Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 117 Don't Compare Your Body with Mine

In the early winter dawn, under those dim streetlights, my breath was turning into little puffs of frost.

I hunched my shoulders, keeping an eye on the car creeping up.

Inside, Ethan had a cigarette dangling from his lips, looking beat and seriously stressed out.

Guess he hadn't found Faye either.

The car just slid past me without even slowing down, and I watched it disappear into the distance.

He looked so worried; maybe he didn't even see me.

I could've grabbed a cab, but nah, I hoofed it back. By the time I got to the villa, it was already pretty bright out.

Ethan's car was parked in the yard, and the villa door was wide open.

When I swapped my shoes, I noticed blisters on my feet. The pain hit hard once I stopped walking.

A bunch of car keys were tossed on the coffee table. Ethan was sprawled on the sofa, not moving an inch. Couldn't tell if he was out cold or just lost in thought, but the exhaustion on his face was real. Searching and worrying all night, no wonder he was wiped out.

I tiptoed around, not wanting to wake him, but he still opened his eyes.

His bloodshot eyes locked onto me. "Where'd you go?"

His voice was super raspy.

"I went to look for her," I said.

He didn't say anything else; just closed his eyes and stayed still.

I watched him for a bit, feeling a pang in my chest. I felt bad for his exhaustion and sad that he cared so much about another woman.

I went upstairs and started tidying up the messy room. I cleaned and put back the makeup stuff Faye had trashed, as long as it was still usable.

Maybe Faye could use them when she came back.

Right then, I really hoped we'd find her. Otherwise, Ethan's frown would never go away, and the rift between us would never heal.

After tidying up the room, I went back downstairs. Ethan was still in the same spot, like he hadn't moved at all.

I made breakfast and set it on the dining table, then called out to the sofa that breakfast was ready.

He still didn't move; his hoarse voice came. "You eat by yourself."

Staring at the steaming breakfast on the table, my eyes started to mist up.

He didn't eat, and neither did I.

long for the

down beside him. I felt like I had to explain everything; I couldn't let him

she's pissed at me. I didn't hit her, didn't yell at her, and didn't break anything. Do you believe me?" I tried to

now. Faye's only been to Starlight City twice, and that was when she was a kid. She's not familiar with this place." His concern for her was off the

He was right;

thought it through and said, "Why not ask Oliver and Jason? She's pretty close with them. Also, we could check with the contestants

finally looked at me. He must've thought I made sense because

changed my shoes

Jason, but neither had seen Faye. Finally, we went

girls were inside. They all said they

as the one who had eavesdropped on my conversation with

through the door and

tried to pull away, glaring at me. "What are

surprise, then at Ethan standing at the

tightened my grip, trying to keep my anger in

good does it do you to stir

avoided my gaze, twisting her

you talking about? I don't

should know what I said to her. How did it get

she couldn't pretend not

spoken up for Faye, she might have gotten the vote. But Aurora came back from the

caught the key point

your words. Have you thought about the consequences of stirring up trouble? Now Faye is missing. Can you handle it if

girl froze, looking scared out

thought things would get this serious when she pulled

wasn't with them, we didn't

drive. He rolled down the window, lit a

I was getting more and

don't we call the cops?" I

front of Ethan. He said, "The police only file a report if an adult's been

suddenly felt totally lost,

we waited, the worse it would get. I believed

when I looked at the mall building not far ahead and suddenly remembered

and said, "There's something I think I should

me intently with a hint of hope in

him about the day Lacey and I ran into Faye at

know where her money came from and

put out a missing person notice? If we

copies and got a large group of people to put them

said, "Faye's not a kid

comfort us; we all

though it wasn't my

middle of the sofa, with Oliver and Jason on either

my anxiety and circled my feet to comfort me. I stood still, staring