Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

The officer was resolute. Though Aaron was clearly displeased, he couldn't afford a direct confrontation with law enforcement in front of so many guests. He simply asked the officer not to frighten his guests.

The police began searching every corner while the guests sat in uncomfortable silence.

Emily moved closer to Faris, feeling anxious. He patted her shoulder reassuringly, showing no sign of nervousness or panic. He even casually poured himself a glass of red wine.

The police did make a discovery-a pregnant woman who had initially escaped notice. She had asked to use the bathroom, likely attempting to flee, but her nervousness betrayed her when the package hidden under her clothes fell to the floor.

When the police opened the package, they found a substantial amount of cocaine— irrefutable evidence. However, this incident had no impact on Aaron, as the woman immediately claimed full responsibility.

After this disruption, Aaron couldn't regain his earlier jovial mood. The guests no longer had the appetite to continue with dinner and drinks, and the party dissolved.

Following the incident, Aaron maintained his routine-golfing with friends, fishing, working out seemingly unaffected by what had transpired.

Once, at the golf course, Aaron specifically asked Mason to invite Faris along. Faris played exceptionally well, earning repeated praise from Aaron for being talented and young. The atmosphere was cordial.

Privately, however, Mason confided to Faris and Emily that Aaron no longer trusted him. Since the incident, Aaron had stopped discussing business matters with him—a clear sign of suspicion, based on his years of experience with the man.

In truth, Mason was a prime suspect for what happened at the birthday party.

Being well-versed in the underworld, Mason understood that Aaron was a wolf in sheep's clothing-the more casual he appeared on the surface, the more likely he was plotting behind your back.

Mason explained that he once had his own network of connections, but after years in prison, many of his former associates had abandoned him. Now his only trusted confidant was Max Carter, whom Faris and Emily had met the same Max who knew Emily was Mason's daughter.

Mason warned Faris that if Aaron were to move against him, he would have little defense. Should anything happen to him, he implored Faris to take care of Emily.

Emily was terrified hearing her father talk this way.

She said, "Dad, you've already paid the price once. Please don't get involved in this again. My brother and I need you-you can't get into trouble again."

Mason sighed heavily. "Once I go down that path, there's no turning back. I genuinely planned to work properly with Aaron, but he no longer trusts me. Honestly, I regret introducing you to him. With Faris's talents, you could make good money legitimately. The other way brings quick cash, but you spend your life looking over your shoulder- sometimes money's not worth the cost. Besides, Aaron is greedy and lecherous. I noticed how he looked at Emily that night-he clearly has designs on her. Emily, it's best if you stay away from him."

After this conversation, Emily lived in constant fear. Meanwhile, doctors informed her they hadn't found a suitable heart donor, and her brother might not have much time left.

Torn between worrying about her father and her brother, she grew visibly haggard.

Faris, not wanting her to dwell on these concerns, encouraged her to rest in his apartment. During this period, he made a point of coming home every day to be with her.

Emily often thought how fortunate she was to have Faris.

Two weeks after the birthday party incident, Emily spent an entire day trying to reach Mason, but his phone remained unanswered.

That night, Faris was unusually late coming home. She felt restless, afraid something had happened.

The wind howled fiercely outside, rattling the windows like a banshee's wail.

Just after ten, unable to wait any longer, Emily grabbed her coat and headed out to find Faris.

Just as she left the building, she saw headlights flash nearby-Faris's car.

In the darkness, he probably hadn't seen her as he drove directly toward the garage. Emily followed on foot. As she reached the garage entrance, she heard Faris's voice. Following the sound, she spotted him leaning against his car, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a phone.

She initially intended to hurry to him and ask about her father, but when she heard him mention Mason and Aaron, she instinctively slowed her steps.

Faris hadn't noticed her he surely hadn't expected her to be there. Normally at this hour, she would be waiting obediently at home.

He said, "Aaron is far too cunning to trust me easily, but Mason seems to have dropped his guard. However, after that incident at the birthday party, Aaron likely suspects Mason, so I doubt Mason will get access to any significant information anymore..."

