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.

like he was gathering all his patience

me. I had just finished my schedule, so I

say you didn't meet her alone?" I

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

her intentions towards you aren't that innocent,"

at a loss. "Emily, I have my limits.

seemed sincere, so I let

piece of land, and I got curious, so I 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

that land? Why? His threat was just extortion. You could've called the cops,"

at the sky, snowflakes falling on his

he finally spoke, "That piece of land is just a small

a lot,"

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 this

saying, "Not every father is always right. Victor and I see things differently. I have my reasons

at him,

Faris saying the Windsor family owed

family owe that was worth Ethan giving up a piece of land? Just 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.

inside

were chilling by the fireplace, warming up

the awkward moment between Ethan and me was

and saw

of Bella's

reading it,

were tying

noticed my expression and hugged

message and lied, saying Bella was feeling down and

might spill the beans about the wedding. Thinking about how distraught Oliver had been looking for Bella these past

and placed it on the bedside table, then rolled over and pinned me down, kissing me

a long kiss, he stared at me,

these past few days without you have been driving

that, he suddenly lowered his head and bit

we

in two cars, left one after

at the door, watching us

though Martin seemed optimistic and cheerful, he might feel a bit sad after the brief excitement

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

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 front of the mirror in a white wedding dress. She knew I was