Chapter 239

Chapter 239

The affection between the two made others envious. Shirley looked toward where Christina and Ethan stood, her gaze lingering.

"Ms. Mitchell, Mr. Roberts, this way please." The staff member receiving them came forward to guide them, heading in the opposite direction from Christina's fitting area—one on the left side of the hall, one on the right.

Shirley slowly withdrew her gaze, holding the young man's arm, and followed the staff toward the other fitting area.

Passing staff members whispered among themselves:

"Did you see that couple in the VIP area? That's Mr. Carter from the Carter Group; he's so devoted to his wife!"

"That wedding dress Mrs. Carter is wearing is a piece by Master Diana from Novaria! I heard Diana's team put all other orders on hold and worked day and night. It was just finished yesterday and flown in."

"Oh my god, do big shots really put in this much effort? Isn't Diana's design only available to Astoria's royal family?"

"Exactly! This isn't just buying a dress. The other dresses are all from the same collection, and this is just the main wedding gown. And that necklace around Mrs. Carter's neck is worth tens of millions of dollars."

"Someone already posted photos in the work group of Mr. Carter kneeling on one knee to change Mrs. Carter's heels. So handsome! How can there be a man who's rich, handsome, and so devoted to his wife?"

"I heard that they went through a lot of difficulties to get where they are today. True lovers finally together."

The chatter gradually faded away, and Shirley felt a complicated mix of emotions.

"Ms. Mitchell, your three custom dresses are ready. One main wedding dress, one toast dress, and one casual style. Mr. Roberts' suit is also ready. Which would you like to try first?" As they entered the fitting room, the dress consultant who had been waiting stepped forward to ask.

On the other side, Christina, having tried on the main wedding dress, went on to try the other dresses. She hadn't expected Ethan to be so thorough as to prepare several bouquets, all personally designed by Diana. When they decided to get married, she had said that since he was the one marrying her, she'd leave all the wedding arrangements to him. Now it seemed that was a very wise decision.

"I'll have them send Henry's outfit to the house this weekend for him to try." As Christina wore the last dress, Ethan stood before her, his hand on her waist.

Christina nodded. "Whatever you decide is fine. Henry and I will follow your lead."

She reached up to adjust his suit collar, rose slightly on her toes, leaned close to his ear and smiled. "Mr. Carter, do you know what you're like today?"

"What?" Ethan asked with a smile.

"Like my Mr. Right." After saying this, Christina kissed his cheek.

Ethan took the opportunity to hold her waist and the back of her head, tilting his head slightly to deepen the kiss. Another round of gasps arose around them.

When Shirley came out from the opposite fitting area after trying on her dresses, she happened to witness this scene. Christina and Ethan had already changed into their regular clothes. Staff members surrounded them with words of blessing, and Christina leaned against Ethan with a bright smile.

"Thank you all for your blessings. Next time we'll bring gifts for everyone." Ethan spoke up.

Shirley had never imagined that the cold and distant Ethan could have such a warm side.

"Thank you all for your blessings. You've all worked so hard. Later I'll have Mr. Carter order coffee for everyone." Christina tugged at Ethan's arm, her tone playful.

Ethan responded gently. "Since Mrs. Carter has spoken, everyone feel free to order whatever you want."

"Goodbye." Ethan politely said farewell and led Christina out of the VIP fitting room.

As they left, they happened to run into Shirley standing in the hall talking with the dress consultant. Christina and Ethan stopped at the same time. Shirley also looked toward them, their gazes meeting in the air.

Ethan was the first to raise his hand, a slight smile on his lips, nodding politely to Shirley, then turning to Christina. "Let's go, we still need to pick up the wedding bands."

The two walked to the roadside to wait for their car. The warm spring sun shone down on them, and the breeze carried a faint floral scent.

Christina turned her head to look at Ethan's profile and teased, "What's wrong? Is Mr. Carter feeling down seeing an old acquaintance with someone new?"

