Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Bella glanced at the card.

It was a brand-new bank card, and she had no clue how much money was on it.

Her eyes shifted from the card to Oliver's face.

Bella sneered, "What's this supposed to mean? Charity? Or are you trying to rub it in that I missed out on you?"

Oliver bit his lip, his eyes suddenly looking hurt, and his voice got all raspy.

He said, "You didn't miss out. I've been waiting for you this whole time."

Bella looked away and said coldly, "I don't want it."

Oliver said helplessly to Bella's back as she walked into the kitchen, "I just don't want you to struggle so much."

When he handed her the card, he already figured she probably wouldn't take it, but he still did it, holding onto a tiny hope that he could change her mind.

It turned out that Bella was still the same, tough enough to be unkind even to herself.

When Bella finished washing the dishes and came out, Oliver was lying on the couch. He seemed a bit drunk but wasn't asleep; he was staring at the ceiling, lost in thought.

Bella said to him from a few steps away, "You can leave now."

Oliver, with one hand under his head and his legs crossed, smiled cheekily at her serious expression.

Oliver said with a faint smile, "Don't be like that. It's so late, and I'm not familiar with this place. Where do you expect me to go?"

Bella remained unmoved, still cold.

Bella said, "It's not appropriate for you to stay here."

Oliver said, "My head hurts. That hit earlier was too hard. I don't know if I have a concussion. My stomach hurts, and my whole body aches."

Oliver whimpered pitifully, curling up deeper into the couch.

It was clear he was determined to stay the night.

Bella felt a tightness in her chest.

While washing dishes in the kitchen, she had decided that no matter how much Oliver acted pitifully, she had to make him leave. But seeing him like this, even though she knew he was partly faking it, she couldn't be completely heartless.

At this moment, Oliver, after whining, curled up on the couch and pretended to sleep.

This was the first time Bella had carefully looked at him tonight.

Oliver had clearly lost weight, suggesting he hadn't been doing well lately. Especially now, with his head wrapped in bandages, he looked fragile, stirring a bit of compassion in her heart.

In the end, she could only sigh helplessly and turn back to her room.

Hearing the door close, Oliver opened his eyes.

The lights were off, and only the moonlight from outside allowed him to vaguely see the outlines of the room's furnishings and the tightly closed door.

Oliver truly had a headache, a stomachache, and his whole body ached, especially his heart.

But tonight was the most peaceful night he'd had since coming here.

The next morning, he woke up to the sound of a door closing, not knowing what time it was.

When he opened his eyes, it was still dark outside. The movement of the curtains by the door told him the door-closing sound wasn't a dream.

He struggled to sit up, realizing there was an extra blanket on him that he didn't know when it had been placed.

After a night's sleep, Oliver's head still hurt, not just from the wound but also from the hangover.

Opening the door, he saw Bella opening the yard gate to leave, so he quickly followed her.

It was only four in the morning, and there were no people on the street.

Oliver quickened his pace to catch up with her, asking, "Where are you going so early?" "Buying groceries," Bella said.

Oliver yawned and said, "Do you really need to go this early to buy groceries?"

Bella glanced back at him. "I didn't ask you to follow me."

Oliver smiled and continued to follow.

"You didn't ask me to follow. I chose to come along on my own, alright?"

After turning a few streets, they arrived at the farmers' market.

Bella bought a lot of groceries, ending up with several heavy bags, and Oliver insisted on carrying them for her.

Carrying them all the way back, Oliver felt the weight and thought about how she used

to carry such heavy groceries home by herself every day. It made him feel particularly bad.

By the time they got back, it was already dawn. Bella took out many basins and placed them in the sink, preparing to wash the vegetables.

Soon, it was fully light, and the other residents of the place started getting up one after another.

Oliver stood to the side, clueless about how to help.

The neighbors greeted Bella as usual but couldn't help but glance at the man standing next to her.

"Don't just stand there. You can leave now," Bella said.

Oliver felt a bit embarrassed under everyone's curious gazes.

He scratched the back of his head, coughed lightly, and said softly, "Honey, please don't be mad at me, okay? I know I was wrong. For the sake of the baby, forgive me."

Bella looked up and glared at him.

Bella said coldly, "Stop calling me that."

"Ma'am, your husband has admitted his mistake. Please consider forgiving him. Managing a business while being pregnant is incredibly challenging. While you are undoubtedly capable, it's okay to accept support when you need it."

The woman who had hit Oliver yesterday walked to the sink holding a toothbrush cup, speaking to Bella with the voice of experience.

In Oliver's view, she might have felt embarrassed about hitting him yesterday, so she decided to say a few words on his behalf.

