CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60: I LOVE YOU

Christopher Somerset spoke with a sense of familiarity, but Florence Fuller wasn’t surprised; he had always liked Evelyn Shaw.

She raised an eyebrow and took a few steps closer to Christopher: "Are you serious?"

Christopher nodded.

Florence looked at Daniel Knight, and understanding her gaze, he waved his hand: "I’ll wait for you outside, Christopher."

"You should know that Evelyn’s mother is still in the hospital, undergoing chemotherapy with her condition fluctuating," Florence said. "I don’t know much about the Somerset Family, but big families are probably similar. If you can’t promise to take care of her, don’t bother her."

"If you ask me to let go, I can only tell you I can’t do it," Christopher said. "After we parted ways at South City and now can meet again, it’s fate between us."

Christopher, Evelyn, Charles Shaw, and Florence all grew up together as childhood friends, living nearby and going to the same school except Charles was two grades ahead, and they were in the same class.

The atmosphere between Evelyn and Christopher was distinctly different back then.

After she returned to the Fuller Family, Christopher was sent abroad a year later and then returned to his family.

"Fate!" Florence laughed. "Two words, ’fate,’ doesn’t compare to interests."

"The Somerset Family can’t restrain me. I didn’t grow up in this family. If they don’t want the family line to end, they can’t interfere with my choices."

Hearing this, Florence laughed involuntarily.

A figure approached from behind, and Ethan Harper, who appeared at some unnoticed point, stood behind her: "You came so quickly."

Christopher was slightly taken aback upon seeing him and looked at Florence.

Ethan’s handsome face wore a gentle and refined smile: "Hello."

Christopher nodded: "Long time no see?"

Ethan turned his gaze to Florence: "Yes... it’s been a long time."

Back when Evelyn’s mother was hospitalized, he was still abroad. Hearing about the severe situation, he had returned from abroad to Southtown and ran into Florence and this man at the hospital.

From beginning to end, he always stood behind Florence, who, due to Evelyn’s mother’s hospitalization and various reasons, was emotionally agitated, and he happened to be able to comfort her.

Christopher was previously shocked that Florence would marry into SJ for an alliance.

But it seemed he thought of lovers separated by family interests and believed the Fuller Family broke them apart, thinking this was why Florence wasn’t interested in Luke Gardiner.

But looking at Ethan’s noble demeanor, he didn’t seem like an ordinary person.

After three years of absence, he appeared quite suddenly.

"Let’s leave it at that," Florence said. "We can have a meal and talk some time."

Christopher nodded: "I’ll leave now."

"I’ve booked a spot by the window upstairs. Let’s go."

Florence nodded, and the two headed upstairs.

The seat by the window was a four-person table, separated by a screen. Outside the window, behind the restaurant, was a small courtyard with a fountain and a landscape, which would have a unique charm at night.

As she sat down and was halfway through taking off her coat, Ethan reached over to help her remove it and hung it on a coat rack nearby.

Then he directly sat down beside her.

"I remember you love spicy stir-fried dishes," Ethan said while looking at the menu: "How about the taste here?"

Florence: "It’s quite good."

"Then you look... or I’ll order for you," Ethan said gently.

"You order."

Ethan was well-aware of all her preferences. He was so thorough that when they were out together, Florence didn’t have to worry about anything; this man would take care of everything for her.

Ethan handed the ordering tablet to the waiter: "These, no garlic, no onions, thank you."

Florence drank the sweet drink that the waiter just brought over without looking up.

"Is it that good?" Ethan asked, his eyes full of affection, as he reached for her loose hair, "Want me to braid it?"

"I don’t have a hair tie."

The waiter did.

His technique was still there, but not as practiced as three years ago. His movements seemed a bit clumsy, and several times he accidentally tugged her hair, causing her slight pain.

After finishing, he seemed somewhat dissatisfied: "I’m indeed rusty."

"Three years, wouldn’t you be?" she said blandly.

The hope in Ethan’s eyes vanished at that moment, and he seemed to lose his brightness: "Yes..."

His voice went hoarse, knowing Florence disliked those three words.

"You’ve changed." Florence blinked, suppressing the shimmer in her eyes.

"I haven’t." He clasped Florence’s hand tighter: "Florence, I’ve always been yours."

It seemed he was eager to confess yet at a loss for words. Three years indeed could change a lot. He could ensure his presence but couldn’t guarantee Florence’s feelings.

She should be furious with him.

Silently and without a word, disappearing. He had thought about what would happen to Florence when he left.

Panic, shock, disbelief; she certainly wouldn’t believe his departure. When her search yielded no results, at her most helpless moment, she was captured by the Fuller Family into an arranged marriage.

"Belong to me." Florence shook her head: "Then why did you leave back then? Went back to fight for your family’s inheritance?"

From his demeanor, Florence could guess easily.

He didn’t deny it.

Florence pulled her hand away: "You said before that you didn’t want those things. If possible, you’d sever those ties forever. Why did you hide it from me back then if you were going back? Afraid I’d hold you back or not let you leave?"

"No."

Ethan looked at her. Florence wasn’t angry; she seemed calm saying these words, but her tone was filled with resentment.

Of course, he understood Florence’s nature. If he had said even once that he didn’t like her, Florence would’ve turned and left.

But how could he not like her? With such intense, straightforward love, he couldn’t bear to let go, and he always despised himself for it, hiding his unspeakable love while holding onto the past Florence with his body.

"It’s because of me. I was truly afraid you’d get hurt." Ethan bowed his head, leaning closer to Florence: "The incidents that happened back then... were because of me. I couldn’t bear to lose you, Florence. I love you."

The Ethan of the past, gentle and reserved. When Florence asked if he liked her, he would only look at her deeply, silently holding her tighter.

But she didn’t care if he said it or not, as his love was evident in all his actions.

But now he dared to, because he succeeded.

Florence’s eyes were pained; Ethan’s hands slowly grasped her arms, leaning his whole body closer, with a soft voice: "I have nothing left, only you."

Florence closed her eyes, and a stream of tears fell like broken pearls.

Only her.

But she was married.

Ethan looked at her, gently wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes, holding her hand to his lips and kissing it: "I don’t mean for you to forgive me. I just hope... you don’t give up on me."

Florence saw the diamond ring on his ring finger, her eyes turning red.

After finishing their meal at the seafood restaurant, Ethan drove her back to the Eastern Metropolis Imperial Residence.

Evelyn had lived here before but moved out after signing with a company, leaving this spacious house empty once again.

The room was brightly lit yet silent.