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.

over and led

whatever you want,"

"Did you call

just hang out? It's been ages since

as he finished talking, I saw Oliver

look, ready to turn around and leave. Frank quickly went over and pulled him

all knew

Ethan stayed silent.

a grudge and was acting a bit immature. Ethan,

the couch and had the waiter bring over

Frank was trying to play peacemaker

said a word when Oliver sarcastically said, "What? Now that your new buddy is in trouble, you think of

his lips and finally shut up, but his face was

word, Frank downed a glass of alcohol in one go. When he put down the glass, the liquid dripped from the corner of

so many years. How did it come to this? What can't be resolved? I don't care what's between you two. Tonight, for my sake, let's not bring up

say something, but Ethan had already said,

situation, it wasn't appropriate for me to strongly

nodded, his hand covering mine, gently patting

Frank was doing the talking,

I went to the restroom. When I came

Bella?" he

my head. "I don't

sneered. "Are you afraid I'll report him? You're her best friend,

choice but to show him the

the few lines of the text message for what felt

him hard. It mentioned Bella being pregnant and her saying she was committed to Zachary for life. That

smiling bitterly. "I was being stupid. We agreed to be

seemed desperate for alcohol, pouring drinks like

face and slurred speech, Oliver said, "Is it so stingy to buy me a drink?

couldn't stop him anymore and just let

had another drink. I tugged on his arm, signaling him to

the message, and put down his glass. "You guys keep drinking. We're heading out. It's fine for men to stay up late, but not

up, Oliver

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

stood there, letting him

spoke with a sobbing tone, "I've lost my bro and my

to get back on my feet. But how can I when everyone

bottling up. He didn't care how embarrassing it was for a grown man to cry,

are plenty of fish in the sea. You don't have to focus on just one person. Your bros

Frank's words hit home.

he grabbed a bottle of alcohol and chugged

like this, I suddenly

wasn't heartless; he was emotional. He had feelings for both women and his bros. It was because he had feelings that he

no longer held onto Ethan, and

down, the other sat, not speaking but

sleep that Ethan

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

tighter and

the car, I suggested going back