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 us to a reserved booth in the

whatever you

cigarette and asked, "Did you call me

and laughed. "Can't we just hang

he finished talking, I saw Oliver

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

all knew

Ethan stayed silent.

to hold a grudge and was acting a bit immature. Ethan, being more mature and rational,

sit on the couch and had the waiter bring over drinks

was trying to play peacemaker

your new buddy is in trouble, you think of your old buddies?" "Can you speak properly?"

shut up, but his

go. When he put down the glass, the liquid dripped from the corner of his mouth, and he wiped

I don't care what's between you two. Tonight, for my sake, let's not bring up any bad stuff and just have

was about to say something, but Ethan

me to

covering

the talking, while Ethan

point, I went to the restroom. When I came out,

Bella?" he

shook my head. "I don't

afraid I'll report him? You're her best friend, and she wouldn't tell you where she

but to show him the text

the few lines of the text message for

she

bitterly. "I was being stupid. We agreed to be strangers. Where she goes, whether she lives or

alcohol, pouring drinks like there

down, but with a flushed face and slurred speech, Oliver said, "Is it so stingy to buy me a drink? I'll pay if that's the

him anymore and

I tugged on his

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

as Ethan stood up, Oliver

seemed to suddenly break down, one hand holding Ethan, the

letting him hold on,

drunken, flushed face now wet with tears, and he spoke with a sobbing tone, "I've lost my bro and my woman. I'm worse off than a homeless man." None of us said anything; we all understood

feet. But how can I when everyone around

moment, Oliver seemed to be letting out all the emotions he had been bottling up. He didn't care how embarrassing it was for a grown man to cry, and he never let go

like this and just kept his head down. After a while, he looked up and snorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea. You don't have to focus on just one person. Your bros are still here;

Frank's words hit home.

lips quivered, his expression pained. Suddenly, he grabbed a bottle of alcohol and

this, I suddenly

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

no longer held onto Ethan, and Ethan didn't rush

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

to sleep that Ethan

over. "Ethan, you saw it too. Oliver doesn't disregard us. He's just heartbroken and in a bad mood, acting crazy. Don't hold it against

coat tighter and said calmly,

suggested going back to Broadway