Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 65 I'm Not Confused, Just More Clear-headed

Bella's message freaked me out so bad I almost dropped my phone.

Bella: [I'm being forced! Blue Ocean Bar.]

No time to reply. I bolted out of Broadway Alley, flagged down a cab, and told the driver to step on it to Blue Ocean Bar.

On the way, I kept calling Bella, but she wasn't picking up. My anxiety was through the roof, hands shaking like crazy.

I thought, 'Who the hell is messing with her? Oliver? Or maybe Zachary, that guy's got a thing for her too.'

Jumping out of the cab, I dashed inside without a second thought about any danger, just Bella. After a frantic search, I found her in an open private room. "Bella, didn't you say you were being..."

Bella, chilling on the sofa, got up and pulled me in. "Yeah, they forced me to come here and gamble. Isn't that coercion?"

I couldn't believe Bella played me like that. I didn't wanna go in 'cause Ethan was there, playing poker with Oliver and Frank.

Frank and Ethan each had a chick next to them. Oliver was solo, and Bella wasn't sitting with him either.

When Bella dragged me in, Ethan just glanced up and went back to his cards, looking all cold and distant, like he didn't even know me.

The chick next to Ethan kept flirting with him. He didn't push her away but didn't seem into it either.

"Mrs. Windsor," Frank greeted me.

Ethan, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, didn't even look up. "Don't call her that. She won't be my wife for long."

My heart sank, and Bella's eyes darted between us, confused.

Bella knew about the drama between Ethan and me. After a bit, she laughed. "Oh, I get it. Well then, let's play all night, and you two can finalize the paperwork tomorrow. Then you can both be free to find new partners." She said it like it was no big deal, but I couldn't be that chill.

Bella pulled me to sit down and join the game. I shook my head. "I don't know how."

gambling money, just drinks. Worst case, you get drunk." Bella made it sound simple,

with a faint smile that

but I

Frank kept glancing at Ethan, who stayed indifferent, his face a bit flushed like he'd

next to Ethan looked at me all smug, making me uncomfortable,

best luck at the card table. After I started playing, I

whenever he lost. The busty chick next to him kept pouring his drinks

really hold your liquor," she

an arm around the chick's waist and pulling her closer. She took

focus on my cards, but her annoying

stood up.

cold water in the restroom. Bella followed me in, trying to talk sense into me. "Emmy, don't act impulsively. Can't you see Ethan's trying to get a rise out of you?" I stared at myself in the mirror, feeling uneasy. "Even if he's provoking me, it

another guy like Ethan if

droplets on my face, and smiled. "Yeah, I'm about to get

eyes went wide, and she shoved me hard. "What the hell are you talking about?

bitter smile. "I'm not being stupid. I'm just seeing things

it was

restroom, I immediately saw Ethan leaning against

about to leave too, but Ethan extended his arm,

saying a word. He lifted my chin, and I was surprised by his calm expression.

more exciting." He grabbed my

of excitement didn't sound good. I

the bar, Ethan shoved me into his car and quickly

You can't drive after drinking!" I stared

smile cold. "Scared? Don't worry, I'm

but his driving was anything but. He floored the gas pedal, and the car sped down the road, streetlights blurring into streaks

tightly pressed, eyes focused ahead, not slowing down

car drift, and by the time we reached the top, I felt like I was

you crazy?" I was

close to me.