Chapter 191 I Will Accompany You
Rhea made the bed and came downstairs. When she saw that Tristan had also come, she couldn't have been happier.
More importantly, she noticed something subtle between the two of them.
Rhea made some late-night snacks, then went back to her room, giving the couple some alone time.
She also called Haven to share the good news.
Harriet was actually a bit hungry and started eating.
"Rhea's cooking is still as good as before."
Tristan served her food. "You love her cooking, so she doesn't dare let her skills get rusty. Even living here alone, she practices every day."
"I heard that to keep practicing, she even volunteers as a cook at the nursing home in Dewdrop town."
"Really?" Harriet's lips curved slightly. "That's a good thing."
Most young people in Dewdrop town worked elsewhere, leaving mostly elderly residents behind.
Many elderly people found cooking troublesome and would go to the nursing home to eat. At ten dollars a meal, it was convenient, easy, and affordable.
Before going abroad, Harriet had donated money to the nursing home. Over the past two years, she had also asked Ian to donate on her behalf, as a way of giving back to her hometown.
"The nursing home has been renovated. The environment is nice. I'll take you to see it tomorrow."
"No need." Harriet said. "You're busy with work. You should go back to Emberfall."
"What about you?"
"I want to stay here for a few more days."
"I'll stay with you."
Harriet took a bite of food. "Griffin told me you're very busy, spending every day working to suppress the Lancaster Group."
"Things are different now." Tristan smiled. "Now my most important task is winning my wife back."
Harriet's heartbeat quickened against her will.
But she didn't let Tristan notice her reaction. She ate quietly, and because it was so late, she stopped after eating only half full.
She had left in such a hurry this morning that Harriet hadn't brought a change of clothes.
Fortunately, there were old clothes from two years ago at home. Rhea would take them out to wash and air regularly, so she could wear them directly.
Harriet went back to her room and took a hot bath. When she came out, Ian called.
"Harriet, did you take your medicine?"
"Yes."
Although she hadn't gone home, she had stopped by the clinic to get medicine on her way to the airport.
"That's good. Where are you?"
"I'm at my hometown, Mr. Jones. I'd like to take a few days off to clear my head."
"Of course, no problem. You just got back to the country. You should rest well anyway."
"Thank you."
Just as she hung up, Tristan walked in.
"Harriet." He held a pill in his hand. "Take this medicine."
Harriet froze, quickly realizing what it was. She took the pill from his palm and swallowed it with water.
"I'm sorry." Tristan looked at her. "I can't let you get pregnant again and suffer like that."
Last night he had been in such a rush that he hadn't had time to buy condoms.
"I understand." Harriet smiled calmly. "I should thank you for remembering. I had forgotten."
Tristan touched her face. "I'll sleep in your grandparents' room tonight. Go to bed early."
Harriet was curious. "Didn't you say you weren't comfortable staying on the same floor as Rhea?"
She had originally planned to give him her room and sleep downstairs herself.
"You want time and space, and I'm willing to give you both." Tristan gazed deeply at her beautiful face. "Just, Harriet, don't send me away."
Tristan quickly closed the door and left.
Harriet wasn't sleepy, so she went to the bookshelf to find something to read.
She looked through the bookshelf, her brow furrowing slightly.
She remembered that Griffin had left a diary on her bookshelf.
Why was it gone?
Harriet didn't think much of it. She randomly picked a book to read, and didn't turn off the light until after eleven.
Perhaps because she was so tired last night, Harriet slept soundly all night without even dreaming.
The next morning, Harriet slept until she woke naturally.
Being in her own room gave her an inexplicable sense of peace.
Harriet got up and washed. When she came downstairs, Rhea immediately came over.
"You're awake? Breakfast is ready. Would you like to eat now?"
"Yes."
"Mr. Lancaster has been waiting for you to wake up so you could eat breakfast together. He's watering the flowers in the yard right now. Go call him, and I'll bring out breakfast."
Harriet went to the yard. Tristan was holding a hose, watering the flower beds.
