Chapter 231

Chapter 231

Christina looked at him: "Ethan, we've been together for a whole ten years, with more pain than happiness. I don't have that many decades to waste in my life."

"Although my transplant surgery was successful and there are no side effects for now, it's still a ticking time bomb."

"You're healthy. You can have a healthy wife and lovely children in the future. I only have Henry, and I'll only ever have Henry, so I'm taking him with me."

Ethan naturally wouldn't fight her for Henry. Henry was important to both of them.

Regarding her proposal to separate, he neither agreed nor refused. He thought that if he just avoided it, everything would pass, but he underestimated Christina's determination.

When Ethan came home that evening, Christina had already packed all his clothes into suitcases, and had packed some of her own things too.

He walked into the dressing room and saw Christina organizing the jewelry he'd given her.

"Christina..." Ethan's face was full of disbelief.

Christina turned around, her expression calm: "I'll take the gifts you gave me. This apartment is rented. I've already arranged with the property management to end the lease."

Ethan stepped forward and grabbed her hand, his eyes full of sadness: "What about Henry? Have you considered his feelings? How are you going to tell him?"

Christina lowered her head and subtly pushed his hand away: "I'll explain to Henry myself."

Ethan knew her mind was made up, and no amount of persuasion would help.

He quietly watched her pack things one by one.

Only after she finished did he ask softly: "When are you leaving?"

"This weekend. My brother will come pick me up." Christina looked up at him. "There are too many complicated memories here. I probably won't come back again. Before I leave, I want to see Elizabeth one more time."

Ethan said nothing. He stepped back a few paces, turned around dejectedly, and left.

That night, Ethan didn't come home, and didn't show up for the next few days either.

Someone saw him drinking all night with friends at a club. When Christina heard about it, her expression remained calm.

Early Saturday morning, just as Christina had changed clothes, she received an unexpected phone call from a well-known private jewelry customization shop in Novaria.

"Hello, Ms. Reed. A year ago, your husband Ethan commissioned a diamond ring for you at our shop. When would be convenient for you to pick it up?"

Christina was very surprised. She never knew Ethan had customized a ring for her.

She suddenly remembered being jealous when he mentioned customizing wedding rings with Shirley in front of the media. At the time, Ethan said he had indeed customized wedding rings, but only for her.

She calculated the time—it was exactly a year ago.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Carter and I have separated. This ring was commissioned by him. Please contact him to pick it up, and don't call or message me again."

After hanging up, her hand holding the phone couldn't help trembling.

"Christina." Ethan appeared behind her at some point.

Christina was startled, but had regained her composure by the time she turned around. "You're here."

Her tone was polite, deliberately drawing a clear line between them.

Ethan reached out to hold her hand. She didn't refuse.

"Didn't you say you were going to see Grandma today? I'm free, I'll go with you."

Christina let him lead her outside. His hand was dry and hot, wrapping around her cold hand.

She couldn't help but look up at his profile. The same face and build, the same words and actions, even his temperament was exactly the same.

Sometimes she would even deceive herself into thinking the person in front of her was him.

But she couldn't fool herself.

This person wasn't Ethan, but she had no proof.

"Christina, do you really like this face that much?" Ethan caught the longing in her eyes, his tone playful.

Christina didn't deny it: "Yes. But that doesn't change my determination to separate from you. In the future, I'm going to find someone more handsome and younger than you."

"So you think I'm too old." Ethan gave a bitter laugh.

He suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace and pleaded, "Christina, don't leave, okay?"

Christina didn't answer. The answer was obvious.

Five months ago, Elizabeth had a sudden heart attack. Although she was resuscitated and moved out of the ICU, she never regained consciousness.

When Christina went to see her, Rachel was there too.

Previously, Andrew and Alice had cried to Ethan, and he ultimately couldn't bring himself to send Rachel to Aetheria, but he did say harshly that if Rachel dared to misbehave again, old and new grudges combined, all that awaited her was prison.

Rachel had indeed become much more restrained.

When Ethan walked into the hospital room holding Christina's hand, Rachel stood obediently to the side, which surprised Christina.

As they were leaving, Ethan was called away by the hospital director to talk. Rachel caught up with Christina.

"Christina, I was wrong about the past. I didn't know Emily was that kind of person. I was hostile toward you from the beginning, which led to many things later." Rachel's tone carried an apology. "I'm sorry I almost cost you and Henry your lives."

"Rachel..."

"I'll stay here to take care of Grandma from now on," Rachel said, glancing at Ethan who was approaching. "You take care of yourself too, and Henry."

After Rachel left, Ethan hurried over and asked nervously: "Did she give you trouble again?"

"No." Christina answered honestly.

"If she dares give you trouble, you must tell me."

"I know. Besides, I won't see her again anyway." Christina looked at him. "Away from you, my life might be smooth sailing."

"You're being a bit ungrateful." Ethan smiled bitterly. "But you're right. As long as you're with me, trouble never stops coming your way. So, Christina, I'm letting you go."

Ethan hung his head, silent for a long time. Only when Brice's car stopped in front of them did he look up. "Christina, if time could turn back, would you still choose to marry me?"

Christina had thought about this question countless times, every sleepless night she suffered because of him, she asked herself repeatedly.

"No." She said seriously. "If time could turn back, I would stay far away from you."

Ethan had expected this, but still couldn't help smiling bitterly as he watched her get in the car.

"Take Ms. Reed home." He bent down to instruct the driver, his form of address becoming distant.

The car slowly drove away. Ethan stood there, watching the car disappear into the sunlight, his eyes full of loneliness.

Passing through the city center plaza, Christina stopped the car.

"You can go back. It's not far from home. I'm going to the mall to buy some things. I'll get back on my own later."

"Ms. Reed, please be careful." The driver said and drove away.

Christina walked into the mall and bought some gifts.

She was about to return to Seaside City where her grandmother and other relatives reside, it would be impolite to go empty-handed.

After shopping all afternoon, Christina didn't feel tired at all, which showed her body had truly recovered.

Coming out of the mall, she walked into a dessert shop and unexpectedly ran into someone.

"Ellie?" Christina accidentally spotted Ellie sitting by the window and hurried over with her dessert. "It really is you. I thought I was seeing things."

The last time they met was five years ago, when the Lanthera and Stellar Fashion collaboration series was hugely popular.

"Christina." Ellie replied, and her face lit up with a happy smile. "What are you doing here?"

"I was tired from shopping and came in to rest."

After sitting down, Christina noticed the resume beside Ellie and asked curiously, "Are you looking for a job? I heard from Vivian that you'd been promoted to general manager at Stellar Fashion. Why did you suddenly leave?"

Ellie smiled bitterly: "I just feel that Mr. Carter's work style now is way too different from before. He used to be more tolerant with subordinates; the benefits were good, and everyone was enthusiastic about work."

She paused and asked, "Are you and Mr. Carter still together?"

Christina shook her head.

"Then I feel comfortable complaining," Ellie said with a bitter smile. "Mr. Carter now is like a different person—strict in his work, increasingly controlling. I really couldn't take it anymore."