Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 137 "You guys eat the meat, I'll just drink the soup."

Ethan rocked up at the door, lugging a bunch of big bags. We just stared at each other for a sec.

After the initial shock, I weirdly felt super chill. I figured it had to be either Martin or Jason who ratted me out.

Funny thing is, when I bailed, I was fuming, like a balloon ready to pop. But after a few days, the anger fizzled out, and now I felt kinda grounded. And seeing his face now, I realized I sorta missed him.

I dropped my gaze and grabbed the bags from his hands.

"Groceries are here. You can bounce now."

I set the bags down and went to shut the door, but Ethan stuck his arms out to stop me.

I shot him a glare, but he just looked back with this soft smile.

"In this freezing weather, you really gonna kick me out?"

Ethan's voice had this pitiful, almost begging tone.

"In this heavy snow, it's not easy for him to deliver groceries. Let him come in and warm up." Martin chimed in from behind.

I turned to see Martin still clutching the radio, lounging in the wicker chair, giving Ethan a look that screamed, "You had it coming, dude."

Since Martin had spoken, I couldn't really keep Ethan out.

So I let go of the door and bent down to grab the groceries, but Ethan beat me to it.

"They're heavy, let me handle it."

If he wanted to carry them, fine by me. I headed back to the kitchen.

After saying hey to Martin, Ethan brought the groceries into the kitchen.

I stood at the sink, washing veggies, trying to ignore him.

After setting down the groceries, Ethan patted Jason, who was working on the soup, on the shoulder and grinned. "I could smell that from outside. My mouth's watering." I paused, veggies in hand, and couldn't help but snap back, "Then keep drooling; there's none for you."

Jason chuckled, but Ethan stayed quiet.

I kept washing the veggies, but suddenly felt warm breath near my ear.

"Then you guys eat the meat, and I'll just have the soup."

Ethan whispered, his chin almost on my shoulder, his hair brushing my ear, tickling me.

I stiffened, trying to stay cool, and replied, "Fine, we'll let you have the Sopa de Lima we've already eaten."

Instead of getting mad, Ethan laughed and said, "Sopa de Lima is the heart of Mexican cuisine. If you leave the heart for me, they'll have something to say about it."

When the Sopa de Lima was ready, Jason brought it to the dining room.

Sopa de Lima was steaming, smelled amazing, and looked

square table, four

here. Come on, let's grab

blurted out, "No

looked taken aback. Ethan gave

thought maybe I

So, I mumbled, "Whatever."

out of the Sopa de Lima,

Ethan was in the hospital for a few days with a

smile. "I told you before, you never listen and don't know how to take care of yourself. You get what you deserve." Ethan smiled helplessly and said, "My

attitude of admitting

sideways glance, a look of reproach mixed with a

no time, Martin brought the cider, saying it was

the village, and everyone respected

glasses and poured a drink for

and outside, snow was falling heavily. Inside, the table was

winter, if guests came, Mom also loved to make Sopa de

today, at this table,

because I was mad at Ethan, and they knew it. If I acted normal, it would feel forced. If I stayed angry,

meal, I was very silent,

tomatoes, I threw a few into the Sopa

the village and reminiscing about unforgettable memories from his youth, his stories interspersed with laughter. I stared at the pot, silently listening to Martin. Thinking

to Martin, I forgot to eat until Ethan and Jason each picked up a tomato and put it

sync that

and smiled at Jason,

while sipping his drink, and the room was filled

more into it, Martin went to

really joining in, Martin kept showing me the photos

then pointed to it and asked, "Jason, this is you when you were little. Who's this little girl next to you?" Ethan and

looks familiar," Martin

"Grandpa, the little girl in the photo is sitting right in front

it, looked at

"Is it Emily?"

bit incredulous and handed the photo to

"Emily, is this you?"

look, and yep,

we lost touch after moving and going to different schools. Recalling those days, Jason smiled warmly and said,

about those past days and our childish antics, I couldn't help but

wasn't!" I refused

talking about the past, I

didn't seem surprised that Jason and I had known each other

Jason, "So, you didn't want to move back then because of

at Jason in surprise. Jason

because of Martin's comment, the atmosphere suddenly

a sip of the apple cider in front of him and forcibly

kindness back then and now, I suddenly felt a bit

picked up a photo, looked at it again and again, and