Chapter 394: I Still Lost

Chapter 394: I Still Lost

Coralie looked straight into Caspian's deep eyes and said with a smile, "I really want to say yes and make my dream come true, but Caspian, guilt is not love."

"If you marry me out of guilt and wanting to make up for things, you won't be happy. And these past days, I've learned something from Mr. Lancaster and Harriet - love isn't about possessing someone, it's about helping them find happiness."

"I don't want to trap you with the fact that I saved your life. You should marry the woman you love and find true happiness."

"So, Caspian, thank you for being willing to marry me, but I can't marry you."

"I don't feel trapped by you saving my life," Caspian said honestly. "We have so many years of history together, plus we have a child. I'm willing to marry you."

"I really appreciate you thinking about Qiana, but a child shouldn't be the rope that ties us together," Coralie smiled. "I believe when Qiana grows up and experiences love herself, she'll understand our decision. And even if we don't get married, it won't affect how much we love her. She'll still have both her mom and dad's love, right?"

Caspian was silent for a moment, then asked, "So what are your plans?"

"I asked you to meet me here today because I wanted to end things properly. My feelings for you started here, and they end here too." Coralie took a deep breath, a relieved smile appearing on her face. "From now on, I'm going to start living for myself. I'll support myself and raise Qiana well, and I hope you'll fulfill your duties as a father and spend more time with Qiana."

"I will."

Coralie smiled brightly. "Caspian, you saved my life once, and I saved yours. We're even now. From now on, we don't owe each other anything."

For some reason, Caspian didn't feel any joy at all. Instead, he felt a tightness in his chest.

He didn't understand where this feeling came from or what it meant.

"Let's go," Coralie said. "Let's go back and have dinner with Qiana."

"Okay."

When Mason learned of Coralie's decision, he didn't say much. He just told her that the Romanov family would always keep a room for her, waiting for her to come home.

Coralie nodded through her tears and moved out of the Romanov family's villa with Qiana.

Harriet prepared a large apartment in the city center for her. It wasn't very big, but just right for the mother and daughter.

After getting Coralie settled, Harriet went to see Griffin.

Griffin was being held by Tristan, kept away from daylight.

The moment he saw Harriet, a gentle smile appeared on his face. "Harriet, you're still alive... that's good."

Harriet sat down on the sofa.

"Harriet, are you here to say goodbye today?"

"Yes."

Griffin smiled slightly. "What does Tristan plan to do with me?"

Harriet looked up at him coldly. "You've done terrible things and deserve to die. But we don't have the right to judge you. Tristan has already handed over evidence of your fraud in Vesperia to the police. Whatever happens to you will be decided by the law."

Griffin's handsome, gentle face remained calm. "Harriet, do you hate me?"

Harriet smiled faintly. "Of course I hated you, but looking back now, I realize hate doesn't mean anything anymore."

Harriet looked at him. "Griffin, don't go down the wrong path in your next life."

"Yes, one wrong step leads to more wrong steps." Griffin smiled. "Harriet, I still lost - I lost to Tristan. I hope in my next life, I can meet you before he does. I hope in my next life, you'll be the one who falls in love with me."

Harriet didn't say anything. She just stood up and left.

"Harriet!" Griffin's almost hoarse voice came from behind her. "I'm sorry."

Harriet didn't turn around. She closed her eyes, pushed down the emotions rising within her, and left.

Griffin was soon handed over to the police.

Harriet found time to visit the cemetery.

In the photo on the tombstone, Amara's eyes showed gentle warmth.

"Ms. Wallace, I'm sorry I couldn't stop Griffin from going down this path." Harriet placed a bouquet of daisies in front of the tombstone and took out a handkerchief to wipe away the dust. "I wish so much that he could have turned back in time, but unfortunately, he became too extreme in his obsession."

Just the lives Griffin had taken in Vesperia were enough for a death sentence.

Although he was part of the Lancaster family bloodline, Tristan couldn't possibly let him go.

"Ms. Wallace, I hope your spirit in heaven can bless him, so that in his next life he can be a good person and have a peaceful life."

Life returned to normal. Harriet enrolled Della in an early education class, sending her to school for group activities.

