Chapter 230

Chapter 230

Just as his kiss was about to land on her lips, Christina gently turned away, complaining with a playful pout, "Jerk, you won't even spare someone who just recovered from a serious illness."

She turned away from him, and said tiredly, "Ethan, I'm really exhausted. I want to sleep."

There was a long silence beside her ear, followed by the sound of Ethan getting up.

He gently pressed a kiss on her forehead and said tenderly, "I'll sleep in the next room. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay," Christina responded softly.

Ethan turned off the light and quietly closed the door. The footsteps outside paused for a few seconds, then gradually faded away.

Christina slowly opened her eyes. The bedroom was pitch black, just like the dark, turbulent sea five months ago.

The next morning when Christina woke up, Uma was preparing breakfast in the kitchen while Ethan and Henry were nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Henry?" she asked as she walked to the dining room.

Uma came out of the kitchen carrying a plate of toast, smiling, "Ms. Reed, you're up early. Mr. Carter specifically told me not to disturb you and let you sleep in. Henry and Mr. Carter went out early this morning."

"Went out?" Christina raised her eyebrows slightly.

"Yes," Uma said while pouring her warm water, "During the months you were in the hospital, Mr. Carter personally took Henry and Snowball for a walk every morning without missing a single day."

Christina took the glass and responded softly with a calm expression.

Before long, Ethan returned with Henry and Snowball.

As soon as the door opened, Henry ran in front carrying Snowball, shouting loudly, "Dad, Mom will definitely love the flowers we brought!"

"That confident?" Ethan asked with a smile.

"Of course," Henry said seriously, looking up, "Mom has always loved Dad, and she likes whatever Dad gives her."

Ethan and Henry walked into the house talking. When Henry saw Christina standing in the dining room, he immediately ran over towards her, "Mom, you're awake! Are you feeling okay?"

Ethan also walked over. He was wearing a white stand-collar sports jacket, standing tall and still strikingly handsome.

Christina glanced at him, then stroked Henry's head, "I'm fine, not uncomfortable at all. Did Henry sleep well?"

"I slept great!" Henry's eyes sparkled as he turned to look at Ethan, "Dad, weren't you going to give Mom a gift?"

Christina looked at Ethan again. He pulled out a bouquet of purple lily of the valley from behind him, "The lily of the valley bloomed. Henry said you'd like it."

"Henry, time to wash your hands for breakfast. I'll take you," Uma stepped in at the right moment and led Henry away.


Only the two of them remained in the dining room. Ethan's eyes darkened as he said softly, "Christina,since you woke up two months ago, I've felt like you've been distant with me. If I've done something wrong, tell me and I'll change."

Christina took the lily of the valley and stepped forward, moving closer to him.

Ethan naturally pulled her into his arms. She froze for a moment, then gently placed her hands on his waist, choking up, "It's not like that, Ethan."

She paused for a long time before continuing, "Since waking up, I've been thinking about whether you've hurt me more or loved me more. Because of you, I lost the courage to love. Because of you, I nearly lost my life several times, and even put Henry in danger..."

"But it's also because of you that I didn't completely fall apart after Harold passed away. Because of you, Henry and I survived that kidnapping at sea..."

"I kept telling myself to never forgive you. When I found out Shirley's kidney could save me and she proposed marrying you as a condition for the transplant, I was truly tempted." Christina pushed him away slightly, her eyes reddening, "I know this sounds cruel, but I don't want to lie to you. That's what I was thinking at the time."

Ethan looked at her quietly, and after a moment of silence, slowly said, "I know."

Christina was somewhat surprised and looked up at him.

"Henry says you love me, but I know that love has long been worn away by everything I've done over the years. What's left is perhaps just a trace of pity." Ethan's voice was low, "Christina, I’ve lived with regret all these years. Even now, I can’t face you with a clear conscience.”

"You're right. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have gone through so much hardship and wouldn't have nearly lost your life several times. When you said you wanted to live and were willing to push me to Shirley, I was angry—angry that you didn't care about me. For you and Henry, I'd give up my life, but I didn't want to be easily pushed to someone else. But I also knew that if there was truly no other way, if marrying Shirley could keep you alive, I would do it." He cupped her face, his eyes earnest.

"Ethan..." Christina's eyes completely reddened, "So that night, you jumped into the sea without hesitation for Henry and me? Didn't you think about what would happen if the police didn't arrive in time?"

Ethan pulled her back into his arms and took a deep breath, "I'm not all-powerful. I just wanted to do everything I could to protect you and Henry."

Christina leaned against him and said softly, "Whether it’s the past hurt or the protection afterward, everything you've done for me has been too heavy. I can't bear it. You asked why I've been distant—it's because I really don't know how to continue our relationship."

She paused, her voice low but firm, "Ethan, our relationship... let's end it here."

Ethan said nothing and only held her tighter...
At breakfast, the two sat facing each other. Ethan cut her steak and bacon, pushing the plate in front of her.

"Thank you," Christina said softly.

Henry and Uma, sitting nearby, sensed something unusual at the table. Henry spoke first, "Mom, why aren't you eating the steak Dad cut for you?"

Christina didn't want Henry to worry, so she forced a smile and picked up her fork, "I'm eating now. By the way, you mentioned last night you're going on a business trip to Novaria. Which city?"

"Harmony City," Ethan didn't hide it.

""I've never been, what fun places are there?" Christina asked casually.
Ethan looked up at her and carefully described the famous sights of Harmony City.

After breakfast, Ethan had to go to work, and Uma took Henry to the kindergarten.

"Ethan," Christina called out to him at the door.

Ethan turned around and met her serious gaze.

He turned toward Uma , "Take Henry down first. I'll be right there."

"Bye, Mom!" Henry waved.

"Bye, Henry."

After the elevator doors closed, Christina took a deep breath, "Ethan, what I said before breakfast was sincere. When you go to Novaria next week, I plan to take Henry back to Emerald City."

"Christina," Ethan spoke, his voice hoarse.

"After everything we've been through, I'm really tired. I don't have the energy to keep struggling. I just want to live a peaceful life with Henry. Thank you, and I wish you all the best." Christina added, "This time, I mean it."

"Christina, is this your final decision?" Ethan's eyes reddened as he stared at her intently.

Christina took a deep breath and nodded.

"No room for reconsideration?" he asked again, his voice breaking.