Chapter 240

Chapter 240

"Did you hear what they just said?" Ethan’s voice broke through, edged with unmistakable jealousy.

"What did they say?" Christina asked, genuinely puzzled. "About how six years ago when we got divorced, you gave Emily that pink diamond necklace at Effie and Jason's beach party?"

"This time I'm not the one bringing up your past, you’re the one asking,” she added, raising a brow.

Ethan frowned. "Not that. They said everyone thought you and Joseph would end up together."

Christina paused for a moment, then replied calmly, "I see."

Her utter lack of reaction only made Ethan more restless. "When Joseph went to take that call earlier, your eyes never left him."

Since getting back together, Ethan had never brought up Christina's past with Joseph or Harold.

Now he was jealous just because she'd looked at Joseph, it caught Christina a bit off guard.

"I thought Mr. Carter was more generous than me, that you wouldn't care about these past connections," she said, tilting her head slightly.

Ethan pressed his forehead against hers. "Generous? I love you, Christina. I just never dared to ask, how could I really not care? At least, the way you looked at him just now, I was jealous."

Christina lifted her hands to cup his face. "What's wrong?"

"The way you looked at Joseph just now, your eyes were practically glued to him," Ethan said, not hiding his jealousy at all. "Christina, do you still have feelings for him?"

Christina laughed softly. "Ethan, tomorrow is our wedding."

That's exactly why he cared so much about that look. "If you still like him, I can..."

"You can what? Let me be with him?" She challenged lightly. Ethan didn’t let her finish, his mouth captured hers in a deep, wet, consuming kiss that stole every bit of air from her lungs.

When he finally let her breathe, Christina gasped softly, a smile tugging at her lips, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

"Do you still have feelings for Joseph?" Ethan asked quietly.

Christina shook her head. "No. I was looking at him just now because I was curious who was calling him."

She looked into his eyes and said honestly, "Ethan, you probably don't know how important Joseph is to me. From age twelve to thirty-two, he helped me again and again, pulled me out of darkness again and again. I want him to be happy more than anyone. To me, he's a benefactor, a friend, but that's all."

Ethan's heart was full of jealousy. Her past with Joseph was his biggest regret from those ten years of love and hate - a crack in time that should have belonged completely to him.

"The only person I've ever wanted to marry is you," Christina said, sliding her arms around his neck. "Whatever happened with Joseph ended before it even began. From start to finish… you’re the only man I’ve ever loved.”

Since they were already on the subject, she didn’t stop there. “And Harold… I thought you men didn’t dwell on the past. I didn't expect you to be holding it all inside. Since we've decided to get married, we should be honest with each other."

"Harold and I had a mutually beneficial arrangement. Back then, I was alone in a foreign country, having a baby and trying to survive - it was really hard. I met Harold, and he helped me without asking for anything in return. Later I found out he needed someone to be his wife, his daughter's mother, to deal with Isaac pressuring him to get married, so I offered to help. On paper he was my husband, but he always treated me like his little sister. That's what our marriage was like."

"Is that explanation enough?" she asked with a smile.

Ethan searched her eyes for a long moment, then drew her close and kissed her deeply.

This kiss was hot and intense, carrying the burning heat of alcohol, easily igniting their emotions.

As Ethan kissed her, he guided her deeper into the room. The fierce kiss accompanied their retreating steps, and Christina could barely handle his intensity.

The room's curtains slowly closed, shutting out the night outside, leaving only intimate warmth within.

Tonight's Ethan was more intense than usual, as if he wanted to claim every part of her, wipe away every shadow of Joseph and Harold, and fill her completely with him and only him.

Christina was exhausted by his attention and protested tearfully, "Ethan, we have the wedding tomorrow, are you even going to let me attend?"

"Stop it, I won't be able to hide the marks tomorrow."

"Babe, tell me you love me, only me," Ethan's voice was low and hoarse.

Christina nestled against him and responded softly, "I love you, only you, Ethan."

The night before the wedding left Christina unable to get up the next morning.

Thankfully, the ceremony was at noon, giving her time to recover and prepare.

At the outdoor lawn wedding, sheer curtains formed canopies, fresh flowers served as witnesses, and arches framed the scene, welcoming this romantic moment with the purest natural atmosphere.

Ethan, dressed in a custom-made suit, sat at a white piano, his fingers dancing across the black and white keys, personally playing "My Only" to welcome the one true love of his life.

Christina appeared in the distance, her arm linked with Brice’s, her white gown glowing in the sunlight as she walked slowly toward Ethan.

Henry, dressed in a white suit, carried a small basket full of petals, following behind her, scattering sweetness along the path.

As the music flowed, surrounded by the blessings of friends and family, Christina walked up to Ethan.

Brice placed her hand in Ethan's and said solemnly, "Ethan, as Christina's family, I hope you remember how you feel today - to always love her, cherish her, and never let her down. From now on, I'm officially entrusting her to you."

Ethan stood surrounded by flowers, watching Christina walk toward him through the blooms, her face lit with a happy smile.

"My love for you has never changed. You've come through wind and rain just for me. Baby, I want to give you the best of everything. Will you marry me?" He held Christina's hand, his tone serious.

Christina could feel that this usually composed and confident man was trembling slightly as he held her hand. She smiled radiantly, looking at him quietly - a sight that was the most beautiful scene in the world.

Years later, Ethan would still remember this day, the way she looked marrying him with such joy.

He vowed to make that smile last her entire life.

"Mommy, Daddy's putting the ring on you - you have to say 'I do,'" Henry said, standing beside Ethan, holding flowers with a pair of wedding rings nestled in the center.

His childish voice made everyone laugh, and the atmosphere became even more relaxed and joyful.

Ethan chuckled, ruffled Henry's hair, and solemnly took the woman's ring from the flowers. Holding Christina's hand with one hand and the ring with the other, he paused at her ring finger.

Their eyes moved from their hands to meet each other's gaze.

A breeze blew in from the sparkling sea, and romantic violin music began to play. This luxurious wedding was filled with pure romance.

Ethan looked into Christina's eyes with gentle determination. "Christina, will you marry me, and for the rest of our lives, let me spoil you, love you, and take care of you?"

Christina's eyes reddened as she smiled and replied, "I do."

Ethan's eyes nearly welled up with tears. At Henry's urging, he slowly slid the ring onto her ring finger and bent to kiss the back of her hand. Applause erupted from the guests, and both Vivian and Abigail were deeply moved.

"Mommy, now you put the ring on Daddy," Henry said, holding the flowers up to Christina.

"Thank you, sweetie." Christina took the men's ring, took Ethan's left hand, and said with a smile, "Ethan, from today on, you can only love me. Let me be willful, and listen to me. When I make mistakes, you can't yell at me or scold me, and you can't be cold to me. When I'm sad, you have to comfort me right away and help me solve my problems. Will you?"

Ethan smiled indulgently. "I couldn't ask for more."

Christina slipped the ring on his finger and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "I love you."

Ethan wrapped his arm around her waist, turning the cheek kiss into a deep, passionate kiss that neither wanted to end.

As the wedding march played, thunderous applause filled the air. Everyone could feel the overflowing love, full of blessings and admiration.

With that, the ceremony was complete.

The groom took his bride's hand, and together they opened the champagne tower symbolizing happiness, capturing this beautiful moment in the warm spring sunshine.

(The End)