Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Ethan floored it all the way to Bella's place, and the second I popped the car door open, I bolted for the elevator.

Oliver was right behind us, taking long strides to keep up.

"Isn't she hitched? Why's she still crashing here?"

Oliver looked chill, but the way he kept puffing on his cig gave away his nerves.

I shook my head; I was dying to know the answer to that too.

Bella's door was ajar. I pushed it open and there she was, curled up on the floor, looking like hell, with a big patch of her hair plastered to her sweaty forehead. "Bella, what's going on?"

I was shaking like a leaf, squatting down to shake her.

Bella barely opened her eyes, her lips moving as she whispered, "My stomach... it hurts so bad."

While I was freaking out, Oliver had already scooped her up and was making a beeline for the door.

The elevator lights were harsh, making Bella's pale face look even worse. I was a wreck, clutching her hand.

"Bella, hang in there. We're getting you to the hospital right now."

Oliver's face was like stone as he growled, "Where's Zachary?"

Bella just curled up tighter in Oliver's arms, wincing in pain, not saying a word.

We got Bella to the hospital in no time. The doc said it was acute appendicitis and she needed surgery, like, yesterday. The doc pulled out a consent form and looked at us.

"Who's signing?"

"I got it," Oliver said, stepping up.

"Are you a relative?" the doc asked, eyeing him.

Oliver was stumped for a second.

The doc sighed, "We need a direct relative to sign off. You gotta get her family here, pronto."

Oliver kicked the wall, leaving a scuff mark on the pristine white surface.

"What kind of BS rule is that? Can't you make an exception? What if there's no family around? She just has to suffer?"

The doc looked pained, "We have our protocols. Please understand."

I remembered Bella had used Zachary's phone to call me. I found the number and dialed it. Less than twenty minutes later, Zachary showed up.

He walked over, gave Oliver a quick glance, then zeroed in on me.

"Where's Bella?"

I pointed to the operating room. "She's in there. Acute appendicitis. Needs surgery ASAP. They're waiting for you to sign. Hurry."

The doc asked him, "Who are you to the patient?"

Zachary straightened up and said, "I'm her husband."

The doc handed him the form, "Sign here so we can get started."

Zachary grabbed the pen and scribbled his name down in a flash.

Handing the form back, he asked the doc, "Can I see her? I wasn't here earlier, and she might be freaked out."

The doc nodded, "Make it quick."

Zachary followed him into the operating room.

Oliver leaned against the wall, chest heaving with frustration. I got it; if things had gone differently, he'd be the one signing that form and comforting Bella.

Instead, he was sidelined. He left before Zachary came out, hands shoved in his pockets, cigarette dangling from his lips, trying to play it cool, but his slumped shoulders gave him away.

Over an hour later, they wheeled Bella out. She was still out cold from the anesthesia.

Even with Zachary there, I couldn't chill until Bella woke up. I told Ethan to head home, but he stuck around.

Bella looked so fragile. She used to be so full of life, but now she seemed so weak. I sat by her bed, holding her cold hand, my heart aching.

Half an hour later, Bella finally came to.

She blinked, looking a bit lost. "Emily, am I still alive?"

I felt a mix of relief and amusement. "It's just a surgery. You're not going anywhere."

Zachary, who had been sitting nearby, walked over when he heard her voice. He gently touched her cheek, his voice a mix of tenderness and authority, "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, Death won't dare come near you." Bella gave him a weak smile, then turned her head and saw Ethan. She immediately nudged me.

"Emily, you should go home. It's late. I'm okay now. You don't all need to stay."

Even though she was still pale and weak, she looked a lot better than before the surgery.

"See you tomorrow," I said.

We got home around one in the morning.

The next morning, when Ethan left, I took his car to the hospital to see Bella.

I ran into Zachary at the elevator. He said he was heading out to grab breakfast.

As soon as I stepped into the ward, Oliver followed. He stood a few steps from the bed, just staring at Bella. He seemed hesitant to get closer, just watching from a distance.

Bella looked back at him in silence.

He must've noticed Zachary was out and decided to come in.

I suddenly felt like I was intruding.

"I'll go for a walk," I said, turning to leave.

"No, Emily. Stay," Bella called out.

I turned back and walked over slowly.

Oliver stood there for a long time, like he was gathering his courage, before he finally walked to the bedside.

"How are you feeling after the surgery?" he asked, trying to sound calm.

Bella dropped her gaze, avoiding his eyes.

