Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

These words marked the end between Faye and me, and they were also my explanation to Fiona.

After I said my piece, I turned and walked away. Faye lunged forward, clinging desperately to my leg, crying her heart out.

"Ethan, I was wrong. Please don't do this. Don't leave me. I'm begging you, don't leave me," she pleaded.

The sound of the rain seemed like the saddest background music to her cries, sounding utterly hopeless.

I pried her fingers off one by one and left without looking back, leaving behind a cold and heartless remark. "You're grown up now. The road ahead is yours to walk alone," I said.

Then I drove away.

Driving Faye away was probably the last thing I could do for Fiona.

Back then, I was like a ticking time bomb, not knowing when I might suddenly explode. It was best for everyone around me to leave; staying away from me meant staying away from danger. On the way, the heavy rain gradually turned into a drizzle, pattering softly.

I felt very tired, a weariness that stemmed from my heart, spreading through my bloodstream to the tips of my limbs.

I had a bit of a headache, so I rolled down the car window, letting the cold wind mixed with raindrops rush in. At this moment, only the cold could keep me awake.

After finishing my last cigarette, I reached for another, only to find the pack empty.

At that moment, my craving for a cigarette hit hard. I threw away the empty pack, feeling very irritated without a smoke.

Driving into Starlight City, I passed by a small town.

It was already midnight. Through the fine rain, I saw a small shop still open by the roadside.

I parked the car by the roadside and walked into the shop.

The roller shutter was half down, so I had to bend over to get in.

Inside, a middle-aged couple sat around a stove, talking in low voices. My appearance interrupted their conversation.

The most expensive cigarettes they sold were $6 a pack. They said they didn't dare stock better ones because few people in town could afford them, and they wouldn't sell well.

The shopkeeper's wife handed me the cigarettes. Seeing me drenched, she looked surprised, glanced at the car parked outside, and then kindly said, "Sir, you're all wet. Come in and warm up by the fire. Be careful not to catch a cold."

I don't know why I sat down. Maybe it was the warm yellow light of the shop, or perhaps their simple, warm relationship that moved me.

So I sat down, deciding to finish a cigarette before leaving.

The shopkeeper's wife glanced outside again and sighed, "When will this rain ever stop? My daughter is getting married tomorrow. It can't rain like this. It's really worrying."

The shopkeeper chimed in, "It's past midnight. You should say today."

"Yes, today," the shopkeeper's wife agreed.

I looked at the plainly dressed shopkeeper's wife, who had gray hair at her temples.

"What's wrong with the rain?" I asked.

With a worried face, she replied, "Rain is not good. Sunny days are better. They represent a bright future."

I gave a faint smile, "That's just a superstition. Besides, it's not like the old days when you had to travel great distances to get married. Nowadays, the roads are good and transportation is convenient. Even if it rains, it's no big deal." The shopkeeper, who had been silent, spoke up. "That's true, but we still feel uneasy. We just want our daughter to have a good life. We all hope everything goes smoothly for her."

"Yes," the shopkeeper's wife continued, "we talked to several people, and they all thought today would be a convenient day for a wedding. So, several families in our village chose today for their weddings."

I had never believed in these things. If the person was right, nothing else mattered.

After finishing a cigarette, I got up to leave and bought another pack.

When I paid, I gave an extra hundred dollars. The shopkeeper's wife stared wide-eyed at the money I handed over.

"That's too much. A pack of cigarettes doesn't cost that much. Give me a bill, and I'll give you change," she said.

I placed the money on the counter and smiled faintly. "It's not much. Since your daughter is getting married, consider it a wedding gift from me. I wish them a lifetime of happiness together."

The shopkeeper, sitting nearby, also stood up in surprise. I had already turned and gotten into my car, driving away.

In the rearview mirror, the couple still stood at the door, looking in my direction.

I thought they might think I was a lunatic.

I sincerely hoped that all lovers in the world could end up together.

Back home, I finally took off the wet clothes I had worn for hours.

After taking a shower, I lay alone on the cold bed, feeling the entire room empty and lonely.

I turned on my phone, and the location showed Emily was still in Riverdale Falls.

Riverdale Falls was not far from here. Once I handled everything, I went to find her.

