Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Mary stormed in, fuming. "Emily, what really went down with your dad's car accident? Was it Victor's doing?"

She yanked me out of my chair, pointing at Ethan, looking like she was ready to start a fight.

Victor had been in prison for a few months now, and Ethan and I were trying to move on. But Mary just had to come in and rip open old wounds. Ethan put down his guitar, his happy mood gone, replaced by a cold, hard stare at Mary.

I shook off her hand. "Mary, you know the whole story and how it ended. There's no point in dragging it up again. It's over."

Kyle walked in behind her. "Emily, how can my mom not be upset when she thinks your dad died unfairly? And you're living with Victor's son?"

Mary stomped her foot and started crying. "My poor brother and sister-in-law died so unfairly. That heartless murderer took their lives without a second thought!"

Her words felt like needles stabbing into my heart. They must've hurt Ethan too.

"Enough!" I shouted.

Mary stopped crying, wiped her tears, and put on a heartbroken look.

"Mary, when my dad had his accident, you weren't this upset. Who are you putting on this show for now?"

People always thought I was the one who kept quiet and took everything. Mary probably didn't expect me to speak up.

After a moment of silence, Mary kept going on about her deep bond with her brother.

"Emily, how can you say that? We didn't know the cause of his death back then, but now we do. How can I be at peace? And you're living with Victor's son. Your dad would never rest easy knowing this." They were trying to push Ethan and me into a corner.

"How much money do you want?" Ethan asked quietly.

Mary's crying stopped, and she and Kyle exchanged a look. Ethan had hit the mark.

But Mary was smart. She wouldn't ask for money outright. Instead, she acted all noble. "Money? You think you can buy us off? That was my brother's life!"

"Ten thousand dollars, is that enough?" Ethan ignored her act and named a price.

Mary's face lit up for a second, but she quickly hid it.

"Victor killed my brother, and now you're with Emily, and she has given you children."

Mary's accusing eyes turned to me.

"Emily, I know you're doing well now, you have money, but you can't forget the past. You can't forget how your dad died."

"Thirty thousand dollars," Ethan said calmly.

Mary's eyes widened, and she swallowed hard, exchanging a look with Kyle. Thirty grand was a lot of money for Mary and Kyle.

I could see right through their act. Remembering how indifferent they were back then and seeing their shameless behavior now, I didn't want to give them a single cent.

"This thirty thousand is because you're still Emily's elder. Push any further, and you won't get a dime."

Mary knew better than to keep making a scene. But after all that fuss, she had to save face somehow.

So she switched gears, playing the elder card and trying to justify herself.

"You can't blame me for being emotional. Who wouldn't be angry in my shoes? But now that you have kids, what more can I say as an elder? I can't let the children suffer. Just treat Emily well. She's had a tough life. Don't make it harder for her." I couldn't stand the hypocrisy anymore and quickly wrote a check for thirty thousand dollars.

"Mary, if you cause trouble again, I won't be so nice."

Seeing how serious I was, Mary reached for the check, still wanting to say something fake. I pulled my hand back, and she, afraid the check would slip away, hurriedly took it and left with Kyle.

My good mood was shot, and I felt really down.

Ethan, though, seemed unfazed. He sat down, picked up his guitar, and started singing to the kids.

The sun dimmed, and it got a bit cooler. I went upstairs to grab jackets for the kids and one of Ethan's suits since he was dressed lightly.

Feeling something in his pocket, I curiously took it out.

It was a jewelry box, and inside was a diamond ring.

I thought, 'What's Ethan planning with this secretly bought diamond ring? It's not my birthday, Valentine's Day, an anniversary, or any special occasion.'

I quietly put the ring back in the pocket and took the jacket downstairs.

He took the suit and put it on without mentioning the ring.

After a while, the nanny took the kids inside for a nap.

Thinking about Mary's earlier words and the ring, I felt distracted.

Ethan suddenly started playing and singing again.

His voice was cheerful, and I knew he was trying to lift my spirits.

After a few lines, the tune slowed down, and Ethan's gaze softened.

After finishing the love song, he gently strummed the guitar strings and looked deeply into my eyes, saying, "Honey, I've been thinking about something."

His passionate gaze drew me in like a magnet.

"What?"

"I owe you a wedding."

I thought, 'So Ethan is planning the ring for a wedding?'

But he didn't take out the ring. Maybe he was waiting for a better moment or making some preparations.

A few days later, one afternoon, my assistant came to my office and said there was a dispute between two female clients, and one of them was very assertive and insisted on filing a complaint with me. Following my assistant's lead, I headed from the headquarters to the store and found out the client wanting to complain was Faye.

She had a wealthy husband backing her now, and it showed. Everything she wore screamed luxury.

