Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

I hopped out of Faris's car just in time for Ethan to catch the whole scene.

Faris glanced up from the car window, locking eyes with Ethan for a split second. He drummed his fingers on the window, a sly grin playing on his lips.

I didn't dare look at Ethan's face; I was feeling like absolute crap.

He never mentioned he'd be back today.

I power-walked toward the villa, Faris still behind me, calling out his goodbyes.

I didn't look back, just picked up the pace.

It wasn't until I got inside the villa that I heard Faris's car peel out.

Ethan was still on the second-floor balcony, hands gripping the railing, staring out like he hadn't moved an inch.

"When did you get back?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He didn't turn around, but I heard him loud and clear.

"Did I come back too early?"

My heart dropped, and I stared at his tall frame.

"What do you mean?"

Ethan slowly turned, leaning against the railing. He lit a cigarette, took a drag, and looked down, lost in thought.

After a bit, he flicked the ash, half of it falling to the ground.

"Didn't I tell you to stay away from him?" His voice was calm, too calm.

"You did." I let out a bitter laugh.

Ethan frowned, finally meeting my gaze.

"What's so funny?"

I fought the urge to bite my lip, looked him dead in the eye, and tried to keep my voice steady.

"Before you start grilling me, tell me, where did you go on this 'business trip'?"

Ethan stared at me, silent for what felt like forever.

His silence cut deep, and I gave a bitter smile.

"Can't say, huh? I haven't done anything to betray you. Can you say the same? Or do you think I'm just some fool, easy to trick and clueless?"

Ethan lowered his head, his brows knitting together, his lips pressed into a thin line, his handsome face clouded with worry.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally looked up, gazing at the sky.

"Emily, do you feel like something's changed between us? We weren't like this before. When I'm away, I miss home. But when I come back, it feels different. Is it me who's changed, or you, or both of us?" His words cut through me like a knife, each one sharper than the last.

I remember the first time he brought me home. He said seeing a woman cooking in the kitchen made him feel like he had a home. Now, that feeling was just... gone.

"You went to see Faye, didn't you?" I looked him straight in the eye and asked.

He stared at me, his eyes not budging an inch.

Ethan didn't deny it, which was basically the same as admitting it.

I nodded, feeling the weight of it all. "So now she makes you feel more at home, huh?"

I turned to leave, but just as I reached the stairs, he grabbed my hand.

I looked back at him, his brows knitted together, his face showing nothing but exhaustion.

I hoped he'd explain about seeing Faye. But instead, he just swallowed hard and muttered, "Don't go. I'll leave."

Ethan let go of my hand, walked downstairs, and soon vanished through the door.

Hearing the car start and drive away, I bent my legs and collapsed onto the stairs.

I knew there were a ton of issues I had never faced head-on, like the fact that we didn't marry for love. I knew I shouldn't care so much, but I did. Just because Ethan had repeatedly hinted that I meant a lot to him, just because he said he was committed.

Our marriage seemed perfect and flawless to outsiders. But in reality, it was full of cracks, and I had been ignoring them.

But I couldn't keep doing that. This argument wasn't a joke; maybe we really needed to calm down.

I packed a few things, grabbed the study materials from the coffee table, and dragged my suitcase out of the villa. I couldn't go back to the old house or Bella's place.

I needed somewhere he couldn't find me, a place to truly calm down. After some thought, I knew where to go.

Dragging my suitcase, I arrived at the bus station. There was one last bus to Greenfield Village and one last ticket.

Maybe it was fate.

After more than four hours on the bus, I got off at six o'clock, and it was already dark.

But I quickly remembered a serious problem.

I didn't know Martin's exact address. Last time, Ethan drove, and I didn't remember the route. I just knew he lived somewhere in the countryside.

At the bus station, taxi drivers swarmed me, some even trying to grab my luggage. I held on tight and said someone was picking me up, and they finally left. Winter nights were really cold. Standing there, I watched people come and go, not knowing where to go.

I couldn't call Ethan for the address.

After thinking it over, I called Jason. As it rang, I felt a bit anxious and worried that he didn't have his phone with him or didn't hear it.

Fortunately, after a few seconds, he picked up.

"Emily?"

It was noisy on the other end, and I thought I heard Oliver calling for Ethan.

