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."

you don't seem like a drummer," I said

an eyebrow and smiled. "Really? What instrument do you think

a moment. "Violin or

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

picture him drumming wildly, but shook

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

the guitar brought back bad memories. The first time Ethan got mad at me was over a guitar. Now I realized it

"I've never seen him play. He

never picked up the guitar

wanted to sleep with his ex because Arthur slept with Ethan's. But weren't Ethan and Fiona deeply in love? How

and Arthur? Why did she commit

about it. The day after Fiona's incident, Ethan beat up Arthur at school. We think Fiona's death might be

can down, I noticed Jason staring at me with a complex

'Do I love Ethan? If I didn't, it wouldn't

and playing with a can tab. "Getting expelled was

didn't continue with music

arm hung over the back of a chair, and the

hadn't drunk much, and his

great business mind and is very successful now.

his dreams?' I thought. Maybe

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

so distant. I should've seen

'Why do the people I

pain, didn't stop me. Instead, he helped me open the

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

were close, glass shards flew towards me. I blocked most of them, but my face still

pulling me away from the

moved my hand away from my face and

my face ruined?" I was dizzy and could barely stand,