Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 222 The Thorn Birds Band

Victor used to be such a cocky guy, but now he's stuck in a cell. For someone his age, who should be chilling with family, it's pretty harsh.

But hey, he brought it on himself.

Victor glanced at Ethan, who was just staring at the table. Neither of them said a word, like they didn't know what to say.

Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed a few times, like he wanted to speak but couldn't get the words out.

Finally, Victor's laugh broke the awkward silence.

"You're my son, but you're nothing like me. Still, I think I know what you're thinking, so no need to say anything. Actually, I want to have a chat with my daughter-in-law."

I was standing nearby, totally caught off guard. I didn't expect Victor to want to talk to me.

And it was the first time he called me his daughter-in-law.

Ethan got up and moved aside. I sat down and looked at Victor through the glass.

When I first read Benjamin's diary, I was filled with rage, a burning anger that made me want to rip him apart. But now that he's in prison and paying for what he did, my anger has faded. Hatred couldn't change the past or bring my parents back.

With less anger, there's more pain, because the one who put him in prison was his own son.

Getting justice for my parents hurt him, and it hurt me too.

Victor looked calm, and he started talking slowly with a smile.

"When Ethan first brought you home, I felt like I'd seen you before, so I looked into you. Honestly, I haven't had a peaceful life all these years. I knew I messed up, and I was always scared."

He laughed then, like he couldn't believe how ridiculous it all was.

I stayed quiet, just listening, as memories of the past came rushing back.

"Seeing you made my anxiety worse. My mind got all twisted. It was like I was under a spell, unable to wake up and not wanting to. If I did, I'd be anxious and scared, afraid the truth would come out." Thinking back to everything Victor did after Ethan and I got married, which was all to push us apart, I understood that he was just feeling guilty.

Victor lowered his head and slumped, like a man who'd fought his whole life and was finally worn out, ready to let go. There was no bitterness, just a sense of relief. "I actually thought about turning myself in because I've been mentally tormented all these years, plagued by nightmares. It wasn't easy, but I never had the guts. Looking back, I was super greedy, wanting everything and living recklessly. So now when I see Richard being wild and unruly, I don't hold him back much. I get him. Every guy probably goes through this phase."

He sighed, "Emily, you're really kind, gentle, and generous. I hope you can be generous with Ethan too. None of this is his fault."

I couldn't help but look at Victor in surprise. He had already stood up, with a calm and unhurried smile on his face. He glanced at me, then looked up at Ethan standing not far away, and turned to leave, walking away with ease. Victor would spend his days in prison, reflecting on his past glories and absurdities, living out his remaining years in memories and repentance.

That departing figure was the most carefree moment he left in my memory.

After returning from the prison, we hardly communicated. Maybe neither of us knew how to start the conversation.

took Harper back to the room

been sleeping with us. Hunter probably felt it was unfair and dragged the nanny

pick up Hunter as well, letting the two little ones sleep

the door open and instinctively closed

the door and

asleep, but with so much on my mind, I didn't sleep well. In the middle of

the room was pitch black, with the curtains gently

on the balcony, like the sound

of bed, put on my shoes, and walked

was still deep, and Ethan was sitting on a

only the

smoking silhouette looked very melancholic in the

that Ethan seemed to be carrying a lot of

does a cigarette taste like?" I asked as I

up at me and suddenly

want to try?" He held the cigarette and looked at me, his deep voice giving

one,"

bit surprised, then smiled and took a cigarette from the pack, lighting

way of holding the cigarette between my

immediately rushed into my throat and nose, burning and choking me. I coughed so hard that tears almost came out. Ethan

embarrassed, sticking out my

breath, I handed the cigarette back to him and said, "I don't see what's so good about

the cigarette I had just smoked

and looked into the night, saying, "It's like loving someone. You can't really explain what's so good about it, but you just can't help yourself." I looked at his nearly perfect profile under the moonlight and said softly, "Are you talking about

for a moment

never truly understood

cigarette and stood up, saying to

back in bed, with the two kids between us, and I could still smell the faint scent of

earlier. But the smell of smoke from his mouth was

dawn was breaking, I was awakened by the sound of music. Ethan was

door,

wide open, and I saw

was sitting in the yard, playing the guitar and singing. And now,

pinched my

my thigh made it clear I wasn't

in the dawn light, his back straight, fingers

living room,

really wronged. Oliver and Jason both said that because of Fiona, he didn't want to pick up the guitar again. But now, he was

behind him, he slowly

a slight pause, Ethan started playing again, and with his uniquely charming

soon as he started singing, my tears began to