Seeing me, she crossed her arms and gave a smug smile.

"Ms. Russell, I didn't know The Emoire Artistry Group was so popular. Do you really need an appointment and wait in line for a treatment?"

I glanced at the store manager, who looked helpless.

I looked back at Faye calmly. "Of course, you need an appointment. It's to save our clients' time. Everything works on a first-come, first-served basis. Without appointments and queues, it would be chaos."

Faye dismissed my explanation and slowly pulled out a card, acting all high and mighty.

"I just got a diamond membership card today. Since I haven't experienced The Emoire Artistry Group's services, I wanted to try it now. Do I still need an appointment?"

The store manager stepped forward to explain.

"Ms. Russell, here's the situation. All the other beauticians were busy, and Ms. Taylor saw that a senior beautician had a 'resting' sign. She wanted that beautician to do her treatment, but Ms. William had already booked this time last week. The beautician was waiting for Ms. William. Just as Ms. William arrived, Ms. Taylor insisted that the beautician serve her first."

I looked at Ms. William, a woman in her forties sitting on the sofa, silently flipping through a magazine.

I glanced at Faye and then walked over to Ms. William, extending my hand politely.

"Hello, Ms. William."

Ms. William put down the magazine, stood up, and shook my hand with an elegant smile.

"Hello, Ms. Russell."

I smiled. "Ms. William, how did your husband like the men's facial mask we sent him last time?"

Ms. William laughed. "He loved it. He boasted that he looked a few years younger after using it, and I must say his skin did improve a lot. He asked me to thank you, saying you're young and capable, with a meticulous and thoughtful mind." I turned back and saw Faye's embarrassed, flushed face. I told the store manager, "Bring me the appointment records."

She quickly brought them over. I glanced at them and then checked my watch.

"Ms. William, your appointment was at two o'clock. It's now two fifty. We've delayed you for almost an hour. Ms. William, I sincerely apologize. We'll offer you three complimentary sessions of today's service. You can book them anytime. If you still have time now, I'll arrange for you to be served immediately."

Ms. William was very satisfied with this outcome and said with a smile, "No wonder The Emoire Artistry Group is growing so fast. Ms. Russell, you really know how to handle things."

The store manager quickly arranged for the beautician to attend to Ms. William.

I walked over to Faye. The once haughty woman now looked pale, realizing she was in the wrong.

I said calmly, "Ms. Taylor, thank you for trusting The Emoire Artistry Group and choosing our services. Just a friendly reminder: it's best to book three days in advance to avoid wasting each other's time. Also..."

I stepped closer and lowered my voice, "Many influential people come to our stores. Spending your husband's money to make enemies for him isn't a good idea."

Faye's face turned red and white, but knowing she was in the wrong, she didn't say anything more.

Back at the headquarters, it was already three-thirty.

As soon as I entered my office, I saw a large bouquet of blue roses on my desk.

My relationship with Ethan had never been public, and many people didn't know about us. Many thought I was single, so I often received flowers from admirers.

I picked up the bouquet and took out the card inside.

It read: [Honey, I'd like to have a candlelight dinner with you. Would you honor me with your presence?]

He had left the hotel's address at the end.

The earlier unpleasantness caused by Faye quickly faded away. I replaced the violets on my desk with the blue roses.

I leaned in to smell them, and the faint fragrance seemed to seep into my heart.

As the workday neared its end, I took out my makeup bag and touched up my makeup in the mirror.

It seemed to be the first time Ethan had formally invited me like this. I had a vague idea of what he might be planning, and I felt a bit nervous but also very excited.

At the end of the workday, I drove straight to the hotel. The waiter led me to the room he had reserved.

The room was covered with rose petals, tall candles were lit on the long dining table, and there was red wine and champagne. Romantic, soothing music played from the speakers.

But Ethan hadn't arrived yet.

I thought to myself, 'Am I too eager, arriving before him? Should I leave and come back when he arrives? Forget it, why overthink it? Between a married couple, it doesn't matter who waits for whom.' With that thought, I pulled out a chair and sat down at the dining table.

The candlelight illuminated my face and eyes. Even from a distance, it felt like it was warming me, making my blood flow faster.

I thought to myself, 'Is he going to propose? He mentioned that he owes me a wedding.'

I felt like a girl going on a date with her lover, nervous and excited.

I checked the time for the first time. It was six forty-five, and he had said seven o'clock.

I thought he should be arriving soon.

I was probably too nervous, feeling a bit restless. Seeing that a few candles were slightly askew, I got up to adjust them gently. Seven o'clock came, but he still hadn't arrived.

Five minutes, ten minutes passed. As my anxiety grew, I had already waited for half an hour, and Ethan still hadn't arrived.