Emily felt as if struck by lightning, completely frozen. Whatever else Faris said was lost to her; his figure blurred in her vision as tears streamed down her face like broken pearls.

Faris ended the call and turned, suddenly seeing Emily.

Her first instinct was to run.

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Since coming into Faris's life, she had only ever wanted to be closer to him. Now, for the first time, she wanted nothing more than to escape to get as far away from him as possible.

As she bolted from the garage, Faris caught her and hoisted her over his shoulder.

The entire way back, Emily cried and struggled, pounding her fists against him, but her resistance didn't break his stride. He carried her back to the apartment.

Once inside, Emily lunged at him, clutching his arm, sobbing and demanding answers. His only response was silence.

Her hands slowly slid down his arms until she collapsed on the floor, her disheveled hair hiding her heartbroken expression but not the despair and anguish consuming

her.

That night marked a cruel dividing line from loving someone to hating them, the transition brutally sudden. It was like climbing a mountain path toward beautiful vistas, only to encounter a sheer cliff face that sent her plummeting into an abyss.

Emily said she wanted to leave. Faris told her to stay put and go nowhere.

She clutched at his pant leg, tears falling onto the floor, her voice hoarse, "Now that my father can no longer provide you with the information you want, I'm of no use to you. Please let me go-give me that last shred of dignity."

Faris helped her up from the floor. She trembled like a paper doll, barely able to stand.

He carried her to bed, removed her shoes, and tucked her in.

Looking at her intently, he said deliberately, "Emily, I admit I had my motives, but I never wanted to hurt you. Listen to me you can't go anywhere right now. I'm doing this for your own good."

He left, taking her phone and keys, locking all doors and windows.

As he closed the door, she took one last look at the man she had once adored. Tears slid from the corners of her eyes, dampening the pillow.

During her confinement, Faris went out daily but always returned to personally prepare her three meals. He would guide her to the table and place utensils in her hand.

She had no appetite. He coaxed and pleaded with her to eat. Once, such attention would have left her drowning in happiness. Now, she felt no joy or excitement-only heartache and desolation.

One evening during dinner, Faris's phone rang. After glancing at Emily, he stepped onto the balcony to take the call.

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Instinct told Emily the call might concern her or her father, but he said very little, leaving her unable to guess what the caller had said.

When Faris returned, he specifically checked her bowl, noting she hadn't eaten.

"Emily," he said, "don't forget-you still have your brother."

Emily slowly raised her eyes to him and whispered, "Then let me see him."

Unable to bear her despondent expression, Faris looked away. "Now isn't the time."

Emily stared at him, tears welling in her eyes. "Tell me, when will it be time? All I want is

to see my father and brother-when will that be possible? Are you afraid I'll betray you? I'll swear an oath if that's what it takes."

She blinked, and tear tracks streamed down her face.

Faris went to her, taking her in his arms, his hand repeatedly stroking her back. "Don't

be like this. Just give me a little time."

Emily remained in his embrace, neither resisting nor sobbing.

She had cried herself out over these days and had no strength left for more. Silentnoveldrama

tears and refusal to eat were her only remaining expressions of grief.

Faris stayed at the apartment that night, leaving only the next day. He still wouldn't let

her leave.

Emily stood by the window, watching Faris drive away. She waited about ten more minutes until she saw someone passing below.

Seeing an opportunity, she called down to them, explaining she'd accidentally been locked in her apartment and her phone was dead. She asked if they could call a

locksmith.

The person kindly agreed. Emily urged them to ask the locksmith to hurry, as she didn't know when Faris might return.

While waiting, she went to her room to gather some belongings.

She had little to take most things there weren't hers. She only took gifts Faris had

given her, including the recently tailored evening gown she'd worn to Aaron's birthday

party.

The locksmith finally arrived. The lock was complex, taking considerable time to open. After so many days, Emily finally stepped out of that apartment.