Chapter 12 Ignoring the metal plates still in his legs , he struggled to get out of bed . " If you won't tell me , I'll go find her myself . " His wounds had not yet healed , and with this commotion , blood began to seep out again . Yet the man seemed oblivious to the pain , gritting his teeth and continuing to move . " Leonardo , what are you doing ? You're still injured ! " Alaina rushed forward to stop him , but Leonardo shoved her harshly to the ground . " Get out of my way ! " As soon as the words left his mouth , he himself fell heavily to the floor from the momentum . The intense pain made his cold , handsome face freeze and stiffen for a few moments , as beads of sweat rolled down like raindrops . Mathew hurriedly crouched down to help him , but something shiny fell out of his pocket . Leonardo's movements halted . -It was a broken diamond ring , stained with tiny spots of blood . It was the very ring he had meant to give Gabrielle . In an instant , his heart ached as if torn apart , and his head throbbed with pain . 다. Chapter 12 Countless blurred and fleeting images shattered in his mind . It seemed as if a familiar voice was screaming , crying . He clutched his head in agony , veins bulging on his neck . It was Gabrielle , it was Gabrielle's voice ! Why was she crying , why was she screaming ? With trembling hands , he picked up the broken ring and rubbed at the bloodstains with his sleeve . 288 ( Vouchers But the blood had dried and clung stubbornly to the ring , no matter how hard he tried to wipe it away . Leonardo exhaled heavily , gripping Mathew's wrist so tightly it was almost crushing . His eyes were bloodshot . " Whose blood is this ? Where is Gabrielle ? " " Mathew , tell me ! Or don't blame me for forgetting our past ! " he roared violently , as if someone had touched his most sensitive nerve . Mathew's eyes reddened with emotion . He slowly closed his eyes , forcing a bitter smile . " You really have to see her , don't you ? " " Of course I'm sure . Say one more word of nonsense and see what happens ! " Mathew stared at him for a few seconds , took a deep breath , and said , " Fine , I'll take you . " Peacekeeping Hospital . 17 m Chapter 12 128 V Nicholas stayed by Gabrielle's side without leaving for a moment , flipping through the investigation results Vito had brought .. His long lashes cast shadows over his deep , chiseled face , a blend of German and European features . The atmosphere in the hospital room grew colder and colder , and Vito bowed his head even lower . After a long time , Nicholas finally looked up from the thick stack of documents . The icy blue in his eyes was like a harsh winter , brewing a terrifying storm . " So , Gabby got into a car accident not long after returning home , was trapped in that castle for five years , but the news I heard was that she was perfectly fine . " Vito's knees buckled and he knelt straight at Nicholas's feet . " Mr. Harlan , please calm your anger ! I deserve to die . " " Was it my stepmother ? " The man kneeling on the floor hesitated for a moment , then nodded . " Yes , Madam Harlan deliberately blocked any news about Ms. Padgett . Combined with Leonardo's control and manipulation of the media , it actually ... " A cold , mocking smile appeared at the corner of Nicholas's lips . He laughed in anger , " Good , very good . " The person on the hospital bed let out a muffled groan and slowly opened her eyes . The coldness in the man's eyes faded away . He got up and held her fingers . " Gabrielle ? You're awake . How do you feel ? " Chapter 12 Gabrielle blinked in confusion , then slowly regained clarity . 288 Vouchers She had been in a deep sleep for a whole week , dreaming of many things from the past . Sweet , bewildering , painful , struggling , and despairing memories . Yet in the end , what she dreamed of was- A magnificent , solemn ballet stage . That was the place she had yearned for day and night five years ago . For that , she had practiced tirelessly , falling countless times and getting up again and again , pushing her body to its limits over and over . Finally , at the age of twenty - one , she received an invitation from the Royal Academy of Dance . Yet fate played a cruel joke on her . Her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer . The doctor said that even with the best medicine , she could only hold on for at most a year . And that year would not only be extremely expensive , but would also require family to stay by her side . She was an orphan ; it was her grandmother who had adopted her , spoiled her , loved her , cared for her , and spent all her savings to send her to school and dance lessons . After learning the news , Gabrielle hurried back to her home country . Day and night , she traveled non - stop , covered in dust . Chapter 12 289 Vouchers In just over half a year , the chubby old lady had become as thin as a stick . As soon as she saw Gabrielle , her grandmother's eyes widened . " Oh , Gabby , why did you come back ! " " Grandma ! How are you ? " She rushed forward and hugged her grandmother . Her grandmother slapped her thigh , trying to push her away . " Grandma's fine , hurry back to your dancing . This isn't where you should be ... " Gabrielle held her tightly around the waist , her eyes brimming with tears . " I'm not dancing anymore , Grandma , I won't dance anymore. " " Sweetheart , you can't stop dancing . You've loved it since you were little . No matter how hard it was , you never once complained ... It's all my fault , all my fault ! " Her grandmother's illness worsened day by day , and the time she spent unconscious gradually exceeded the time she was awake . Her hands were as thin as dried old wood . " Gabby , Grandma's last wish is for you to find someone who loves you and cherishes you . " In "A Lady Hard to Please" by CrushReels, a single mother makes a poignant return to the city she fled seven years ago. Her mission: to secure treatment for her son's leukemia, setting the stage for an emotional journey of love and resilience amidst past heartbreak. As her ex-lover reenters her life upon hearing of her return, old wounds resurface, sparking a complex web of emotions and decisions that delve deep into themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the enduring power of love. This modern romance novel stands out for its raw portrayal of familial bonds tested by adversity, offering readers a compelling exploration of human strength and vulnerability. With a captivating blend of heart-wrenching moments and tender revelations, "A Lady Hard to Please" promises a captivating read that lingers in the heart long after the final page. Available to read online at CrushReel for those seeking a tale that transcends boundaries and speaks to the resilience of the human spirit.