Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Dakato said, "Rhyns has a brother named Gideon. I heard he's been living abroad, running a restaurant. I've seen him a few times; he looks more like a shady character than a businessman. But I can't say for sure if he's mixed up in this, or if he's the one pulling Rhyns' strings. Just a hunch. But with Rhyns caught, I doubt Gideon will just sit back."

I knew this all too well. Catching one person meant making enemies. Hidden identities eventually came to light, and all eyes seeking revenge turned to me. I became everyone's target.

I only saw Jason when I was about to be discharged.

Jason's eyes were bloodshot, like he hadn't slept in days, staring at me without blinking.

Jason said, "You promised to be good to Emily forever, but all I see is her getting hurt. Just because she loves you, you think you can keep hurting her without any consequences?" Mentioning Emily felt like a dagger to my heart.

I said gloomily, "I love her too much to want to hurt her."

Jason said coldly, "But you still hurt her."

Yeah, even though I never meant to hurt Emily, I still did. And each time, it cut deeper.

Jason said, "Emily wants to follow her own path, chase her dreams. If you can't make her happy, if all you bring is danger and pain, then leave her alone."

I caught something in Jason's words.

I asked, "You've seen her?"

Jason looked away, not answering, but the message was clear. He was right. Looking back, even though Emily had happy moments with me, she ended up in pain. She had her own dreams, but my possessiveness and protection held her back. "Is she okay?" I asked, bitterness in my mouth.

"She's stronger than you and I thought!"

That gave me a bit of comfort. "Emily might seem fragile, but she's tough inside. After everything she's been through, she's become resilient. I believe in her."

At first, I thought I could handle everything, protect her. But reality showed I was too confident. I was up against the most cunning enemies, who never played fair. Letting her go was the best way to protect her. But I missed her so much. That was when I realized lovesickness was real. Time didn't heal it; it just made it worse. Heartache needed a heart remedy, but I had no cure. I had a hundred urges to find her, and a hundred and one times I talked myself out of it.

I couldn't disturb her. As long as I hadn't completely shed my burdens, keeping her close would only hurt her more.

But I really wanted to see her, especially at night, lying in the bed we once shared. I missed her so much it drove me crazy. I started having insomnia, often unable to sleep through the night, eventually needing meds to knock me out. I knew she was in Riverdale Falls. I really wanted to see her, even if just from a distance.

So I planned to go see her, just a glimpse would be enough.

But I didn't find her. That was when I realized the necklace was no longer with her.

I got the necklace back and eventually tracked down the person who took her stuff, getting her phone back.

During those days, I comforted myself with the phone's location, knowing she was in Riverdale Falls, not far from me, and she was okay.

But she wasn't there. Emily had been far, far away from me for a long time.

After returning to Starlight City, I was in unbearable pain and had to numb myself with alcohol. I often stayed in bars all night, not keeping track of how much I drank.

When I was drunk, I grabbed Jason's shirt and asked him, "Where is Emily?"

"She's in Seabreeze Harbor," he said.

I immediately grabbed my coat and staggered towards the door.

Jason stopped me, pressing me down on the sofa.

He said seriously, "Emily is doing well now, working at a small clinic. The clinic is run by my friend's grandfather, and I asked them to look out for her. Don't disturb her. Let her do what she loves. Emily will only be happy doing what she loves. She will only find her value through her own efforts."

Jason once again brought me back to my senses.noveldrama

But I was already in unbearable pain, feeling worse than death, so I just grabbed the bottle and kept drinking.

Jason probably felt sorry for me and wrote me a note.

Jason: [This is my Facebook and password. Over the years, I've been helping her as Seagull, staying in touch with her, but she never knew Seagull was me. I'm giving you this Facebook in exchange for a promise: don't disturb her until she achieves her dreams and you can provide her with stability.]

With this Facebook account, I finally got in touch with Emily. Even though she didn't know it was me talking to her, I felt comforted. At least I could learn about her situation and know that she was working hard to start her own business. I could share in the joys of her entrepreneurial journey and offer advice when she hit a snag.

