Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 303 Earthquake

With the impact, Lacey felt as if she'd been knocked senseless.

Seeing the photograph wedged between the rocks about to be swept away by the current, she disregarded her own safety. Struggling to her feet, she lunged forward and clutched the photo in her hand.

The icy river water crashed against her body as she attempted to make her way to shore. The cold had nearly numbed her entire body, and the injury to her foot made it impossible to stand. She stumbled, swallowing several mouthfuls of water.

Just then, she heard a splash.

Turning toward the sound, she saw Jason wading through the water toward her.

He reached her side and pulled her up, but when her foot touched the ground, pain shot through her, making her wince.

"What happened to your foot?" Jason asked.

"I think I stepped on some glass," Lacey replied, still gripping the photograph tightly.

Without hesitation, Jason scooped her into his arms and carried her to shore, setting her down gently on a rock. He examined her foot and discovered a shard of glass deeply embedded in it. His brow furrowed with concern.

Ignoring her own injury, Lacey carefully handed the now-soaked photograph to David. "I got it back," she said softly.

David took it, wiping the water off with his sleeve. Suddenly remembering, he glanced at Lacey's foot. "Are you alright?"

Despite being completely drenched, her hair plastered to her face, Lacey shook her head and forced a smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Before she could say anything more, Jason warned, "This might hurt," and swiftly removed the glass shard from her foot.

She stared at the bloodstained piece of glass in Jason's hand, her face pale from pain.

Without another word, Jason lifted her into his arms again and carried her all the way home.

David, now understanding the severity of the situation, followed quietly, his eyes fixed AT RYOUSTY VTTLacey' s'ihteenting, fort

"Your foot is bleeding," he said worriedly.

Though in considerable pain, Lacey didn't want him to feel guilty. She managed a

strained smile. "Please don't worry. It's just a small cut. I'll be fine."

Back in the house, Jason eyed her soaked clothing with concern. "You need to change before you catch a cold."

Despite his words, he made no move to put her down.

Inexplicably, Lacey felt her face flush.

She quickly jumped from his arms, balancing on one foot while steadying herself against a chair. "I'll go take a shower and change. Your clothes are wet too-you should change as well," she said awkwardly.

Jason watched as she hastily grabbed some clothes and hobbled into the bathroom, keeping her injured foot barely touching the ground.

At that moment, Lacey was grateful she had injured only one foot.

to find Jason sitting by her

open, he turned to her. "Come here. I need to clean and

wasn't one to make a fuss. The pain had subsided somewhat, so she smiled and

stood up, facing her with professional seriousness. "Don't brush off small injuries. A lot of big issues start with something

Lacey reluctantly sat

hadn't expected Jason to wait for her, and she felt suddenly self-conscious about her bare legs

held her foot with one hand while cleaning, treating, and bandaging the wound with the other. Throughout

he packed away the first aid kit but didn't

could tell he had something

his thoughts. "You think I

Jason nodded solemnly. "Yes."

Lacey was momentarily speechless.

foolish. A photograph isn't worth risking your

studied his handsome profile and asked softly, "Am I important to

finally raising his eyes to meet hers unflinchingly.

prick her eyes. Jason's response made all the sacrifices

to you, why not make it official? She's one in a million," came a sudden voice that made both Jason and Lacey

standing in the doorway, though neither knew how

jumped up and limped over to him, gripping his arm excitedly. "Are you better? Do you

Under their

you're not reading this book on nel5s.com, you might be missing out on

should prepare dinner," he murmured. "Wendy will be home soon. I need to make her favorite

David hurried toward the

the doorframe, watching his retreating

a moment, she turned to Jason, who stood dejectedly in the middle of the room. Hiding her own disappointment, she

remembers Wendy's favorite dish and that you love pumpkin pancakes. That's progress. Complete

Not all his

later, the

powerful enough to blow a neighbor's

threatened rain, Lacey hurried to close all the doors and

bed early that night. Shortly after falling asleep, Lacey was

rocking dangerously. When she woke, she realized the rocking wasn't a dream-her bed was shaking, the ceiling lamp was swinging wildly, and cups were sliding across the table. An

was happening, she threw off her covers and rushed out, not even taking time to put

was emerging from his room at the same moment. Their eyes met briefly before they both dashed to David's room, roused the sleeping man, and quickly

disheveled, hastily pulling on clothes,

and Jason immediately went

peaceful rural night had been shattered by the

and tried to run back toward the house,

several old houses in the village had collapsed, with people trapped inside. Jason's grandfather's house was quite old, and they were

yard, tears streaming down his

wanted to retrieve Wendy's

reminder that if you're not reading this book on nel5s.com, you might be missing out on the complete story. Head

she turned to David and made her decision." Please stay here and don't move. I'll get the photograph for

yard, and just as she entered, she