The more Dave thought about it, the more guilty he felt. Nothing seemed as important as helping Bianca. He just wished he weren’t so far away from her. All he wanted was to hop on a plane and be by her side immediately.
“Has your grandpa figured out your connection with Bianca?” Michael asked, clearly surprised.
“I don’t think so. It’s an artist from her company who accidentally offended my grandpa. I’m worried he might want revenge.”
“That’s harsh,” Michael said, knowing how ruthless Lucas could be.
“I need to get back,” Dave replied.
After talking with Michael, Dave called Zane to check on Bianca and the Emerald Artists Agency. He rubbed his forehead in frustration before heading to the airport that night.
Bianca woke up early the next morning and went to Blake’s hospital room. She convinced Vincent and Paige to go home and rest, then took the cotton swab Paige had left to moisten Blake’s dry lips with water gently.
Blake was still asleep and kept stable by IV fluids. Bianca felt guilty, believing she was responsible for his condition.
Seeing Blake’s plastered leg reminded Bianca of the debt she owed him.
Blake slowly began to wake up, sensing the coolness on his lips. With great effort, he opened his eyes, his eyelashes fluttering. It took him a moment to focus on what was in front of him.
Blake barely recognized Bianca as he had just opened his eyes. Noticing he was waking up, Bianca asked gently, “You’re awake? How’s the pain?”
Still coming out of days of unconsciousness, Blake replied in a raspy voice, “How about you? Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”
After a brief pause, Bianca couldn’t shake the mix of sadness and bitterness. When Blake woke up, his first thought was for her. She felt a swirl of emotions and gratitude tangled with guilt.
She reassured him, saying, “I’m fine. Focus on getting better. Don’t worry about me. Are you hungry or thirsty? I’ll call a doctor to check on you soon. Just rest.”
Bianca stood quickly to get the doctor, but Blake’s gentle grip stopped her. His hold was weak, so she sat back down, not wanting to resist.
“Let’s not call the doctor just yet. I want to talk with you,” Blake said softly. “When I woke up and saw you next to me, I thought I was still dreaming.”
Bianca’s heart felt heavy, emotions swirling inside her. She picked up a banana from the fruit basket, trying to change the subject. “You must be starving after all that rest. Why not start with some fruit? Here, have this.”
Blake saw through her evasion and gave a bitter smile, pushing the offer away. “I’m just a bit stiff from lying down too long. I feel like stretching.”
Before Bianca could stop him, Blake tried to rise but then froze in shock.
Why couldn’t he feel his leg anymore?
Blake paused, lifting his head with a growing anxiety. After a moment, he asked, “What happened to my leg?”
Bianca struggled to find the right words; the truth felt too heavy to say. She wished she could bear his pain instead of having to tell him such a harsh reality.
Seeing her hesitation, Blake began to get out of bed, but Bianca quickly stopped him, saying, “Stay down! I’ll explain. It’s about your leg… A heavy stone fell on it. Even though you’ve had surgery, it’ll take time to heal…”
Her bitter smile and how she avoided his eyes made it clear she didn’t fully believe her words.
“You’re the one I trust the most. Please, tell me the truth. What’s wrong with my leg?” Blake asked, looking directly at her.
When Bianca heard Blake’s words, she couldn’t hold back the truth any longer. She bit her lip, feeling a heavy sadness in her chest. After a moment, she gathered the strength to say, “The doctor mentioned… there’s a chance you might not walk the same again.”
Blake’s face fell, and he was filled with despair.
“Does that mean… I’m disabled now?”
Bianca quickly interjected. “It’s not that bad. The doctor said there’s a chance, but still, it takes time. With the right rehab, there’s hope for recovery!”
Blake gave a small smile, sensing that Bianca was trying to comfort him.
The room was silent, the moment stretching on endlessly.
Then, suddenly, Blake’s emotions overwhelmed him. He grabbed his head in frustration, hit the bed, and tried to get up.
Bianca was caught off guard and watched as he collapsed to the floor.
Blake’s hands shook as he realized his leg wouldn’t move, feeling as lifeless as if it were a prosthetic. The reality of his situation sank in.
As Bianca rushed to help him, Blake, overwhelmed with emotion, pushed her away, shouting, “I won’t be a burden to you anymore! I have no right to hold you back now. I can’t make you happy. Just go-go as far away as possible!”
But Bianca couldn’t just walk away. She moved closer and took his hand, holding it tightly. “Please, Blake, don’t lose hope. The doctor’s words aren’t final. Let’s not give up, okay?”
Tears were rare for men, but in that moment, Blake couldn’t hold back his sorrow.
After a brief pause, he pulled Bianca into an embrace. “I’m so sorry, Bianca. I wasn’t being honest. I don’t want you to go, but I’m scared. If you stay, it’ll hurt more when you leave later. Maybe it’s better to feel short-term pain than long-term suffering. If you want to leave, now’s the time.”
Blake had always been seen as lucky, with a bright future ahead. But the news hit him harder emotionally than physically, a pain he couldn’t bear.
He had always kept a composed, distant attitude with everyone except Bianca. He had let his guard down, reaching out for her affection, only to face this cruel twist of fate.
Bianca’s heart felt like it had been stabbed. She shook her head firmly. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay with you and help you heal until you’re better. I want to do this. Please, don’t overthink it.”
Blake struggled with the idea of keeping Bianca by his side. She was strong and independent, like a bird that could fly freely, and the thought of her being tied down to care for him felt unfair.
He didn’t want to be a burden or disappoint someone he cared about. Just as he was about to say something, a phone call interrupted his thoughts.