"Mommy, do you mean that Daddy doesn’t like the way you are now?"

"No, what Mommy wants to tell you is that even if Mommy were to wear the white dresses from before, let her hair down, or do the things that Daddy used to love, Mommy can’t do those things anymore because Mommy has changed. Mommy can occasionally wear white dresses, but now Mommy prefers casual clothes. Mommy can let her hair down, but Mommy feels more comfortable with it tied up... What Mommy means is that Mommy has changed and may not be the person Daddy used to like, but Mommy can’t change back to who she was, so it’s exhausting for Daddy and Mommy to be together..."

Even though she was only thirteen, not mature enough, she still understood what her mother wanted to express.

Marie gently touched her mother’s gentle face and wisely said, "Mommy, actually even after you and Daddy got along well, I’ve often heard you argue with Daddy... Last night, I knew you stayed in my room for the whole night."

Christine was surprised, "Marie..."

"Mommy, I’ve never seen you cry, but last night I heard you crying loudly. I know Daddy must have made you sad again..."

Christine held Marie’s small hand, "Actually, Mommy has also disappointed and saddened your Daddy."

"But it’s Daddy who thinks Mommy has changed, Mommy doesn’t think Daddy has changed..."

Christine silently lowered her head, and after a long time, she said, "In any case, no matter what path Daddy and Mommy take in the future, Marie, you must be mature like an adult and understand Daddy and Mommy’s decisions."

Marie obediently nodded, "Okay."

In the afternoon.

Skyler Jones got out of the car and saw his daughter waiting beside him, unknown since when.

Skyler immediately handed the car to Justin and went to his daughter.

"Daddy," Marie called sweetly.

Skyler wrapped an arm around his daughter’s shoulder, "Why are you standing here?"

Marie held onto her father’s arm, "I was waiting for Daddy to come back."

"Oh, where’s Mommy?"

"Mommy is sleeping in the room."

"Sleeping?"

Skyler frowned, "She didn’t come out all morning?"

"Hmm, Mommy said she wasn’t feeling well."

"Did she say where she wasn’t feeling well?"

"She said her heart wasn’t feeling well."

Skyler suddenly stopped and looked at his daughter nervously, "Your Mommy’s heart isn’t feeling well?"

Marie shook her head and pointed at her heart, "It’s her heart that doesn’t feel well."

Skyler crouched down, holding his daughter’s slender body, "Did your Mommy say something to you?"

"Mommy didn’t say much, just that Daddy feels Mommy has changed."

"Anything else?"

"Mommy didn’t say anything else... Daddy, do you not want to be with Mommy anymore? Do you not love Mommy?"

Skyler spoke sincerely, "Marie, Daddy has never said he doesn’t want to be with your Mommy, and Daddy hasn’t stopped loving your Mommy."

"Then why did you argue last night?"

"Daddy and Mommy weren’t arguing..." Skyler coaxed.

Marie gazed with worried eyes, "You did, Mommy slept in my room last night."

Skyler patiently explained, "Marie, couples arguing is normal, but it doesn’t mean Daddy doesn’t want to be with your Mommy."

"Daddy..." Marie reached out, hugging Skyler’s neck, "Mommy worked so hard taking care of me alone. Even though Uncle Geoffrey was there, she often told me she didn’t want to trouble Uncle Geoffrey..."

"I know."

"Daddy, actually, Marie has grown up. If Daddy and Mommy really can’t be together, Marie doesn’t want you to force it just for me. Marie just hopes you and Mommy can be happy. The last thing I want is to see Mommy sad." Marie honestly told her father her true thoughts.

After hearing what his daughter said, Skyler fell silent, unable to calm down for a long time.

The tension between Christine and Skyler Jones did not extend to others.

In Mrs. Geoffrey’s eyes, as well as others, Christine and Skyler’s relationship seemed no different from usual.

Christine still got along well with Mrs. Geoffrey and Rebecca Quentin during dinner, and Skyler remained as silent and reserved as ever, so outsiders couldn’t detect any hints of discord between them.

Marie was also very sensible, not wanting Mrs. Geoffrey to worry, so she didn’t let her know about her parents’ situation.

After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms...

Back in the room, Christine didn’t speak to Skyler, nor did she deliberately avoid him. As soon as she entered the room, she went into the bathroom.

After showering, Christine saw Skyler sitting on the sofa, holding a cigarette, looking at her with deep eyes.

Christine went to the dresser to dry her hair. She actually had a lot to say to him, but didn’t know how to start. There was pride within her, unwilling to speak first.

Skyler looked at her, but also didn’t speak.

Finally, after drying her hair, Christine climbed into bed without another thought.

She wouldn’t allow herself to think too much, because overthinking would only add more worries...

Since he feels she has changed, since she is no longer the Christine Quinn he once loved, the future path is his choice...

She had failed him once, so she won’t leave him unless one day he tells her directly that he doesn’t want her anymore.

She must admit, she has indeed changed and can never return to the past. If he feels that this version of her is someone he can spend his life with, she will still be as unwavering as before. But if he feels there’s someone more suitable for her, she won’t force it...

The road ahead is his choice. She won’t act unreasonable before him anymore, nor be petty. If he wants to trust her wholeheartedly, then she will trust him wholeheartedly, hoping that all the current unhappiness will fade away... They have worked so hard to start anew, she doesn’t want to give up like this.

Closing her eyes, Christine thought, as long as he initiates the first conversation, she will respond...