After a few days of school, Della adapted very well. Going to school became the highlight of her day.

After breakfast, Tristan went with Harriet to take Della to school.

On the way, Tristan turned to look at Harriet beside him and said, "Mr. Jones wants to see you."

The smile on Harriet's face froze for a moment. "I know."

"Do you need me to go with you?"

"No."

After dropping Della off at school, Harriet went to Timeless Medicine Clinic.

Ian was seeing a patient. When he saw Harriet come in, he looked up and smiled at her, gesturing for her to sit down.

Harriet waited a few minutes. After the patient left, Ian got up and sat down on the sofa. "Harriet, long time no see."

"Mr. Jones, how have you been lately?"

Ian's hand paused while pouring tea, and his eyes immediately reddened. "Harriet, you're still willing to care about me."

"You truly cared for me once. I can't just pretend I don't know you." Harriet smiled slightly. "These past days, I've thought a lot. You remained unmarried your whole life for Ms. Wallace - you're a devoted person. So the fact that you went astray for Griffin's sake is understandable."

"Mr. Jones, but I also can't forgive you. Now that everything is settled and Griffin is being dealt with by the law, as for you, I've already discussed it with Tristan. You can have your freedom back, but you must leave Emberfall and never come back."

"Fortunately, there are Timeless Medicine Clinic branches in other cities. You can continue practicing medicine, which is good for society."

"Harriet, thank you for your kindness." Ian's eyes filled with tears. "I know that with Mr. Lancaster's personality, he originally wouldn't have let me go. You saved my life."

Harriet shook her head gently. "I told you, I can't pretend I don't know you. You're still my teacher. I'll send you money every year as support."

"I appreciate the thought, but I don't need money."

"Whether you need money or not is your business. Whether I give it or not is mine. If you don't want it, you can donate it."

Only then did Ian stop refusing. "I'll do as you say, but I also have something I want to ask of you."

"Go ahead."

"Your medical skills have long surpassed mine. When it comes to helping society, you're more capable than I am, and Timeless Medicine Clinic was always meant to be handed over to you anyway. If you don't mind the hard work, I'd like to keep that decision unchanged - Timeless Medicine Clinic will be yours. As for me, I've been tired of serving the wealthy and powerful in Emberfall all these years. I want to go out and be a traveling doctor, going wherever I end up, helping patients who need it along the way. Isn't that another way of helping society?"

Harriet nodded. "That sounds good. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Timeless Medicine Clinic and help more people who need it."

"Harriet, thank you."

"Mr. Jones, take care."

After lunch, Harriet took a nap.

When she opened her eyes, she saw Sloane sitting by the bed.

Harriet sat up and asked, "Mom, how did you get here? Did you miss me?"

Sloane didn't speak. Her trembling hands gently touched Harriet's face as tears poured out.

Harriet looked at her clear eyes and suddenly thought of something. She stared at her in disbelief, afraid she might be wrong.

Sloane said nothing, just kept crying.

Harriet couldn't control herself anymore. Tears rolled down her face.

Their eyes met, and it seemed like a thousand words turned into tears, silently releasing all the emotions they'd been holding back.

Harriet hugged her tight, and the two of them cried in each other's arms.

When Caspian got the news, he rushed to the hospital.

Harriet had immediately taken Sloane to the hospital for a checkup. The doctors who had been treating Sloane all along were amazed - they called it a miracle.

A few days later, Harriet and Caspian went abroad with Sloane to pay respects to Harriet's father.

When the plane landed, Tristan called right away.

"Did anything happen on the way?"

"Everything's fine. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing."

"That's impossible." Harriet frowned. "You look worried. What happened?"

"Griffin escaped."

"How is that possible?" Harriet couldn't believe it. "He escaped right under the police's noses?"

"His sentence hadn't been decided yet. He hurt himself in the detention center and lost a lot of blood. The police had no choice but to take him to the hospital, and he escaped from there. No one knows where he is now."

Harriet panicked. "Tristan, you have to protect everyone at home, especially Della!"

