Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

My hand brushed against the snow on the railing, and the cold snap brought me back to reality. I nervously pushed him away and whispered, "Don't."

He was breathing hard, staring at me like he was trying to hold himself back, his voice rough. "If I wasn't worried about you getting cold, I'd take you right here." With that, Ethan threw me over his shoulder and marched off the rooftop.

When we got to the second floor, Jason was coming up from downstairs. I patted Ethan's back twice and squirmed a bit, trying to get him to put me down.

But he ignored both me and Jason, carrying me straight into the room, locking the door with one hand, and then pressing me onto the bed. He stripped me quickly, picking up right where he left off. Jason and Martin both lived on the second floor. Embarrassed they might hear us, I bit my lip hard, trying to stay quiet.

Amid our heavy breathing, a distant explosion echoed.

Through the window, fireworks lit up the far-off sky.

The view was stunning!

After getting back from Greenfield Village, I went to Bella's place to find her. But some stranger opened the door.

I called her and found out she had sold the house and moved in with her dad at Zachary's place.

So, I headed to Zachary's house, but he wasn't there.

Leonard was slumped in a chair in the living room, smoking and looking miserable.

Leonard had gone from heaven to hell overnight and couldn't handle the drastic change, so he was totally down in the dumps.

Now, he had to rely on someone he used to look down on, and that had to be eating him up inside.

Leonard pointed to the kitchen, telling me Bella was cooking.

I walked into the kitchen and saw Bella in an apron, sleeves rolled up, chopping veggies.

Bella had never been in the kitchen before. Her chopping was clumsy and looked like she might cut herself any second.

I quickly walked over and said, "Let me do it."

Bella replied, "It's okay. I need to learn."

I asked, "Where's Zachary? Doesn't he usually cook?"

I remembered Zachary spoiling her and not letting her near the kitchen.

Bella, still chopping, said, "He said he had to go on a long trip and might be gone for several days. We can't afford to eat out every day now. And we can't starve."

Reality was harsh; no one could predict what tomorrow would bring. In a flash, everything could change.

"When my dad was still in the hospital, a bunch of creditors caused a scene. To calm them down, I sold the house and car for cheap. With my dad's savings and Zachary's money, we paid off a part. But it was just a small part." At this point, Bella paused, a cold light flashing in her eyes.

"Apparently, that bitch Andrea and my dad's assistant fled the country long ago. Fuck!" Bella gritted her teeth, slamming the knife into the cutting board.

Worried she'd hurt herself in anger, I quickly pulled her away and took the knife from her. "Let me do it."

Bella stood beside me, watching me chop veggies, then suddenly spoke in a worried tone, "Emily, I don't know why. But I suddenly feel Zachary is very mysterious."

"Why?"

Bella recalled. "Many times I've heard him on the phone, saying strange things like 'one six, two twos,' like he was using some code."

Hearing this, I stopped what I was doing and looked at her. "I'm curious, too, about how he plans to solve your dad's problem. Did he tell you where he's going these days?"

Bella shook her head. "He didn't say. He just told me not to worry. And he'd definitely be back in time for Valentine's Day to spend it with me."

I put down the knife and comforted her. "Since he said that, I believe he'll come back."

Bella nodded, but her furrowed brows didn't relax.

When I got home that night, Ethan had already made dinner.

After eating and taking a shower, I went to bed. Ethan sat on the small sofa, staring at his laptop.

I tossed and turned, unable to sleep, staring at his serious profile for a while. I couldn't help but ask, "When are you going to sleep? Can't you take a proper rest during the holidays?"

He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed with a light smile and ran his fingers through my hair, combing it gently. "What's wrong? Can't sleep without me?"

His gaze was incredibly tender at that moment as if it could melt everything.

I didn't say anything; I just stared at him, totally smitten.

Ethan leaned in and kissed me, his lips soft and warm, like he was trying to comfort me.

After a bit, he pulled back and ruffled my hair. "Go to sleep."

I mumbled something in agreement, watching him go back to the small sofa and pick up his laptop. The screen's glow lit up his serious face, like nothing had happened between us. Eventually, I couldn't stay awake and drifted off.

In a half-asleep state, I heard him taking a phone call. When I opened my eyes, he was already out of the room, his phone in hand, leaving the laptop still glowing on the sofa. He seemed a bit mysterious tonight. Curious, I quietly got up, barefoot, and followed him.

The house was pitch dark, and I tiptoed towards the staircase.

"Don't alert them," Ethan said.

The living room lights were off, so the glow from his cigarette and phone screen stood out clearly.

He didn't say much after that, just a few words in response, ending with, "That's it."

As he hung up, I was about to sneak back when the living room light suddenly flicked on.

Ethan, lying on the sofa, lifted his head, and his eyes locked onto me.

Since he had already seen me, there was no point in hiding.

"I was just thirsty and came down for some water," I lied, not very convincingly.

Ethan looked at me with amusement. "Come here."

Barefoot, I walked down the stairs towards him.

He leaned back on the sofa, his gaze traveling from my bare feet up my legs, finally resting on my chest.

I was only wearing a thin nightgown after my shower, no underwear, so the outline of my body was faintly visible.

Ethan's gaze grew heated and intense.

He beckoned me with a finger, and as if under a spell, I slowly walked towards him.

Though it wasn't our first time being physical, this time, his mere gaze ignited my desire.

I suddenly fell onto his lap, and he leaned into my chest, inhaling deeply with a look of utter intoxication.

The unique male scent made my body melt.

He wrapped his arms around my waist, flipped me over, and pressed me onto the sofa. It was only then that I noticed the intense, lustful look in his eyes. Strong, rhythmic thrusts followed, and in the quiet living room, our ragged breaths turned into moans.

Afterwards, we lay exhausted on the sofa for a long time, our breathing gradually calming.

He twirled my hair around his finger, his eyes now filled with a gentle affection. "Honey, can you sleep now?"

"No, it's not that," I hurried to explain.

He placed a finger on my lips. "Alright, it's not that. It's that I can finally sleep now."

With that, he stood up, scooped me up, and carried me upstairs.

He laid me on the bed and said, "Wait a moment."

And he turned to leave.

I had no idea what he was up to.

A moment later, he returned with a glass of water. "Didn't you say you were thirsty?"

I sat up and took the glass, feeling quite touched.

Then he teased, "You lost a lot of fluids just now; you need to rehydrate."

I choked on the water and started coughing violently.

He quickly took the glass and patted my back. "Why are you so excited just drinking water?"

I glared at him and playfully slapped him. "You're annoying!"

Ethan grabbed my hand and pulled me into his arms, lying down with me. "I know when you say 'annoying,' you mean 'I like you.""

I answered, "Narcissist."

"Can you say you didn't enjoy it just now? Want to go again?" he whispered mischievously.

I tried to escape his embrace, but he tightened his arms around me.

"Alright, no more teasing," he murmured, "It's late, let's sleep."

Maybe we were both exhausted, as we quickly fell asleep. I didn't have the energy to ponder what he had said earlier.

A few days later, I went shopping with Sophie.

Taking the kids out was tiring, so we sat on a bench on the pedestrian street to rest.

I suggested, "Sophie, why don't you go to the grocery? I'll hold Abby."

Sophie nodded and handed Abby to me.

After Sophie left, I placed Abby on my lap and played with her.

Since I often visited Abby, she was familiar with me and didn't shy away. She giggled as I played with her.

Suddenly, Abby was snatched from my hands.

I looked up in panic, and the person who took Abby was already running away.

That silhouette looked so familiar!