Chapter 498: I’m With Him Because I Love Him

“Then what is it?” Madison asked again, her tone full of worry.

“Dave and I…” Bianca let out a long breath. She thought about the promise she made to Blake. Then she looked at her mom and said, “We’re just friends.”

“Friends?” Madison repeated, raising her brows. “He calls you his true love, and you expect me to believe you’re just friends? Are you kidding me?”

“It’s a bit complex. Let me explain it slowly,” Bianca said, realizing it was time to tell her mom the truth.

She shared everything that had happened between her, Dave, and Blake—every detail she had kept to herself.

When she finished, she looked at her mother and said, “That’s the whole story. Mom, I promised Blake I’d wait for his return, but the only person I really love is Dave. When Blake comes back, I’ll still choose Dave.”

Madison stared at her, and disappointment was written all over her face. “Bianc, are you being foolish?” she said tightly. “Dave can’t marry you. There’s no guarantee you’ll be happy with him. You’re giving up your youth. What if he falls for someone else later? He won’t be tied to you in any way.”

“Mom, didn’t you divorce Dad even though you were married?” Bianca replied in a calm but firm tone. “So what’s the point of marriage then?”

“I’m not with Dave because of who he is. I’m with him because I love him. He’s the only one I’ve ever loved. Marriage won’t make our love stronger, and not marrying won’t weaken it either. Marriage doesn’t stop cheating or divorce.

“Mom, be honest—if you hadn’t married Dad and had me and my brother, would your life have been easier back then?”

Madison couldn’t say anything. Bianca’s words left her speechless.

After divorcing Peter, she had taken Leonel overseas for work.

Only she knew how hard those years had been.

She had to admit Bianca was right. Life would’ve been easier without marriage and raising two kids.

But even with all the hardships, she never once regretted having Bianca and Leonel.

“Your engagement to Blake was his mother’s last wish,” Madison said softly. “How am I supposed to turn my back on that promise?”

Madison couldn’t stop thinking about her friend, Everleigh. She had made a promise to her—to see their kids get married. But keeping that promise was proving harder than she expected.

Bianca placed her hands gently on her mom’s shoulders. “Mom, you want me to be happy, right?”

Madison gave a small nod.

“Then that’s it,” Bianca said softly. “Blake’s mom wanted him to be happy too. But do you really think he’ll be happy marrying someone who doesn’t love him?”

“He won’t. And I won’t be happy either. So why stay together? Just because of a promise made with words? Have you ever stopped to think if the purpose behind that promise has already changed?”

Bianca looked at her mother with hope. She wanted her to understand that the engagement was meant to bring joy—not pain. And that was what Blake’s mother really wanted in the end.

Madison looked shocked. She didn’t say anything for a long time.

“Mom,” Bianca said gently, “are you really willing to let Blake and me be unhappy just because of a promise? I believe if his mom were still alive, she wouldn’t want him to suffer. This isn’t about her anymore—it’s about you holding on. Let it go. Maybe then we can all live a little better.”

Madison slowly shut her eyes. A single tear slipped down her cheek.

Bianca froze. She had never seen her mother cry.

To her, Madison had always been strong—someone who never broke.

But now, she saw something different.

After all the pain Madison had faced in life, something in her had softened.

And Bianca’s words had finally burst the bubbles in her illusion.

She realized her obsession to control things was only hurting them.

She finally faced the hard truth—death leaves nothing behind.

She would never see Everleigh again.

Everleigh had only wanted her son to be happy. But Bianca wasn’t the one who could give him that.

If Blake ended up unhappy, Madison didn’t think she could face Everleigh in the afterlife.

And just like that, she felt a strange sense of relief.

Still, she felt like she had let her daughter down.

She had always wanted Bianca to have a better life—one full of joy and meaning.

She dreamed of a home filled with laughter, grandchildren running around, and moments that brought warmth to her heart.

Now, all of that felt like a dream slipping away.

Madison shook her head, sadness weighing her down.

“Bianca, do you really understand what kind of hardships might come if you stay with Dave?”

“I do,” Bianca said, looking straight into her mother’s eyes.

“So, you still want to be with him? Aren’t you scared?”

Bianca gave a small smile. “I trust him. That’s why I’m not scared. What I fear most is regret—losing our chance just because we walked away too soon.”

Madison wanted to say more. But as she looked at Bianca, she realized her daughter had already made her decision. She let out a long sigh and gave in.

“Silly girl,” she murmured with a soft smile, gently brushing Bianca’s hair.

“I don’t have any big dreams, Bianc. I just want you to be happy. You’re right—I’ve been stuck in my old ways. But what you said today opened my eyes. You’ve grown so much, even more than I ever did.

“If this is what you really want, then I’ll stand by you. And always remember, even if Dave leaves one day, you’ll never be alone. You’ll always have your family behind you.”

“Mom, don’t worry. If it ever comes to that, I’ll be the first to walk away,” Bianca said with a smile.

Madison’s face softened. A gentle smile appeared on her lips.

She understood now that Bianca wasn’t young anymore. Her children had grown up.

It was time to let them live their own lives.

Her heart was finally relieved, and everything felt clear.

She believed in Bianca's choices.

Deep down, she knew her daughter would go further than she ever had.

****

A few days later, Dave made time to be with Bianca.

Bianca asked if they could go for a walk, so they headed to the park.

The sun was setting, casting a warm light over them. Their shadows stretched far behind.

Bianca wanted to say something, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak. She just let Dave hold her hand.

They walked quietly, looking like any other couple out for a calm evening.

Still, their good looks caught the attention of people passing by.

Dave enjoyed the peace around them. There was a lightness in the way he walked.