Without warning, Dave reached out and gently lifted her chin to look into his eyes.
They stared at each other, and Bianca’s heart raced with that familiar feeling. She couldn’t resist the pull of his eyes, filled with emotion, reflecting her own.
“Dave…” Bianca’s voice was soft, filled with warmth.
Her deep, clear eyes awakened a protective instinct in Dave. He wanted to shield her from all harm, to keep her innocence safe forever.
But…
Furrowing his brow, Dave hesitated for a moment before closing his eyes and leaning in, pressing his lips to hers in a sudden, heartfelt kiss.
Bianca was stunned by the unexpected kiss. She instinctively tried to push Dave away, but he held her firmly, pulling her closer for another kiss.
Unable to resist, she could only cling to his shirt as her lips were forced to respond to him.
His kiss was intense and forceful, without holding back.
Bianca had never seen him like this before.
After the long kiss, Dave finally pulled away. He looked down at her and realized she was only standing because he held her up. His eyes, reflecting the moonlight, seemed filled with sadness and loneliness.
“Dave, what… what’s wrong?” Bianca asked, sensing something was off.
He wasn’t acting like his usual self.
Dave didn’t respond. Instead, he stepped back, putting distance between them.
Bianca stayed where she was, confused by his strange behavior.
After a long pause, Dave finally spoke.
“Bianca, we’d better break up,” he said without any warning.
Bianca’s jaw dropped, and she stood frozen, staring at him in shock, unable to speak.
Even though she had anticipated his words, hearing them felt like a sharp knife cutting through her heart, making it hard to breathe.
After a long silence, she forced a smile and asked, “Have you… have you made up your mind?”
His hands trembled slightly, but he closed his eyes and nodded.
“So, this kiss… was it a farewell kiss?” Bianca chuckled bitterly.
The light in Dave’s eyes dimmed, and his lips remained sealed.
Bianca stared at him, trying to read his heart, but she only saw his cold expression.
It felt so strange.
“Okay,” she finally said, forcing a smile despite the tears welling up in her eyes. “I promised never to hold you back. Since you’ve made up your mind, I… I wish you nothing but joy and happiness.”
“Do you really mean that?” Dave asked, looking intently at her face.
Bianca quickly looked away, forcing a smile as she replied, “Of course I do. You’ll find a woman who loves you. You’ll get married, have many children, and live happily ever after.”
Her throat tightened, and she stopped speaking, knowing that if she continued, she would start crying.
She really wanted Dave to be happy, but the thought that she wouldn’t be the one to give that happiness to him left her feeling as though her heart had been plunged into a cold abyss, freezing her inside.
“Sorry… I’m sorry,” Dave murmured after a long silence.
He turned away, not wanting to see the sadness in her eyes. He was afraid that seeing her pain would make him doubt his decision.
Just as Dave was about to walk away, he suddenly felt two arms wrap tightly around his waist, the warmth of the embrace causing him to freeze.
Bianca’s voice, choked with emotion, came from behind. “Dave, I take it back. I was lying when I told you I didn’t want to hold you back. I want to be with you; I want to marry you and become your wife. I want to have babies with you. I consulted a doctor recently. If Blake continues his rehabilitation, it’ll take him three to five years at most to stand and walk on his own. He saved my life twice, and I just want to repay him. I don’t really love him. The only person I love… is you! Please wait for me, Dave, okay?”
Her words were a plea.
It awakens something deep inside him. Though he was usually calm and composed, his eyes reddened. He placed his hand over hers, wanting to pull her close, but he quickly stopped himself.
He wanted to tell her that the reason for the breakup wasn’t impatience. He would wait for her-whether it took a year, ten, or even twenty years. He is willing to wait for her his whole life if necessary.
What Dave feared most was that being with him would put Bianca in harm’s way. He wanted nothing more than for her to be safe and happy and to ensure that he knew he had no choice but to let her go.
Ever since his parents’ death, his life had been engulfed in darkness, but that all changed when Bianca came into it.
Just when he thought he had finally found a glimpse of light, it turned out to be fleeting.
Bianca was intelligent, strong, and independent. She had someone like Blake who would risk everything for her.
Dave knew she could live a stable, fulfilling life without him, without the hidden dangers his family’s legacy could bring.
Thinking of his mother’s fate, Dave felt as though his heart was being ripped apart. He was scared that history might repeat itself.
But Bianca’s life meant more to him than anything, and he couldn’t expose her to the dangers he faced.
So, he had to let her go-for her safety, for her future.
Dave told himself the pain he felt was temporary. It would fade in time. Perhaps, in the end, she would forget about him, too.
With that thought, he forced a smile and gently removed Bianca’s hand around his waist.
Struggling to control his emotions, he said in a cold tone. “Bianca, I can’t wait for you for such a long time. Let us go our separate ways.”
Bianca held onto Dave from behind, her grip growing tighter with every sob. The sound of her pain made his heart ache.
“No, I can’t let you go,” she said, her voice shaking. “Not unless you tell me you don’t love me anymore!”
Dave took a deep breath. The idea of saying he didn’t love her hurt more than ending their relationship.
But he had no choice.
He tightened his fists, his knuckles pale, and through clenched teeth, he forced himself to say, “I… I don’t love you anymore.”
Bianca stood still, shocked. “What did you say?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“I don’t love you anymore,” Dave repeated, his voice almost a whisper. It felt like it drained the last of his strength.