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 us to a reserved booth in

you

and asked, "Did you call me

just hang out? It's been ages since we

finished talking, I saw

biting the cigarette in his mouth with an arrogant look, ready to turn around and leave. Frank quickly went over and pulled him back. "If you had told me earlier that someone

all knew who he

Ethan stayed silent.

seemed to hold a grudge and was acting a bit

couch and had the

could tell Frank was trying to

and hadn't said a word when Oliver sarcastically said, "What? Now that your new buddy is

up, but his face was still full of

one go. When he put down the glass, the liquid

Tonight, for my sake, let's not bring up any bad stuff and just

was about to say something, but Ethan

it wasn't appropriate for me to

nodded, his hand covering mine, gently

the talking, while Ethan and

to the restroom. When I

is Bella?" he asked

shook my head. "I

report him? You're her best friend, and she

no choice but to show him the text

for what

knew the message hit him hard. It mentioned Bella being pregnant and her saying she was committed to Zachary for life. That was a

be strangers. Where she goes, whether she lives or dies, what does it have

pouring drinks like there was no tomorrow. In no time, several bottles were

speech, Oliver said, "Is it so stingy to buy me

stop him anymore and

had another drink. I tugged on his arm,

guys keep drinking. We're heading out. It's fine for men to stay

stood up,

break down, one hand holding Ethan,

there, letting him hold on, not

his drunken, flushed face now wet with tears, and he spoke with a sobbing tone, "I've lost my bro and

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

Oliver seemed to be letting out all the emotions he had been bottling up. He didn't care how embarrassing

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 the one

Frank's words hit home.

lips quivered, his expression pained. Suddenly, he grabbed a bottle of alcohol and chugged it, then collapsed on the

like this,

he was emotional. He had feelings for both women and his bros. It was because he

Ethan,

not speaking but silently being there for each

cried himself to sleep that Ethan

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

tighter and

suggested going back