Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

My heart felt like it got stabbed, pain spreading from my chest.

I wanted to run, scared of Ethan's reaction, but I couldn't move.

"Emily, why aren't you going in?" Frank's voice startled me from behind.

The door opened, and Oliver stood there looking at me.

"Want some oatmeal? There's still some in the kitchen," I said, trying to stay calm.

Oliver walked out, one hand in his pocket. "I'm a bit hungry. Frank, let's go get some oatmeal."

With that, Oliver hooked his arm around Frank's neck, and they went downstairs.

When I walked in, Ethan had already taken off his shirt. I quickly glanced at his strong, bare chest, then looked away. "I made some oatmeal. Not sure if you like it." Ethan leaned back, looking relaxed. "I like whatever you make."

Oliver's earlier words had made me uneasy. I was about to put down the oatmeal and leave, but Ethan said, "Feed me."

I held my breath. He raised his bandaged right hand, showing it was hard for him.

I took a deep breath, sat by the bed, and after blowing on each spoonful, brought the oatmeal to his mouth.

I felt Ethan staring at me the whole time. I didn't dare meet his gaze or look at his body, so I focused on the spoon.

"It's a bit too sweet," he suddenly said.

"Is it?" All my unease and other chaotic emotions shattered.

"Don't believe me? Try it."

I must have lost my mind because I tasted it myself with the same spoon.

After two careful mouthfuls, I said, "It's not sweet."

When I tried to feed him again, Ethan's eyes were amused, but he didn't open his mouth.

I realized he might have a cleanliness issue, not liking that I used the spoon. My face turned red. "I'll get a new spoon."

Just as I was about to stand up, he grabbed my hand and brought the oatmeal to his mouth.

Not only did Ethan eat the oatmeal, but he also licked the spoon clean. He held my hand, licking the spoon, his gaze fixed on me with a hint of deliberate seduction.

The scene made my heart race. It felt like an electric current was passing from his tongue through the spoon. If he hadn't been holding my hand, I might not have been able to keep the spoon steady. "Emily," he called softly.

"What is it?" I was super nervous.

Ethan suddenly grabbed the back of my head, and the bowl in my hand fell to the ground.

As I fell forward, he kissed me. It wasn't forceful or domineering; it was gentle. I couldn't resist such gentleness.

The door quickly opened, and I tried to pull away, but Ethan held my head tightly, his tongue exploring my mouth.

"Sorry, you continue," Oliver's amused voice came from the doorway. He must have rushed up after hearing the bowl break.

The door closed again. Ethan kissed with great skill, and my resistance weakened. From resisting to indulging, I felt that even if I drowned in this kiss, I would have no regrets.

He kissed me for a long time before stopping. When he let go, we looked at each other, both breathing heavily.

"Did you like the kiss?" He gave a charming, slight smile.

I did like it, but I said nothing. Ethan let my head rest on his chest, his bare chest against my face, his heartbeat so close. It was strong and steady, and as I listened, I calmed down. Later, Ethan spoke for a long time, "Emily, everyone has their past. You have yours, and I have mine. Before you came into my life, I didn't like coming home. It felt too empty, too lonely living alone. Do you remember the first time you cooked in the kitchen? I said that seeing a woman cooking in the kitchen suddenly made this place feel like a home. That day, cooking with you, I felt like this was really a home. I love watching you busy in the kitchen with an apron on; it's beautiful." I had to admit, Ethan knew how to talk, or rather, he knew how to please a woman. Just a few words, and I no longer wanted to dwell on anything else. I just wanted to put on an apron and cook for him.

"That day, cooking with you, I felt like this is what ordinary life should be like. I really want to spend my life with you." He was so straightforward that I felt both admiration and a wave of emotion.

I thought Ethan must have guessed that I overheard his conversation with Oliver, which was why he said all this.

I no longer wanted to dwell on anything. Having experienced a failed marriage, I no longer dared to hope for passionate love, but I still longed for a simple, steady life.

I climbed off him, but for some reason, I asked a question completely unrelated to the current topic, "Are you full?"

Ethan was stunned for a moment, then his smile deepened. He pulled me close and whispered hoarsely in my ear, "Not full. How do you plan to feed me?" His hand slipped inside my clothes.

