Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 187 Bringing Everything Back to the Starting Point

I first headed over to Eminent Domain.

It was time to grab that demolition compensation. I needed some cash to get things rolling for whatever came next. Everything was going fine until I saw the stamp at the bottom of the document. I froze just as I was about to sign. "Skyline International Corporation?" I asked.

The girl handling my paperwork flashed me a bright smile. "Yep, Skyline International Corporation has poured a ton of money into the demolition and reconstruction here." I put down the pen and slid the document back to her.

"I don't want the compensation."

She looked at me like I had lost my mind.

But no one knew. I just wanted to hold onto my last shred of dignity.

Turning around and walking out of Eminent Domain, I headed back to the old house.

There were so many things I wanted to take, but I couldn't. In the end, I only grabbed my parents' portraits.

I flagged down a taxi to the train station. But then I remembered the kaleidoscope Bella had given me, so I asked the driver to take me to the villa instead.

Just as I was about to get out of the car, I saw Ethan's car pulling in. He got out with a bouquet of bright yellow roses and walked towards the house.

"Forget it, let's go!" I said.

My phone soon rang, and the screen showed "Honey."

I turned off the phone, took out the SIM card, and held it in my palm. It felt like a truck had run over my heart, but I finally tossed the SIM card out of the half-open car window.

It was over. I no longer hoped or cared.

Let everything go back to how it was!

The photo on my phone screen was from when Ethan secretly kissed me while we watched fireworks on Martin's rooftop. Later, I asked him to send me a copy, and I set it as my wallpaper.

After much hesitation, I still couldn't bring myself to delete the photo.

I could delete everything about him, but I couldn't erase the mark he left on my heart. I thought I might never forget him, but I would slowly get used to the days without him.

The taxi took me to the train station. I walked to the ticket window but had no clue where to go, so I randomly bought a ticket for the next train to Riverdale Falls.

Riverdale Falls wasn't far from Starlight City, just a two-hour train ride.

It was almost 8 PM when I got off the train, and it was completely dark.

Riverdale Falls was just a small town, way less bustling than Starlight City. The environment was pretty chaotic, especially around the train station in the suburbs. Lots of sketchy people were hanging around, looking for targets. I needed to find a hotel first and figure things out tomorrow.

There were tons of hotel signs around the train station, and I had no clue which one to pick, so I just wandered around.

"Miss, looking for a hotel? Clean and hygienic, affordable rates, 24/7 hot water."

"Miss, stay with us. We have discounts right now, super cheap."

A bunch of people from the hotels approached me eagerly, but the more enthusiastic they were, the shadier it felt.

I didn't respond and didn't dare to stick around. I just picked up the pace and kept walking.

had no idea where

time I realized it was getting darker and darker, it was too late to turn

noticed footsteps following me closely. My hands and feet were sweating, and my heart was pounding. Finally, I started

ran, the

yanked me into a dark alley

saw what happened. But

or scream. They rummaged through my suitcase but found nothing valuable, so they searched me and took all my money and my phone. One

grabbed the necklace, not even scared of their knife. But the more I clung to it, the

be worth something. Take it,"

tight,

money, but leave the necklace. It's really

men kneed me in the stomach, and the pain made me loosen my grip. With a sharp tug, they

men ran off after robbing me, and I desperately chased

gone far when two police officers with batons

wallet!" ;A short man caught up from behind, pointing

and looked at the

didn't steal anything, and

me and said,

my ID. The officer took a

"From Starlight City?"

I nodded.

brings you to

hesitated, not sure what to

wallet must be in

to me. "Please cooperate and open

choice but to

man reached in and pulled

my ID and $220 inside.

up; this was

short man. He turned to me. "Miss, you're now suspected of stealing someone else's property. Please

steal; I'm the

truth and won't wrong an

to the police station and gave

member to bail me out. I had no idea who to call. If I told them I had no family, they might become even more suspicious of my identity.

dialed the emergency hotline for Grace

call was quickly answered, "Hello,

recognized the voice as Lisa's. "Lisa,

Lisa sounded a bit nervous, given that the hotline was

reach Jason. I lost my phone and need his number. Can

see. Hold on, I have his number

gave

moment, Jason was the

the officers left the interrogation room,

the door to the interrogation room finally opened again. "Emily, you can

interrogation room and immediately saw

scanning me from head to

want was someone's concern; it

back my tears, trying not to

go. We'll talk outside," Jason