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.

clothes, she emerged to find Jason sitting by her

turned to her. "Come here. I

make a fuss. The pain had subsided somewhat, so she smiled

with professional seriousness. "Don't brush off small injuries. A lot of big issues

earnest expression, Lacey reluctantly sat on

Jason to wait for her, and she felt suddenly self-conscious about her bare

her foot with one hand while cleaning, treating, and bandaging the wound

finishing, he packed away the first aid kit but didn't leave

his expression, Lacey could tell he had something

thoughts. "You think I did something

Jason nodded solemnly. "Yes."

Lacey was momentarily speechless.

isn't worth risking your

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

for a long moment before finally raising his eyes

made all the sacrifices she had made

it official? She's one in a million," came

turned to see David standing in the doorway, though neither knew

over to him, gripping his arm excitedly. "Are you better? Do

at Jason. Under their

you might be missing out on the complete story. Head over there to dive into the next

"Wendy will be home soon. I need to make her favorite

David hurried toward

watching his retreating figure with

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

favorite dish and that you love pumpkin pancakes.

isn't such a bad thing. Not all his

later, the

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

wind and the darkening sky that threatened rain, Lacey hurried to close

night. Shortly after

she had been sleeping on a boat caught in a violent storm, 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

rushed out, not even taking time to

they both dashed to David's room, roused the sleeping man, and quickly helped

street-hair disheveled, hastily pulling

and Jason immediately went to examine them,

rural night had been shattered

David suddenly remembered something and tried to

that several old houses in the village had collapsed, with people

the yard, tears streaming down his face, his

he wanted

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decision." Please stay

just as she