At the Waterfront Apartments, Bianca had just finished packing her things. She looked around the living room one last time. Her grip on the suitcase tightened without her thinking. Part of her didn’t want to leave, but she had made up her mind and was determined to follow through.
She took a deep breath, then exhaled, letting go of the past. She turned and walked toward the door.
Just then, she heard the sound of a key turning in the lock from outside.
Her steps slowed, and she stared at the door, wide-eyed. She knew who was on the other side, and the thought made her heart beat faster. She swallowed hard and bit her lip, trying to keep her calm.
When the door opened, Dave walked in but suddenly stopped when he saw Bianca standing in the hallway.
Dave’s eyes immediately shifted to the suitcase in her hand, and the light in his eyes faded instantly.
“All packed?” His voice was deep and gentle, as always, but now it held a cold meaning.
Bianca nodded. “Yes.” She walked toward him with a firm look in her eyes.
When she was just two steps away, she stopped and held out her hand to him.
Dave’s heart tightened, and he struggled to keep his composure when he saw her outstretched palm.
In Bianca’s hand was the red diamond necklace he had given her.
“I’m leaving, so I don’t need this necklace anymore. I’m giving it back to you. I’m sure you can find someone better to give it to,” Bianca said, trying to keep her voice calm.
Dave’s lips twisted into a self-mocking smile.
“I never take back the gifts I give. If you don’t want it, just throw it away.”
With that, he brushed past her.
Shocked by his dismissive tone, Bianca turned to watch him walk away without a care.
For some reason, she felt a lump form in her throat.
But she knew she couldn’t keep the necklace. They had broken up, and she had no reason to hold on to it.
With her mind made up, Bianca called out to his retreating figure, “I’ll leave it here then.”
She gently placed the necklace on the table.
Dave stopped for a moment, then turned quickly and walked over to her. He picked up the necklace and looked at her coldly. “You don’t want it?”
Bianca’s heart pounded as she stared at his unreadable expression.
It felt like a hand made of fire was crushing her heart, and the pain was so intense that her vision blurred for a moment.
After a brief moment of silence, during which Bianca fought to control her emotions, she nodded.
Dave let out a short, bitter laugh. “Fine.”
Without saying anything else, he opened the door and stormed out.
Before Bianca could react, he raised his hand and threw the necklace with all his strength.
Bianca just stared at him, unable to process what had just happened.
She was so shocked that she ran after Dave, forgetting her suitcase. “Are you crazy?! It’s a red diamond necklace worth one billion, and you just threw it away? Are you serious right now?” she yelled at the top of her lungs.
Dave looked down and said in a low voice, “I’ve told you I don’t take back things I give. Since you don’t want it, I threw it away. There’s no point in keeping it.”
With that, he turned and walked back into the room without looking at Bianca again.
Bianca was left speechless.
She stared at the spot where he had thrown the necklace, then at the apartment.
After a brief pause, she quickly grabbed her suitcase and hurried downstairs.
When Dave saw Bianca rushing away without looking back, his heart shattered.
At that moment, he realized their relationship was really over.
Dave stood there, lost in thought for a long time.
Finally, he shook off his sadness and went to the bedroom. He opened the bedside drawer and took out a sandalwood bracelet. He rubbed it gently in his palm.
The bracelet was a birthday gift from Bianca. When she gave it to him, it was an amulet. No matter what, he could never throw it away.
On the day of their first break-up, after he threw the amulet, he had his people search for a long time until they found all the beads scattered in the grass. He then had the best craftsman repair the beads and put the bracelet back together.
Dave felt both sad and upset, but as he stared at the bracelet, he remembered that the simple life he shared with Bianca was not just a dream.
It had been real.
Sadly, all he had left was the sandalwood bracelet.
Dave sat on the edge of the bed, holding the bracelet tightly in his hand. He couldn’t help but laugh at himself.
He just didn’t understand why Bianca had left him. She had stayed with him when he had nothing, so why did she leave after finding out he was wealthy? Did she think he had lied to her?
He had explained everything and promised not to hide anything again. He had thought that would be enough to make her come back.
Why couldn’t she trust him again? All he wanted was another chance. Was that too much to ask?
Was it possible that she was rejecting him because of Blake?
Madison had said that Bianca and Blake were engaged. This made Dave think that maybe Bianca never planned to marry him.
She might have used the excuse of returning a favor just to stay with Blake.
Did she feel pressured by his true identity, or did she simply prefer Blake? Was she more comfortable and free with him?
Even after thinking about it for several minutes, Dave still couldn’t understand. He wasn’t even sure if Bianca had ever loved him.
From the start until now, he had always been overlooked. Never the one chosen, always left behind for someone else.
It was a fate he had known for as long as he could remember.
It took him so much courage to open his heart, but all he had gained was pain and misery.
He felt more pathetic now than he ever had before.
Unfortunately, Dave couldn’t afford to stay lost in his sadness.
He had to push past his despair to protect Bianca and keep himself from being dragged back into the Evans Group under his grandfather’s control.
Most importantly, he had to make sure he would never have to marry a woman he didn’t love.
To do that, he had to make Phoenix Alliance Group the most successful company in the harsh business world.
Meanwhile, Bianca was downstairs near the bush, desperately searching for the red diamond necklace Dave had thrown away earlier.