Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 228 A Lifetime So Long

Nora grabbed the mic, her voice all choked up.

"Today, I got married. Finding the right person at the right time is pure luck and happiness. I gotta give a special shoutout to Emily, my classmate and boss. Emily, life's fair. When one door closes, another one opens. I hope you find your true happiness too, so I want to give you this bouquet myself."

Frank's face went pale as he listened. He tugged on Nora's sleeve, trying to get her to stop, but she ignored him and looked straight at me, saying, "Emily, can you come up here?"

Everyone turned to look at me, waiting. I was stuck, not sure if I should go up or not.

I glanced over at Ethan. He was busy chatting and laughing with that gorgeous woman, totally unaware of what was going on.

I took a deep breath, stood up, and walked to the stage.

Once I was up there, I avoided looking at anyone in the crowd.

Taking the bouquet from Nora, I felt it was like a ton of bricks.

"Ms. Russell, do you have anything to say to the bride and groom?" The host handed me the mic out of nowhere.

I took it, pulled myself together, and forced a smile. "There are so many people in this world, and for two people to come together is rarer than winning the lottery. It shows you are meant to be. I wish you eternal happiness and a long life together."

From the moment I got on stage to the moment I stepped down, I didn't look at Ethan once. After stepping down, some male classmates came over to chat. I was exhausted but had to keep smiling.

The wedding banquet was about to start, and everyone headed to the banquet hall in the winery.

Not knowing that Ethan and I got divorced, Frank had seated us at the same table.

I wanted to switch seats, but the other tables were full, and Ethan and that woman were already sitting across from me.

He didn't seem to mind sitting with me, so why should I care? I decided to act like he wasn't there.

Jason sat next to me, along with a few other friends of Frank and Ethan. Many of them knew about my past with Ethan, so the vibe was a bit awkward. Only Ethan seemed chill, occasionally serving food to that woman, just like he used to do for me.

I tried to ignore it, but it still stung.

Jason served me some food and said, "Eat up, the food here is pretty special."

I thanked him, and just then, the waiter came to serve more dishes and added a few jugs of wine to each table.

The wine jugs were these beautiful, classic ceramic ones. The waiter explained that the wine was made using a secret recipe passed down for decades at the winery.

I picked up a jug and said with a smile, "It must be really good then."

a glass and took

burn in my throat, I said, "It really is

know much about wine, but right now, any wine that could numb my pain and

me

picked up the jug and poured wine for Ethan, her voice sweet and her

distance, but now, he didn't mind the woman getting close,

it hurt inside. But I

ask for my contact info. Knowing their intentions, I still gave

felt dizzy. All I could see was

clothes and came over with Frank to toast, I was already pretty tipsy. Jason had tried to

miserable, I couldn't find any other way to ease the pain except to numb

now in a stunning evening gown, came over with Frank. After toasting everyone, Nora said she wanted to toast me

shakily with my glass, smiling, "It just shows you are

Frank, "Treat

"Don't worry, I will treat her well

couldn't help but laugh while holding my glass. "Until you reach the end, you never know who will be

as I said that, the table went dead

cigarette, staying quiet. The woman next to him said something, and he

Nora's faces, I suddenly snapped

say something wrong? Sorry, I'll drink three glasses as

in front

get what I was feeling, patted my shoulder, and whispered, "Don't be sad. Didn't you see Ethan and that woman being all lovey-dovey? If you look sad and pitiful here, he'll just feel more triumphant." I touched my face and looked at

to seem happy

let go, I didn't want anyone to see

at Nora, saying, "It's your wedding day,

have really drunk too much; my stomach felt uncomfortable. Not wanting to embarrass myself in front of everyone, I grabbed my bag

felt a lot better. I washed my face and heard a thud outside

first saw Jason, then Ethan and

touching Ethan's face, angrily

him? Do you know who you just

a bruise on the corner of his

back to

have heard the restroom door open because they all turned

first time today that Ethan looked directly at me. With just one glance, my heart filled with pain. I didn't want to analyze the emotions in

to eat? If so, I'll take

"I don't want to

even from a distance, I

were busy entertaining guests, so I didn't say goodbye to them and left with