Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph
Chapter 71 I Realized I Can't Live Without You

I was floored. The two cops were just as floored.

Ethan leaned back in his fancy chair. "Look, I'm really sorry, but after thinking it over, I've decided not to dig any deeper. The facts are clear, my wife and I haven't lost anything, so let's not be too harsh. Let's give the other side a chance to turn things around."

I was totally confused. I figured Ethan's sudden change of heart had to do with that phone call he got earlier.

Since Ethan didn't want to push it, the cops were relieved and left after some polite chit-chat.

"Why'd you change your mind?" I blurted out.

Before he could answer, there was a knock on the door.

Piper walked in, gave me a quick glance, and then respectfully said to Ethan, "Mr. Windsor, as of today's market close, Skyline International Corporation's stock has dropped by two points."

I thought, 'The stock dropped? Could it be because of the statement he made?'

Ethan seemed to expect it, so he just nodded without much reaction.

After Piper left, Ethan closed the file in front of him and grabbed his suit jacket from the back of his chair. "Let's go home."

My question got totally ignored.

Seeing I was struggling with my foot, Ethan bent down to carry me, but I insisted on walking by myself.

But as soon as we got out of the elevator, he scooped me up without caring about the stares and carried me all the way to the car.

Once in the car, before we even started, I got a call from the hospital.

Alice was on the other end, apologizing like crazy, her attitude completely different. I really can't stand people like that.

Just as I was at a loss for words, Ethan suddenly took my phone. "Hello, this is Ethan." His voice was deep and steady.

"I've never been a fan of my wife working, but I've always respected her wishes. However, after working for a while, she's lost weight, and it pains me. I feel that as my woman, Emily shouldn't have to endure this hardship." Probably because his grandpa Martin Windsor had some pull with Grace Hospital, his tone was polite yet firm.

Ignoring the emotional punch of "it pains me," I glared at him after he hung up. "Why'd you decide that for me? I really need this job."

Ethan glanced at me, started the car, and after driving out of the garage, he cleared his throat. "I suddenly realized something terrifying." I stared at him, waiting for him to spill.

At a red light, he looked at me, grabbed my hand, and said in a raspy voice, "I realized I can't live without you."

I thought he was gonna explain why he suddenly decided to drop the investigation, but nope, he hit me with that.

He looked beat, like someone who finally got to chill after a crazy long grind. And for a second, there was a realness in his eyes.

I pulled my hand back and sat up straight, staring at my toes.

As the car started moving again, I said, "Ethan, I get that you rich folks like to mess with people, but can you stop messing with just me? I am tired of it."

Suddenly, the screeching sound of brakes hit, and my body lurched forward from the inertia.

Ethan had slammed on the brakes, and we were now stuck at the intersection. Soon, there were honks blaring from behind.

The lights on the sides turned green, but he didn't seem to care about moving.

"What are you doing?" I glared at him.

"Clarify what you just said." He crossed his arms, looking all indifferent, not giving a damn about the chaos outside.

Listening to the honking around us, I was getting anxious. "Is this really the time to talk about this?"

"Then tell me, when is the right time?" he asked me calmly.

I was desperate and had to say, "Whenever you say is the right time."

Ethan smiled, satisfied, and finally started the car.

There were constant curses from the side, like "Just 'cause you're driving a Maybach doesn't mean you're special," but he didn't care at all, smiling like he was in a good mood.

He drove the car straight to the villa. "Jason bought groceries and is cooking at home today. You can taste his cooking."

Hearing that Jason was also there, I suddenly felt a lot more relaxed for some reason.

After getting out of the car, Ethan came over to support me and said, "I guess you haven't been eating well these past few days. Look at you, you're so haggard, your skin is even sagging." The word "sagging" was terrifying for a woman. I almost instinctively touched my face.

Ethan was amused by my reaction and carried me inside. "Have a good meal first. I know you have a lot of questions. Once you're full, I'll tell you everything you want to know." Because of his words, I decided to stay for the meal. After placing me on the sofa, Ethan even brought me slippers to change into.

Smelling the aroma wafting from the kitchen, I got up and walked towards it.

Jason was washing vegetables, and the water in the pot was boiling.

I asked if he needed help, but Jason pulled Ethan, who had just walked over to me, into the kitchen and smiled at me. "You're injured, so just chill in the living room and wait for the meal." "Your hands are wet!" Ethan shouted, swatting Jason's hand away with a look of disgust.

