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.

see you," he said quickly, but my heart

I might still have hope, but he did.

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

grass, seeing every

something

but now I felt unusually calm.

my face towards him, forcing me to look into his eyes. He studied me

isn't me.' I gently pushed Ethan away. "No, I just don't want to eat right now. Besides, I'm at work. I can't just leave. You go

insist, but he nodded. "Alright, but don't skip meals. If you do, don't even think about

When it was time to leave, I didn't

of belonging was gone. I felt like an outsider,

word seemed too dramatic, so I made dinner and

dark. The lights were off, and Ethan probably searched around before finding me on the balcony. "What are you doing here?" he asked, ruffling my

off here. The food

eat?" he

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

with one hand, looking at me seriously.

forehead against mine. When I tried to pull back, he held me tightly, not letting me

pregnant?" He had a teasing

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

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.

you take responsibility?" I pressed

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

my chin. "If you're carrying my child, then I'm the father. How do you think I'll take responsibility? What's wrong with you today? Did you burn out all your

but I wasn't in the mood. He mentioned the child and taking responsibility without a hint of guilt. I thought, 'Is he really so honest, or is he just a

but his breath in my ear became heavier, and

turned my face away, avoiding his

kissed my

scene of Ethan with that pregnant woman. It seemed I had to find the truth myself. I didn't

next day, he still drove me to work, and I didn't refuse. He parked the

was in a good mood, he would call me "honey,"