Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

When Ethan said that, I clammed up, which made him chuckle.

"Why me? You have plenty of options," I asked, looking him in the eye, wanting the truth.

Ethan's playful look vanished. "You want the truth?"

I nodded.

"Because you're simple," he said.

"Simple?" I echoed.

Ethan sat on the bed's edge, lifting his head slightly. "Yeah, you're straightforward, unlike other women with all their complicated thoughts. Being with you is relaxing. I married you for who you are, nothing else." He spoke slowly and calmly, but I felt a twinge of disappointment.

Few people could analyze feelings so clearly. Overly rational folks in relationships could be scary.

I didn't expect that after crawling out of a messy marriage, I'd jump back in the next day.

Not because Ethan slept with me, but because of his grandfather's wish, his honest view of love, and because I was genuinely moved by him, thinking we could grow from liking to loving each other.

I didn't expect to run into Arthur, my ex-husband, at City Hall the day after our divorce. But sometimes, life was just that coincidental.

Ethan's car had just pulled up, and before I got out, I saw them.

Vivian was stepping out of the car in front, wearing a top with a plunging neckline, practically spilling out as she walked. She seemed happy, clinging to Arthur's arm. Looked like he had already won her over. "Emily, I'm the one beside you now. Be confident," Ethan's steady voice broke in.

I turned to look at Ethan, who was quietly watching me. He must have showered this morning; his hair was still a bit damp.

Today, Ethan was dressed sharply, his white shirt perfectly ironed, cuffs rolled up slightly, showing off a fancy watch. And his face was captivating from any angle.

Ethan must have seen Arthur and Vivian too and noticed the sadness in my eyes.

He was right. Having such a great guy as my husband was something to be proud of. So, I decided to face them head-on.

Getting out of the car, we headed to the same place and ran into each other at the entrance. Since I had already seen them, I was much calmer compared to their surprise.

"Emily, what are you doing here?" Vivian clung to Arthur's arm like I might steal him away.

I smiled and grabbed Ethan's arm. "Whatever you're here for, same for me."

Arthur's eyes darted between us, looking shocked that Ethan was really marrying me.

Vivian's face twisted from disbelief to jealousy, then to her usual mocking. "Didn't think someone dumped would still be wanted."

I was used to Vivian's jabs. But since Arthur had dumped me, Ethan was also getting dragged into this, and it might happen again.

I glanced at Ethan, seeing his face darken like he was about to snap.

I didn't want him to lose it over these jerks, so I tightened my grip on his arm and calmly said to Vivian, "Yeah, Arthur dumped me, but that doesn't mean he won't dump you too. He's done it once, right?" Vivian's face reddened, but she had no comeback.

Ethan's eyes softened when he looked at me. "Let's go. They're not worth it."

They really weren't. Ignoring them, I held Ethan's arm as we walked into City Hall, with Vivian and Arthur trailing behind.

It was a busy day, lots of people registering, and there was even a line.

As soon as we entered, a young guy in a suit approached Ethan respectfully. "Mr. Windsor, this way, please. We know your time is valuable, so we've arranged for someone to handle your registration." We followed him, drawing envious looks from the line. I felt proud, and Ethan's mystery deepened for me.

As we sat down, I kept sneaking glances at him. He stayed calm despite the special treatment.

While the staff processed our papers, I looked out the window. Vivian seemed upset by the unequal treatment, arguing with Arthur, who was trying to calm her down, but she wasn't having it. Seeing Arthur grovel to please Vivian, I felt a bit sorry for him. When he eventually lost his self-respect in front of her, I wondered if he'd still think today's choice was the right one.

When the staff handed me the marriage certificate, it felt surreal. Ethan and I were now legally married. Less than twenty-four hours after my divorce, I had registered with another man. It was so crazy. But that's exactly what happened. Since Ethan barged into my life, everything's been a whirlwind. My world flipped upside down because of him.

As we left, Arthur and Vivian were still in line. Vivian, clearly annoyed, couldn't resist a jab. "You're just a commoner, thinking you can change your life by marrying up. How naive."

From divorce to remarriage in a day, no wonder she thought that. But she had stolen my husband and was marrying because she was pregnant. Not exactly a win.

I didn't want to respond, but then Ethan asked, "Emily, how big is that old house of yours in Broadway Alley?"

I was puzzled. "It's probably over 800 square feet. Why?"

Ethan said calmly, "I heard that area is about to be developed. Your house will likely be demolished, and you should get a substantial compensation, at least $400,000, and probably a new house as well." 'Development? Demolition? I haven't heard anything about that,' I thought.

Arthur and Vivian's faces changed noticeably.

Vivian looked jealous and hateful, while Arthur seemed regretful. If he had known my old house was worth so much, he might not have been so quick to divorce me.NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

I knew Ethan was just trying to help me out. He suddenly put his hand on my shoulder affectionately. "I'll have a lawyer notarize your property later. What's yours, I won't take a single dollar. But my property is yours, and you can take whatever you want."

I was shocked, staring at him. "Isn't that a big loss for you? Why?"

Ethan smiled charmingly and said, "Because you're my wife, and I naturally want to treat you well!"

His words were so touching that my face blushed. The word "wife" reminded me of our new relationship.

At that moment, I got various looks-envy, jealousy, hatred. Most people probably thought, 'How could someone as ordinary as her deserve a prince charming like him?' But he was spoiling me, and he did it so openly.

Back in the car, I kept staring at the marriage certificate, feeling like it was all too unreal. Ethan suddenly snatched it away, laughing. "Stop staring at it. I'm right here, your husband.."

I took a deep breath, looking at Ethan, trying to suppress my inner turmoil. "Ethan, you were really good at lying earlier. What about the demolition? It was impressive at the time, but what if you're exposed later? Are you going to drive an excavator yourself to tear down Broadway Alley?"

Ethan couldn't stop laughing and gently pinched my cheek. "I'm not joking. I was telling the truth."

I stared at him suspiciously. "How do you know so much?"

He smiled without saying anything, started the car, and said, "Let's move."

"Move where?" I didn't react immediately.

Ethan reached over and affectionately ruffled my hair. "You're already my wife. Do you still want to live in that old house? I won't let you suffer."

I suddenly realized that Ethan seemed like a master in the art of love. He was incredibly good at coaxing women.

After a moment of daze, I forced a smile and said, "You married me to fulfill your grandfather's wish. I know that. In front of your family, I'll cooperate with you. You've helped me a lot, so it's only right for me to help you. You don't have to feel indebted to me or bear any pressure."

Ethan suddenly braked hard, and I lurched forward, looking at him in surprise.

Ethan silently looked at me, and after a while, he lightly smiled and slowly said, "Everyone who knows me knows that I rarely treat any woman well. I'm good to you not because I slept with you. Just like I told you that night, I don't want you to suffer, Emily. You may have gone through many hardships before, but from now on, those hardships are over. Not because our relationship has changed, but because I just want to be good to you."

He meant that he was good to me not because I helped him or because of our current marital status. It might not even be about love, but he just wanted to be good to me, without any reason. In fact, he did have a reason, but it was many years later that I finally understood it.

I initially thought it was too abrupt to move in with him, but Ethan said he was afraid his family would check on us, and if they found out we weren't living together, it would blow our cover.

So, I eventually moved into his house, the same villa he brought me to when I was drunk.

Actually, I was very conflicted along the way. 'Will I have to share a bed with him? Although we are technically husband and wife, our relationship hasn't reached that stage emotionally. It will be too awkward, right?'