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 finished my

you didn't meet her

smiled helplessly, "I did. But I didn't sleep

towards you

like he was at a loss. "Emily, I have my

sincere, so I let it

of land, and I got curious, so I got in his car. Why did you give him that land? Do you know

that land? Why? His threat was just extortion. You could've

at the sky, snowflakes

of land is just a small

a lot," I

It's hurting Silent Grove Village's business and messing up your relationship with your dad. How can that not matter?

and I see things differently. I have my reasons for my choices. Even if Faris hadn't threatened you, I would've given him the land if

stared at

the Windsor family owed

exactly did the Windsor 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. If Ethan likes getting snowed on, let him

headed inside and upstairs

and Martin were chilling by the fireplace,

like that, the awkward moment

saw a ton of missed messages from

of Bella's

it,

had already gotten their marriage license and were

and hugged me, asking

and lied, saying Bella was feeling down and wanted

Zachary before, and he might not let me go to their wedding. Plus, Oliver was his friend, and I was scared he might spill the beans about the wedding.

on the bedside table, then rolled over and pinned

a long kiss, he stared at me, breathing

few days without you have been

he suddenly lowered his head

we said goodbye

in two cars, left one after the

standing at the door, watching us leave through the

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

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

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