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.

emerged to find Jason sitting by her bed

door open, he turned to her. "Come

make a fuss. The pain had subsided somewhat, so she smiled and said, "It's nothing, really. Just a

professional seriousness. "Don't brush off small injuries. A lot

his earnest expression, Lacey reluctantly sat on

to wait for her, and she felt suddenly self-conscious about her bare legs in her nightgown as

while cleaning, treating, and bandaging the wound with the other. Throughout the process, his focus

packed away the first aid

Lacey could tell he had something to

"You think

Jason nodded solemnly. "Yes."

Lacey was momentarily speechless.

photograph isn't worth

studied his handsome profile and asked softly, "Am I

before finally raising

felt tears prick her eyes. Jason's response made all the

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

see David standing in the doorway, though neither

jumped up and limped over to him, gripping his arm excitedly. "Are

their hopeful gazes, his

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

muttering, David hurried

doorframe, watching his retreating

stood dejectedly in the middle of the room. Hiding her own

Even though he hasn't fully recovered, he remembers Wendy's favorite dish and that you love

Not all his memories were happy ones. Remembering everything might only

days later, the

picked up suddenly, powerful enough to blow a neighbor's bedsheet clean off

Lacey hurried

Shortly after

dangerously. When she woke, she realized the rocking wasn't a dream-her bed was shaking, the ceiling lamp was swinging wildly,

covers and rushed out, not even

same moment. Their eyes met briefly before they both dashed to David's room, roused the sleeping man, and quickly helped him downstairs,

the street-hair disheveled, hastily pulling on clothes, some shouting, others crying or

were injured, and Jason immediately went to examine them, his doctor's

had been shattered by

to run back toward the

how strong the earthquake was. Reports were already circulating that several old houses in the village had collapsed, with people

David cried out toward the yard, tears streaming down his face, his distress

he wanted to

reading this book on nel5s.com, you might be missing out

her decision." Please stay here and

as she entered, she