Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 57 The Exciting Game

I should've just left, but I felt stuck.

Arthur must've seen I was itching for the truth. He gave a creepy smile.

I was both curious and scared because I saw revenge in his eyes.

After ten seconds of hesitation, I wanted to bolt. I turned and almost ran away.

Even if there was another side to the story, I'd rather live in the dream Ethan created for me.

"Because I slept with his ex, he wants to sleep with mine. That's his revenge," Arthur said, his voice low but piercing. He looked so sure I'd want to hear more, as if these words could shatter Ethan's dream for me.

I stopped dead. Slowly, I turned back and saw Arthur's smug smile, like he'd won something.

"Arthur, are you so miserable you can't stand others being happy? Do you think a few words from you can wreck our relationship? You've always been shady; why would I believe you?" I tried to sound calm and steady, but inside, I was shaken. Arthur seemed to see right through me because his smile widened. "Do you know who his ex is?" he asked slowly.

I had to admit, he knew exactly how to mess with my head. I stared at him, trying to look wary, but inside, I was a mess.

When he asked, a name was already in my mind, waiting for him to confirm it.

"His ex is Fiona."

It was her! The truth hit me hard, and I felt like Arthur's voice started to fade.

Arthur went on, "He broke two of my ribs back then. I should've remembered him, but it's been eight years, and he's changed a lot. I didn't recognize him at first. Once I did, I knew his revenge was coming."

"Stop it!" I cut him off. "I have to go to work. I don't have time for your crap." With that, I turned and walked away quickly.

Back at work, I kept telling myself Arthur was just messing with me, but his words wouldn't leave my head, "Because I slept with his ex, he wants to sleep with mine. That's his revenge."

'Could all the warmth from Ethan be fake?' I couldn't believe it, didn't want to believe it.

remembered the photo of Fiona at Arthur's wedding and realized why it seemed

a photo of Ethan with a girl. That girl was Fiona, but the photo was different from her artsy ones in the papers, so I only found it familiar but didn't recognize her. Suddenly, things clicked. I took a sick day and grabbed a cab back to

living room and pulled out the tape from the old stereo. The photo on the tape was small, showing a group of five, so the faces weren't

local band from eight years ago. The only thing I had was

think Ethan looked like the lead singer of The Thorn Birds Band, but now I knew

just a local band, and the internet wasn't big back then.

were old, and my impression of The Thorn Birds Band was more about their music, not their looks. So

recognized Arthur at the hospital, but Arthur

piece of my heart had been ripped out, the

a cab straight to Skyline International Corporation. Amidst everyone's surprised looks,

room, saying he was in a meeting. In my impulsiveness, I

people turned to look at me that I realized I might've

the table,

please continue," I said, closing the door and heading to his office to wait. His assistant

By then, I had calmed down, so when he walked towards me, I kept a

tossed his documents on the desk, leaned back tiredly, and pulled me into his arms. I

I knew

noncommittal sound, my arms stiff at my sides, not hugging

mischievously. "Since you miss

kept a smile on my face. "How about we go to Blue Ocean Bar tonight? I need to unwind." Ethan looked surprised but not suspicious. He smiled and said,

me "Honey" felt

night fell, we headed to

Bella, and Ethan called some of his friends. Once we sat down, I

touched my forehead and said, "You're acting

I smiled

a perfect

knew I usually avoided such games. Everyone agreed, and I fixed my gaze on Ethan. He stared back

face, my heart ached. I quickly looked away,

rolled dice to determine the order. Ethan's luck was consistently good, like even fate

was my turn. Without hesitation, I chose Dare, a decision I had made