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

it was getting darker and darker,

hands and feet were sweating, and my heart was pounding. Finally, I started

the person behind me

hand yanked me into a

of shops not far away, and several shopkeepers saw what happened. But no one stepped in, like they were used to this kind of

I didn't dare to struggle or scream. They rummaged through my suitcase but found nothing valuable, so they searched me and took all my money and my phone. One of them glanced at my ears and neck, then reached into my shirt and

their

necklace must be worth something.

on tight,

and money, but leave the necklace.

and the pain made me

men ran off after robbing me, and I desperately

when two police

caught up from behind, pointing

head and looked at

steal anything, and

me and said, "Show

over my ID. The

"From Starlight City?"

I nodded.

you to

not sure

be in her suitcase," the short

officer turned to me. "Please cooperate

choice

reached in

this is my wallet. It has my ID and $220 inside. You can

set up; this was

officer checked the wallet, then handed it back to the short man. He turned to me. "Miss, you're now suspected of stealing someone else's property.

I'm the

investigate the truth and won't wrong an innocent person. But

taken to the police station and gave

I had no family, they might become even more suspicious of my identity. Moreover, I only remembered Bella and Ethan's phone numbers. Bella was gone, and I couldn't possibly

dialed the emergency hotline for Grace

was quickly answered,

voice as

nervous, given that the hotline

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

seemed relieved. "Oh, I see. Hold on, I

gave

the

call, the officers left the

excruciating. I didn't know how much time had passed before the door to the interrogation

of the interrogation room and immediately

eyes locked onto me, scanning me from head to toe as if checking if I was

and out, the last thing they want was someone's concern; it easily hit the

held back my tears,

Jason