Chapter 248
Unnerved by Debra’s piercing gaze, Hester hurriedly lowered her head and left the bedroom. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she found Juan finishing his conversation with Melody. Melody glanced at Hester, sending a shiver down her spine. From that glance, Hester sensed Melody’s displeasure and wondered if Melody had seen through her tricks, as Debra had mentioned earlier.
Juan opened the bedroom door and heard running water from the bathroom. His eyes fell on the unopened medical kit on the counter. He picked it up and took out the medicine, just as the bathroom door opened. Debra walked out, wrapped in a bathrobe that outlined her perfect figure; water droplets glistened in her hair. She frowned, surprised not to have heard him enter. She had expected him to be in a lengthy discussion with Melody, but he had arrived so quickly.
Juan noted her reaction and pressed his lips together. “I’ll apply the medicine for you.” Her injury was minor, the bleeding having stopped. Debra hesitated before sitting beside him. As Juan carefully applied the medicine, their proximity allowed them to almost hear each other’s breaths. As his eyes lingered on her smooth, fair neck, Juan felt a surge of warmth.
“Is it done?” Debra asked.
Juan snapped out of his thoughts, fetched a band-aid from the kit, and placed it gently on her wound. “Done,” he replied.
Debra stood, putting distance between herself and Juan. He knew she was deliberately creating space, and he felt a pang of disappointment. After a moment of silence, he murmured, “Will you accept me?”
Debra looked at him, her expression indifferent. “What’s wrong? Losing confidence now? Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You didn’t listen to my advice.” She had long told Juan their relationship wouldn't work; nothing he did could change her mind. His disbelief and insistence on staking his fortune had led them to this point.
“Yes, I’ve lost confidence,” Juan admitted, a bitter smile on his lips. “I’ve never lacked confidence, except with you.”
Debra looked away. “If you’re afraid of losing the Nichols Group, I’ll give you a chance now. Cancel the bet.”
“I’m not afraid of losing the bet. I’m afraid of losing you,” Juan said, his eyes locked onto hers. “I know if I give up this bet, I’ll never have another chance. That’s why I won’t give up.”
“You’re being foolish. Don’t wait until you lose everything and regret it,” she said, getting up and lying down on the bed. The room fell into a heavy silence. She faintly heard Juan whispering that he had no regrets. She didn’t close her eyes or tell him the truth: no matter what he did, he couldn’t save a lost love. Their relationship had long been fractured, beyond repair.
Leanna called Debra early the next morning. Juan had already left for the company, leaving Debra alone in the bedroom. She answered the call, and Leanne’s voice came through the line: “Madam, Sheila has taken a leave today!”