My face heated up. I didn't expect him to twist my words like that. I quickly pushed him away and stood up, awkwardly tucking my hair behind my ear. "Oliver and Frank are still downstairs. I'll go clean up the kitchen."Belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.

As I squatted to pick up the broken pieces of the bowl, Ethan said, "Be careful with your hands. Use a broom."

A warmth filled my heart. I got a broom and swept up the pieces, then took them downstairs.

Oliver and Frank must have already eaten; they were sitting on the couch in the living room. When I finished washing the dishes and came out, Frank had gone to the balcony, leaving Oliver alone on the couch.

I wiped my hands and walked over, sitting down a short distance from Oliver. "You probably think I'm not good enough for him, right?" I kept a smile.

Oliver was taken aback, then took the cigarette out of his mouth. After a while, he smiled. "You heard what I said earlier, didn't you? Just forget it. Maybe I wasn't thinking straight with all the commotion. Don't take it to heart! You and he are good together. We used to worry he'd end up alone."

I wondered, 'Ethan is such an outstanding man, not lacking in women who like him. Why would he end up alone?'

Oliver fell silent, the cigarette back in his mouth, his brows furrowed in thought.

"Do you like Bella?" I asked bluntly.

Oliver looked at me, not rushing to answer, his eyes showing a hint of conflict. "She said I was a playboy," he laughed self-deprecatingly. "She probably looks down on a scumbag like me."

I swallowed quietly, looking at him seriously. "Oliver, Bella may seem tough on the outside, but she's actually very fragile inside. She lacks a sense of security. Unless you truly like her, you should just be friends. I don't want her to get hurt." Oliver flicked the ash from his cigarette, smiling reluctantly. "You also think I'm a playboy and not good enough for her?"

I quickly shook my head. "No, that's not what I meant."

Oliver continued to smile, but it was a bit harsh. "I know. I've looked into it. She's a noble's daughter, and I'm a rogue. We're not the same kind of people."

I realized I might have said something terrible and hurried to explain, "I'm sorry, Oliver. I hope you don't misunderstand. I didn't mean anything by it. Bella's family may be wealthy, but she's very down-to-earth. She lacks a sense of security because of her father. When he got rich, he divorced her mom and later married a woman not much older than Bella. So Bella doesn't really believe in love. But I believe true sincerity can move her."

Oliver was silent for a long time before he stubbed out his cigarette and stood up. As he picked up his coat, he said, "I don't know if I like her. Honestly, I also lack a sense of security. And as for sincerity, well, I want it, but I'm also afraid of it. Since it's impossible between us, I'll just deal with these feelings promptly. It's no big deal. Bella is straightforward, and I like that. Being friends with her is good too. I'll just continue my carefree life."

His words had a hint of self-abandonment, and I suddenly regretted having this conversation with him today.

"I'm leaving. You should go take care of Ethan," Oliver said.

Frank came in from the balcony, ready to leave with Oliver.

"Wait a minute," I suddenly called out to Oliver.

Oliver stopped, draping his coat over his shoulder without turning around. "I have two more things to say."

"Go ahead," Oliver tilted his head slightly, exuding a rebellious air.

I stared at his back and said, "First, Bella has never been in a relationship before because she doesn't believe in love. She may seem experienced in everything, but she's actually very naive."

After saying this, I saw Oliver's back stiffen and continued, "Second, although Bella knows Taekwondo, she never stands up for people she doesn't care about."

Oliver slowly turned around, glanced at me, and his furrowed brows gradually relaxed, as if he had suddenly come to a realization. He gave a relieved, knowing smile.

"See you," he said, draping his arm over Frank's shoulder as they left.

As I went upstairs, I thought of Ethan's earlier suggestive words and felt a bit afraid to enter his room. So I quietly went back to my own room instead.

Ethan had mentioned feeling dizzy earlier, so he might already be asleep by now. With that thought, I felt justified and went to take a shower. When I finished my shower and opened the door wrapped in a towel, I was startled.

Ethan was leaning against the wall with one hand, his upper body bare, blocking the bathroom door. It seemed like he was waiting for me.