Chapter 172 Don't Sleep in Separate Beds
Harriet looked up at Tristan. "What?"
"I said I went to see Griffin." Tristan smiled. "I told him I could give up anything except you."
Harriet froze for a moment.
She couldn't deny that Tristan's possessiveness made her heart flutter.
But more than that, it felt suffocating.
"Why are you so sure there's something between Griffin and me?" Harriet looked at him, confused, while searching her memory. "Did I say or do something that gave you that idea?"
Although she'd known Griffin since childhood, she hadn't forgotten she was married. Even though they were practically family, she maintained a normal social distance and never crossed any lines.
So she really didn't understand why Tristan was so bothered by it.
Or maybe Tristan wasn't concerned about her relationship with Griffin, but rather the fact that Griffin was part of the Lancaster family?
Harriet thought that seemed more likely.
"It's all in the past now." Tristan held her close.
From the moment he burned that diary, everything was behind them.
Now he just wanted to stay by her side and their child's, and live a good life together.
After lying around at home for a few days, Harriet couldn't stand it anymore and went back to work at the clinic.
She had just finished with a patient when her phone rang. It was a distant relative.
Harriet answered. "You're looking for me?"
"Harriet, your house and the family cemetery are all fixed up. Do you want to come back for a housewarming?"
Harriet was confused. "What? I didn't renovate anything."
"Really? Wasn't it you who had someone come back to restore the Getty family cemetery and your old house? They spent a lot of money too. All the relatives are praising you, saying you know how to be grateful."
Harriet had a hunch about what happened. "Could you send me some photos?"
"Sure, hold on."
Harriet soon received photos and videos from her relative.
The Getty family cemetery had been beautifully restored, and the old house kept its original structure but was completely renovated inside and out—it looked brand new.
From the looks of it, this definitely wasn't done in just a day or two.
"When did the renovation start?"
"The day after you left, a Mr. Scott came to get your house key, said he was there to help you renovate. He even left someone behind to oversee everything. Very responsible—been watching the progress the whole time."
Harriet didn't need to ask more questions to know it was Ryder.
"I see. I'll come back when I get a chance."
"Okay, let me know when you're coming."
"Okay."
That evening, Tristan came to pick up Harriet from the clinic.
As soon as she got in the car, Harriet asked, "You sent people to renovate our family cemetery and house?"
Tristan fastened her seatbelt. "Yes."
Harriet said softly, "You didn't have to do all that for me."
"I didn't do it for you." Tristan looked at her. "I did it for Grandma."
"I wanted to fix up the house so I could take you back there more often. She would be really happy about that."
Harriet's eyes welled up. "Okay."
Harriet had been getting sleepy easily these days. After dinner, she went to bed early.
She woke up to find it was only a little past ten at night.
She wasn't sleepy anymore, so she got up to get some water.
Walking past the guest room, she suddenly heard sounds coming from inside.
Curious, Harriet opened the door a crack and saw Tristan sitting on the floor assembling a crib.
He was completely focused and didn't even notice the door opening.
Harriet felt something stir in her heart, as if the high walls she'd built to keep him out were crumbling down.
Tristan was studying the instructions when he suddenly seemed to sense something and looked up.
"Why are you up?" Tristan stood and walked toward her. "Are you feeling unwell?"
Harriet shook her head. "I got up for some water."
"I'll get it for you."
Tristan quickly brought her a glass of warm water.
Harriet sipped it and asked, "Isn't it too early to set up a crib?"
"It needs to air out for a while after assembly. Plus, I'm planning to turn my study into a nursery. It has good lighting and it's right next to the master bedroom, so it'll be easier for us to take care of him."
Harriet's lips curved slightly. "Okay."
"You go back to sleep. I'll finish putting this together."
"Okay."
Harriet returned to the master bedroom and sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring at the ink-black night outside.
She didn't know how much time had passed when Tristan opened the door and came in. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Harriet collected herself. "I slept for a bit earlier, so I'm not tired right now."
"Even if you're not tired, you need to sleep. You have work tomorrow."
"I'll lie down and try to get sleepy."
"Okay."
Harriet lay down on the bed, and Tristan tucked her in. "Sleep now."
Harriet looked at him. "I want to go back to my hometown and see it."
"Okay, I'll arrange it. I'll take you back to stay for a while."
"Thank you."
"Sleep now."
Harriet closed her eyes and fell asleep before long.
Tristan leaned down to kiss her forehead, then turned off the light and left.
A few days later, Tristan took Harriet back to her hometown.
This time, besides the two of them, Tristan also brought Rhea and another servant to help take care of Harriet.
Harriet stayed in her own room and arranged for them to stay in the first-floor guest room and Jasper's room.
The house was renovated beautifully—simple yet elegant, very much to Harriet's taste.
Rhea made dinner, and after eating, Tristan took Harriet's hand and they went out for a walk.
The small town's evenings weren't as lively as Emberfall, but Harriet really enjoyed this moment of peaceful calm.
Many people were sitting along both sides of the river, and they all greeted Harriet warmly when they saw her.
"Harriet's back?"
"You've gotten even prettier. Who's this handsome guy with you?"
Harriet introduced him. "This is my husband. His last name is Lancaster."
"You got married? You two look great together."
"Thank you."
Tristan felt his heart leap with joy when she introduced him.
He had thought Harriet didn't want to make their relationship public.
Harriet held Tristan's hand as they kept walking forward.
"When I was little, my favorite thing was to hold my grandparents' hands and walk like this after dinner, greeting the neighbors along the way, chatting and laughing as we made a full circle, then going home to sleep."
"Grandpa said he hoped he could live long enough to see me grow up, get married, and have children. Then he and Grandma could hold my child's hand and watch them grow up slowly, just like this."
"But sadly, neither he nor Grandma lived to see that day."
Tristan squeezed her hand. "When our child is born, we'll hold his hand and walk this same path. Grandpa and Grandma will be watching from heaven, and they'll be happy."
Harriet nodded firmly. "Yes!"
After walking a full circle, they returned home. Harriet had some soup that Rhea had made, then went to take a bath.
When she came out of the bathroom, she saw Tristan sitting on the edge of the bed.
Seeing Harriet emerge, Tristan stood up and walked over. "Want me to dry your hair?"
"Okay."
Tristan got the hairdryer and helped Harriet dry her hair.
When the hairdryer stopped, Harriet was about to speak when Tristan wrapped his arms around her from behind.
"Harriet." Tristan's low, husky voice sounded by her ear. "Can we stop sleeping in separate beds?"