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.

walked in, Frank came right over and led us to a reserved booth in

you want,"

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

and laughed. "Can't we just hang out? It's been ages since we

as he finished talking, I

went over and pulled him back. "If you had

all knew who he

Ethan stayed silent.

seemed to hold a grudge and was acting a bit immature.

couch and

could tell Frank was trying to

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

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

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

We've been 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

was about to say something, but Ethan had

to strongly object, so I just said, "In

his hand covering

was doing the talking, while Ethan

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

is Bella?"

shook my head.

you afraid I'll report him? You're her best friend, and she

to show him the text message Bella sent

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

she was committed to Zachary for life. That

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

alcohol, pouring drinks like there was no tomorrow. In no

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

point, Frank couldn't stop him

drink. I tugged on his arm,

message, and put down his glass. "You guys keep drinking. We're heading out. It's fine for men to stay up late, but

up,

holding Ethan, the other supporting his own forehead, his

just stood there, letting him

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

get back on my feet.

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

to bear seeing him 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; you're

Frank's words hit home.

Suddenly, he grabbed a bottle of alcohol and chugged it, then collapsed on the couch, crying like

this, I suddenly

women and his bros. It was because

longer held onto Ethan, and Ethan didn't rush to

sat, not speaking but silently being there for each

sleep that Ethan and I

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

coat tighter and said calmly,

suggested going back to