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?"

a sip of water and scoffed, "They're all roughnecks. Good in a brawl, but taking care of a patient? Nah, I'd like to

But she was old, and he probably didn't want his grandma knowing

have any other family? I decided not

what do you wanna

just stared at me, grinning like a Cheshire

messing with me, I

Ethan would do if he saw this video?" Faris's slow voice came

around. He slowly turned his phone screen towards

My eyes widened.

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 turned on the flashlight

"You're a scumbag!"

found the original file, deleted it,

and

already backed it up to

feeling the urge to deck

"What do you want?"

me often and come whenever I call. Otherwise, I'll

threatened me, and I raised my bag, ready

God's watching,"

then

glanced at me,

me, saying Victor was hosting a welcome dinner for Richard tonight and had booked

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

Ethan wouldn't be home for dinner, I didn't rush back. After some thought,

as the Windsor family

didn't call Sophie before going because I thought the cold weather would keep her and

couch, Sophie, looking worried, said, "Christmas is almost here, and I don't know if Richard will be out. Spending the holidays inside must be awful." I

out? So, he

his buddies but not to see his

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

to Sophie like glue, so

Sophie managed meals when

a couple of dishes. Sophie placed Abby on the couch, and

Sophie had to keep putting her bowl down to calm

but just watching Sophie

stood by the window, gazing

at the grand hotel must

Victor and Linda must be over the moon. Would Ethan share in

our meal amidst Abby's cries, and I went to wash the

matter how Sophie

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

noise would wake

the late hour, I reminded Sophie to

went to the door to

"It's me," Lacey said.

and Lacey

Lacey hadn't been holding him up, he

couch, and Richard collapsed like

and kid live here. If you're still

there, staring at Richard,

so his sudden appearance must have