Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

I laid Emily down on the bed. She was clearly feeling the effects of the alcohol, looking miserable.

I had promised to leave after getting her upstairs, but I just couldn't walk away.

She started drunkenly sobbing, saying things that were full of disappointment in me, which made me feel like crap.

I figured I'd wait until she calmed down and then try to talk to her. I also needed some time to figure out how to bring up the issue.

But she wouldn't pick up my calls afterward. I had no choice but to call her through the hospital phone, threatening to keep calling until she agreed to talk.

I wanted to pick her up from the hospital myself, but I had an important meeting. So, I asked Dennis to wait for her at the hospital entrance and bring her home. During the meeting, I kept checking the time, worried she might get impatient and change her mind.

Finally, the meeting ended, and I drove home as fast as I could. From a distance, I saw the lights were still on, which made me breathe a sigh of relief.

But the person waiting at home wasn't her; it was Victor.

"She left." Victor was lounging on the sofa, looking at me with a blank expression. He seemed pretty pleased with himself.

I rushed upstairs and pushed open the bedroom door.

She had taken all her stuff, but she left behind the new clothes I bought for her. I immediately called her, but her phone was already off.

I went back downstairs, and Victor was still sitting on the sofa, like he was waiting for me to confront him.

"What did you say to her?" I demanded.

Victor took a drag of his cigarette and looked at me nonchalantly. "She's just a divorced woman. Don't tell me you're serious about her."

I stared at him coldly, like he was a stranger.

I shouted, "From the moment I decided to marry her, I was ready to spend my life with her. I'm not as much of a jerk as you!"

Victor looked at me sharply, pointing his cigarette at me.

"What did you say? I'm your father," Victor shouted.

I sneered, "You oppose us being together so much. Are you feeling guilty?"

Victor's face changed slightly, and he nervously took another drag of his cigarette. "What do I have to feel guilty about? I'm doing this for your own good. You can have any woman you want. If you think Emily has no ulterior motives, I don't believe it," Victor said.

I was really worried about Emily. She must have been deeply hurt, and I had no idea where she would go.

So I didn't have time to keep arguing with Victor. I grabbed my keys and headed out.

At the door, I stopped and turned back to him.

"Let me tell you something, who I choose to be with is my business. You've never had a proper view of love and marriage, so you have no right to interfere," I said firmly.

I rushed to Broadway Alley, thinking she might have gone back to the old place, but she wasn't there.

Standing in the dark hallway, I looked out at the night through the lattice, feeling lost and helpless.

I wondered where she could go this late.

I remembered she didn't have many relatives, and her only friend was Bella. So I called Bella, and from her tone, I was pretty sure Emily was with her.

At least I knew she was safe. As long as she wasn't wandering the streets with her luggage in the middle of the night, I was relieved.

Leaving Broadway Alley, I suddenly got a call.

That night, Dennis and I drove to the base.

Over the years, there had been several emergency gatherings like this. No matter how important the matter at hand, I had to drop everything and rush over.

On the way, I sent a message to Emily on Facebook: [Emily, I won't bother you for the next few days. You don't have to hide to avoid me. I'll give you time to calm down.]

Putting away my phone, Dennis handed me a cigarette and said with a smile, "You really care about her, don't you?"

I smiled bitterly and lit the cigarette.

"The hardest thing to control isn't actions, but the heart," I said helplessly.

Dennis said, "But aren't you afraid of putting her in danger?"

I rolled down the window and looked at the endless night outside. What Dennis said was something I had considered.

"I am afraid, but I think if I don't keep her by my side, Emily will be in even more danger. I don't want her to be bullied anymore," I said.

Dennis asked me, "So you just felt sorry for her?"

I glanced at Dennis. He usually didn't talk much but was very observant.

I replied, "At first, maybe there was some pity, but now I find I can't live without her. I might be in love with her."

It had been eight years since Wyatt was captured, and Drew was still cunningly on the run, never caught.

Over the years, the police had followed various leads, including the capture of Richard, which provided some information. Their leader's last name was Long. They usually called him Rhyns, and he seemed to have some connection to Drew. Rhyns was the next key target. Once they made a move, he would be taken down.

Jason texted me, saying he had finally chosen Grace Hospital. He said it was the hospital Martin had managed and was one of the most influential in Starlight City. But I think that was only part of the reason; another reason was probably because of Emily.

