Chapter 974: Chapter 501: Extra Story: An Unexpected Beginning and Ending 3

Is he worried about her? Is that why he hasn’t left yet?

She doesn’t need him to worry. She’s been through tougher times and learned to be strong long ago.

In the dark carriage, Skyler Jones leaned tiredly against the seat back.

The driver respectfully asked Skyler Jones, "Mr. Jones, would you like to return to the hotel for some rest?"

"No, I’ll stay here for a while."

"Alright."

Outside the quiet carriage, traffic and pedestrians flowed endlessly along the street.

Skyler Jones looked towards the window.

Lyon at night held a uniquely French romantic charm, but it made those alone feel even lonelier.

Christine Quinn leaned quietly against the headboard, no longer feeling as uncomfortable as before.

Her mind was blank; she didn’t want to think about the present or the future, just wanting to stay here quietly.

The sudden sound of knocking interrupted Christine Quinn’s thoughts.

Assuming it was hotel staff, Christine Quinn got up to open the door...

She was feeling dispirited, yet froze at the moment she opened the door.

"You..."

It was Skyler Jones.

He hadn’t left after all.

Skyler Jones calmly looked at Christine Quinn, his thin lips slightly parted, "It’s too late to find another hotel; I want to stay here overnight with you. Is that alright?"

Too late?

The hotels in Lyon should be open 24 hours, right?

His reason was somewhat far-fetched.

Yet, she didn’t call him out.

She opened the door wider, letting him come in.

Skyler Jones took off his suit jacket and loosened his tie, then sat down on the sofa.

Christine Quinn stood not too far away, suddenly speaking, "Are you afraid I’ll overthink alone?"

Skyler Jones got up and walked over to Christine Quinn, "I’m worried about you, but I also don’t know where to go alone."

Christine Quinn nodded, saying nothing.

Perhaps the previous topic made their interaction awkward, so Christine Quinn broke the silence, "Do you want something to drink?"

Skyler Jones replied, "I’ll get it myself."

"Okay, I’m off to bed. Help yourself if you need anything."

"Alright."

Christine Quinn turned and walked towards the big bed in the bedroom.

Skyler Jones watched Christine Quinn’s back calmly until she got into bed and pulled up the covers.

Not wanting to disturb Christine Quinn’s sleep, Skyler Jones dimmed the lights in the room and sat alone on the room’s sofa.

Christine Quinn actually didn’t feel like sleeping. To avoid awkwardness, she gave such an excuse.

Slowly, she opened her eyes. The dim light allowed her to see him smoking on the sofa.

For some reason, at this moment, she felt his mood was low as well.

The next day.

When Christine Quinn woke up, the room was already filled with light.

Skyler Jones slept on the sofa, his tall body cramped in the too-short sofa, appearing to sleep restlessly.

Christine Quinn got a blanket from the room and gently covered him, then headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

When Christine Quinn emerged from the kitchen, she saw that Skyler Jones, who had been lying on the sofa, was no longer there.

She placed the freshly made fruit salad on the dining table and frowned as she searched around.

The next moment, Skyler Jones came out of the bathroom.

He looked refreshed, clearly having just washed up.

Christine Quinn smiled softly at him, "You’re awake..."

"Yeah." As he spoke, Skyler Jones twisted his neck.

Seeing Skyler Jones’ movement, Christine Quinn asked with concern, "Did you strain your neck?"

Skyler Jones nodded, "Didn’t sleep well last night; might have twisted it."

"The sofa’s too short for sleeping; you could have come to bed. My point is, the hotel’s bed is large enough for us to sleep at opposite ends without disturbing each other." Christine Quinn quickly explained after realizing her words might have been misconstrued.

Skyler Jones said nothing, just asked, "You’re up so early?"

Christine Quinn replied with a smile, "There’s not much in the hotel, but I saw there was fruit and salad dressing in the fridge, so I made a fruit salad. Would you like to join me?"

"Sure!"

Christine Quinn then divided the fruit salad into two portions and handed one to Skyler Jones across from her.

Though making fruit salad requires no skill, Christine Quinn’s fruit salad was the best Skyler Jones had ever tasted.

The restaurant was filled only with the faint clinking of plates.

Christine Quinn spoke first, "I plan to return to New York tonight."

Skyler Jones put down his utensils, his tone and expression both serious, "You really don’t plan on having a wedding?"

Christine Quinn knew he was sincerely asking her; his strong sense of responsibility made it hard for him to accept such a reality.

"If I’ve already made a decision, I shouldn’t easily go back on it..." Christine Quinn answered.

Skyler Jones’s gaze gradually darkened, but he said nothing.

In the afternoon, Christine Quinn went shopping at a supermarket in Lyon.

Skyler Jones had left the apartment since the morning, but she didn’t know where he had gone.

