Skylar paused before adding, “Bianc, his grandpa will never accept you. You two are meant to drift apart. Dave and I could have been happy if you weren’t around. So please, step aside and let us be together.”
Bianca’s eyes filled with tears. She told herself not to cry or shed another tear for Dave.
No matter what the truth was, the gap between their worlds and social status was clear.
There was no going back.
To shield herself from more pain, she knew she had to stay away from those who had hurt her.
She turned to Skylar and asked, “Is it really worth losing yourself for a man?”
Skylar smiled. “If that man is Dave, then yes, it’s worth it.”
Bianca scoffed. “No matter who the man is, I will never lose myself. And I won’t leave to make room for anyone else. I’m leaving for myself.” With that, she turned and walked away without looking back.
Skylar stood there, shocked, watching Bianca’s slender but strong figure fade away.
On her way home, Bianca felt numb. Once, her future had included Dave, but now she realized he would no longer be a part of it. And somehow, that felt okay.
At least she wouldn’t feel hurt anymore.
Tears ran down her face, but Bianca lifted her head, trying to smile.
****
In the room, Dave told Madison everything that had happened with Cherish after she fell into a coma and explained the current situation.
He assured her that once Cherish recovered, she could take full control again, keeping her authority and influence.
Madison was surprised and confused by his words. She never expected Dave to be the one to help Cherish.
“Why would you do this? It was a huge gamble for you. You could lose everything,” Madison said, looking directly at Dave.
For a businessman, this decision seemed completely unreasonable.
Dave smiled. “Because you’re Bianca’s mother. Cherish is your life’s work, and it’s something she cares about deeply.”
“So… you did it for Bianca?” Madison asked, her surprise growing. She had always thought Dave was just playing with Bianca, but now she wasn’t so sure.
Dave didn’t answer, just giving her a knowing smile. He stood up and looked at Madison. “The contract is ready. We can sign it anytime. The staff at Cherish is waiting for you. Don’t make them wait too long!”
As he finished speaking, the hospital room door opened.
Bianca walked in, her face pale and blank.
She looked at both Dave and Madison. “Are you done talking?”
Dave approached her carefully, sensing the change in the atmosphere.
“Yes, we’re done. Come, walk with me. I need to talk to you about something important.”
Dave walked out first, and Bianca followed wearing a cold stare.
Once outside, Dave said, “I’ll assign two people to stay with you. Not to watch you, but to protect you.”
No matter what, her safety came first. Everything else, he needed time to figure out.
But Bianca didn’t appreciate his concern. She looked up at him with a cold stare. “No need.”
“I’ve told you, your situation is dangerous right now,” Dave said, lowering his voice, trying to hold back his growing irritation.
He couldn’t understand why she didn’t want his protection.
“If your logic is right, then your grandfather must be worried that our relationship will ruin your marriage to Skylar,” Bianca said, her eyes colder than ever. “I’ll make it clear to him that from now on, there’s no relationship between us. We’re done, Dave. Completely and utterly done!”
Dave’s pupils shrank, and his brows furrowed in disbelief. He stared at her, shocked. “What did you just say? Say it again, please.”
“I said we’re done, Dave!” Bianca lifted her chin, showing a defiant look. “If you have any self-respect left, don’t come after me anymore. Stop holding on to me like I’m your only hope.”
Dave’s voice deepened as he asked, “Is this because of Blake?”
Bianca almost laughed in frustration but stopped herself. She didn’t want to explain further. “Does it matter why? I loved the man who shared a simple life with me and made me feel the warmth of everyday life. That was my Dave. But not the current Dave Evans, the president of Phoenix Alliance Group, who’s been playing with my feelings like a cat with a helpless mouse.”
“So you’re still angry about what I hid from you before, aren’t you?” Dave asked.
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” Bianca said, her eyes full of unshed tears. She spoke each word clearly, almost as if she were pleading. “If you ever truly loved me, Dave, then let me go. I beg you.”
Dave stood there, shocked. It felt like a part of his heart had been torn out, leaving him lost and unsure.
He looked into her eyes, but he couldn’t see himself in them anymore. It finally hit him that Bianca was serious about cutting all ties with him.
His eyebrows twitched, and he slowly closed his eyes, gathering all his strength to say, “I understand.”
Bianca’s body relaxed slightly after hearing his words.
She spoke quietly. “I’ll pack my things and move out today. Let’s not cross paths again. Please explain this to your grandfather.”
With that, Bianca turned and pushed open the door, leaving Dave no chance to respond. The door slammed shut with a loud, final sound.
Dave stood there, staring at the spot where she had left.
Bianca walked into Madison’s room and shut the door behind her. Her face was blank, but her eyes were slightly red.
She walked to the bed and picked up an apple from the bedside table.
Staring at it, she asked in a voice barely above a whisper, “Mom, do you want an apple?”
Before Madison could answer, Bianca started looking for a knife. She searched the countertop and drawers quickly. In her hurry, she knocked the bag of apples onto the floor.
A soft thud followed as the apples rolled everywhere. That seemed to be the last straw.
Bianca suddenly felt all the emotions she had been holding back.
Tears filled her eyes, but she bit her lip, trying not to cry.
Madison felt a lump in her throat as she watched her daughter.
Bianca was on the floor, picking up the apples, but her stiff shoulders showed something else was wrong. Madison sighed softly and said, “Bianc, get up. Don’t worry about the apples.”
But Bianca didn’t respond to her words and kept picking up the apples.
There was a stiffness in the way Bianca moved, as if she were moments away from falling apart. Madison’s heart broke even more.