Chapter 957: Chapter 492: Extra Story: Off to Prepare the Wedding Surprise? (1_2)

"Awake?"

"Mm." She nodded, deliberately lowering her head to prevent him from seeing her slightly reddened eyes.

He kissed her cheek tenderly, "Get up, I’ll join you for breakfast downstairs."

Seeing him rise and move to the floor-length mirror to put on his shirt and suit, she looked at him and asked, "Why are you up so early today?"

"Well, I have a few meetings waiting for me today, and I might not have time to come back for lunch."

"Oh."

"Also... I won’t be back this afternoon; I’m going on a business trip tonight."

Christine Quinn was about to get out of bed when she heard him mention "business trip." She froze for a moment, sitting on the edge of the bed, and murmured, "You’re... you’re going on a business trip!"

Skyler Jones stood in front of the full-length mirror, fastening his shirt cuffs, and replied in a flat tone, "Something came up last minute; I need to go to France."

"Oh..."

"I’ll be gone for three to five days. If you need anything, just call me."

Christine Quinn rose from the edge of the bed dazedly, her slender figure standing before him. She casually took over the tie he was tying, asking nonchalantly, "Are you going to France to discuss a project?"

"Mm."

She asked again, "Wasn’t it said that there were no major projects this year?"

"It’s a newly initiated major project, not yet publicly announced by the government."

"Oh."

Though usually proficient at helping him with his tie, she found herself surprisingly clumsy at the moment and only managed to get it right with some difficulty.

He put on his suit, looking spirited and confident.

She watched him, feeling a slight ache in her heart.

She wasn’t stupid. Even Howard Geoffrey mentioned there were no major projects in the latter half of the year, so how could the government suddenly have a project? If there really were such a project, why didn’t Howard compete for it? She hadn’t heard Becca mention that Howard was going to France these days... so clearly, his excuse was blatantly flawed.

Why would he suddenly want to go to France?

Was it for Jennifer Douglas?

His previous dates with Jennifer Douglas were in France; could it be the same this time?

Since it was still early and everyone else hadn’t woken up, only Skyler Jones and Christine Quinn were in the dining room.

Skyler Jones was in a good mood, apparent from the faint smile on his face throughout the meal.

Christine Quinn didn’t have much appetite but forced herself to finish all the food on her plate to keep Skyler company.

After breakfast, the housekeeper brought Skyler’s briefcase to him.

Skyler Jones kissed Christine Quinn on the cheek and was about to leave.

However, at the front door of the villa, Christine Quinn suddenly called out to stop Skyler Jones.

Skyler Jones paused his steps, turned, and glanced at his sweet wife.

Christine Quinn ran to Skyler Jones, suddenly reaching out to hold him tightly.

Skyler Jones put down his briefcase, reached out to hold her, chuckling softly and indulgently, "What’s wrong?"

Christine Quinn raised her head from Skyler Jones’s embrace, her clear, beautiful eyes glistening with faint tears, "I can’t bear to let you go..."

Skyler Jones gently cupped Christine Quinn’s delicate face, kissing the tears on her long lashes, and comforted tenderly, "Silly, I’ll be back in just three to five days; it won’t be long."

Christine Quinn stared absentmindedly at Skyler Jones, tears like broken strings of pearls slipping down.

He seemed unable to bear it, hurriedly wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes and on her face, his heart aching as he said, "Alright, alright, alright... If you don’t want me to leave, I won’t take this project... I’ll stay home with you, okay?"

Even if you stay home with me, your heart isn’t here. What’s the use in trying to keep you?

With a voice of sorrow escaping her inner heart, Christine Quinn felt her heart bleeding.

Thirteen years of loving in vain, plus more than a year of being together, always spent amidst misunderstandings and frictions... Happiness never truly seemed near.

If this moment is the heavens guiding me to make a choice, then what is there for me to hold on to?"

Christine Quinn suddenly reached out to wipe away the rogue tears at the corners of her eyes, forcing a smile, "I’m really useless, still like a child. I’m fine, you don’t have to accommodate me... I’ll wait for you to come home."

Afternoon.

Rebecca Quentin walked arm in arm with Christine Quinn under the shady trees in the garden.

"Howard has been busy these days, Mom went to T City to visit old friends, and my brother-in-law went on a business trip to France; it feels so quiet with just the two of us at home!" Rebecca Quentin said.

"Mm."

Seeing Christine Quinn’s lackluster demeanor, Rebecca Quentin couldn’t help but stop walking, placing her hands on Christine’s shoulders, and gently asked, "Sis, why do you look so spiritless today?"

"I’m not."

"You are... Since brother-in-law left yesterday until today, you’ve spoken so few times. Are you upset with brother-in-law?" Rebecca Quentin asked with concern.

Christine Quinn looked up at her sister, "Why do you think I’m upset with your brother-in-law?"

Rebecca Quentin paused, "Uh..."

Christine Quinn asked again, "Do you always feel like I’m in a tiff with your brother-in-law in your impression?"

Rebecca Quentin instantly became nervous, "No, sis... I’m just afraid you’ll feel down, so I asked casually."

Christine Quinn sighed softly, sitting down on a wooden bench by the roadside, and gently said, "Actually, I know sometimes your brother-in-law isn’t happy with me."

Rebecca Quentin hurriedly sat down beside her, holding Christine’s hand, "Sis, you’re overthinking it again... How could brother-in-law not be happy with you?"

Christine Quinn smiled gently, "I’m just saying it casually, not overthinking."

"Sis..." Rebecca Quentin clutched Christine’s hand tightly, comforting her, "You and brother-in-law misunderstood each other for so many years; I know you lack a sense of security, but you must believe in brother-in-law’s feelings for you. He’s always had eyes only for you these past ten-plus years."

Only one for him? 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Yes, truly just for one...

The pity is, the one he deeply loves is the seventeen-year-old Christine Quinn.

Just as he said, she has changed, and she is no longer the Christine Quinn he once liked...

The traits she had at seventeen have long vanished with the passing years.

He has only eyes for her, but he can never love her like he did back then...

His kindness towards her now is merely out of responsibility. For responsibility, he willingly gave up the woman who touched his heart, but he still can’t resist thinking of her, which is why he travels all the way to France to meet her...

She doesn’t want him struggling and in pain like this... The "happiness" obtained from pity is not the happiness she ultimately wants.