Page 132 of King of Pride

“No, you’re not fine.” He dragged a hand over his face, struggling to contain his frustration. “You didn't even know how to make that woman feel loved when she was with you, and now that you've lost her, you're acting as if your entire world has ended. How long are you going to keep doing this to yourself?”

Ivan closed his eyes and released a slow, frustrated breath.

“It happens between couples,” he said stubbornly. “There are always fights. Rose took things too far. She got angry and married someone else, but she's going to come back.”

He opened his eyes again, and a strange certainty flashed through them.

“After an accident like this, there's no way she won't come to see me. She cares about me. She's only pretending that she doesn't because she's angry.” His voice became more convinced with every word. “Once she hears that I was injured, she'll come back. Just wait and see.”

Terrence stared at him in disbelief.

He drew in a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but Ivan's complete refusal to face reality was pushing him to the edge.

“You're only realizing that she cares about you now?” Terrence finally snapped. “You knew she cared about you when you were together. You knew exactly how much she loved you, and what did you do with it?”

Ivan remained silent.

“You were the one who didn't care about her,” Terrence continued, his voice heavy with disappointment. “I told you countless times to apologize to her after you slapped her. I told you to fix things before it was too late, but you were so convinced that she'd always come back that you couldn't even be bothered.”

He shook his head.

“And now look where that confidence has gotten you.”

Ivan didn't answer.

His eyes slowly closed again, and the stubbornness disappeared from his expression. For the first time, he looked less angry than defeated. His face was heavy with sadness, as though he was finally beginning to understand how badly he had ruined everything.

Terrence stared at him for a moment, his own anger fading into disappointment.

He had tried to help him.

Again and again.

But Ivan simply hadn't listened.

Before Terrence could say anything else, the door opened.

Maria hurried into the room, her expression filled with determination as she walked straight toward the bed.

“Ivan,” she said breathlessly. “I called Rose.”

Ivan's eyes immediately opened.

“She agreed to come,” Maria announced.

Hearing Maria’s words, Ivan immediately sat up, the sadness on his face giving way to a flicker of hope.

“She’s coming?” he asked, almost as though he needed to hear it again to believe it.

Maria nodded. “Yes. I managed to convince her to come.”

Relief washed over his face. Then, almost instantly, he became self-conscious. He glanced down at himself and frowned at the hospital gown, his bruised arms, and the bandage wrapped around his head.

“Where’s a mirror?” he asked anxiously. “I need to clean myself up. I look terrible. She’s going to worry when she sees me like this.”

Before Maria could stop him, Ivan pushed himself out of bed, nearly forgetting that an IV was still attached to his arm.

“Ivan!” Maria grabbed him by the shoulder. “At least eat something first. You haven’t eaten properly in days. How are you planning to recover if you keep refusing food?”