Chapter 177 Falling in Love with You
Harriet thought she was hearing things. "You... what did you say?"
Tristan spoke slowly and deliberately, "I said, we need to perform an abortion on you."
Harriet finally realized she hadn't misheard. Her whole body trembled violently. "Tristan, do you even know what you're saying? This is our child! Our child!"
Belatedly, something occurred to her, and she quickly said, "You don't think I've been with another man, do you? You can't possibly doubt that this child is not yours, right?"
She couldn't think of any other reason why he wouldn't want the baby!
"Tristan, I've never betrayed you. This child is yours! Don't hurt them! If you don't believe me, we can do a paternity test after the baby is born and everything will be clear!"
Tristan's heart ached so much he could barely breathe.
Of course he knew the child was his, but that's exactly why it hurt even more!
Last night he had already decided to take Harriet to a private island abroad to have the baby, to let her safely give birth to the child.
As for whether her body would be damaged, what did that have to do with him?
But when he thought about her body deteriorating, his heart ached.
He clearly hated her, yet between her and the child, he still couldn't choose to abandon her!
He hated her, and he hated himself even more!
"Harriet." The more Tristan's heart ached, the colder his voice became. "Between the child and you, only one can live!"
Harriet was completely stunned, tears sliding down from the corners of her eyes.
She couldn't even be sure if the Tristan before her was the same person who had held her tenderly just days ago, kissing her and saying he would stay with her and the child forever.
"Why?" Harriet asked trembling. "Why are you doing this to me..."
"No reason." Tristan closed his eyes, suppressing the pain and hatred in them. "Begin the procedure."
"Yes, Mr. Lancaster."
The doctor quickly began preparing the anesthesia.
"Tristan!" Harriet struggled desperately, but couldn't break free from the restraints.
She screamed like a trapped animal, "You want a life, I'll give you mine! Don't hurt my child! After I give birth, I'll give you my life!"
"Tristan! I'm begging you! Please, Tristan! Please!"
Harriet's heart-wrenching cries echoed through the vast room, but no one ever responded to her.
The needle pierced Harriet's arm, and the clear liquid slowly entered her body.
Harriet's consciousness gradually began to blur, and she no longer even had the strength to plead.
Endless despair overwhelmed all her senses. She stared blankly at the face she had loved deeply for nearly eleven years.
Memories flashed through her mind like a slideshow.
That year on campus when they first met, she fell in love with him at first sight.
That winter, she jumped into icy water without hesitation to save him, nearly losing her own life.
That year when she married him, even though he was in a vegetative state, she was still filled with joy.
She loved him more than she loved herself, even to the point of losing herself, yet she persisted without complaint or regret.
But why, why did Tristan personally push her onto the operating table and personally kill her child?
"Why..." Harriet used all her remaining strength to speak with difficulty. "Tristan, why..."
She didn't wait for Tristan's answer before slowly closing her eyes, losing all sensation.
Outside the window, the first thunder of spring rang out.
"Harriet, you really are a good teacher. I think you've already taught me how to love you."
Tristan raised his hand to gently caress her pale face, a bitter and desolate smile appearing on his handsome face.
"But however much I love you, that's how much I hate you."
The thunder continued!
A rainstorm fell, washing over the city, not stopping for a long time.
Harriet had a very, very long dream.
In the dream, she gave birth to an adorable daughter.
When their daughter was learning to walk, she and Tristan took her back to their hometown.
Kai was lying in a rocking chair in the yard. When he saw them return, he immediately got up and walked over to pick up their daughter.
Cleo came out of the house wearing an apron, smiling and saying she had made Harriet's favorite dishes.
After dinner, the five of them sat under the grape arbor to cool off, filled with laughter and joy.
Harriet slowly opened her eyes, but what she saw wasn't a grape arbor laden with fruit, but a white ceiling.
The air was filled with the smell of disinfectant that she hated.
"Harriet, you're awake." Ian looked at her with concern. "It's okay now, don't be afraid."
"Mr. Jones." Harriet's dry, hoarse voice spoke with difficulty. "Where's the child?"
Ian couldn't bear to look directly into her eyes. "Harriet, the child is gone."
Harriet pulled at the corners of her mouth. "Where's Tristan?"
"He left long ago."
Harriet got up and tried to get out of bed. "I'm going to find him."
"Harriet, don't move around!" Ian quickly held her down. "What are you looking for him for?"
"I need to ask him what happened. I don't believe he wouldn't want our child. He must have some unavoidable reason." Harriet struggled. "Mr. Jones, please let me go ask him!"
"Harriet, calm down!" Ian spoke with difficulty. "Mr. Lancaster said he doesn't want to see you."
Harriet froze. "Why? Why is he treating me like this?"
Tears poured out uncontrollably. Harriet finally couldn't suppress her crying. "What did I do wrong! What did the child do wrong! Why is he treating us like this! Tristan!"
"Harriet!" Ian quickly pressed the call button for the doctor. "Give her a sedative, quick!"
The doctor immediately injected Harriet with a sedative, and she fell into a deep sleep again.
Ian gave Harriet medication to ensure she spent most of each day sleeping.
Harriet stayed in the hospital for a week, sleeping most of the time.
But after that day, she never cried or made a fuss again. When she woke up, she obediently ate and took her medicine, like a soulless puppet.
On the day she was discharged, Griffin came to pick her up and took her back to Lakeside Gardens.
"Harriet, Rhea wants to come take care of you."
Harriet shook her head gently. "I don't want to see anyone related to him."
"Not even Grandma?" Griffin asked. "Grandma is very worried about you."
"No."
"Alright, I'll decline for you." Griffin went to get her medicine. "Take your medicine and get some sleep. I've already arranged for Niamh to come take care of you."
"Don't interfere with her work. I can take care of myself."
"Niamh has already resigned from Apex Global Group. I'm paying her salary now to ensure that she stays with you well."
Harriet shook her head gently. "Don't affect other people's normal lives because of me. If you really want to help her, arrange a better job for her."
"Okay, I'll do as you say. I'll arrange a position for her at the Lancaster Group." Griffin thought for a moment. "I'll find a servant to take care of you."
"Just find a part-time housekeeper." Harriet said softly. "Someone to help with cleaning and cooking."
"Alright, I'll arrange it."
"I'm tired." Harriet got up and walked toward the master bedroom. "You should go to work too. Don't let work suffer because of me."
Griffin watched her slender figure, a trace of heartache flashing in his eyes.
"Harriet." Griffin called out to her. "Promise me you won't torture yourself, okay?"
Harriet didn't respond to him, walking numbly into the master bedroom.