Reborn From Ashes novel Chapter 427

"Thank you." Hayden's smile was hard to suppress, and there was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Huh?" Christina was taken aback by his response, and she couldn't help but laugh.

Suddenly, she asked, "Do you like me?"

Hayden's eyes widened, and he stared at her in surprise.

He wanted to admit it, but he hesitated. It wasn't the right time. He couldn't promise her a future—not yet.

His hesitation didn't go unnoticed. Christina quickly found a way to ease the tension.

"Actually, I do like you," she said softly. "But it's not enough just yet. Maybe it's because we're still young. So, I want to make a promise.

"Let's meet again when we're both in college in the capital. By then, you can tell me your answer," Christina said slowly, looking at him anxiously.

She also felt a great deal of sympathy for Hayden's background. She could sense his cautious nature and didn't want to pressure him. Instead, she offered him time to think things over.

Hayden was touched, and his heart felt lighter at her words. "Okay!" he said, the simple agreement dissolving the lingering tension.

They shared a smile. It was a moment of openness where they both revealed the feelings they had quietly kept from each other.

"We should head back," Christina said, trying to help him up, but it was more difficult than she had expected.

"What are you doing?" Hayden chuckled. "It's just a scrape on my arm, not a fracture, and my leg isn't broken."

"Oh, right!" Christina laughed, feeling a bit embarrassed for treating him like he was seriously injured.

Once they returned, they started discussing what to do next.