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."

like

smiled. "Really? What instrument

a moment. "Violin or piano. Drummers seem wild

Jason chuckled, downed his beer, and said, "Maybe I have a wild side you haven't seen

to picture him drumming wildly, but shook my head. "Hard to

table, looking at me with interest. "So, I chose the wrong

at me was over a guitar. Now I

down again. "I've never seen him play.

Fiona died, Ethan never picked

got over Fiona. Arthur said Ethan wanted to sleep with his ex because Arthur slept with Ethan's. But weren't Ethan and Fiona deeply

Why did she commit suicide?" I

knows the details, but he never talks about it. The day after Fiona's incident, Ethan beat up Arthur at school. We think Fiona's death might be related to Arthur. Ethan was so

and opened another beer, downing it. When I put the can down, I noticed Jason staring at me with a complex expression, like he

If I didn't, it wouldn't hurt,

silent, but Jason seemed to know the answer, smiling faintly and playing with a can tab. "Getting expelled

continue with music

to drink it. His arm hung over the back of a

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

business mind and is very successful now. Maybe choosing business was the

thought. Maybe Ethan's dreams died

over time, that passion faded, and setbacks made it hard

I should've seen it

felt pathetic. 'Why do the people I meet never truly care for

drank a lot, and Jason, probably understanding my pain, didn't stop me. Instead, he helped me open the

the next table started arguing. It quickly escalated into a fight, and one of them

towards me. I blocked most of them, but my face still

quickly, pulling me away from

you okay?" He moved my hand

face ruined?" I was dizzy and could barely stand, but I was still worried about my