Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Jason looked up at Lacey, his eyes wet and hollow.

"I know this hurts," she said softly. "But healing takes time. As a doctor, you understand that better than anyone. Even if the worst happens and David never remembers, at least you have each other now."

Jason abandoned the beer and lay back on the grass, gazing at the distant night sky.

"My dad's first house was in Broadway Alley-a cheap second-hand place. It wasn't much, but it was in the city. My mom later told me they didn't care about living in the city or countryside, but they wanted better schools for me."

He continued, his voice growing distant. "A few years later, my dad said the house was too old and too small. He wanted something bigger, so he worked himself to the bone, leaving early and coming home late. But I never cared about the size of our home I just wanted us to be happy together."

"When my dad finally had his opportunity and made some money, he bought a bigger house. But he changed. He used to always defer to my mom, but after making money, he became this domineering man. He used to ask about my studies regularly, but those questions came less and less, even as the wall filled with my achievement certificates. Once, his pride came from my accomplishments. Later, it was all about how he'd built everything from nothing."

"If I could go back, I wouldn't want any big house. I'd just want my father back-the one who cared about my mom and me, who valued our family before ambition consumed him."

This was perhaps the most Jason had ever shared with her at once. If not for the alcohol, he might have kept these feelings bottled up.

Lacey hugged her knees to her chest, smiling ruefully. "I'm not much better off. My mom took Richard and left when he was very young. It was just my dad and me, but I was determined to prove something if fate was going to deal me this hand, I wouldn't surrender."

Jason lay motionless with his arm draped over his eyes, his breathing imperceptible.

Lacey glanced at him, then at the beer can in her hand. Compelled by something she couldn't name, she lifted it to her lips and drank.

Beer wasn't pleasant, but the sensation of intoxication was wonderful-Lacey unrcretsitveriths wen!!

After finishing half the can, her head began to feel light. A cool breeze made her shiver, but Jason remained frozen in the same position.

She nudged him gently. "Get up. You'll catch cold lying like that."

When he didn't move, Lacey leaned closer and moved his arm away from his face. She was shocked to find his sleeve completely soaked with tears.

Something crashed against her heart, making it difficult to breathe.

She wiped his tears with her sleeve, her voice breaking. "Don't be like this. We may seem pitiful, but we're also fortunate. You had your mom who loved you; I had my dad. Perhaps no one gets everything. Besides, your dad doesn't remember, but that doesn't mean he doesn't love you. He does love you."

"I never felt sorry for myself all these years my dad was gone," Jason whispered, trying

to control the tremor in his voice. "If he hadn't suddenly appeared-standing before

me without recognizing me I wouldn't have felt this pitiful."

His words were soft, but his tears betrayed him. Since he couldn't hide them, he stopped trying and let them fall silently.

Seeing Jason so vulnerable made Lacey's heart ache. With trembling hands, she cradled his face.

She said softly, "Jason, don't do this. Everything will be okay. I'll stay with you through all of it."

Emboldened by the alcohol, she gathered her courage and slowly pressed her quivering lips to his.

Lacey wanted to comfort him with a kiss, to show him that at least one person in this world loved him. Though a powerhouse in her career, she had almost no experience in matters of the heart. All she had was her pure love for him-uncomplicated, without conditions or ulterior motives.

Though intoxicated, Jason wasn't completely unaware. He gripped her shoulders, attempting to create distance. Sensing his resistance, Lacey held him tighter and deepened the kiss, refusing to be denied.

Even Lacey felt somewhat shameless in her persistence, but she continued anyway. She

only knew that in this moment, Jason needed her-someone to comfort him.

Jason gazed at the full moon above, his expression shifting from resistance to confusion, from restraint to surrender.

Just as Lacey was about to retreat from the lack of response, Jason suddenly flipped her onto her back, transforming from passive to dominant.

Lacey was startled-unsure whether from surprise or delight. She even wondered if he was acting from intoxication.

The moonlight spilled from behind Jason onto Lacey's face, so bright she could barely keep her eyes open.

After an intense kiss, Jason didn't proceed further.

"I'm sorry," he whispered breathlessly against her shoulder.

"Do you... know who I am?" she asked anxiously.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke, "Lacey, you don't have to do all this."

Hearing him say her name filled her with contentment.

"I want to," she replied, her smile more radiant than a rose blooming in moonlight.

Jason slowly lay down beside her, his arm still around her shoulders.

"Am I worth it?" he asked.

"Yes," she answered without hesitation.

They lay quietly for a while, both watching the full moon above.

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Lacey cherished this moment.

If life could always remain this peaceful, without complications, how wonderful that would be.

As the night breeze dispelled some of their intoxication, they walked back together from the grove.

In the woods, moonlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, creating dappled shadows.

Momentarily distracted, Lacey stepped into a hollow and stumbled. A hand quickly caught her waist, preventing her fall.

Though Jason released her after just seconds, the ripples in Lacey's heart wouldn't subside.

Many people described her as a strong woman whom no man could conquer.

In truth, she knew that no woman wants to be strong in matters of love. All women,

regardless of their nature, desire to be cherished in a relationship.

Back at the house, they retreated to their separate rooms.

Lying in bed, Lacey gazed at the moon through her window, unable to sleep.

She lightly touched her lips, recalling what had happened, amazed at her own boldness and impulsiveness.

Early the next morning, Jason went to buy clothes for David. The weather had turned cooler, and they needed warmer attire.

Lacey tidied up the house and accidentally discovered a small photo album on the desk. Flipping through it, she found many childhood pictures of Jason and Ethan.

After finishing her chores, Lacey took advantage of the pleasant weather to take David for a walk.

In the countryside, the air was fresh everywhere-something city life couldn't match.

They reached the riverbank where David, appearing tired, sat down on a large rock with Lacey's assistance.

"Do you remember this place?" Lacey asked him.

David stared at the river with a blank expression.

Patient, Lacey took out the photo album from her pocket.

"See if there's anyone familiar in here," she suggested.

David accepted the worn album and flipped through it page by page. At one particular

photograph, he paused.noveldrama

Noticing his prolonged attention, Lacey leaned over to look.

The black-and-white photograph showed a young woman.

If her guess was correct, it was Wendy in her youth.

David carefully removed the photo and gazed at it lovingly, his fingers gently caressing

the image.

In that moment, his eyes revealed a rare tenderness.

"Do you recognize her?" Lacey asked hopefully.

David smiled and said, "My mom."

Before Lacey could rejoice, a sudden gust of wind blew the photo from David's hand. She reached for it but missed, watching helplessly as it fluttered into the rushing river. David panicked, fixing his gaze on the photo as it was swept away. He began moving toward the water, but Lacey quickly blocked his path.

"Stay here," she urged. "I'll get it back for you, I promise!" Without hesitation, Lacey kicked off her shoes and waded into the river.

The autumn water was already quite cold. The river wasn't very deep, but it came up past her thighs, making Lacey shiver uncontrollably.

She stumbled through the water toward the direction of the drifting photo. After just a few steps, she tripped over a submerged rock and fell completely into the river.

"Be careful!" David called from the shore.

Standing up, Lacey was already soaked to the bone, but she continued pursuing the photo, falling several more times.

The photograph had become wedged between two rocks downstream. Seeing hope, Lacey moved quickly toward it but suddenly felt a sharp pain in her foot, as if something had pierced it. The pain made her unstable, and when she instinctively reached for a nearby rock to steady herself, her hand slipped on the moss-covered surface. She fell backward, her head striking hard against the stone.