Emily would discuss medical issues with me. When I didn't have the answers, I'd frantically call Jason for help, then relay the info back to her.

But soon, this way of interacting wasn't enough, especially knowing she was pregnant. I worried about her and wanted to see her. Unless I saw for myself that she was okay, I couldn't be at ease.

I wouldn't break my promise to Jason. I just wanted to see her secretly.

On the plane to Seabreeze Harbor, I ran into Faris.

Faris had business in Seabreeze Harbor. Of course, he had business in more places than just Seabreeze Harbor. I could guess his purpose for suddenly going there.

As we got off the plane, he called out to me.

Faris said, "Since you're on my turf, let's find some time for a drink. My treat?"

"Sure," I said.

The first thing I did after leaving the airport was find that clinic.

I didn't dare show up unannounced. Luckily, I saw a hotel across from the clinic and got a room there. The room faced the clinic, and I could even see the residential building behind it. Emily had told me on Facebook that she was researching the market these days. I saw her return to the clinic in the evening.

Emily walked slowly, supporting her back, looking tired.

After entering the clinic, about half an hour later, a light came on in a room on the third floor of the building behind it. She appeared in my sight again.

Her computer was by the window. Once she sat down, she was engrossed in her work for a long time.

Although I couldn't see her expression, I could imagine her face glowing with determination as she pursued her dreams.

I thought it was right not to disturb her. But thinking about her already swollen belly, I felt uneasy.

The surrounding lights gradually went out as it got late, but her light remained on.

I thought for a moment and then opened Facebook to ask about her entrepreneurial progress. I watched her seriously reply on her phone.

I texted her: [Starting a business isn't something that happens overnight. Don't rush it; take it step by step. Remember, health is the foundation of everything. Go to bed early, and don't forget, you're carrying a baby.] She replied: [You're right. Health is the foundation of everything. I'm going to sleep now. Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll keep working hard!]

Sure enough, after a while, the light went out.

I smiled in satisfaction, even though her obedience wasn't directed at me.

The next day, while she was out, I went into the clinic and found Aron. I took out $100,000, hoping he would support her business in his name.

That evening, I got a call from Faris, inviting me for a drink.

Following the address he gave, I arrived at the Sunset Haven Club. Guided by a waiter, I reached an open-air balcony in a suite.

A coffee table was set up on the balcony, with some drinks and snacks on it.

The night air was cool, and drinking under the starry sky was indeed pleasant.

It was strange that two people who were once on opposing sides could now sit together peacefully and drink.

Maybe it was because we had revealed our true identities and shared a sense of justice. Putting aside personal grudges, I began to see Faris with a bit of admiration and respect. I believed he felt the same about me; otherwise, I wouldn't be sitting here today.

Faris poured me a drink, fulfilling his role as host, but his words were strong.

Faris said seriously, "I can buy you a drink, but I won't allow you to hurt Emily again."

I appreciated his straightforwardness.

I picked up my glass, clinked it with his, and after taking a sip, I said, "Emily is my wife. You need to recognize that fact at all times."

He leaned back, swirling his glass.

Faris asked, "Then why don't you go see her openly?"

"She needs space and freedom," I said calmly.

Faris took a sip of his drink and said with a smile, "You're always worried I'll take her away, aren't you? Actually, you took her from me. When we were kids, my father and her father arranged a marriage for us over drinks. Whether they were serious or not, I took it seriously at the time. If it weren't for what happened later, which left me unable to pursue any relationship, you might never have had a chance."

I remained silent. Honestly, being able to marry Emily always felt unbelievable to me. It seemed more like a divine arrangement, a way for me to make up for the love she had missed over the years.

After several drinks, Faris's emotions became more genuine, and his smile turned bitter.

Faris said, "Let me tell you, having her is truly a blessing. I don't see myself as any less than you, but she never wavered. You don't need to doubt her; she's a determined girl with a strong sense of purpose."