Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 49 It Was All a Deception

Ethan had his hands in his pockets and turned his head when he heard her call, looking unusually serious.

The woman was holding her stomach, frowning, clearly uncomfortable. Ethan said something I couldn't hear, then helped her to an empty chair in the waiting area and handed her a bottle of water. He wasn't far from me, but he didn't notice me at all. Seeing this, my heart sank. All the warmth and protection he had shown me felt like a lie.

I always thought he was a responsible guy. Maybe I made the wrong choice again.

I don't know if Ethan sensed something, but he suddenly looked my way. I quickly stepped back, hiding around the corner. When I peeked out again, he had already looked away.

I don't remember how I got back. When I handed the test report to Charlotte, she kept thanking me. I sat in the chair, feeling lost and silent.

"Emily, you don't look good," Lisa said, concerned.

I shook my head numbly and whispered, "It's nothing, just feeling a bit off."

"Where do you feel off? Don't push yourself. If you really feel bad, take a break. I'm here," Lisa insisted.

"My heart feels off," I said blankly.

I don't know how much time passed before my phone rang, and Ethan's name lit up on the screen. My throat felt tight, but I still answered. "Do you miss me?" Ethan's voice was as charming as ever.

I leaned back in the chair, tilting my head up, blinking away the soreness in my eyes. "Yes."

"Then come out and see me. I'm at Grace Hospital," he said.

He admitted he was at the hospital and asked to see me so casually. Maybe there was some misunderstanding.

I walked out of the building and saw him sitting on a bench in the yard, his sleeves half-rolled up, looking relaxed. His profile was like a painting.

I took a deep breath and walked towards him. He saw me quickly, a smile spreading across his face, warm in the sunlight.

I looked away, trying to stay clear-headed. I told myself, 'Many beautiful things are just appearances. I can't be fooled, and I can't indulge in this anymore, no!' Ethan pulled me to sit beside him, his arm naturally around me, but I felt uncomfortable.

"Why are you here?" I asked calmly.

you," he

might still have hope, but he did. If he were truly

to grab lunch?" he asked, twirling a few strands of

grass, seeing every blade clearly. "I don't

Ethan finally noticed something was

heart race, but now I

his eyes. He studied me for a

away. "No, I just don't want to eat

skip meals. If you do, don't even think about coming

was distracted all afternoon. When it was time to leave, I

sense of belonging was gone. I felt

leaving without a word seemed too dramatic, so I made dinner and sat on the balcony with

around before finding me on the balcony. "What are you doing

cooling off here. The food might be cold; you should heat it up," I

you eat?"

would force me to eat, afraid I couldn't resist his concern, afraid I would get even more entangled in his

from the weight. He lifted my chin with one hand, looking at me seriously. "What's wrong with you? I noticed you didn't look well today. Are

I wasn't speaking, he pressed his forehead against mine. When I tried to pull back, he held me

pregnant?" He had a teasing smile, his

am? What then?" I looked directly at him, trying to catch any

stared at me for a moment, then suddenly pinched my face, quite hard, as if punishing me. "What do you think? I told you back in Greenfield Village, whether or not to take birth control is up to you. If you get pregnant, don't even think about aborting

you take responsibility?" I pressed

had nowhere to escape, pressing tightly against the back of the

"If you're carrying my child, then I'm the father. How do you think I'll take responsibility?

was joking, but I wasn't in the mood. He mentioned the child and taking responsibility without a hint of guilt. I thought, 'Is he

when, but his breath in my ear became heavier,

my face

push it and just kissed my forehead. "If

took a shower and went to bed. In reality, I didn't sleep at all, my mind constantly replaying the scene of Ethan with that pregnant woman. It seemed I had to find the truth myself. I didn't know when Ethan went to bed, probably

me to work, and I didn't refuse. He parked the car in the usual spot. As I was getting out, he suddenly called

would call me