Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 225 We're Done

A waiter popped in and asked if I was ready to order. I told him to wait for a few more minutes, and he left.

I pulled out my phone, thinking about calling Ethan. My finger hovered over his name, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I kept telling myself, 'Ethan's always on time. If he's late, there's gotta be a good reason. Maybe he's busy setting up the room. He wouldn't just bail on me. Even if something came up, he'd call.' I kept trying to convince myself, but the unease in my gut just kept growing.

After an hour of waiting and worrying, he still hadn't shown up, and I started to freak out.

I finally called him, but he didn't pick up.

'Why isn't he answering? Is he in a meeting? Did something happen?' I thought, getting more and more anxious.

I couldn't sit still anymore.

Just as I was about to head to his office, the door swung open, and there he was.

It was late fall, and the weather was already pretty chilly. He had his suit jacket draped over his arm and was just wearing a thin white shirt.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" he said as he walked in.

Seeing him safe and sound, I let out a huge sigh of relief, realizing all my worries were for nothing.

"It's okay, I haven't been waiting long."

He must've told the staff he was here because the waiter brought in the food and drinks right after.

He sat down across the long table, put down his suit jacket, and without explaining why he was late, he just said, "Honey, you must be starving. Let's eat first."

He opened a bottle of wine, poured himself a full glass, and downed it in one go, then immediately poured another.

A few candles flickered between us, casting a dim light on his face, making it hard to see clearly. But I could tell something was off with Ethan.

"Why aren't you eating? Don't you like the food?" he suddenly asked.

"No, it's fine," I replied.

"That's good." He downed the second glass.

Glass after glass, he barely touched the food and just kept drinking.

"Drink less; your stomach isn't in good shape," I said.

He gave a faint smile, looking a bit tipsy, and said, "It's fine now, not that weak anymore."

He reached for the wine bottle again, only to find it empty, so he opened a second one.

I couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "What's wrong? Are you in a bad mood? Did something happen at work?"

He didn't say a word, just poured himself another glass, so full it spilled over.

After downing it in one go, he set the glass down, leaned back, and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, showing off his firm chest. "Are you happy with how everything's set up today?" he suddenly asked.

his slightly drunken gaze seemed to hide some emotion I couldn't quite figure out. "It's

saying, "As long as you're happy. I wanted

stunned. "What do you

at me more seriously than before, saying

felt like a bomb went off in my head. I was dumbfounded, staring at him like an

"Why?"

into

what felt like forever, he

need

words made my nose sting with the urge to

had been so good to me, his kindness had quickly made me fall into happiness. He even said he owed me

look into his eyes because his serious gaze made

we'll go to

was serious. He didn't look like he

I could hear my heart shattering

finally started a peaceful life. I don't want it

was lowering myself, but I didn't mind being humble in front

thought to myself, 'I don't want it to end, it can't

what Mary said that day?

interrupted me calmly. "This has nothing to do with anyone else; it's an issue between you and

if afraid I wouldn't understand, Ethan spoke slowly, enunciating each word

the room, I had been full of anticipation, thinking he would propose to me because he had said he owed me

on the table to pour myself a drink, but my hands were shaking so

burning sensation in my

problem do we have?" I asked, trying to keep my voice

of smoke quickly blurring my view, making it

by your father and my

his heavy words, I felt my

that's not your fault, nor is

conscience!" Ethan's

hurt terribly, but I

never to leave. It was you

glass of wine and drank it, the sound of the glass hitting the table

half a year, yet you

him in disbelief, almost biting my lip

"What are you saying?"

his cigarette, and through the smoke,

are

smile, "Ethan, are you serious?

closed his eyes, one hand wearily supporting his forehead, his

We're both adults; I hope you can be more straightforward. Ask for anything you want, and I'll try to satisfy

looking at him with a heart

"I want you!"

his mouth and didn't

gave a self-mocking smile, and turned

I looked back and saw Ethan picking up the wine bottle again, drinking by himself.

and stepped out the door, finding