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.

and told me to take a different route. I hesitated, but he was serious. I followed his advice. From a distance, I saw them put Zachary in a car. I wanted to run to him but held back, knowing it would ruin everything. I watched the police car drive away and then ran here." She told me

stayed with

there, staring

figure out how they knew we

tried to comfort her. "Don't overthink it. Even if he's in custody, he hasn't been sentenced yet.

told me if he ever got caught, it would

"end" was so final; I didn't know

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

to erase. Sometimes,

this baby?" I asked, struggling with the

course, why wouldn't I? Emily, you know, I wasn't afraid of anything while I was running. The only

she was calm, like she

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

was coming out of his room. I glanced at him. He was wearing a loose jacket, and anyone who didn't know wouldn't be able to tell he was injured, though his face was still

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

with you and

I wasn't going to tell her about that night. She had

said, brushing

"Emily, finding a good man is tough. Even if you do, there's no guarantee you'll

But only we knew the cracks in our relationship, some of which even we couldn't fully understand. "Enough about me. What are you going to do about Zachary?" I

law firm and hire

arriving, her words still echoing in my mind. Ethan quietly placed his hand

the grave desecration these past few days.

at him. "Who did

that it

he said, keeping

with one hand, skillfully navigating the streets. I leaned against the car window, watching the

front of Starlight

was surprised and had a

naturally held

such a place, and the eerie environment made me cling

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

foolishly, while others made

as a healthcare worker, I shouldn't discriminate

one spot. The person leaning against the barbed wire, staring at me, was Arthur. He looked much more normal than the other patients,

recalling his series of actions since his return, I knew he wasn't normal. He smiled at me, a particularly eerie smile that sent

as if tracing

that I got goosebumps all over and turned to