Still thinking of Dave’s kiss, Bianca’s thoughts were scattered, and her mind spun.
“If you still can’t remember, I’ll have to remind you again,” he said with a smirk, tightening his grip around her waist.
Bianca quickly covered her mouth with her hand as he leaned in again, stammering, “I-I’m sure I can remember now.”
Dave raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to say more.
Bianca blinked rapidly, her mind racing as she recalled the words she had said outside Madison’s hospital room when she ended things with Dave.
Dave noticed the brief look of surprise and panic on her face.
“You remember?” he asked.
Bianca’s lips pressed together as she remembered her own words. “If you still love me, let me go.”
Was that why Dave had agreed to the breakup? Because he still loved her?
Her mind went blank.
Why had he spent that night with Skylar on the cruise if his love was real? Was he just repaying a debt for Skylar, saving his life?
The thought twisted in her chest like a knife.
Bianca had also promised Blake she wouldn’t marry until his leg was healed.
On the other hand, Dave had vowed never to marry her, even signing a written promise.
There were too many obstacles and too big a gap between them for any chance of getting back together.
“So, what does it matter now? We can’t be together anymore,” Bianca said coldly. She lifted her head, and her eyes turned cold again. “Mr. Evans, I’m still at work. You owe me for the trouble of pulling me out here so suddenly.”
Dave’s eyebrows furrowed deeply.
Before he could say anything, Bianca stepped back, putting distance between them.
Her glare was sharp as she spoke, and her voice turned cold. “Do that again, and I’ll report you for harassment.”
With that, Bianca turned and walked toward the auditorium.
But Dave grabbed her wrist, stopping her. His voice lowered as he asked, “Bianca, have you ever kept anything from me? Why hide your engagement with Blake?”
Bianca paused, thinking about her answer. She had kept it secret to protect him, thinking she could handle things on her own.
Her lips parted as if she was going to say something, but then she decided there was no need to do it.
Dave watched her in silence, then sneered. “Bianca, you seem set on cutting ties with me. Is it because you’ve chosen Blake and plan to keep your engagement with him?”
“So what if I have?” Bianca turned to face him, her voice calm, though her emotions were in turmoil. “At least he’s never betrayed me.”
Dave froze as if her words had struck him like a sharp blade.
“Bianca, when have I ever betrayed you? I’ve never been with anyone but you! I kept all this from you to protect you. Why can’t you believe that?” Dave’s eyes were bloodshot, his voice low and intense.
“Or are these just excuses to be with Blake?”
Bianca couldn’t help but scoff.
His lies had completely shattered her trust, and she wasn’t going to listen to him anymore.
She also couldn’t forget the night he spent with Skylar.
The truth of that night was something only Dave knew.
At this point, the reasons behind his agreement with Skylar didn’t matter to her. Whether it was a promise from the past or just to calm Skylar down, it didn’t make a difference.
She felt drained.
If love meant enduring so much pain and deceit, she’d rather be loved by someone who really loved her.
“Yes, you’re right,” Bianca’s voice was flat, without any emotion. “I’ll do anything to be with Blake. He’s my fiance, and we’ve been engaged for a long time.”
Dave clenched his fists and asked quietly, “I just need to know if you ever loved me.”
Bianca tightened her grip and looked into his eyes, “Never.”
A sharp feeling of despair hit Dave, like the pain he felt when his family left him at the asylum.
Bianca lifted her chin arrogantly, pretending not to care. “Are you satisfied now? Can you let go of me?”
Dave’s eyes reddened, and his lips pressed into a thin line.
In a cold, mocking tone, he replied, “Miss Scott, do you know who you’re talking to?”
Bianca was taken aback.
The man before her radiated power and intensity.
“Do you think I’ll let my woman be with another man? Even if my things are damaged, I won’t let anyone else have them.”
As he spoke, Bianca felt a heavy sense of control and possessiveness from him, mixed with a desire for revenge.
He now talked like the powerful CEO of the Phoenix Alliance Group, not the caring boyfriend she once knew.
“What do you want?” Bianca asked, her voice cold as she stared into his eyes.
Dave smirked, moved closer, and whispered in her ear, “Bianca, you’ll regret this.”
With that, he left without looking back.
Her heart pounded hard, and her breath became shallow.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
It was Diana.
“Bianca, where are you? Blake collapsed on stage!”
“What?”
Bianca’s heart skipped a beat. Ignoring Dave’s words, she ran towards the filming studio.
She burst through the door, and hushed voices filled the air.
Blake was missing from the stage.
Without saying anything, Bianca rushed backstage.
There, just as she feared, Blake sat pale in a wheelchair, attendants around him.
“Blake!?” Bianca rushed to him, crouching down with a worried frown. “Are you okay?”
He gave a weak smile.
“I’m fine. I just… panicked when I didn’t see you. Got a little careless, that’s all.”
Bianca’s stomach tightened with guilt.
She had promised to be his support, but disappeared when he needed her most. He must be disappointed.
“Something urgent came up,” she said, trying to sound casual.
Blake wanted to ask about the man who had taken her away, but he didn’t want to seem too sensitive. He kept the question to himself, pursing his lips.
“You were amazing today,” Bianca said, feeling relieved. “I never expected you to stand. I’m so proud.”
A shy smile crossed Blake’s face. “Did I disappoint you?”
“Absolutely not. You deserve a medal!”
“Then how about celebrating with a post-filming dinner? My treat.”
“Of course!”
Bianca quickly agreed. Normally, she’d invite both Blake and Reese, but that could wait.
Just then, Diana rushed in. “Ready, Blake? The director’s getting impatient.”
He nodded. “Let’s do this.”