"I'm okay; it's just that my wound hurts a bit."

After that, the room fell into an awkward silence.

Bella suddenly cracked a smile and said, "Actually, my stomach still hurts a bit. Think the doc left any tools in there by mistake?" Her joke cut through the tension.

Oliver bit his lip, trying to hold back a laugh, but eventually, he couldn't help it.

"Yeah, right. The odds of that are like hitting the lottery. You really think you're special, huh?"

Bella and I exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

A bit later, the doc came in for rounds and asked Bella how she was feeling. She mentioned her stomach still hurt a bit.

After she pointed out where it hurt, the doc made a guess.

"You might have some inflammation in your uterus. I'll order a GU ultrasound to check it out."

Bella's face turned bright red, and she mumbled, "I don't want to do it."

The doc looked surprised and said, "For uterine issues, a GU ultrasound is more accurate than a regular one. Only unmarried women usually go for the regular ultrasound. You're married, so you can't still be a virgin, right?" The doc seemed to forget there were guys in the room, and his question was way too blunt.

Bella's face went beet red.

Oliver stared at Bella, waiting for her answer, with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

Bella lowered her head, hesitated for a long time, and softly said, "Yes."

I was floored.

The doc was also shocked, then seemed to realize something, and looked at Bella with sympathy.

"I understand."

The doc probably thought Zachary had some issues.

Oliver's eyes lit up, showing a mix of excitement and surprise, but he quickly masked it.

Zachary would be back soon with breakfast, so Oliver didn't stick around. He said to Bella, "Take care of yourself."

Oliver couldn't let her go.

After Oliver left, I asked, "Why aren't you living with Zachary?"

Bella suddenly laughed. "Isn't it weird? I thought Zachary had a bad temper, but after marrying him, I realized he doesn't. He didn't even object when I suggested living separately."

"If Zachary treats you so well, you should cherish him," I said.

Bella tilted her head back and sighed.

"Sometimes, I feel sorry for him. But I find it hard to sleep with him; it feels awkward."

"Because you still like Oliver," I said.

Bella stayed quiet for a while, then softly said, "So what if I like him? There are so many people in this world who like each other but never end up together. It's fate."

Just as she finished speaking, Zachary walked in, and our conversation came to an abrupt halt.

Zachary helped Bella sit up and tried to feed her, but Bella, clearly embarrassed, insisted on eating by herself.

From where I stood, Zachary seemed really good to her, attentive in every way.

After Bella finished breakfast, I decided to head out. Zachary called out to me as I reached the elevator.

I stopped and watched as he walked over.

"I know you're Bella's best friend and probably know her best. If you have time, would you go to the market with me?"

I was a bit surprised.

He smiled and explained, "I've noticed her appetite hasn't been great lately. Since I haven't known her for long, I don't know what she likes to eat."

I got what he was trying to do. Seeing how much he cared for Bella, I agreed to go to the market with him.

As we strolled through the market, I said, "Bella isn't too picky. She likes leafy greens and loves light soups. If there's soup with the meal, she'll probably eat more."

Zachary listened intently and finally nodded. "Got it."

Those two words hit me hard.

If I had been on Oliver's side before, I was now leaning towards Zachary. I used to doubt if Zachary was a good husband, but seeing him try for Bella, I realized it was probably out of love. After buying groceries, Zachary said he'd cook and asked me to take some fruit to Bella. He dropped me at the hospital. I took the fruit upstairs, washed it for Bella, and left.

In the elevator, I should have pressed the button for the first floor. But I hesitated and pressed the button for the fifth floor instead.

When I got to the fifth floor, I walked straight to a ward.

The door was open, and when I walked in, I found the bed empty, the blanket tossed aside. I remembered Faris had a cast on his leg and shouldn't be able to walk. Where could he have gone?

I turned around and was startled to see him at the door, leaning on a crutch with a cigarette in his mouth, looking at me with interest.

"I just went out to buy a pack of smokes. What? Came to see me? Missed me?" he teased.

I stared at his leg for a few seconds and said flatly, "Looks like you're almost recovered. You should be able to leave the hospital in a few days. I'm leaving now."

I tried to walk past him.

But he shifted his body slightly, deliberately blocking my way.

The doorway was narrow, and with his tall frame blocking it, I couldn't get out.

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

He smiled lazily. "Since you came all the way to see me, why rush to leave?"

He took a step forward, pressing me against the wall, and with a wave of his hand, the door slammed shut behind him.