Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 59 I'm Not a Stranger

"Back then, Ethan must've really loved her." That simple sentence felt like a knife to my heart, making it hard to breathe. My phone rang. It was Bella. I felt a bit let down. She asked where I was. I lied, said I was fine, and told her not to worry.

After hanging up, I stared at my phone, feeling lost. Ethan hadn't called since I left. Was he figuring out what to say, or did he just not care and kept having fun? "Did Fiona love him?" I asked, even though I knew the answer would hurt.

Jason, holding a cigarette and a beer, took a sip and said, "Fiona loved Ethan just as much. She was just more insecure and less brave."

I thought, 'Insecure and less brave sounds like me. Even the most confident woman might feel insecure around Ethan, let alone someone like me, a divorced woman.'

Jason continued, "Before we met Fiona, she was a well-known bar singer. But ten years ago, bars were chaotic. Female singers often got harassed by drunks, so the job was looked down upon. One time, Ethan fought a customer who harassed Fiona. That's how they met."

I remembered the fight at Blue Ocean Bar. Ethan's anger then was because Stephen harassed Connie, reminding him of Fiona.

That relationship must've been deep, so much so that even now, a similar scene could stir his emotions.

"Ethan and I got into med school together, but he was forced into it. My grandpa was a doctor and wanted us to follow his path. I liked medicine, but Ethan was into music. He started a band and dragged me into it."

I stared at him, shocked. "So you're in The Thorn Birds Band?"

Jason looked a bit embarrassed, flicking his cigarette ash. "Yeah, I'm the drummer and write lyrics."

I asked, "Did you write 'Flicker of Hope'?"

Jason smiled and nodded.

That song always gave me strength growing up. Now, the lyricist was right in front of me. I was surprised and in awe, forgetting my earlier sadness.

"I've always loved that song. It feels like it was made for me," I said.

Jason took a drag of his cigarette, his gaze warm. "I'm glad it resonates with someone."

seem like a

smiled. "Really? What instrument do you think

a moment. "Violin or piano. Drummers seem wild to

Jason chuckled, downed his beer, and said, "Maybe I have a wild side you

trying to picture him drumming wildly, but shook my head.

at me with interest. "So, I chose the wrong hobby? Ethan's great at guitar. Do you

the guitar brought back bad memories. The first time Ethan got mad at me was over a guitar. Now I realized it wasn't about the guitar; it was about

down again. "I've never seen

cigarette and sighed. "After Fiona died, Ethan never picked up the guitar again, and The Thorn Birds

never got over Fiona. Arthur said Ethan wanted to sleep with his ex because Arthur slept with Ethan's. But weren't Ethan and Fiona

between Fiona and Arthur? Why did she commit suicide?"

up Arthur at school. We think Fiona's death might be related to Arthur. Ethan was so aggressive that if other students hadn't called the authorities, Arthur would've been in worse shape. Because of that,

I put the can down, I noticed Jason staring at me with

myself the same thing. 'Do I love Ethan? If I didn't, it

with a

with music either," I

hung over

alcohol tolerance, but he hadn't drunk much, and his face was already a

mind and is very successful now. Maybe choosing business was the right decision for him," Jason

his dreams?' I thought. Maybe Ethan's

over time, that

Ethan felt so distant. I should've seen it clearly and not

the people I meet never truly care for

understanding my pain, didn't stop me. Instead,

the next table started arguing. It quickly escalated into a fight,

were close, glass shards flew towards me. I blocked most of them, but my face still got nicked, and I had glass shards all

me

moved my hand away from

I was dizzy and could barely stand,