Chapter 346. Second Chances

Chapter 346. Second Chances
By the time the doors finally opened, Ellie had been sitting motionless in the hallway for hours. She no longer had the strength to cry. Ansel rested his head against his mother’s shoulder, and both of his eyes were swollen and red.

The moment Ellie saw the doctor walk out, she immediately stood up. Her legs had gone numb from sitting for so long, and her body swayed. She nearly fell.

Alex quickly reached out and caught her. But Ellie paid no attention to that. She hurriedly asked the doctor, “Doctor, how is my husband?”

The doctor took off his mask. “The operation was successful. Congratulations to you and your family.”

Ellie stood there without moving. Everything around her seemed to stop at once. It was not until Ansel burst into tears and wrapped both arms around her leg that tears suddenly poured from her eyes.

“Successful...” she repeated softly.

Then all the strength left her body, and her knees gave way.

Alex and the nurse quickly supported her. Ellie was crying and laughing at the same time now. She pulled Ansel into her arms and kissed his cheeks again and again.

“Daddy didn’t leave us.”

Ansel was crying so hard that he could not speak. He could only keep nodding his head.

Galvin remained unconscious for another two days before he finally woke up.

When he opened his eyes, the first person he saw was Ellie.

She had fallen asleep beside his bed, but one of her hands was still holding his tightly. Ansel was curled up on the sofa nearby, sleeping with his small body tucked into a ball.

Galvin looked at the two of them for a very long time. Then the corners of his lips slowly lifted.

This time, he had truly come back...

After Galvin’s condition became stable, he began preparing for a wedding.

Many years ago, their wedding had been a nightmare. Galvin had made Ellie a laughingstock in front of everyone. He had taken the most important day of her life and used it to humiliate her.

That was something he could never change, no matter what he did now.

But he wanted to make it up to her.

This wedding was not too grand or showy. There were not many strangers attending. Only their families, friends, and the people who truly wished them happiness were there.

Ellie wore a simple wedding dress. It was not overly detailed or expensive-looking, but when she walked into the hall, Galvin still stared at her without blinking.

Ansel wore a small suit and held the ring box with a very serious expression. The little boy had practiced many times before the ceremony, but when he finally stood in front of his parents, he became so excited that he almost dropped the rings.

Everyone laughed, making Ansel’s face turn red. Galvin bent down and rubbed his son’s head, as if he were giving the little boy some courage.

Ellie laughed too, but her eyes slowly became red.

At her first wedding, all she had felt was humiliation and despair. But this time, the man standing in front of her was looking at her with eyes full of love.

When Galvin placed the ring on her finger, his hand was still trembling slightly.

“I’m sorry.”

He spoke very softly, only loud enough for Ellie to hear.

“I know one wedding can’t erase everything that happened before. But for the rest of my life, I’ll make it up to you.”

Ellie looked at him for a long time, and then tears rolled down her face.

“Fine. I’ll wait for you to make it up to me... for the rest of our lives.”

Galvin smiled. “All right.”

...

On Ruby Island, Helena’s treatment also began.

The first few months were extremely difficult. Helena and her baby fell into danger several times. But in the end, because her wish to bring the baby safely into this world was too strong, she managed to get through every dangerous moment.

Every time Helena received treatment, James stayed beside her and went through it with her. He never brought up his feelings, nor did he ask when Helena would finally give him an answer.

He only stayed quiet and took care of her. He made himself look foolish just to make her laugh. When Helena could not eat, James learned how to cook different dishes that could help her regain some strength. When she became frightened because of a nightmare, he sat outside her door and kept talking to her until morning came.

Later, Helena slowly became used to having James beside her. She also began to feel truly safe whenever she saw him.

Several months later, Helena suddenly went into labor earlier than expected.

The baby had not yet reached full term, and the delivery lasted for a very long time. Fortunately, everything turned out well in the end. Helena gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

James looked at the small, reddish baby wrapped inside a blanket. His eyes immediately turned red.

“Little boy, from now on, you’ll be my son.”

Many years passed, and James still remained beside Helena. He never asked her to give him any title or promise.

When she wanted to return to work, he helped her take care of the child.

When she wanted to rebuild the Miller company, he used the little experience he had to help her in every way he could.

When she suddenly panicked because of an old nightmare, he sat outside her room until she finally calmed down.

Time slowly made the old wounds hurt less. The child also grew up healthy and strong. He was no longer the weak little life lying inside a glass incubator. He had become a lively little boy who often ran all over the house, making James chase after him again and again.

When the child turned seven, he suddenly asked Helena, “Why haven’t you married Uncle James?”

Helena froze.

James, who was drinking water at that moment, immediately choked and began coughing hard.

The little boy still spoke with a very serious expression. “My friend said that if two people love each other, they’ll get married. Uncle James loves you.”

Helena looked at her son, then turned to look at James.

James’s face went red. He quickly turned his head and looked around, not daring to meet Helena’s eyes. Helena did not say anything, but that night, she thought about his words for a very long time.

James had never asked her for anything. He had spent many years standing beside her, quietly staying with her and giving her a feeling of complete safety. He had never pushed her or demanded an answer from her.

So why could she not accept him?