Billionaire's match novel

---- Chapter 767 "Madam, | also believe he'll come back. But most likely... that person isn't him." Lenny's words cut through the tense silence. Khloe felt a pang of defeat. She sat still for a long moment before finally nodding, then waved him off. Evening. On the outskirts of Goldmont City, in a scenic villa, a man in loose hospital clothing was pushing his body through grueling exercises under a doctor's guidance. Lucas watched quietly from the side, waiting until it was time to break. Nick was soaked in sweat, his complexion pale from the relentless practice.

To return to Khloe's side, he was exhausting himself to the limit of his endurance. This past week, his days had revolved around medication and rehabilitation exercises, and the results were surprisingly better than expected. He could now walk freely, and control over his body was largely restored. Yet, compared to before the accident, many movements still demanded effort. The doctor warned that this could be a ---- temporary improvement from the high-dose medication. A full recovery would only be clear after he had stopped the drugs and his body stabilized.

But the moment he gained some strength, Nick was determined to return to Goldmont City. Lucas escorted him personally, leaving nothing to chance. He had expected Nick to rush straight to Khloe the moment he returned. But to his surprise, Nick was patient. "Did you go out this morning?" Lucas asked casually, handing him a towel. Nick took it and rubbed his face hard. He didn't answer, eyes fixed on his fingers, which trembled slightly. His gaze was heavy, dark, as if weighed down by something unsaid.

Seeing the veins on his forehead tense, Lucas continued, "| saw that Khloe attended the bid with Solara Energy Group this morning." At the mention of her name, Nick's hand tightened on the towel, knuckles whitening. His Adam's apple moved with difficulty. "You miss her so much... why haven't you gone to see her yet?" "Not the right time." "Are you afraid?" Lucas cut straight to the heart of it. ---- Of course, Nick wanted nothing more than to see Khloe. Otherwise, he wouldn't have pushed his recovering body to its limits just to return home. But seeing her and facing her...

those were two entirely different things. Lucas had hit the nail on the head. Nick's body was barely holding up, fragile and uncertain. Today at the bid, he had glimpsed Khloe, poised and confident as always. The longing and worry of the past weeks surged up ina wave of conflicting emotions. He wanted to run to her, throw himself into her arms, and tell her, "I'm back. I'm here." But... he was afraid. Afraid of disturbing the fragile peace she had just reclaimed. Afraid that his body, so barely holding together, might fail to keep her close. Afraid of giving her hope only to crush it.

Finally, he spoke, voice hoarse, "Yes." Lucas looked at him, silently sighing at the cruelty of love. "You love her too much. More than yourself. If she feels the same way, then what she wants most right now is for you to be alive. standing right in front of her." Nick's body shivered slightly. Lucas's words rang eerily familiar- words she herself had once repeated to him over and over. ---- "Just give me a little more time," Nick murmured. "At least... enough to stand steady, to walk without faltering, to go to her like a normal man." Lucas nodded. "Alright." Night deepened.

Even after Lucas left, Nick didn't rest.