I clutched the phone and said, "Can you find a quieter place?"

"Alright, just a moment."

In no time, it got quiet on the other end, and Jason asked, "What's up?"

I licked my dry lips. "Jason, can you tell me Martin's address?"

"Where are you?"

"I'm at the Greenfield Village bus station," I added. "Don't tell Ethan."

Jason didn't ask why I was there but quickly said, "It's too cold. Go wait in the waiting room; I'll be there soon."

The large waiting room was almost empty, but at least it was warmer than outside.

I thought I'd have to wait until at least ten o'clock, but just as the clock on the wall struck nine, Jason appeared at the waiting room door. Without a word, he took off his coat and draped it over me.

I said, "Did you fly here? So fast?"

He gave a faint smile. "Good driving skills!"

Once inside his car, he turned on the heater, and it instantly felt much warmer. I took off his coat.

"So, did you have a fight with Ethan?" he asked on the way.

After thinking for a moment, I said, "I just feel like I need to calm down."

Jason said, "Ethan seemed off today too. I told him not to drink, but he didn't listen. I was about to call you, but then I got your call first."

My heart tightened.

I suddenly realized that after hearing Jason's words, my first thought was about Ethan's health.

Half an hour later, we arrived at Martin's house.

Martin had already gone to bed but was woken up by our knocking and came to open the door.

Martin looked surprised to see us. "You two?"

"Grandpa, it's cold outside. Let's talk inside," Jason reminded.

Martin quickly let us in.

I told Martin about arriving at the Greenfield Village bus station and not knowing the way, so I called Jason. I hoped he wouldn't tell Ethan I was here.

Being experienced, he immediately saw through the situation and smiled. "Young couple had a fight, huh?"

I didn't respond, and Martin said, "Don't worry. I won't tell him. You can stay here and treat it as a vacation. Let that brat worry about finding you." Would he really look for me? I wasn't sure.

I didn't know where I stood with him. He said he wasn't worried I'd do something foolish because he trusted I wouldn't. So he probably didn't worry about me as much as Faye.

I wasn't leaving to make him worry; I just needed some peace.

A lot had happened lately, and every day was busy. I hadn't had time to think. Things between Ethan and me had started changing since Faye showed up.

Our marriage was like a shaky wall; a strong wind could easily knock it down.

Martin settled me in the same room we stayed in last time.

Thinking about that night, I still had high hopes for this marriage back then, which was why I gave myself so willingly. But things rarely went as imagined.

I turned off my phone, cutting off all contact.

The next day, seeing that Jason had no intention of leaving, I asked, "Don't you have to work?"

Jason was holding a broom, helping Martin clean the yard. He stopped and looked up when he heard my question, smiling. "I took time off. People aren't machines; we need breaks too. This is a good chance to rest."

When I had nothing to do, I took out my study materials. Martin and Jason were both doctors, so I could ask them if I didn't understand something.

It was often said that living without a phone was nearly impossible.

I tested it out, and not having a phone didn't kill me. I studied every day, and when I got tired, I helped Martin with the plants, listened to him talk about each plant's habits, and watched him and Jason play chess. I found this kind of life quite nice; it was very simple and slow-paced, without the internet.

Martin's affection for Jason was evident, unlike his sometimes stern attitude toward Ethan.

This was normal. Elders like obedient children. Jason was gentle and polite, and most importantly, he followed Martin's wishes to study medicine and achieved success, making Martin proud.

Ethan, on the other hand, must have been like an untamed wild horse in his youth-smart but troublesome.

On the fifth morning in Greenfield Village, I woke up to find the world outside covered in white.

It had snowed!

Even though I saw snow every winter, the first snowfall of the year always brought excitement. Martin suggested having Mexican food in this weather, and Jason and I agreed.

Mexican food was perfect for winter; it warmed you up.

Jason and I prepared the ingredients for the Mexican dishes. We thought about going out to buy some, but the snowy roads were difficult. Martin said he'd call someone to deliver them. Even in the countryside, they had delivery services now?

Jason prepared the base, and I washed the vegetables. Just as I was finishing, I heard a knock on the door. Martin, sitting in his chair listening to the radio, said it must be the delivery and asked me to get the door.

I opened the door and was stunned.

It was indeed the delivery, but the delivery guy was very handsome.