His figure was tall and straight. Even just his back showed a dignity that seemed out of place in this ordinary little yard.
Harriet's expression froze slightly.
Rhea came out of the house and saw Harriet staring at Tristan's back in a daze. She quickly said, "These past two years, Mr. Lancaster comes here to stay for a few days every so often. He personally handles everything related to you."
"Like the flowers you love—he gets up early every day to water them."
"Last spring, the grapevine suddenly started withering and dying. I called him right away, and Mr. Lancaster brought an expert. They managed to save it. Look how well the grapevine is growing this year. It will definitely bear lots of fruit."
Harriet's lips twitched, and a touch of sadness welled up in her eyes. "If that's the case, why didn't he explain two years ago?"
Her pain didn't just come from the child she had lost. More of it came from Tristan.
No wife could stand having her husband force her to terminate a pregnancy without even giving her an explanation.
She had waited for him downstairs at Apex Global Group for an entire day, until she completely lost hope, before leaving for a foreign country.
If he had been willing to see her then and tell her why they couldn't have the child, she wouldn't have been in so much pain.
They wouldn't have separated.
There's a saying: timing is everything.
Besides, did he really love her?
Wasn't it just his sick possessiveness at work?
Harriet closed her eyes and turned to go inside.
Rhea looked confused.
Why did Harriet's expression suddenly turn so bad?
Had she said something wrong?
When Tristan came inside, he saw Harriet sitting quietly at the dining table eating breakfast.
He walked over and sat down next to her. "Did you sleep well last night?"
"It was okay."
"What's wrong?" Tristan noticed her mood was a bit low and instinctively raised his hand to touch her face. "Did you have a nightmare? You don't look well."
"I'm fine." Harriet turned her head away, avoiding his touch.
Tristan's hand froze in mid-air. His heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle, a dull pain spreading through it.
He stiffly withdrew his hand. "You haven't been back in a long time. Shall I take you out for a walk later?"
"No need. I'll go by myself."
Tristan said nothing more. "Okay, I'll work from home."
"Okay."
Harriet didn't have much appetite. After a few bites, she stopped eating.
She went straight out the door and wandered aimlessly.
"Isn't this Harriet from the Getty family?" A passing townsperson greeted her. "You're back? Did you bring your husband?"
Harriet smiled. "He came."
"That's wonderful! I'll go buy groceries right now. You two come to my house for lunch!"
Harriet was puzzled. This townsperson wasn't a relative of her family, nor a close neighbor. They hadn't interacted much even when Cleo was alive. There was no reason for them to suddenly invite her to lunch.
"Thank you for the kind offer, but that's not necessary," Harriet declined politely.
"No, really! Your husband is such a good man. Being able to have him for a meal would be my good fortune."
Harriet frowned. "What do you mean, a good man?"
"You don't know?" The townsperson looked surprised. "This place is poor. Men usually have to go work elsewhere. My husband and son have been working away from home for years."
"Two years ago, your husband opened a factory here. So many people who were working away came back. He pays good wages—better than working elsewhere."
"My daughter-in-law works as an accountant at the factory. She says the factory was specifically set up to benefit the community and doesn't make a profit. Everyone in Dewdrop town is very grateful to him."
"Harriet, you're so lucky to marry such a good husband. You must treasure him."
Harriet was stunned.
"Oh, and your husband also funded the rebuilding of our nursing home and school. The school's educational conditions are so much better than before. Even people from neighboring towns are fighting to send their children to study here."
"I also heard a rumor that your husband has very wide connections. Even the high-speed rail being built in Dewdrop town is only happening because of his connections. Harriet, the Getty family really proves that good people are rewarded. If your grandparents were alive and could see such an amazing grandson-in-law, who knows how happy they'd be!"
Harriet declined the townsperson's invitation and followed the main road all the way to the school.
The once old and shabby school building had indeed been completely renovated. Inside came the sound of students reading aloud in unison, especially comforting.
Harriet walked a big circle around Dewdrop town and found that not just the school, but many places had changed.
The roads were better maintained, and the once quiet little town was much livelier.