"I know. Until we find Griffin, Della won't be going out. Harriet, I'm worried he might come after you. You need to be careful."

"He's a wanted man now. He can't possibly follow me abroad, right?" Harriet reasoned. "Even if he manages to sneak out of the country, it won't be easy. Plus, my travel plans are confidential - it won't be easy for him to find me."

"Just be careful and don't leave the bodyguards' sight."

"Don't worry. After Caspian and I take Mom to pay respects to Dad, we'll spend some time with her before coming back."

"Okay, let's stay in touch."

"Okay."

Harriet stayed abroad for a month. She wanted to spend time with Sloane, and also because there was still no news about Griffin.

It was safer abroad than back home.

But Harriet's heart was with her family, so after discussing it with Caspian, the three of them returned home.

On the plane, Harriet looked tenderly at Sloane beside her. "Mom, winters in Emberfall are cold. If you can't handle it, tell me right away."

Sloane held her hand tightly. "As long as I'm with you and Caspian, I'm not afraid of anything."

Harriet leaned against her. "Me too. With Mom here, I'm not afraid of anything."

When the plane landed, Tristan was already waiting at the airport.

He draped Harriet's cashmere coat over her shoulders. "Are you cold?"

"I'm okay. I prepared clothes before leaving."

"Let's go home."

"Okay."

On the way, Caspian couldn't wait to ask, "Still no news about Griffin?"

"No." Tristan said, "It's like he vanished into thin air."

Caspian laughed coldly. "How can a living person vanish into thin air? He must be hiding somewhere, waiting for a chance to hurt you guys."

Tristan said, "Cloud Bay's security is very tight. He won't find an opening."

"That's good."

"You need to be careful too." Tristan looked at him. "Griffin came after you once. There's no guarantee he won't try again."

"Don't worry. I won't let a dog bite me twice." Caspian smiled calmly. "Just because I don't like bringing bodyguards doesn't mean I can't protect myself."

Although both men were confident, Harriet still felt uneasy.

Griffin had already lost his mind. Now that he was a fugitive, he'd be even more desperate.

Until he was caught, she'd worry every day about when this bomb would explode.

Days passed, and soon it was the end of the year.

Harriet could increasingly feel the dark currents beneath their peaceful life.

Late one night, an urgent phone ring woke up the two people in the master bedroom.

Harriet's eyes flew open. She looked at her phone screen and immediately answered.

"What happened?... I'll be right there!"

Tristan sat up. "What's wrong?"

"Something happened to Nolan!"

When they rushed to the hospital, Nolan was already awake.

Harriet hurried over to examine him, but her expression wasn't good.

Nolan smiled slightly. "Sorry for worrying you."

Harriet composed herself. "I'll adjust your prescription. Make sure you take your medicine on time."

"Harriet, you know my condition better than anyone." Nolan said calmly. "The medical team all say that you keeping me alive this long is already a miracle. Harriet, I don't have much time left. Rather than struggling on with medicine, I'd rather leave this world with dignity."

"Don't talk like that!" Harriet said firmly. "I know you're not afraid of death, but you still have Chase. As long as you're alive, Chase still has a father!"

"Harriet, it's because I have Chase that I want to keep my dignity. I don't want the last image Chase and Della have of me to be sitting in a wheelchair, unable to even finish a sentence." Pain flashed in Nolan's eyes. "Harriet, do you understand?"

Harriet held back her tears. "I understand, but Nolan, this is too cruel for the children."

"Harriet, if I could live a few more years, I'd hold on for the children. But you know I can't last that long." Nolan held her hand. "Rather than living without dignity, I'd rather end this suffering sooner. Harriet, please help me."

"How do you want me to help you?" Harriet frowned. "Give you medicine to end your life? Don't even think about it!"

Nolan shook his head gently. "How could I ask you to do something so cruel? I just want to ask you to bring Chase to Cloud Bay and tell him I've gone abroad on a business trip for a very, very long time."

Harriet's tears fell. "You want to say goodbye to Chase this way?"

"Harriet, I know you and Tristan will help me take good care of Chase. He'll grow up in a loving family. His life won't lack anything compared to others. Harriet, help me. I'm begging you."