Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 138 I Miss You So Much

My back slammed into the tree, shaking off the snow. Before I could even blink, he was on me, lips locked on mine, stealing my breath. My brain just short-circuited. Even with the cold, Ethan felt like a freaking furnace, making me forget the pain from the tree.

He was rough, and the sting on my lips snapped me back. I remembered Jason was somewhere in the yard, so I tried to push Ethan away, but my arms were like noodles.

He didn't let go for what felt like forever. By the time he did, Jason was long gone. It was just us in the yard now.

We stared at each other, panting, as snowflakes drifted down around us.

His face was always so damn captivating, and his kiss was like a drug, impossible to resist.

Out of nowhere, Ethan's head dropped onto my shoulder.

"I missed you so much," he whispered in my ear, his breath hot.

My heart, already racing, went into overdrive.

Worried Martin and Jason might see us, I pushed him again. But he held on tight, his cheek brushing against my ear.

I forced myself to stay cool, not wanting to give in just because of a kiss. In a calm but sharp tone, I said, "Miss me? Is it 'cause no one's cooking for you? Or 'cause no one's warming your bed?"

The pressure on my shoulder eased, and Ethan slowly lifted his head, looking at me with a mix of helplessness and hurt.

"I don't have a heart anymore; you took it with you. Everything feels wrong, and when I come home, the whole place feels empty," he said.

I knew better than to trust a man's words completely. They often meant nothing.

Looking into his eyes, I said flatly, "No one sticks around forever. People need to get used to being alone, just like I need to learn not to rely on you."

Ethan's long arms propped up beside my head, his body leaning in, and he gave a faint smile.

"I like it when you rely on me. It's normal for a wife to rely on her husband. Why don't you?"

"Because I think one day I won't have anyone to rely on," I shot back.

"Bullshit," Ethan cursed. "I'm healthy; I've got plenty of years left."

He knew what I meant but chose to play dumb, changing the subject on purpose.

I lowered my eyes and stayed silent.

"I didn't specifically go to see Faye," Ethan suddenly said.

straightened up, like he was gathering all his patience

me. I had just

you say you didn't meet her alone?"

did. But I didn't sleep with her. She's like a kid

you aren't

loss. "Emily, I have my limits. I won't just

sincere, so I let it

got in his car. Why did you give him that land? Do you know what he's planning to do with it?" Ethan's brows furrowed, and he bit his lip, staying

an agreement with Faris for that land? Why? His threat was just extortion. You could've called the cops,"

sky,

a small part of Skyline

means a lot,"

building a cemetery there. It's hurting Silent Grove Village's business and messing up your relationship with your dad. How can that not matter? You knew

raised his hand to gently brush the snow off my shoulder, saying, "Not every father is always right. Victor and I see things differently. I have my reasons for my choices. Even if Faris hadn't threatened you,

at

the

as I was about to ask more, Martin's voice suddenly came from the second-floor window. "Emily, come up and warm yourself by the fire.

headed inside and

Martin were chilling by the fireplace, warming up

like that, the awkward moment between Ethan

phone and saw a ton of missed messages

Bella's

reading it, I was

and were tying

noticed my expression and hugged me, asking what

was feeling down and wanted me

beans about

on the bedside table, then

kiss, he stared at me,

few days without

lowered his head and bit my

we said goodbye

of us, in two

the door, watching us leave through

that even though Martin seemed optimistic and cheerful, he might feel

arrived in Starlight City at eleven o'clock, and I asked Ethan to

took a cab to Bella's hotel. It was decked out for the wedding. I called her to get her room number. When I opened the door, she was sitting motionless in