Filed to story: The Regretful Billionaire: An Unpredicted Reunion
“You and Stephanie…”
“She’s already calling it even.What am I going to do? Force her? You can tell Danika that I’m not going to bother Stephanie anymore.”Paul seemed to be making a decision.Since this happened, Paul was seeing a lot of things clearly for the first time.He truly no longer had a chance with Stephanie.Nothing he did would change it.She would only hate him even more.He was just going to give up.Losing her didn’t seem like such a hard pill to swallow anymore.His eyes reddened, and he swiped at his eyes.
Then, he smiled.
He was actually crying.
A person like him, crying.
What a joke.Eustace said nothing when he saw his tears.He was just feeling anxious.
“Let it go, Paul.It’s time for you to start anew.The Wardleys have been kicked out of the Ten Elites.Without incident, the Wagners should be able to take their spot.You have lots of things you can do, and you’ll meet someone better for you.”
He paused, then continued, “Didn’t Melanie like you? I think she’s not bad.You can try talking to her since she likes you.What if you end up liking her, too?”
That was possible.
Stephanie was pushed toward Leonard, thanks to Danika, and she ended up liking him in the end.
Eustace wanted Paul to have a happy ending, too.
Paul smiled and nodded, saying, “What you’re saying is easier said than done.I told you to end things with Danika before and look at what you did.”
Eustace was rendered speechless.
Paul had to go through this by himself.
All the words of advice in the world couldn’t help him.
Downstairs, Leonard was wheeled into a ward after his surgery.
Although there were many wounds on him, they weren’t exactly serious.
Hence, he was not sent to the ICU; rather, he was sent to a normal ward.
Danika went in with Stephanie, seeing him on the bed.
“You can talk to him.I’ll go up to find Eustace.”
Danika left them in the room, not planning to bother them.
Stephanie said nothing, merely smiling.
Then, she went to Leonard’s side.
Leonard’s anesthesia had not cleared from his system yet, and he was still unconscious.
Stephanie was in no hurry.She watched the sleeping man, her anxious feelings from before slowly fading.
He was alright, she told herself.
“Don’t worry, Leonard.I won’t scold you.I know of your dreams and how you feel about justice.I get it,” Stephanie said, a smile forming on her lips.
Leonard was a cop, and he worked for the law.
He was willing to endanger himself just to catch a few criminals.
Before, Stephanie thought that a guy like him wouldn’t be able to make her feel secure.
But after all of this, she realized that if there was anyone who could make her feel secure, it would be him.
It Was Time They Both Moved On
Stephanie stayed by Leonard’s side until night fell over the city.
Then, Leonard slowly woke up.
“Stephanie?”
When he opened his eyes, he saw Stephanie and her reddened eyes.
“Why are you crying? Did someone pick on you?”
It was as if he was completely unaware of the situation he was in.His first instinct was to worry about Stephanie.It made Stephanie’s eyes turn even redder.
“You’re the one picking on me.”
“Me?”
Leonard was stunned.He got up, but then the aches in his body sent waves of pain washing through him.It hurt so badly that he gnashed his teeth.
Stephanie got up to hold him back.
“Don’t move.Rest well.”
Leonard had no other choice.He wanted to move, but he couldn’t.
“Sorry.I’ve made you worry.”
It was then that he remembered what had happened, and he understood why Stephanie would have tears in her eyes.He was careless.He hadn’t thought the criminals would be brave enough to kidnap him.
Stephanie pouted, doing her best to calm herself down.
“You don’t have to apologize.You did nothing wrong.”
“Stephanie…”
“I’m not mad.That’s truly how I feel.”
Stephanie was serious.She continued, “I get your principles, so I’m supportive of it.”
Now it was Leonard’s turn to tear up.
“Stephanie, I…”
“I just want you to be more careful in the future and not throw yourself headlong into trouble.”
She didn’t want to stop him from doing what he wanted as long as he protected himself.
Leonard nodded, feeling touched.
“I will.I promise that something like this will never happen again.”
“Alright.That would put me at ease.” Stephanie smiled.
They shared an embrace.
After Eustace sent Paul his food, he left the hospital with Danika.
Paul didn’t need someone to look after him, and Leonard had Stephanie by his side, so it didn’t mean much for Eustace and Danika to stay there.
“So, how did Paul take it?”
Danika was finally alone with Eustace.
The first thing that she asked about was Paul’s demeanor.
Eustace smiled wanly.
“Did you really think that he would press charges against Stephanie?”
“Who knows?”
Danika pouted.
What if Paul wanted to use that to force Stephanie to return to his side? “Don’t worry.He’ll let it go.In fact, he won’t even bother Stephanie anymore,” Eustace said.
Danika was surprised to hear that.
“Can he really do that?”
“You already said it was even.And since it was, there’s no need for him to keep pestering her.”
Eustace pulled her into his arms as he spoke.
He’d seen too many couples break up to know that ending up with the person he loved was no easy feat.
Danika didn’t know what he was thinking.
But when she heard that Paul was willing to call it even and would not bother Stephanie anymore, she was glad.
“That’s good.They should each have their own lives.If they can’t be with each other, they should stop torturing each other.”
Danika sat in Eustace’s car once she was done speaking.
The car began moving.
However, they didn’t go home right away.