When I woke up in the morning, my head felt heavy. It was probably because of the rain last night.

After changing clothes, I opened the curtains and found that it had cleared up.noveldrama

The sun was shining brightly, a rare good weather.

Thinking of the couple who worried until midnight, I felt a bit of comfort.

They should be relieved now.

I found that it was only when people had nothing to lose that they became fearless. When someone took residence in their heart, they naturally became cautious, even believing in things they never had before. I switched to another car and went to pick up Dakato first.

She was already dressed in her wedding gown, with long hair and a heavy, intricate veil covering her face, making it impossible for others to see her features.

Arriving at the Grand International Hotel, I parked the car across the street, watching as many guests entered the hotel one after another.

Staring at the hotel entrance, I tapped on the keyboard, lost in thought.

"What's wrong?" Dakato asked me.

"I have a feeling we won't need to act out this scene," I said.

She asked, "Why?"

"Let's wait and see," I replied.

By 11 o'clock, I finally received a call from Dennis, his voice filled with excitement.

"Rhyns has been caught. He was at the toll station leaving the city."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

Dennis said, "You were right. He was hiding in a wedding convoy, trying to sneak out of Starlight City. It seems those suspicious people around the hotel the past few days were indeed his diversion."

I said, "Last night, I thought long and hard. For Rhyns, escaping is more important than revenge right now. As long as there's a glimmer of hope, he wouldn't choose to seek us out."

Dennis, excited, said, "We finally caught him. That's one big problem solved."

Squinting, I looked at the hotel entrance and said, "Check out who those suspicious people are."

"Got it."

After hanging up, I told Dakato, "Rhyns has been caught."

"That's great!"

Her expression was complex, a mix of excitement and perhaps a hint of disappointment. But I didn't pay much attention at the time because my feelings were equally complicated partly satisfaction from catching Rhyns, and partly guilt towards Emily.

I straightened my clothes and told Dakato, "Wait for me in the car for a bit. I'll take you back later."

I got out of the car, cigarette in hand, and walked across the street into the hotel.

The wedding venue was grandly decorated, yet still romantic and warm.

It was now 11:30 a.m., and most of the guests had arrived.

Seeing me enter, everyone greeted me. I nodded and smiled at them.

According to the schedule, I should be walking down the aisle with Emily at this time. However, at this moment, I was the only one walking down the aisle.

Having completed my mission, I should have felt relieved, but I didn't. I felt utterly exhausted.

I saw surprise in many people's eyes.

On one side of the stage, Oliver and Frank had arrived.

Taking a glass of wine from a waiter's tray, I calmly walked onto the stage. Standing in front of the microphone, I faced all the guests.

At that moment, the previously noisy venue fell silent.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming. I sincerely appreciate it. But today, I can only apologize. As you may have seen in the news, Emily is still mad at me and doesn't plan to cooperate with this wedding. Once I make it up to her, I'll invite you all to the wedding again. Consider today's meal my apology. Cheers," I said.

I downed the wine in one gulp, and there was a faint stir below.

As I put down the glass, the faces in front of me blurred. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, my vision was even more unclear, and my body felt increasingly light.

As I collapsed, Oliver and Frank, sitting on the side of the stage, rushed over to catch me.

When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

I had a rough idea why I was there it must have been because I got soaked in the rain last night and wore wet clothes for hours.

I really felt increasingly weak. I used to think I was made of iron, but now I seemed so fragile.

Dakato sat woodenly by the bed, lost in thought. It took her a while to realize I was awake.

"What's wrong? Do you have something on your mind?" I asked her.

She was silent for a while before saying softly, "Catching Rhyns means it's time for Faris and me to get a divorce."

"Divorce?"

Dakato nodded. "To protect me and to gain Rhyns' trust, Faris and I got married. I once suspected he was Lonehawk, but when Yanis was caught, I thought maybe he wasn't. I only confirmed it recently. But I think he had already guessed my identity."

Rhyns was caught, and each of us had paid a price to capture him.

"You've worked hard and sacrificed a lot," I said.

Dakato shook her head. "As long as we caught Rhyns, any price is worth it. But I suspect there's a mastermind behind Rhyns."