a charming, slight

on his 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

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

guessed that I overheard his conversation

Having experienced a failed marriage, I no longer dared to hope for passionate love, but I still longed

him, but for some reason, I asked a question completely unrelated to

his smile deepened. He pulled me close and whispered hoarsely in my ear, "Not full. How do you plan to feed me?" His hand slipped

expect him to twist my words like that. I quickly pushed him away and stood up, awkwardly tucking my hair behind

squatted to pick up the broken pieces of the bowl, Ethan said,

got a broom and swept up the pieces, then took them

and Frank must have already eaten; they were sitting on the couch in the living room. When I finished washing the dishes and came out, Frank had gone to the balcony, leaving Oliver alone on the

hands and walked over, sitting down a short distance from Oliver. "You probably think

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.

in women who like him. Why would

the cigarette back in his mouth, his brows

you like Bella?" I

showing a hint of conflict. "She said I was a playboy," he laughed self-deprecatingly. "She probably

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. "You also think I'm