Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 184 One Wrong Step, Too Hard to Turn Back

I flung the door open, and there was Bella, soaked to the bone.

She croaked out, "Emily!"

I yanked her inside and slammed the door shut.

Seeing her like that, all I could think about was that wanted poster. I had a bad feeling.

"Bella, what happened?"

She wiped her face and said, "Zachary got caught."

Even though I kinda expected it, hearing her say it still hit me hard. I had no idea how to comfort her.

She glanced at Ethan, who was standing at the top of the stairs, and said, "Emily, I'm sorry for barging in so late."

I grabbed her hand. "Don't be silly. Let's get you out of those wet clothes first."

I took her to the guest room, ran a bath, and grabbed some of my pajamas for her.

"Bella, take a hot bath. You must be freezing." I led her to the bathroom and turned on the heater.

She forced a smile. "I'm okay. I ran all the way here, so I'm actually pretty warm."

She got undressed and slipped into the tub. I grabbed a towel and helped her wash.

"Bella, what exactly happened?"

She sank lower into the water, her hair floating around her, the necklace on her neck barely visible. She tilted her head back, thinking.

"We never left Starlight City. I was scared we wouldn't be able to come back. Zachary said at least my dad was still here."

I was stunned. "Where were you?"

"Zachary found a spot in the mountains. It seemed safe, and I thought we could stay hidden forever. But tonight, the cops surrounded us. I don't know how they found us."

The law finally caught up. I knew this day would come, but not so soon.

Bella splashed water on her face, letting it drip from her chin.

From a distance, I saw them put Zachary in

her bath, I stayed with her as she tried to

staring at the

knew we

"Don't overthink it. Even if he's in custody, he hasn't been sentenced yet. If he behaves, his sentence could be

"Zachary told me if he ever got caught, it would

was so final; I

mentioned a few times that I should get rid of the baby, worried I'd struggle if he got caught. He even suggested I could remarry. But I never considered it. If he hadn't gotten involved with my dad, things would be different. Zachary said he hadn't done anything illegal for years and just wanted a good life

mistakes, but some were harder to erase. Sometimes, one wrong step made it tough

are you still going to have this baby?" I asked, struggling with

Emily, you know, I wasn't afraid of anything while I was running.

She wasn't devastated; she was calm, like she and Zachary were just temporarily apart and would be together again

I woke up, Bella was still staring at the ceiling. I couldn't tell if she had woken up early or hadn't

was coming out of his room. I glanced at him. He was wearing a loose jacket, and anyone who didn't know

of us ate in silence. Bella seemed to sense something was off and pulled me out to the

on with you and Ethan? Something seems

tell her about that

I said, brushing

you do, there's no guarantee you'll grow old together. You have to cherish it;

cracks in our relationship, some of which even we couldn't fully understand. "Enough about me. What are you going

visit him before the sentencing. I need to go to a law firm

left soon after arriving, her words still echoing in my mind. Ethan quietly placed his

past few days. I have results," Ethan

turned to look at him. "Who did

that it

he

clothes and went with him. He drove with one hand, skillfully navigating the streets. I leaned against the car

front of Starlight City

and had

naturally

in such a place, and the eerie environment made me cling to the sense of security his

few buildings, there was a large activity area surrounded by barbed wire. Many people were playing inside, all looking mentally unstable. Soon, two people started pulling at each other, and doctors and nurses immediately stepped in to

laughed foolishly, while others made

as a healthcare worker, I shouldn't discriminate against them.

one spot. The person leaning against the barbed wire, staring at me, was Arthur. He looked much

actions since his return, I knew he wasn't normal. He smiled

in the air, as if tracing my curves or touching me, all while

so disgusted that I got goosebumps all over