The others also chimed in.

"Yeah, couples fight and make up quickly. There's nothing that can't be forgiven, especially since you have a child together."

"Exactly, your husband has admitted his mistake. It might be worth considering forgiveness, especially for the sake of the baby."

They all tried to persuade her, and Bella was extremely frustrated.

Bella explained, "It's not like that, he..."

"Alright, stop talking. It's all my fault anyway. Honey, let's not argue and make a scene."

Oliver quickly helped her load the vegetables onto the cart, not giving her a chance to explain.

Soon, the neighbors all left for work. While having breakfast, Bella said to Oliver, "After this meal, go back to Starlight City. Don't show up in front of me again." Oliver just smiled at her and didn't agree.

After washing the dishes, Bella pushed the cart out the door, and Oliver followed her again.

Bella snapped, "How can you be so shameless? Stop following me, okay? You really annoy me, you know that?"

No matter how she scolded him, Oliver kept smiling and stayed close.

All morning, Oliver helped her.

But before noon, a sudden downpour came. Bella didn't have a big umbrella, and the burning charcoal was instantly extinguished.

She hurriedly packed up her things, and Oliver told her to leave it and take shelter from the rain, but she didn't listen. By the time everything was packed, Bella was already soaked to the skin.

Oliver didn't take shelter either; he just stood there with her in the rain, feeling very upset.

She had a small umbrella, but she had given it to an old lady selling vegetables.

After packing up, Bella ignored Oliver and pushed the cart home in the rain.

Oliver finally exploded, shouting at her in the rain, "Can you please take shelter from the rain?"

Bella still ignored him and kept pushing forward.

Oliver rushed over and kicked her cart a few times.

Bella shoved him, shouting, "Are you crazy?"

Oliver panted heavily, rain hitting his face and running down into his clothes.

"Yes, I'm crazy. Seriously, I'm completely out of my mind!"

Bella rushed over and pushed Oliver far away.

Bella shouted, "Leave. Whether I'm doing well or not, even if I become a beggar, it has

nothing to do with you. Your presence only increases my disgust for you."

Oliver stood frozen in the rain, letting the downpour wash over him, blurring his vision, and watched her push the cart further and further away.

Back home, Bella took a shower and changed out of her wet clothes. She felt a bit

unwell and had no appetite, so she went to bed without eating.

When she woke up again, it was already evening.

Bella felt like her head was filled with lead. She struggled to get up, feeling dizzy.

Looking in the mirror, she saw her face was extremely red.

She realized she might be sick.

She needed to see a doctor; she couldn't let the baby suffer, and she couldn't let her illness affect her business the next day.

It was still drizzling outside, and Bella didn't have an umbrella, so she borrowed one from a neighbor and went out.

She found a nearby clinic, and the doctor measured her temperature-102.2 degrees Fahrenheit. She told the doctor she was pregnant and didn't want to take medication for fear of harming the baby, so the doctor gave her physical cooling treatment.

The doctor still prescribed some medication that was safe for pregnant women, suggesting she take it if she couldn't bear the discomfort, and assuring her it wouldn't affect the baby.

As she left the clinic, the rain intensified.

Bella went to get her umbrella from the clinic entrance, only to find it missing, likely

stolen.noveldrama

It was already dark, and the rain showed no signs of stopping.

The place wasn't far; she decided to run back and change clothes immediately upon

arrival.

Bella dashed into the rain but was soon pulled back by an arm, and an umbrella was held over her head.

Turning around, she saw Oliver standing behind her with the umbrella.

She shook off his hand and continued walking. "Don't bother with me."

Oliver grabbed her, his face dark, and shoved the umbrella into her hand.

Oliver said, "Think of me as a fool, but I can't not care about you."

With that, Oliver turned and ran into the rain.

Bella stood with the umbrella, watching his figure disappear into the rain, feeling a wave of sadness.

Only after Oliver vanished did she head home with the umbrella.

The umbrella she lost belonged to a neighbor, and she should replace it. However, she didn't want to give the neighbor the umbrella in her hand, so she went back to a small shop and bought two umbrellas-one to replace the neighbor's and one for herself. Back home, she took the medicine.

She didn't want to eat anything, but for the baby's sake, Bella cooked a bowl of pasta

and ate it before going to bed.

The next morning, she felt much better, her body noticeably lighter.

So, the next day, she went about her business as usual.

In the evening, after closing up shop and pushing the cart into the place, she was

startled to see the man sitting in the middle of the room.

Bella said in a questioning tone, "Didn't I tell you to leave? Why are you here again?"