Bought some gifts for the children and some ingredients for tonight’s dinner, Christine Quinn pushed the shopping cart out of the supermarket.

At the cashier, just as Christine was about to pay, she was suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of nausea and rushed out of the supermarket, retching by the roadside.

Her morning sickness was still that severe...

Having only eaten a little salad in the morning, she couldn’t vomit much, but the sickness was worse than usual.

"How are you?"

Unexpectedly, Skyler Jones had appeared beside her, gently patting her back.

Hearing his voice, Christine noticeably trembled.

Skyler handed a bottle of water to Christine.

Christine took the water, rinsed her mouth, then looked at Skyler, "What are you doing here?"

"I didn’t see you at the hotel."

"Oh, I came to the supermarket to buy a few things."

Skyler gently supported Christine, "You don’t look well."

"It’s always like this after I throw up, it’s nothing."

Skyler said seriously, "No, I can’t let you go back to New York alone like this... I’ll go with you."

"No need, I’ve already bought a ticket."

Skyler frowned, "But your condition isn’t good for flying."

Was he worried about the baby in her stomach?

How foolish of her, regardless of love, it’s still his child, of course he cares.

"But I’ve been away from home for so long... Marie hasn’t seen me for so long, she’ll be worried."

"I’ll go back."

"Hmm?"

"Since you don’t want me to take you back, let me go back..."

Christine was stunned, "How will you explain to Marie?"

Skyler replied, "I can persuade her, don’t worry."

Christine was silent for a long time, finally nodding, "Okay... I’ll wait until I feel better before going back." To be honest, she hadn’t been feeling well these past couple of days, perhaps due to not resting well.

"Then I’ll take you back to the hotel..."

"Wait a second..."

"Don’t tell me you won’t even let me take you back to the hotel?"

"No, I mean I still have things at the cashier that I haven’t paid for... I bought some stuff for the kids, can you take them home for me?"

"Alright... wait here for me, I’ll go pay."

After instructing Christine, Skyler walked into the supermarket.

Two days later, in New York.

In the Geoffrey Mansion, the atmosphere was heavy.

Everyone was staring at Skyler, completely unprepared for him to return to New York alone.

Mrs. Geoffrey urgently asked, "Skyler, why didn’t you bring Christine back?"

"Yeah, brother-in-law, didn’t you use the method I taught you?"

"Coming back alone, what does that mean?"

Facing Mrs. Geoffrey and Becca Quentin’s questioning, Skyler did not respond, only saying, "I’ll explain later," before standing up and leaving the mansion’s hall.

Mrs. Geoffrey and Becca Quentin chased after him, ready to question Skyler, but Howard Geoffrey stopped them.

Howard shook his head at them and then said to Mrs. Geoffrey and Becca, "Let me talk to him."

Only then did Mrs. Geoffrey and Becca give up on questioning.

As soon as Skyler returned to his room, there was a knock at the door.

Having guessed who it was, Skyler said calmly, "Come in."

The visitor was Howard Geoffrey.

He looked at Skyler with a serious expression, "So, what does it mean that you didn’t bring Christine back?"

Skyler replied coldly, "My affairs don’t need your involvement."

Watching Skyler remove his watch and prepare to rest, Howard sternly said, "Are you really leaving Christine alone in New York?"

"She knows how to take care of herself." In fact, he had someone secretly looking after her.

Howard keenly observed Skyler, "You and Christine have come to some decision?"

Skyler loosened his tie and unbuttoned two of his shirt buttons.

"Divorce."

"Divorce?" Upon hearing Skyler’s words, Howard’s eyes widened in rare surprise, "You mean you want to divorce Christine?"

"It was a mutual decision."

"Are you crazy?" Howard reprimanded, "How can you do this to Christine?"

At that moment, Skyler abruptly threw the watch he was holding aside.

The high-quality, expensive watch instantly shattered into pieces.

Skyler glared at Howard fiercely, "Enough... the matter between Christine and me doesn’t need your commentary!"

Howard wasn’t the impulsive type, so he just remained silent.

Skyler walked to the liquor cabinet, poured himself a glass of strong alcohol, and after downing it in one gulp, he angrily retorted, "Don’t tell me again that I need to be responsible to her, I’ve had enough!!!"

Howard remained silent.

Skyler’s face was calm, his anger evident.

Once Skyler’s emotions gradually calmed down, Howard finally spoke, "Brother, when Becca and I faced the lowest point in our relationship, I too was confused and hesitant like you are now, questioning if I still loved Becca and if I wanted to continue with her... But every time I gave up on Becca, my heart was restless, feeling like the whole world was empty. I believe if you choose to abandon this relationship, the only outcome will be—regret."

"I feel so tired, really tired..." Skyler put down the glass, painfully pinching the bridge of his nose, "This isn’t the life I want to live..."