I plopped back down in the living room.

After a bit, Jason came out of the kitchen. "We're out of soy sauce. I'll go grab some and be right back."

After Jason left, I sat in the living room for a while, but hearing noises from the kitchen, I couldn't help but wander over to the kitchen door.

Ethan turned around when he heard footsteps, and I was stunned.

Ethan's eyes, red and rimmed with tears, made him look like the star of a deeply moving, sorrowful play.

Seeing the onions he was chopping, I got it and couldn't help but laugh.

"Let me do it." Jason came back quickly, placed the soy sauce down, and took the knife from Ethan's hand. Jason filled the sink with water, placed the cutting board in it, and then cut the onions easily without any tears. Ethan looked indignant. "Why didn't you tell me I could cut them like that? You did it on purpose, didn't you?"

Jason just smiled without saying anything. Ethan walked out of the kitchen, wiping his eyes with a tissue. Watching Ethan, I couldn't stop laughing.

Ethan threw the tissue into the trash and walked over to hug me. "You're still laughing? Do you feel good that the onions got back at me for you?"

I nodded honestly. "Yes, I do feel good."

Ethan tightened his arms around me and suddenly smirked mischievously. "Haven't I made you feel good often enough? Still not satisfied?"

I blushed and pushed Ethan away. After all, the issues between us hadn't been resolved, and I felt uneasy.

Jason prepared a table full of dishes, all looking and smelling amazing. I said, "Jason, your cooking skills are top-notch! If you ever stop being a doctor, you could totally be a chef."

Jason laughed. "Cooking is my hobby. I never thought of making a living from it. I just think it would be wonderful to cook for someone I care about someday."

After clinking glasses with Jason, Ethan asked, "Jason, you've been abroad for so long, why are you still single?"

Jason smiled helplessly. "Love can't be forced."

As Jason said this, he suddenly looked up at me, and our eyes met, sending an electric current through us.

Although I hadn't known Jason for long, his care for me definitely exceeded that of a normal friend. For example, he drove for hours to Arthur's hometown to pick me up, and today, to help me out, he even admitted to Alice that he was the man in the photo. His kindness made me feel uneasy.

"When love comes, you gotta cherish it. Ethan, be good to Emily," Jason said.

Ethan, sitting next to me, glanced at me after hearing Jason's words. "Don't worry, I'll cherish her."

With that, Ethan placed a bowl of soup in front of me. "Babe, drink some chicken soup. It'll give you a good boost"

I wasn't about to accept Ethan's kindness so easily, 'cause accepting it would mean forgiving him. So I pushed the chicken soup back to him. "Drink it yourself."

Ethan didn't speak for a while, and I thought he was mad. But then he suddenly laughed. "I don't need to drink it. If I do, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle me."

I blushed. From across the table, Jason cleared his throat lightly. "Can you two consider the feelings of a single guy here?"

Jason's tone was kinda bitter, like he was genuinely affected.

After dinner, Jason started cleaning up the table.

I tried to help, but Jason took the plate from my hand and said, "Leave it to me. I don't have much to do anyway. Cooking and washing dishes are fun for me." Ethan didn't stand on ceremony either, pulling me away and saying he wanted to take me somewhere.

It was already dark, and I didn't know where Ethan was taking me. But this time, he was sensible and called Ivan to drive us.

Ethan had Ivan drive us to the beach and rented a beachfront house. These beachfront houses were part of the tourist facilities, available for rent anytime.

Ethan said, "Babe, Jason said you like watching the sunrise. Let's stay here for a few days, and I'll watch it with you every day, okay?"

I widened my eyes. Ethan ignored my surprise and handed me a pair of flat beach shoes to change into. Then he held my hand, and we walked peacefully along the beach.

Knowing my foot hurt, he walked very slowly. I couldn't help but turn my head to look at him. His profile was charming under the moonlight.

Even though he was right beside me, I still felt he was very distant. Even though he had publicly acknowledged our relationship today, it still felt unreal to me. There were too many questions weighing on my mind. The waves kept coming, bringing a moist breeze towards us.

"Just spit out whatever in your mind." Ethan's voice suddenly broke the silence.

We stopped walking and stood by the sea, the water occasionally covering our feet and then receding, over and over.

He turned his head to look at me. "Ask me anything you want to know, and I'll tell you all."