Chapter 291 Family Heirloom

Chapter 291 Family Heirloom

Hannah held his gaze. She thought she'd find anger there, but what she found instead was hurt.

"Hannah, what exactly are you afraid of?"

"Is not being able to have children really that important?" His voice was so hoarse it was barely audible.

Hannah pressed her lips together, unable to answer the question.

Ethan grabbed her hand, not letting her pull away.

"You ran from Alvenia to Silverlight City, from Silverlight City to Kyrandor."

"You turned off your phone, wouldn't answer calls, wouldn't see me. Why are you avoiding me?"

His voice trembled a little, and his hand shook too.

Hannah felt terrible inside, but still said nothing.

Ethan took something from his pocket and placed it in her palm.

It was a necklace with a platinum chain and a diamond pendant. It was not large, but it was beautifully cut, catching the streetlight and scattering tiny fragments of light.

"My mom asked me to bring this. The Lawson family heirloom, for my future wife."

He looked at Hannah. "Now the Lawson family doesn't object anymore. How long are you going to keep running?"

Hannah stared at the necklace for a long time. She didn't reach out to take it.

In the end, she jerked back her hand.

"Ethan, we can't be together."

Her voice was calm, so calm it didn't sound as though she was talking about her own life.

Ethan's hand froze in mid-air. "Why?"

Hannah raised her head and looked into his eyes.

"The Lawson family doesn't object because they see my current status and position in the Harvey family."

Ethan tried to say something, but she raised her hand to stop him. "Let me finish."

"The Lawson family cannot do without an heir. Your grandfather would never allow someone from a branch family to inherit the business. What happens then?"

She looked at him. "Will you find a model to have a child with, or use a surrogate?"

"I don't want children." Ethan said immediately.

Hannah smiled and shook her head. "That's what you say now. When you're forty, fifty, watching everyone else have kids while you don't, will you still say that?"

"When the board is demanding you find an heir and groom the next family head, will you still say that?"

"Ethan, would you really be willing to give the family fortune to someone else's child?"

Ethan opened his mouth but couldn't speak.

"You're not thinking clearly right now." Hannah sighed. "When you calm down, you'll understand."

"For now, don't look for me anymore. Have Cordelia handle the business matters."

She turned and walked toward Ruben's car.

Ethan stood there watching her back, still clutching the necklace in his hand.

He wanted to call out to her, but the words stuck.

Ruben came out then, carrying Kiki. The little girl had cried herself to sleep.

As he passed Ethan, Ethan acted as if he didn't see him, just staring in Hannah's direction.

Ruben moved his lips, then just shook his head and walked straight to the car.

Seeing him approach, Hannah also felt relieved.

"Kiki's asleep? That parent didn't give you trouble, did they?"

"Why would they give me trouble?"

Ruben smiled and opened the car door, while Hannah took the little girl from his arms.

Seeing her natural movement, Ruben's smile deepened.

"Should we head back then?"

"Okay."

In the car, Kiki was already asleep in the back seat.

Her little mouth was slightly open, breathing softly.

Ruben glanced at Hannah in the rearview mirror. She was leaning against the passenger seat, looking out the window calmly, but her eyes were red.

"Ms. Nguyen, I don't know if I should say this." Ruben spoke up.

Hannah didn't turn around. "Go ahead."

"A marriage alliance doesn't have to be held together by children. Feelings can work too."

Ruben's voice was gentle. "Between you and him, it's not about the child."

Hannah was silent for a long time. "I don't want to gamble anymore, and I don't want to drag him down."

Ruben glanced at the sleeping Kiki in the back seat through the rearview mirror, then suddenly asked, "What about considering me then?"

Hannah turned to look at him.

Ruben said, "I already have a kid. You get to be a mom without going through pregnancy or childbirth, and I get a way into the Kyrandor market. If we make this a marriage alliance, we might even take over Euravia."

Hannah looked at him for a few seconds.

"Mr. Stone, stop joking around."

"I'm not joking."

"You are joking. You're just trying to comfort me, make me feel wanted."

Hannah sighed. "I understand. Thank you."

Ruben gripped the steering wheel and didn't respond.

He was actually serious.

From the first time he met Hannah, he thought she was different.

But she was right—now wasn't the time to talk about this.

He smiled. "Fine, it's a joke. Ms. Nguyen, smile more. Don't look so serious."

Hannah didn't speak, but the corner of her mouth curved slightly.

Back at the hotel, Ruben carried Kiki back first, and Hannah returned to her room alone.

She sat on the edge of the bed in a daze for a while, then stood up and walked to the window.

Outside was the night view of this small city, with sparse lights, nothing compared to the big cities back home.

She stood there for a long time, then took out her phone and booked the earliest flight back home for tomorrow.

She couldn't delay anymore.

With Ethan, she couldn't keep dragging this out either.

She was afraid she'd soften. If she softened, she'd agree.

If she agreed to him, she'd drag him down. She couldn't do that.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Hannah walked to the door and looked through the peephole. Ethan.

He was leaning against the doorframe, his face very red, eyes also red, looking like he could barely stand.

"Hannah! Open the door!"

"Hannah, are you just going to ignore me?"

She hesitated, then opened the door.

"I knew you wouldn't ignore me." Ethan's words slurred.

Hannah steadied him. "How much did you drink?"

"I didn't drink. I might be sick. I'm a little dizzy."

Ethan stepped forward, heavily leaning on Hannah.

Hannah was pushed back by his weight, her back hitting the wall.

Ethan let his forehead fall against her shoulder, his breath slow and uneven, thick with alcohol.

His hand slowly lifted, wrapping around her waist and tightening.

"Hannah, I love you. Don't avoid me, okay?"

Ethan's voice came out in a sob, his eyes even redder.

Hannah didn't move.

"Hannah." His voice was muffled, like it was being squeezed from his throat.

"Don't leave."

Hannah pressed her lips together, her eyes stinging.

Ethan's arms tightened even more, as if afraid she'd run away.

"I don't want anything else. I only want you."

Hannah closed her eyes, tears sliding from the corners down onto his hair.

Ethan held her tightly, and she felt her clothes get wet.

"I only want you, okay?"

Ethan lifted his head and kissed her lips.

This time, Hannah didn't push him away.

She closed her eyes, telling herself this would be the last time she'd indulge. Tomorrow, she would leave.