Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 175 Everyone Around Me Is Gone

After Zachary handled that big chunk of cash, I had my doubts. But man, I never thought the truth would be this wild.

Leonard showed me an online wanted poster. Turns out, all of Zachary's money came from deals that were always skirting the edge of the law, like walking a tightrope.

Leonard sighed. "I've noticed lately that Zachary's been really good to Bella. If I knew he was fixing my problems this way, I'd rather go to jail myself. I'm just an old guy with nothing much to lose." This time, two of Zachary's guys got nabbed first.

The day before they got caught, Zachary must've sensed something was up, so he took Bella and bolted from Starlight City.

Even though those guys usually respected Zachary and seemed super loyal, there was no guarantee they'd keep quiet under pressure.

Sure enough, that night, the cops put out a wanted notice.

After Leonard told me all this, I just sat there, stunned, not wanting to believe it.

Why was it that every time happiness seemed within reach, reality smacked us down?

Thinking about Bella now, pregnant and on the run, not knowing where she and Zachary were hiding, broke my heart.

Back home, I plopped on the couch, still in a daze.

I really wished this was just a bad dream. That I'd wake up and none of this had happened, that they had just gone on a trip. Soon, she'd come back, give me a big hug, and excitedly tell me about their adventures. But deep down, I knew that was impossible.

I was torn. The more I wanted to see her again, the more I hoped she'd go far away.

Never come back!

In the evening, Ethan came home.

He sat next to me, stroking my hair, and asked, "What's up? Why are you sitting here all zoned out?"

I grabbed his hand. "What are we gonna do?"

"What do you mean?" He looked confused.

I pulled out the wanted notice and showed it to him.

"We don't know where Bella and Zachary are now. If Zachary gets caught, what'll happen to Bella? She's still pregnant."

Ethan said calmly, "He broke the law, so he'll face the consequences. No one gets a free pass."

I was a bit stunned and suddenly felt calmer, looking at him. "You're not shocked by this at all? Why are you so calm? Did you know something beforehand?"

Ethan stayed cool. "When have you ever seen me not calm? Except when it comes to you, I'm always calm."

Ethan had a point.

I lowered my head sadly, my heart aching for Bella.

"Alright, don't overthink it. Let's go out for dinner." Ethan patted my shoulder.

We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then Ethan drove us to a bar.

I'd been to this midnight spot before, the night before I divorced Arthur.

It was Frank's bar.

came right over and led

whatever you

cigarette and asked, "Did you call me

"Can't we just hang out? It's

as he finished talking, I

with an arrogant look, ready to turn around and leave. Frank quickly went over and pulled him back. "If you had told me

knew who

Ethan stayed silent.

a bit immature. Ethan, being more mature

Oliver sit on the couch and

tell Frank was trying

when Oliver sarcastically said, "What? Now that your new buddy is in trouble, you think of your old buddies?" "Can you speak properly?" Frank slammed the bottle on the

and finally shut up,

a glass of alcohol in one go. When he put down the glass,

two. Tonight, for my sake, let's not bring up any bad stuff and just have a drink." After he finished speaking, he glanced at the glass in front of Ethan. "Can you

was about to say something,

wasn't appropriate for me to strongly

hand covering mine,

the talking, while Ethan

restroom. When I came out, I

is Bella?"

shook my head.

report him? You're her best friend, and she wouldn't

to show him the

stared at the few lines of the text message for what felt like forever, like he

the message hit him hard. It mentioned Bella being pregnant and her saying she was committed to Zachary

"I was being stupid. We agreed to be strangers. Where she goes, whether she lives or dies, what does it have to do

desperate for alcohol, pouring drinks like there was no

speech, Oliver said, "Is it so stingy to buy me a drink? I'll

this point, Frank couldn't stop him anymore and

another drink. I tugged on

the message, and put down his glass. "You guys keep drinking. We're heading out.

up, Oliver grabbed his

to suddenly break down, one hand holding Ethan, the other supporting his own forehead, his

just stood there, letting him hold

he spoke with a sobbing tone, "I've lost my bro and my woman. I'm worse off than a homeless

telling me to get back on my feet. But how can

the emotions he had been bottling up. He didn't care how embarrassing it was for a grown man to cry, and he never

he looked up and snorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea. You don't have to

Frank's words hit home.

pained. Suddenly, he grabbed a bottle of alcohol and

like this,

his bros. It was because he had feelings that he was

held onto Ethan, and Ethan didn't rush to

down, the other sat, not speaking but silently being there

Oliver cried himself to sleep

kept trying to smooth things over. "Ethan, you saw it too. Oliver doesn't disregard us. He's just heartbroken and in a bad

his coat tighter and said calmly, "I

I suggested going back to