Chapter 207: I Won't Let Go of Your Hand

Richard carefully supported her waist, afraid he'd been too rough last night and hurt her.

Seeing the dark circles under her eyes and the exhaustion etched between her brows, his heart twisted with both tenderness and guilt.

"I will spend my entire life loving you, protecting you, and cherishing you."

His promise was solemn and heartfelt.

Anastasia's heart felt full to bursting.

She nestled against his chest, feeling his strong, steady heartbeat, more at peace than she'd ever been.

……

In the days that followed, they were practically inseparable.

They visited building material markets together, selecting the most eco-friendly renovation materials.

They tracked down reclusive master craftsmen, offering generous salaries to bring them out of retirement.

Richard set aside all his corporate responsibilities to run around with her.

He didn't understand design, couldn't tell the difference between all those colorful fabric swatches.

But he stayed by her side through it all, standing there patiently while she made her selections.

He indulged every one of her design ideas, supported every wild, imaginative concept she came up with.

No matter how demanding or outlandish her requests, he only ever said one thing.

"Whatever you want."

With Richard's full support as CEO, the new studio began to take shape.

Daphne and Zoey visited several times, and each time they couldn't stop praising the place.

Watching the natural intimacy and understanding between Anastasia and Richard, they were genuinely happy for her.

"Seeing you this happy now, I can finally stop worrying." Daphne squeezed her hand, eyes glistening.

Zoey teased from the side, "Anastasia, you'd better keep a close eye on Mr. Roosevelt. Men this good are hard to find."

Anastasia looked over at Richard, who was studying electrical blueprints with the construction workers, and a blissful smile spread across her face.

She knew she'd chosen right this time.

With their combined efforts, the new studio quickly entered its final stages.

Anastasia decided to hold the studio's grand opening and her spring collection launch on the same day.

She wanted to announce her comeback to the world in the most spectacular way possible.

……

That evening, while Richard was showering, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his back.

He braced himself against the wall, nearly losing his balance.

Cold sweat instantly soaked his hair.

It was the old injury from when the beam had struck him in the fire, flaring up again.

Gritting through the pain, he walked out of the bathroom as if nothing was wrong.

Anastasia was reading in bed. Seeing him emerge, she asked casually, "What took you so long?"

"Water was a bit hot." Richard answered smoothly, sitting on the edge of the bed and reaching for the hair dryer.

Anastasia set down her book and naturally took the dryer from his hands.

"Let me."

She had him sit with his back to her, warm air and her gentle fingertips weaving through his hair.

Richard closed his eyes, savoring this rare moment of tenderness.

But the stabbing pain in his spine kept him from fully relaxing.

The next day, while Anastasia was at the studio, he slipped away to the hospital.

After running a series of detailed tests, the attending physician's expression turned grave.

"Mr. Roosevelt, your condition is more serious than I anticipated."

"That beam caused severe compression damage to your spine. While the surgery was successful, strenuous activity and prolonged physical strain will still trigger the old injury."

"If you don't start resting and continue pushing yourself this hard, you could develop permanent complications. In the worst case, you might even…"

The doctor didn't finish, but Richard understood what he meant.

Paralysis.

He left the hospital and sat in his car in silence for a long time.

He wasn't afraid of dying, wasn't afraid of being disabled.

He was only afraid that if he collapsed, who would protect Anastasia?

While his mind churned with worry, an international call came through.

An urgent call from the Roosevelt Group headquarters in Zephyria.

The voice on the other end—a senior board member—spoke with barely controlled panic. A major overseas investment project was in serious crisis. Competitors were launching hostile attacks, partners were defecting at the eleventh hour, and the entire project was on the verge of collapse.

This was a project Richard had personally approved, worth hundreds of billions, critical to the Roosevelt Group's strategic positioning for the next decade. They couldn't afford to lose it.

The board unanimously agreed that Richard needed to fly to Zephyria immediately to take command and handle the crisis personally.

And according to preliminary assessments, resolving this crisis would take at least six months, possibly longer.

Which meant if he went, he and Anastasia would be separated by continents for an extended period.

After hanging up, Richard wearily pinched the bridge of his nose.

Health crisis. Business crisis. Long-distance strain.

Three impossible choices closing in around him.

What should he do?

How could he tell Anastasia?

……

The grand opening of the new studio and spring collection launch went ahead as scheduled.

The fashion world and business elite turned out in force.

Under the spotlights, Anastasia stood center stage, confident and elegant.

Behind her on the runway, models showcased the new collection.

Each piece perfectly blended classical grace with modern tailoring.

Especially the butterfly series gown that closed the show.

When the model wearing it stepped out, the entire venue erupted in gasps of admiration.

Those lifelike butterflies, those shimmering patterns—everything showcased the designer's brilliant vision and masterful technique.

The launch was an unprecedented success.

Praise flooded in from all corners of the internet.

Anastasia's name echoed throughout the fashion world.

She'd proven herself with her own talent, reaching the pinnacle of her career.

After the ceremony, backstage.

Richard found Anastasia as she was wrapping up a media interview.

When it ended, he stepped forward and draped his coat over her shoulders.

"You must be exhausted."

"Not at all. I'm thrilled." Anastasia's eyes sparkled.

Richard looked at her, his gaze full of reluctance and inner turmoil.

Finally, he pulled a document from his pocket and handed it to her.

It was an assignment letter from Roosevelt Group headquarters for an overseas posting.

"There's been a situation in Zephyria. I have to go handle it."

He told her honestly about the crisis overseas and the possibility of a long-term separation.

He didn't hide anything, didn't pressure her.

"I'm leaving the choice entirely up to you."

"You can choose to wait for me, or you can choose not to."

"Whatever you decide, I'll respect it. I just want you to know that no matter where I am, my heart will always be with you."

He didn't tell her about his spinal injury.

He didn't want her to worry.

He only wanted to shoulder the hardest choices himself and give her the freedom to decide.

Anastasia looked at his forced smile, feeling something pierce sharply through her heart.

She reached up and cupped his face.

Neither of them brought up whether she should go with him, whether they could make it long-term.

The future held too many uncertainties.

Career, distance, health…

Each one was a mountain standing between them.

But neither of them backed down.

Richard reached out and gripped Anastasia's hand tightly.

Anastasia squeezed back.

Their fingers interlaced, palms warm.

"No matter how far apart we are, I won't let go of your hand."

Anastasia smiled softly.

"Neither will I. The road ahead may be uncertain, but as long as love remains, there's nothing to fear."