Her Return, His Regret novel Chapter 175

Hours earlier.

Bianca felt like she had been hit by a truck.

Every cell in her body hurt. Breathing felt like she was swallowing molten lava.

She hadn't eaten in the last two days, so she was very low on energy and her injuries were taking long to heal.

"Have some soup. You're going to feel better and gain some strength," the elderly woman who had been taking care of Bianca offered.

With difficulty, Bianca propped herself up and accepted the bowl. She then ate the soup quickly and the elderly woman watched her with a warm smile on her face.

Bianca’s face was still swollen and bruised and it was hard to make out her facial features.

"Thank you," Bianca said when she was done, her voice hoarse.

"Oh don't mention it," the woman remarked. "My name is Rita Pierce. The man who saved you is my husband, Josaphat Pierce. Don't worry, you're safe here. We live with our daughter, Serena and our three grandchildren."

Bianca nodded, looking around and realising she was in a modest bedroom. The curtains looked old and the bed was small but it was comfortable.

"Do you have anyone we can call? Make sure it's someone trustworthy. The person who wants you dead is still out there," Rita uttered.

Flashes of what happened two days ago rushed through Bianca’s mind.

She recalled how she was drugged in the restroom and then she woke up in a car, all tied up. The face of the woman who kidnapped her flashed in her mind's eye and she pursed her lips into a thin line.

Being involved with a playboy was really tiring.

Not only was she now the number one enemy of most women, but she was also at risk of being murdered by some of them.

Bianca glanced at Rita and replied, "I'll call my parents."

At this point, they were the only safe option. Lora already had her hands full with the twins, Bianca didn't want to disturb her friend. As for Adan, Bianca didn't want to risk alerting the kidnapper of her survival.

A little while later, Bianca's parents arrived at the location.

Evelyn's eyes watered when she saw her daughter on the bed.

A gasp left her lips as she exclaimed, "Oh my God! Who did this to my daughter?"

"Mom, I'm fine," Bianca replied, forcing a smile.

"Fine?" Evelyn remarked, looking her over. "You don't look fine to me. We need to take you to the hospital! What happened? Who did this to you?"

Bianca sighed. Instead of saying the truth, she answered, "I don't know, Mom. They had a mask."

Josaphat looked at Eric and Evelyn before saying, "I saw your daughter being pushed down the cliff. Luckily I got to her in time and she survived. I wasn't able to see the person who committed the crime but I hope she's found soon and justice is served."

"Thank you so much for saving our daughter. We will surely remember this and repay you for your help," Eric Jones said.

Josaphat shook his head, saying, "I didn't do this to get any kind of reward. I'm just glad I was able to save your daughter. She's such a sweet and kind woman."

Bianca glanced at Adan. She forced a smile and said, "Hey. You don't look so good."

Adan was sporting a scruffy stubble. His hair was unkempt and he had dark circles under his eyes.

He stepped closer to the bed, his eyes welling with tears as he said, "Can you blame me? When I thought you were gone forever, I lost it. I don't know what I would have done if I never saw you again."

Bianca’s heart skipped a beat. She arched an eyebrow and asked, "Are you saying that as a friend?"

"Why would I say that as a friend when I'm your hubby-to-be?" Adan asked.

He approached Bianca and carefully pulled her into his arms, stroking the back of her head gently.

"I missed you," he said, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "If I knew holding you in my arms like this felt like home, I would have done it sooner. I wouldn't have held back..."

"Adan... what-"

"Shhhhh, don't talk. Let me hold you like this for five minutes. I need to know you're real," Adan remarked, holding Bianca tightly but gently.

The two stayed like that for a while. After what felt like an eternity but was only a few minutes, Adan pulled back and looked into Bianca’s eyes.

"I know this might not be the right time, Bee, but I want to be with you. I know we started off on the wrong foot but to be honest, I was only cold because I didn't understand my attraction to you. I fell for you the moment I saw you again and also when we had our first fight. Almost losing you made me realise you're the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with."

"Will you give me a chance?" Adan proposed.