Chapter 145 Unwilling to Let Her Go
"What are you talking about!" Harriet forcefully pushed away Tristan's hand, "Let go, you're hurting me!"
Tristan didn't let go. Instead, he gripped even tighter, his voice rising involuntarily, "Answer my question!"
Harriet was both angry and upset, "What exactly do you mean? Which man are you trying to link me with now?"
She held back her tears, "You think there's something between me and Nolan? To keep you from getting upset, I've tried my best to keep my distance from him. Today I even told you beforehand that I was going to see Chase when he was sick. Why do you still think the worst of me! Tristan, do you really not trust me at all? Don't you know that trust between husband and wife is really important? If we keep going on like this without any trust, how are we supposed to make this work?"
The more Harriet spoke, the sadder she became. Tears fell uncontrollably, "Tristan, I keep feeling that ever since we went back to your hometown, things have changed between us. I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong, but something just feels different."
Tristan really wanted to question her.
But he didn't dare.
He was afraid that once certain things were said out loud, there would be no taking them back.
Seeing him stay silent, Harriet felt extremely disappointed.
Friction between husband and wife was unavoidable. She really wanted to communicate with him properly.
But he either questioned her like he just did, or stayed completely silent. There was simply no way to communicate.
Harriet felt so tired.
She got up to leave, and the next second, her wrist was grabbed.
"Where are you going?" Tristan's low, hoarse voice sounded.
"To the study, to practice my medical skills."
She needed to calm down.
Tristan stood up, his deep eyes fixed on her face, "Harriet, let's have a baby."
With a child, he would feel secure, would feel that Harriet wouldn't leave him.
"Don't you think that when we haven't even sorted out our own problems, bringing a child into this would only create more problems?" Harriet pulled at the corner of her mouth, "Tristan, actually, there's always been a problem with how we communicate."
"You know what, sometimes I even feel that the most harmonious time between us is in bed."
"But Tristan, marriage isn't just about sex."
Tristan watched her turn and walk away, closed his eyes, and suppressed the burning sensation in them.
Harriet was right. The most harmonious thing between them seemed to be only when they made love.
But no matter how much they did it, it couldn't change the fact that he was a substitute.
No matter how much they made love, there was no love in this marriage.
Her love was never truly for him.
How ridiculous.
But even so, he still couldn't let her go.
He still wanted to have a child with her, wanted to be with her forever.
Harriet stayed in the study for two hours. When she came out, it was almost dark.
Tristan was no longer home.
Harriet didn't call him. She went straight to the kitchen.
She wasn't in the mood to cook, so she just heated up some pizza that Rhea had made a couple days ago.
She was eating the pizza when the doorbell suddenly rang.
Harriet put down the pizza and went to open the door. She saw Griffin standing outside.
"Griffin, what brings you here?"
"I came to see you. Can I come in?"
"Of course, please come in." Harriet welcomed him inside.
"I bought you some fruit you like. I'll go wash it."
Before long, Griffin came out with a fruit platter full of washed strawberries and cherries.
Griffin sat across from her and placed the fruit platter in front of her.
"I remember when we were in school, you really loved eating strawberries, but because they were so expensive, your grandma could only buy you a little bit to try, and she'd pick the smallest ones. You told me back then that when you grew up, you wanted to have strawberry freedom, and they had to be the biggest and sweetest ones."
Harriet couldn't help but smile, though her eyes got a bit moist, "You still remember that?"
"Of course I won't forget."
Harriet picked up a strawberry and took a bite, "It's sweet, just the taste I used to dream of."
Griffin looked at her, "Harriet, I hope that in this life, you get everything you wish for."
"You too." Harriet smiled at him, "But Griffin, there's something I want to remind you about."
"Go ahead."
"I won't judge whether Owen is a good person or not, but what I can say for sure is that he's really sleazy. He has countless mistresses and quite a few illegitimate children. So I hope you won't have too high expectations about your father's character. The more you expect, the more disappointed you might be."
Griffin smiled calmly, "I've heard a bit about what he's done. Like you, I hate people like that. But he's still my only family in this world. No matter how sleazy he is, I have to accept it."
"I understand. I just hope you won't think too highly of him." Harriet thought for a moment, "But the fact that he brought you back to the Lancaster family and made you president of the Lancaster Group shows he values you quite a bit."
After all, Owen had many illegitimate children out there, and none of the others got this treatment.
"He just thinks I can replace Tristan and manage the Lancaster Group well." Griffin leaned back in his chair, his expression somewhat casual, "He's struggling to manage the Lancaster Group. I'm just a tool. But Harriet, I don't have a choice. I don't have a degree, no work experience. Regular companies won't hire me."
"I understand."Harriet had experienced the hardship of job hunting herself and knew how tough it was.
Griffin looked at the pizza in front of her, "That's all you're having for dinner?"
"Rhea's not here today, so I'm just having something quick."
"Where's Tristan?"
"He had something to take care of, so he went out."
Griffin said seriously, "Harriet, if he bullies you, you must tell me."
"We're husband and wife. How could he bully me?"
"That's good then."
The two chatted until after eight, when Griffin got up, "You should rest early. I'll head out."
"Drive safely."
"No need, because I live right next door to you."
"What?"
The building had two units per floor, both with identical layouts. As far as Harriet knew, the unit next door was empty.
"You rented the place next door?"
"I'm the executive president of the Lancaster Group now. Buying a place like this isn't hard." Griffin looked at her, "Harriet, I bought the place next to yours without telling you first. You're not mad, are you?"
"Where you live is your freedom. Of course I'm not mad." Harriet said, "This is actually good. We can look out for each other. If you need anything, just let me know."
"Okay."
Harriet took a shower. As soon as she came out of the bathroom, she ran into Tristan walking into the master bedroom.
Even from a distance, Harriet could smell the alcohol on him.
"You've been drinking. I'll go make you some hangover remedy."
Just as Harriet was about to leave, he grabbed her wrist.
"Harriet," Tristan's low, hoarse voice sounded, "Don't you have anything to tell me?"
"What do you want me to say?"
Tristan's lips pressed together slightly, "Griffin has brazenly moved in next door, and you're not going to explain that to me?"
Harriet turned to look at him, "I only found out two hours ago that Griffin bought the place next door, but what's there to explain?"
Tristan's chest felt irritated, "What about from now on? Is he going to come find you every day to reminisce?"
"What exactly are you so upset about?" Harriet didn't understand, "Just because I married you, I can't have a male friend anymore?"
"Tristan, I can tell you very clearly that Griffin is different from Mr. Johnson. I can stay away from Mr. Johnson for you, but I can't stay away from Griffin. He's my family."
Tristan let out a cold laugh.
Can't be lovers, so be family instead. That really made perfect sense.
What about him?
Had she considered his feelings at all?