I shot Jason a reply, letting him know I was on a business trip and asked him to look after her for me.

I had planned to stay at the base for a few more days, but I was really worried about Emily. I had this uneasy feeling, like something bad was about to happen.

That evening, I called Bella to check if Emily had gone to work. She told me that Emily had fainted and was hospitalized.

I rushed back overnight. In hindsight, I probably shouldn't have returned so quickly. If I hadn't, maybe I wouldn't have overheard her conversation with Arthur. She said she was with me to spite Arthur, that she missed that scumbag.

I couldn't believe she still had feelings for Arthur, or maybe she knew I was there and said it on purpose to make me give up? I'd rather believe it was the latter.

In a fit of anger, I turned and left. When I got downstairs, I was so frustrated that I punched a window.

With a crash, the glass shattered, breaking the hospital's tranquility.

A group of on-duty doctors and nurses rushed over. Ignoring my protests, they insisted on dragging me to get bandaged.

They made me sit down and treated my injured hand.

Staring at my bloody hand, I remembered Dennis's question in the car, "Do you really care about her?"

I had to admit that I had really fallen for her, which was why it hurt so much.

After that night, I didn't visit Emily for several days, and I resisted asking anyone about her condition.

I had my pride. She said those things, and if I shamelessly went back, wouldn't that be pathetic? But I couldn't hold out for long and soon lost my pride.

I found myself really missing her. These past few days, I truly understood what it meant to be lovesick.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Emily didn't contact me. Maybe she didn't miss me as much as I missed her. No, she was probably still angry. Emily wouldn't miss me at all. So I had to put aside my pride and go find her.

I first went to the jewelry store to pick up the pearl necklace I had sent for repair, then I went to the hospital to wait for her to get off work.

I knew Emily was an emotional woman. This necklace might help me.

But I didn't expect her to come out with Arthur. She clearly saw me but pretended not to and was about to get into Arthur's car.

I was really anxious and super angry because I saw her determination.

This time, Emily had made up her mind not to come back.

I stopped her. I didn't want her to get into Arthur's car. I wanted to keep her, but my pride couldn't help but speak with a bit of arrogance. "Emily, I'm not someone who hesitates. You can get into his car or mine. Make a choice today, and whatever you choose, I'll respect it," I said.

In the end, Emily chose Arthur.

I swallowed my anger, smirked, and pretended not to care. I even tossed the pearl necklace and walked away coolly.

I was desperately hoping she would call me back or regret it, so I could run to her as fast as possible. But she didn't. She resolutely chose Arthur, without considering me at all.

After driving a short distance, I made a sharp U-turn. I couldn't let go and picked up the necklace.

For two consecutive nights, I hung out with my friends at the bar, drinking and playing cards. The more depressed I felt, the crazier I played.

Bella brought Emily to the bar that night. I was holding another woman, acting indifferent.

I knew my behavior was childish. I realized I had become abnormal in front of Emily.

When Emily went to the restroom, the woman beside me got closer, triumphantly slipping her hand into my shirt.

I pushed her away and coldly said, "Get lost," then strode out of the room.

I grabbed Emily and shoved her into my car, driving off wildly.

She screamed all the way, her face pale with fear. She probably thought I was drunk and crazy.

I had drunk a bit too much but wasn't drunk. I knew my limits.

I drove to the hilltop. While she was still in shock, we shared a tender moment.

Although Emily initially resisted, she couldn't deny her feelings.

During this, Arthur called her. I grabbed the phone, mischievously answered it, and tossed it aside.

I was completely familiar with Emily's body, and she eventually couldn't resist my skills and joined in my madness.

I had guessed that Arthur would hear everything from start to finish.

I did it on purpose.

But it didn't resolve the conflict between Emily and me. She still insisted on breaking up, saying that first loves were unforgettable, and then said a lot more, implying that I had deceived her and was with her for revenge on Arthur. I couldn't explain everything to her. I was so frustrated that I was about to explode.

On the way back from the hilltop, Emily still refused to come home with me, and I lost my temper.

I harshly told her that I would never reach out to her again in this lifetime.

Later, I realized that I shouldn't say harsh words to her, because in the end, those harsh words often ended up tormenting me the most.