?<strong>Chapter 361:</strong>


    His voice carried its usual warmth, patient and considerate. Carrie softened her tone even more.


    “No, it’s fine. I’m just at the hospital, so I’m keeping my voice down.”


    “Hospital?” Daxton’s voice quickened,ced with concern. “What happened? Are you alright?”


    “It’s not me,” she began, then paused, ncing back at Kristopher. “Kristopher got injured.”


    She had almost called him “a friend,” but remembering her recent promise to Kristopher to give their marriage another chance, she chose her words carefully.


    Daxton fell silent for a few seconds. The quiet stretched, making Carrie uneasy.


    Then, as if shifting the subject, she said lightly, “Did you find anything out about Emilio Reed?”


    “Not yet,” Daxton replied with a smallugh. “But I’ll be traveling abroad soon, and I wanted to grab a meal with you before I leave.”


    Carrie hesitated, her gaze flickering to Kristopher, his injured arm resting on the nket. “I’m sorry, Daxton. I can’t make it right now… things are a bitplicated here.”


    “You never need to apologize to me,” Daxton said gently, his voice softening. After a brief pause, Carrie offered, “When you’re back, let’s have that meal. My treat.”


    “Alright,” he agreed. “Take care of yourself. I’ll talk to you when I’m back.”


    The call ended, and Carrie lowered her phone, turning toward Kristopher. His eyes were open now, sharp and fixed on her, the dark intensity in his gaze unmistakable. “Who are you nning to have a meal with?” His voice was low, hoarse from disuse, but his words carried weight.


    Startled, Carrie fumbled to pocket her phone. “Why are you awake?” she asked, avoiding his question as she moved toward the bedside. Filling a cup with water from the kettle, she tested the temperature before cing it on the table. “Drink this. It’ll soothe your throat.”


    Without warning, Kristopher caught her wrist, his grip firm despite his bandaged arm. “I asked you a question,” he repeated, his tone more insistent. “Who are you having a meal with?”


    Carrie couldn’t help butugh softly at his possessive expression. “Daxton wanted to see me before heading abroad. I told him no,” she exined, watching his frown deepen. She tilted her head, a hint of teasing in her voice. “What’s this? Are you jealous?” Rather than being angry, she found his possessiveness amusing.


    Kristopher released her wrist with a quiet scoff, leaning back against the pillow as though her words didn’t faze him. “You’re married now,” he said loftily, ignoring her yful jab. “You should be mindful of your status and avoid unnecessary outings.”


    Carrie raised an eyebrow, her amusement fading into calm resolve. “First and foremost, I’m myself, Kristopher. Only then am I your wife,” she replied evenly. “I’ll maintain boundaries with male friends, but that doesn’t mean I have to give them up altogether.”


    Kristopher froze, his hand halfway to the cup of water. His sharp eyes fixed on her as if to gauge her sincerity.


    Carrie met his gaze without flinching. “I agreed to give this marriage another chance, but not to repeat the past. I won’t go back to being a shadow of myself—living without self-worth.”


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