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.

distance, I saw them put Zachary in a car. I wanted to run to him but held back, knowing it would ruin everything. I

with her as she tried

there, staring at the

knew we were there. It's such a remote

it. Even if he's in custody, he hasn't been sentenced

told me if he ever got caught, it

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

considered it. If he hadn't gotten involved with my

were harder to erase. Sometimes, one

have this baby?" I asked, struggling

know, I wasn't afraid of anything while I was running. The only thing I feared was

I thought. She wasn't devastated; she was calm, like she and Zachary were just temporarily apart

ceiling. I couldn't tell

bedroom, Ethan 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

and the three of us ate in silence. Bella seemed to sense something was

going on with you and Ethan? Something seems

going to tell her about that night. She

said, brushing

man is tough. Even if you do, there's no guarantee you'll grow old together. You have to cherish

relationship, some of which even we couldn't fully understand. "Enough about me. What are you going to do about Zachary?" I

before the sentencing. I need to go to a law firm and hire a reliable lawyer. Only the lawyer

words still echoing in my mind. Ethan quietly

grave desecration these past few days. I have results,"

look at him. "Who did

that it

me," he said,

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

car finally stopped in front of Starlight City

surprised and had a

naturally

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

inside, all

some of them laughed foolishly, while others made various strange expressions

healthcare worker, I shouldn't discriminate against

staring at me,

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

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

so disgusted that I got goosebumps all over and