Chapter 85

Chapter 85:

As the crowd dispersed, Cristian approached Fernanda and declared, “I’ll take you to the hospital p>

“Alright,” Fernanda responded with a nod. She was well aware that any protest would be futile; Cristian would have insisted anyway.

“Yes, indeed, Cristian, you need to rush her to the hospital,” Bobby quickly added. “And don’t forget to send me the location when you arrive, so I can come visit p>

With the motorcycle race concluded, various issues still demanded attention. Bobby, a sponsor of the event, lingered to oversee these lingering responsibilities. He watched Cristian support Fernanda as they made their way toward the parking lot, releasing a soft sigh.

Bobby knew accompanying them would only make him a third wheel, more awkward than helpful. It seemed wiser to pay a visit later.

With Cristian’s arms around her, Fernanda felt a wave of tension run through her. This kind of closeness with a man was something she had never experienced before. She had contemplated suggesting a stretcher, but Cristian had already lifted her before she could voice it.

From her vantage point in his arms, Fernanda admired his striking jawline, sharp and commanding—a truly handsome sight.

Above them, the night sky dazzled, adorned with brilliant stars and the Milky Way sweeping majestically across the horizon.

Cristian felt Fernanda’s gaze on him and lowered his eyes to meet hers. The starlight reflected in his eyes, casting a serene, almost otherworldly glow over his features. A slow, charming grin spread across his face. Caught off guard, Fernanda quickly averted her eyes.

The walk to the parking lot was short, yet for Fernanda, each step seemed to stretch the distance endlessly. Cristian carefully helped her into the passenger seat of the car.

Settling into the seat, Fernanda let out a deep sigh of relief, her fingers brushing against her chest as she noticed her heart pounding fiercely—a sensation she hadn’t experienced in ages.

Cristian climbed into the driver’s seat and ignited the engine, his voice steady as he informed her, “We’re heading to the hospital now. It’s about a three-hour drive. If you start feeling uncomfortable at any point, just tell me p>

“Okay,” Fernanda responded, a soft chuckle escaping her. “It’s just a minor injury, nothing to worry about. I’m not that delicate p>

“A dislocated ankle is a minor injury?” Cristian raised an eyebrow, skepticism lacing his tone. “What exactly qualifies as a serious injury to you p>

“As long as I’m not confined to bed, it’s manageable,” Fernanda replied nonchalantly, a hint of pride in her voice. “Back when I was training in martial arts, I used to endure injuries all the time, including dislocations. I guess I’ve grown accustomed to it p>

Even though her voice was soft, Cristian could sense the gravity of Fernanda’s situation. He couldn’t help but wonder about her casual dismissals of her injuries—could she genuinely be so indifferent to her own health?

“Is that the reason you became proficient in setting bones? Because you were frequently injured?” he questioned, his tone laced with concern.

“Yeah. It was more out of necessity than choice,” Fernanda admitted with a reflective nod.

With the conversation naturally steering towards her past, she chose to unveil her experiences rather than shroud them in secrecy. Four years ago, she had ventured up a mountain near her village to forage for medicinal herbs, amidst a relentless downpour that had turned the path into a slippery mess. Her foot slipped on the slick mud, sending her sliding down the steep incline in a flurry of panic. Fortunately, her fall resulted in only a dislocated arm—a stroke of luck amid potential catastrophes.

She found herself alone in the hollow of the valley, wrestling with pain and the realization that the only way out was to mend her own injury. The place was isolated and unreachable, with no sign of human presence or cell service, and she faced her predicament with grim determination.

Her first, agonizing attempt at setting a bone was borne of sheer necessity, etching a lasting lesson in self-reliance into her memory. Using her makeshift mended arm, she painstakingly clawed her way out of the valley, relying on the jagged rocks and stubborn flora for support, and spent the next quarter year recovering, miraculously without long-term impairments.

“This injury pales in comparison to that ordeal. I’m perfectly capable of handling it on my own,” Fernanda declared with a light smile, her eyes flitting to Cristian as she spoke.

Cristian’s forehead creased, his expression grave and contemplative. Truth be told, Fernanda’s nonchalant admission had caught him off guard. Her words were so casual, yet Cristian could vividly imagine the peril she had faced.

Fernanda continually amazed him. He had witnessed her combat skills in action and knew she was exceptionally talented. Yet, her prowess had been acquired at the cost of numerous injuries.

Cristian felt happy that Fernanda had gradually opened up to him, shedding some of her usual reserve. Their bond had deepened significantly—now she could banter with him and recount tales of her adventures. But with each story she shared, Cristian realized just how much of her past remained a mystery.

How had a nineteen-year-old girl, who had never attended school, achieved such feats? How had she cultivated such a diverse set of skills and interests? How had she managed it all?

Cristian felt that the description he had once given her—”gem”—was truly fitting.

After recounting her tale, Fernanda asked, “How did you manage to find me today? Weren’t you supposed to be at the race p>

“I looked for you at the race,” Cristian replied. “When I didn’t see you, I thought something might’ve happened. I abandoned the race to search for you. I couldn’t locate you initially, but then I noticed the tracks on the hillside and suspected you might have taken a fall. Thankfully, I decided to investigate further down the slope. Otherwise, the outcome could have been dire p>

“Thank you,” Fernanda expressed earnestly, her eyes meeting Cristian’s. “Once again, you’ve been there for me p>

Cristian gently shook his head, his eyes clouded with concern. “This time, it’s different. It was I who insisted you come to the race. If not for that, this accident would never have occurred p>

Fernanda perceived the weight of regret in his tone, yet she held firm to her conviction that he was blameless. The accident hadn’t been his doing.

“You extended the invitation with the best of intentions. No one could’ve foreseen this tragedy. There’s no reason for you to shoulder any guilt,” she assured him, her gaze shifting ahead contemplatively.

“Moreover, I hold no grudge against you p>

“Rest assured, I will track down the man in the green motorcycle suit,” Cristian declared with resolve. “A culprit like that cannot simply vanish into thin air p>

Fernanda gave a subtle nod, her eyes briefly sparking with resolve as she acknowledged his determination.

A heavy silence then enveloped the car, filling the space with a tangible stillness. Fernanda’s discomfort was palpable. Her fingers twitched nervously in her lap, revealing her internal unease.

Although she had been alone with men before, none had ever made her feel as awkward as she did now with Cristian. A tinge of frustration crept up on her, puzzled by her own reactions. Fernanda only felt this odd discomfort in the quiet moments she shared alone with Cristian.

She surreptitiously turned her head to sneak a peek at him. Seated behind the wheel, Cristian was a portrait of concentration, his chiseled profile enhancing his striking good looks. He reclined slightly in his seat, his jawline sharp and his Adam’s apple pronounced, exuding a blend of stern charm and effortless allure. His presence was undeniably captivating.

Feeling her gaze, Cristian glanced her way, their eyes locking momentarily. This sudden connection sparked an unfamiliar pang of unease in Fernanda, prompting her to swiftly avert her gaze and bow her head. Her hair cascaded forward, veiling her reddened cheeks from view.

“What’s wrong p>

His voice, warm and rich as velvet, floated to her ears.

“Nothing,” Fernanda murmured, her voice a soft echo of her inner turmoil. Despite her efforts, her tone wavered, tinged with the delicate innocence of youth.

As Cristian reached out, his cool fingertips delicately brushed aside her hair, causing Fernanda to shiver and meet his gaze once more. Now, with her flushed cheeks fully visible, there was no concealing her emotions.

“Why are you blushing?” he inquired with a teasing smile, leaning closer to peer into her eyes. “Are you feeling shy p>