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.

soon as we walked in, Frank came right over and led

whatever you

a cigarette and asked, "Did you

his head and laughed. "Can't we just hang out? It's

as he finished talking, I saw Oliver walk

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 I don't like was here,

all knew who he

Ethan stayed silent.

bit immature. Ethan, being more mature and rational,

and had the waiter

could tell Frank was trying to play

word when Oliver sarcastically said, "What? Now that your new buddy is in trouble, you think of your old buddies?" "Can you speak properly?" Frank slammed

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

a glass of alcohol in one go. When he put down the glass, the liquid dripped from the corner of his mouth, and he wiped it off

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

to say something, but Ethan had already

situation, it wasn't appropriate for me to strongly object,

nodded, his hand covering mine, gently patting

was doing the talking,

the restroom. When I came out, I saw

is Bella?"

my head. "I

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

sighed helplessly and had no choice but to show him the text message Bella

lines of the text message for what felt like

and her saying she was committed to Zachary for life. That

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

booth, Oliver suddenly seemed desperate for alcohol, pouring drinks like there was no tomorrow. In no

to slow down, but with a flushed face and slurred speech, Oliver said, "Is it so stingy to buy me

point, Frank couldn't stop him anymore and just let

another drink. I tugged on his arm,

"You guys keep drinking. We're heading out. It's fine for

up, Oliver

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

letting him hold on,

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

get back on my feet. But how can I when

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 of

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 who

Frank's words hit home.

Suddenly, he grabbed a bottle of alcohol and chugged it,

like this,

He had feelings for both women and his bros. It was because he had feelings that he was in so much

held onto Ethan, and Ethan didn't rush

sat, not speaking but silently being there for each

until Oliver cried himself to sleep

saw it too. Oliver doesn't disregard us.

coat tighter and

car, I suggested going back