After thoroughly examining Madison, he turned to face the anxious siblings.
“There are signs of awakening, but I can’t predict when. Keep talking to her, keep spending time with her,” he advised gently.
Joy flooded their faces as they exchanged a tearful glance.
The doctor left, and Bianca gently cleaned Madison before speaking softly to her.
Stealing a glance at her watch, she realized it was getting late. “Leonel, I have important work calls this afternoon. Can you stay with Mom? I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
Leonel looked at her and nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll be here.”
Bianca had a prearranged meeting with Reece at 2 p. m., and she couldn’t afford to miss it. “I’ll be back soon. Call me if you need anything.”
She then quickly kissed Madison’s forehead and left.
***
That afternoon, Bianca handed over the relevant documents at Reece’s firm. Reece took in the details about her partners and her agency, processing the information carefully.
Afterward, Reece walked Bianca out.
On their way, they crossed paths with a distressed middle-aged couple exiting another office.
Seeing Reece, they hurried over.
“Mr. Barton, can’t you take my daughter’s case?” the woman pleaded in a desperate voice.
Reece offered a polite smile, maintaining his professional manner. “Your current lawyer is highly skilled as well. They’ll fight for your victory.”
“But we trust you more,” the man insisted in a worried tone.
Then, the woman saw Bianca beside Reece.
She was stunned for a second, and tears welled in her eyes.
Confused, Bianca looked at the crying middle-aged woman and silently turned to Reece for help.
Reece sighed and explained, “You look a lot like their daughter, both in age and appearance. I think you reminded her of her.”
The woman wiped her tears and began, “My daughter had a hard life. She fell for a playboy, someone wealthy but already engaged. He played with her feelings, but she couldn’t get over him. As a result…”
Unable to continue, the woman broke down again in tears.
“Because of that, it was too much for her to bear on the day he married. She had a mental breakdown and was sent to an asylum.”
Reece glanced at Bianca before speaking to the couple, “Don’t be too upset. I understand your need for justice for your daughter. We’ll do everything possible to get the best outcome for you.”
The couple thanked Reece, then turned to Bianca and advised, “Remember, don’t let a man deceive you.”
Bianca smiled as she approached the woman and comforted her, “Don’t worry. If any man tries to play with me, I’ll make sure he faces the consequences.”
The woman nodded, her expression sad, and said, “I wish my daughter had your strength.”
With a hunch in her back, she turned and left with her husband.
Bianca’s last words left Reece feeling bothered. What would she do if she found out Dave was already engaged?
If Skylar’s words were true, Bianca might try to ruin their relationship at any cost.
Reece couldn’t shake his worry for Dave as he watched Bianca with concern.
“Mr. Barton, thank you for handling the case at my company. I have other things to do, so I’ll leave now.” She glanced at Reece, who forced a smile as he watched her leave the law firm.
When she returned to the hospital, it was already six in the evening.
Bianca pushed open the door and froze after calling out Leonel’s name.
As she looked at Madison lying in the bed, she noticed Madison’s gentle stare toward Leonel.
Madison’s eyes brightened when she heard Bianca’s voice and turned her face toward the door.
“Mom…” After a moment of surprise, Bianca rushed over and hugged Madison tightly.
Tears filled her eyes as she said, “Mom, is this a dream? Are you really awake?”
Leonel gently pulled Bianca away from Madison, saying, “Bianc, Mom has just woken up. She’s still very fragile. Please be more careful.”
Bianca then realized her mistake and quickly let go of the hug.
Bianca turned to Leonel, her face showing disapproval. “Leonel, why didn’t you tell me when Mom woke up?”
Madison weakly explained, “Leonel said you were busy with work, so I asked him not to disturb you.”
“Work doesn’t matter. Nothing is more important than you,” Bianca replied, sitting beside Madison on the bed and holding her hand. Though she had been overwhelmed with emotion earlier, now tears quietly fell as the reality of her mother waking up sank in.
Madison gently wiped away Bianca’s tears, her face filled with compassion as she spoke softly, “Why are you crying?”
“I’m just so happy,” Bianca said, trying to wipe away her tears.
“During my coma, were you mistreated?” Madison asked, looking at Bianca with sympathy as she gently stroked her face. “You seem thinner…”
As Bianca reflected on recent events, especially Dave’s decision to end their relationship, she felt a mix of happiness and sadness, which made her cry uncontrollably. Despite this, she shook her head and tried to reassure herself, “No, everything’s fine. I’m alright.”
“Really?” Leonel stepped back, crossing his arms and scoffing. He couldn’t hide his frustration. “You’ve become foolish because of some unreliable man, haven’t you?”
Madison frowned and began to speak, “Bianc, you…”
Bianca lowered her face, smiling ruefully. “Don’t worry. Dave and I have ended our relationship.”
Leonel’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at her.
“You mean… well, Dave?” Madison tried to recall what had happened earlier. Perhaps it was the result of her long sleep, but her mind felt a little foggy. Still, she quickly remembered the findings of the investigation she had paid, which had shocked her.
Madison had asked Bianca to come home that day to share some important news, but the fire broke out unexpectedly, causing her to lose consciousness.
Bianca kept her eyes on the floor, not wanting her mother to see how she felt.
“Did you really break up with him?” Madison asked, surprised.
“Yes, I did,” Bianca replied with a forced smile. “You don’t have to worry about me anymore.”
“Bianc…”
Madison wanted to say something but quickly changed her mind. She had planned to tell Bianca the investigation results, but since Bianca had already broken up with Dave, she felt it wasn’t necessary.
Revealing it now might be too much for her daughter to handle, especially since the investigation results were mostly based on speculation.
“Let bygones be bygones, my dear,” Madison said after a brief pause, trying to comfort her. “Honestly, Blake is the one who truly suits you.”