Ethan turned to look at her, his eyes playful. "Tonight when we get back, I'll tell you whether I'm feeling down or not."

That night, Christina learned her lesson completely and never dared mention his past 'acquaintances' in front of him again.

He held her and whispered in her ear, "Can you feel it? I only love you, and I only put my heart into you. I don't have time to worry about irrelevant people. Let's look towards the future Christina, okay?"

Though the past had faded with time, it was still a thorn in Ethan's heart—it didn't hurt unless touched, but once touched, it pierced deep.

"Okay." Christina softly agreed.

Elizabeth couldn't travel far, so Ethan and Christina's wedding was ultimately set in Emerald City. Ethan owned a private island in Emerald City with a private resort hotel, so the wedding venue was set there.

In spring, the weather was clear, and under the sunlight, the island was covered in a layer of light green, with lush grass and vibrant life everywhere. Friends and family arrived on the island the day before the wedding, and a small pre-wedding party was held that evening. The spring night temperature was mild. The party venue was chosen on a huge outdoor lawn not far from the resort hotel, with long tables and drapes set up, and wine and desserts prepared.

The elders and tired children had returned to their rooms early to rest. Those attending the party were all young people—Joseph, David, Jason, Effie, Abigail, Vivian, Michael and his wife, and Brice, among others. Everyone sat around both sides of the long table, drinking and chatting with the sea breeze and sound of waves.

They had all witnessed Ethan and Christina's love story and had endless topics to discuss—from their first meeting to getting married because Christina was pregnant, then the marriage crisis, divorce, and finally getting back together after all the ups and downs.

Someone brought up that beach party from years ago, also on such a pleasant evening. That was in autumn, a beach party organized by Effie and Jason, when they happened to run into Christina and Joseph who were there to relax. That day was Christina's birthday.

"I remember it was a party organized by Effie and Jason. Ethan was there too, and we happened to run into Christina and Joseph celebrating her birthday at the beach."

Everyone's eyes turned to Ethan and Christina sitting together. The two weren't angry and let everyone tease them.

"That pink diamond necklace Ethan had prepared was a birthday gift for Christina, right?"

Christina remembered that necklace. Back then, in a moment of impulse, Ethan had publicly put it around Emily's neck. Later he explained that he was provoked by seeing her with Joseph and acted against his true feelings.

"To be honest, I thought Christina would end up with Joseph."

Now that their relationship was unshakeable, the past they once dared not mention could now be openly joked about. Joseph sat not far away, occasionally making eye contact with the two and smiling calmly, drinking his wine at ease.

Midway through, Joseph's phone rang. He stood up, said something to those around him, and walked to the cliff edge to take the call. The wind was strong at the cliff edge, and waves crashed against the rocks. Christina's gaze unconsciously followed him. He stood sideways, and whatever was said on the other end of the phone made the corners of his mouth curve into a faint smile.

Ethan noticed Christina's gaze, his eyes on her while she glanced at Joseph.

Suddenly, he took her hand, and before she could react, pulled her up and led her toward the depths of the hotel. Under the soft lights, everyone was chatting happily. When they turned around, they realized the party's host had already quietly left.

The hotel's night sky was bright with stars, brilliantly lit, and as beautiful as a dream. The party carried on without them, Ethan already leading Christina back to the villa.

Henry was also supposed to stay here, but he preferred playing with Michael's children, so he went to stay in the villa with the elders.

At this moment, in the huge villa, there were only Ethan and Christina. Both had drunk some red wine at the party, clearly tipsy. Christina's cheeks were flushed, whether from walking too fast or the alcohol.

Throughout the journey, Ethan walked quickly without speaking. Christina sensed his unusual mood but didn't call him out on it, silently following him back to the room.

As soon as they entered the room, Ethan pressed Christina against the door, his hand protecting her head, leaning down to stare into her eyes, breathing rapidly.

"What's wrong?" Christina asked softly.