Semua Bab The Ultimate Cure: A New Husband: Bab 21 - Bab 30

The conference room door eased open, and at the far end of the long table, a familiar profile came into view.The late autumn sunlight draped over him, casting a soft, golden halo around his figure. Golden-brown strands of hair, even softer than the sunlight itself, brushed his forehead. His brow was sharply defined, eyelashes thick and dark as raven feathers drooping over deep-set eyes. A straight, high nose led down to lips that curved naturally, the smile carrying that familiar warmth tinged with reserve. The jawline was clean and precise, every detail measured to perfection.Every carefully crafted detail—Adriana had once pressed her lips to them in earnest devotion.His face had not changed much, but his aura had. The innocence of youth had vanished, replaced by the quiet confidence and composure of a mature man. Yet his innate nobility remained."Adriana… Adriana, what's wrong?"Carla's voice sounded nearby, yet it felt distant, as if traveling across some vast space. Adrian

Francesco: [Mrs. Slater, video conference tomorrow at 10 a.m.]Adriana tightened her grip on the phone, then replied in a strictly professional tone: [Noted.]No response came from the other end. She stared at the slightly empty screen, her eyes growing sore from focusing so intently.Once, they had endless topics to talk about.During the day, they clung to each other; at night, even after returning to their respective dorms, the conversation stretched late into the night. Even trivial matters sparked a desire to share every little detail of their lives.Years had passed, and now only silence remained.A sharp ring jolted her from her thoughts. Adriana absentmindedly tapped "answer.""Why didn't you reply to my message?"Chris's voice was icy, tinged with unmistakable anger.Only then did Adriana recall that when she had arrived at the office that morning, Chris had messaged her, asking why she hadn't personally made breakfast to send to the hospital. At the time, she had bee

Adriana felt a tightness in her chest. Chris was an impossibly proud man, and every time she heard his self-deprecating words, her sorrow mirrored his own.Her lips trembled as she murmured, a little dejectedly, "Chris… you know I never thought that way.""Then prove it to me."Chris's eyes darkened as he picked up his phone."Either you stay here, or we go together. I'll call Bella right now.""I'll stay."Adriana gave in, sending a message to Charlie to request leave. Once Chris recovered, he would be busy with work and have no time to fuss over her.A satisfied smile spread across Chris's face. He reached out to ruffle her hair."Everything I do is to protect you."Adriana knew he meant the situation with Neo. No matter how much she tried to explain, Chris would never believe that Neo's feelings for her were innocent. She despised that car accident five years ago, which had taken the cheerful, healthy Chris and left him in his current condition.She didn't argue; the prior

Francesco had actually recorded their conversation!Adriana's teeth itched with frustration. Truly, fate had a cruel sense of humor.Adriana: [What do you want from me?]The video he sent was clearly a threat.Francesco: [Come to the old place tonight for fencing, or this video will appear in your company's group chat.]Francesco: [Just in case you forgot, a friendly reminder: the old place is the Heatherton Fencing Club.]Of course, Adriana knew exactly where the old place was. She had learned her fencing skills there—personally taught by Francesco.Back in high school, her timid nature often made her a target. Afraid of troubling Grandma Rosie, she never told anyone. One day, when a few students cornered her in an alley, it was Francesco who came to her rescue.Disgusted by her weakness, he brought her to the fencing club and taught her how to fight back. She tried, only to end up beaten, her face bruised and swollen.When Chris found out, he was furious upon learning she ha

Adriana didn't get up. She simply let herself fall back, lying flat on the cold floor.Scenes from the past flickered before her eyes: Francesco teaching her fencing, carrying her up mountains, kneeling to propose… She remembered the engagement ring—something she had seen in a magazine during high school, a private collection she had casually remarked was beautiful. She had no idea how much effort he must have spent to buy it. She had betrayed a love so genuine…It was nearly eleven when Adriana finally left the fencing club alone, taking a taxi back to the hospital. On the ride, she opened the chat interface with Francesco.His avatar remained unchanged—the ocean she had set for him back in college. A deep, clear blue, just like his eyes.Adriana: [I'm sorry. How is your wound? Is it serious?]She typed the message, but hesitated before sending it.Francesco already had a wife. Was it appropriate for her, as his ex, to send such a message? Even though they had a formal client