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

whatever you want,"

lit a cigarette and asked, "Did you call me here for

laughed. "Can't we just hang

he finished talking, I saw Oliver walk

to turn around and leave. Frank quickly went over and pulled him back. "If you had

knew who

Ethan stayed silent.

and was acting a bit immature. Ethan, being more mature and rational, naturally wouldn't

Oliver sit on the couch and had the waiter bring over drinks and

could tell Frank was trying

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

pursed his lips and finally shut up, but his face was still

he put down the glass, the liquid dripped from

friends for 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 any bad stuff and just have a drink." After he finished

to say something,

appropriate for me to

hand covering mine,

Frank was doing the talking,

to the restroom. When I came out, I saw

Bella?" he

shook my head. "I don't

lips and sneered. "Are you afraid I'll report him?

but to show

stared at the few lines of the text message for

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

bitterly. "I was being stupid. We agreed to be strangers. Where she

drinks like there was no tomorrow.

to slow 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

stop him anymore and just let

on his arm, signaling him

his glass. "You guys keep drinking. We're heading out.

up, Oliver grabbed his

to suddenly break down, one hand holding Ethan,

there, letting him hold

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

telling me to get back on my feet. But

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

up and snorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea. You don't have to focus on just one person. Your

Frank's words hit home.

grabbed a bottle of alcohol and chugged

Oliver like this,

his bros.

held onto Ethan,

speaking but silently being

wasn't until Oliver cried himself to sleep that Ethan and I left the

it too. Oliver doesn't disregard us. He's just heartbroken and in a bad mood, acting

pulled his coat tighter and said

car, I suggested going back to Broadway