Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 144 Falling in Love with Someone You Shouldn't

"What do you want?" I whispered.

Faris must've picked up on my nerves and laughed. "Ethan around?"

"If this ain't urgent, I'm hanging up."

"Hold up," he said.

I glanced at the bathroom door, figuring Ethan was almost done, and clutched my phone, barely holding onto my patience.

"I got hurt for you. Least you can do is come see me, right? I'll show you something tomorrow. Don't even think about bailing. You'll regret it if you do." Before I could say anything, Faris hung up.

Hearing the water stop in the bathroom, I quickly stashed my phone.

Next day, after Ethan left for work, I changed and headed out.

Starlight City was a snowy wonderland, with barely anyone on the streets.

I swung by a fruit shop, grabbed some strawberries and apples, and made my way to the hospital.

Faris's ward door was open, and he was the only one there.

He was half-lying on the bed, scrolling through his phone. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw the fruit in my hand, a grin spreading across his face. "How'd you know I dig strawberries?"

I plopped the fruit on the bedside table and snapped, "I didn't. Just grabbed whatever. If I knew you liked strawberries, I wouldn't have bought 'em." Faris didn't get mad, just kept that cheeky grin as he stared at me.

"If you bought it, I like it."

I rolled my eyes and glanced at his leg.

His leg was in a cast, clearly a bone injury.

Thinking about how Faris got hurt saving me, my tone softened. "What'd the doc say about your leg?"

"It's pretty bad."

I got nervous. "How bad?"

Faris sighed, giving me a pitiful look. "I'm gonna be disabled for life. You gotta take care of me."

I frowned and checked the medical record by his bed, finally feeling relieved.

I glared at him. "I used to be a nurse. You think you can fool me?"

Faris grinned and grabbed my hand. "Just messing with you."

I shook off his hand. "Joking about cursing yourself? You're something else!"

He gave me a goofy, pleading smile. "I'm thirsty. Can you get me some water?"

I stared at him, not moving, and he tugged at my sleeve again.

"Please? Poor me. No one takes care of me. I gotta beg the nurses for water, and they give me attitude if I ask too much. Have some pity on me, will ya?" In the end, I got him some water.

As I handed him the water, I asked, "Why's no one taking care of you? What about your buddies?"

roughnecks. Good in a brawl, but taking care of a patient? Nah, I'd

Cindy. But she was old, and he probably didn't want

family? I decided not

you wanna show me?" I

me, grinning

me, I turned

you think Ethan would do if he saw this video?" Faris's slow

around. He slowly turned

My eyes widened.

the video was a bit dark, it was clear as day that it was Faris and me in that room in the forest. From this angle, Faris holding me and kissing my forehead looked way too intimate. I never expected that when Faris

"You're a scumbag!"

found the original file, deleted it, and tossed the

arms and

I've already backed it

clenched my fists, feeling the urge to

"What do you want?"

whenever I call. Otherwise, I'll

I raised my bag,

kindness with enmity? God's watching," he said with

raised the bag in the air, then angrily put it down and stormed

glanced at me, but I ignored him

hospital, Ethan called me, saying Victor was hosting a welcome

wasn't welcome and would only get mistreated if I went, I naturally didn't want to go, and Ethan didn't push

I didn't rush back.

the gathering either, as

call Sophie before going because I thought the cold weather would keep her and the kid indoors. So she was a bit surprised to see

here, and I don't know if Richard will be

So, he hadn't visited

his buddies but not

to tell Sophie that Richard was out. Maybe he'd remember to visit them

to Sophie like glue, so

when it was just the

quickly whipped up a couple of dishes. Sophie placed Abby on the couch, and we ate there to keep Abby

fussing, and Sophie had to keep putting

been a mom, but just watching Sophie made

fell, I stood by the window, gazing at the city's

welcome dinner at the grand hotel must have started by

Victor and Linda must be over the moon. Would Ethan share in their joy or drink alone in

meal amidst Abby's cries, and I went

matter how Sophie tried

it was for Sophie to take care of the child alone, I decided to stay the night. Even if it was just to boil some water or cook a meal, I could help a little. The clock on the wall struck ten, and there was a knock on

and Sophie, afraid the noise would wake her,

I reminded Sophie to ask who it was

went to the

"It's me," Lacey said.

door, and Lacey dragged

hadn't been holding him up, he probably would've

dumped him onto the couch, and Richard collapsed like a rag

kid live here. If you're

stood there, staring at

had thought he was still behind bars, so his sudden appearance must have been a