Chapter 463: That’s Your Choice

When she looked into his eyes, all she saw was vulnerability.

The anger inside her slowly faded.

She bit her lip and looked away. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because you asked last night,” he said softly. “But you don’t seem to remember. You were a little drunk.”

Bianca’s face turned red. “I did? Did… did I say anything else?” she asked in a panicked voice.

Dave’s eyes lit up with a teasing look. “Well,” he said, leaning in a little, “you said…”

Before he could finish, Bianca quickly covered his mouth with her hand. “Stop it!” she said, her face burning. “You know what they say—drunk words don’t mean anything!”

Dave laughed softly and gently moved her hand away. “But there’s also a saying… ‘in vino veritas.’ There’s truth in wine. Whether you meant it or not, I’ll remember what you said.”

His gentle tone caught her off guard. Her thoughts scrambled, trying to understand everything.

“Bianc,” he said, his voice calm and familiar, like it used to be. “There was a time I acted out of revenge. I wanted to keep you with me, no matter what. I wanted you to be mine. But now I see… who you love, and who you want to be with—that’s your choice. You belong to yourself. I just want to protect you and honor that.”

Everything that happened with Michael and Sophia had made him face his true feelings.

Was love really about control? Even if he could keep her by his side, would that ever win her heart? What was the point of holding her by force?

It was better to lift her up, to give her the strength to go wherever she wanted than to hold her back and keep her from growing.

If she found joy somewhere else, that would be enough for him.

His mother’s kind words came back to him. She had always reminded him to be true to himself. To do what was right. Not to act on emotions that could turn love into something bitter.

He used to wonder if his father ever regretted choosing his mother. Or if his aunt ever regretted choosing his uncle. But now, for the first time, Dave felt like he was finally learning to let go.

Bianca didn’t expect Dave to say something so deep. His words touched something inside her. She had been afraid he might try to hurt her if he couldn’t have her—just like Michael did to Sophia.

But now, she saw he wasn’t like that. He wasn’t cold or selfish like she had feared.

The way he thought, the way he spoke, the calm strength he showed—it kept reaching her again and again.

Tears rose in Bianca’s eyes. She let the clothes fall from her hands and rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Dave, and holding him tightly.

After a short silence, Dave gently touched her hair. His lips trembled. “I’m sorry you’ve been through so much, Bianca. If staying with me hurts you or scares you, then go. I’m ready to let you go this time.”

Bianca couldn’t stop crying. She held onto him tightly and pressed her forehead to his chest, trying to hide her tears.

She wanted to say that most of their time together had brought her peace and happiness. Walking away from him felt like losing a part of herself.

He was ready to let her go. But where could she go?

She felt like she only belonged where he was.

Still, she couldn’t say any of it out loud. Dave owed something to Skylar. He had made a promise. His bride might be Skylar, or someone else—but never her.

That thought tore at her. The idea of never being able to hold him again felt like her heart was being eaten away, piece by piece.

She didn’t know what to do.

No answers came. She couldn’t match his honesty with her own.

All she could do was cry softly in his arms, holding onto this brief moment of peace.

Suddenly, a loud gasp broke the silence around them. “Oh, my!”

Bianca let go of Dave without thinking. She stepped back and quickly wiped her tears. When she turned around, she saw Dana not far away, waving her hands. “Don’t mind me. I’ll come back to clean later!”

Then Dana rushed off.

Bianca’s face turned red out of embarrassment. She pinched herself, trying to hold back the sadness rising again.

Behind her, Dave’s deep voice filled the silence. “Shouldn’t you be changing out of that shirt by now?”

That’s when Bianca realized she was still wearing Dave’s shirt. She quickly grabbed her clothes from the floor. Without looking at him, she ran off.

“I’m changing now!” she shouted over her shoulder.

When she came back, Dave was already dressed in a sharp black suit. He looked like he had just stepped out of a magazine. For a moment, she couldn’t look away.

He noticed her staring and let out a soft laugh. “If I look that good, why not come closer?”

Bianca rolled her eyes and walked over. “Please. I was looking at the vase behind you. It looks expensive.”

He just shrugged his shoulder. “Oh, that? Just an old antique. A few hundred years old. Worth a couple million, maybe.”

Bianca still couldn’t figure out how she had managed to live with Dave this long. Their worlds felt so far apart.

But she said nothing. She checked her watch. It was nine in the morning. The mess from last night’s live broadcast still lingered in her mind. “I need to head to the office now. Bye.”

As she turned to go, Dave spoke from behind her.

“If something like last night happens again, can you tell me? Just think of me as a friend. Someone who can help if you need it.”

Bianca paused for a moment, then gave a small nod. “I will.”

Dave seemed to ease up at her reply.

When he didn’t say anything else, Bianca quickly left the house.

Just as she stepped outside, a black sedan pulled up in front of her. Wyatt got out and opened the door.

“Please, Miss Scott, get in the car.”

Bianca hesitated. “Well, no, thank you. I’ll just take a taxi.”

Wyatt gave her a calm smile. “Mr. Evans told me to make sure you get there safely. And to be honest, there aren’t any taxis nearby.”

Hearing that, Bianca couldn’t argue. She got into the car.