Chapter 284 I Am Already in Your Arms, Aren't I?
Tristan spoke up, "Forget about saving Elowen, but you can't go with Caspian."
Harriet thought for a moment before speaking up, "Caspian has a point though. If I don't save Elowen, I won't be able to face Uncle."
"I understand your feelings for Uncle Jasper. Caspian is using your sense of duty to manipulate you." Tristan said, gripping her arm. "But Harriet, going to the Romanov family will be dangerous. Have you forgotten they blamed you for Lark's death?"
"I'll find a way to protect myself. My safety isn't the issue." Harriet said, "I'm just worried about Della, Tristan..."
Before Harriet could finish, Tristan cut her off, "I'm definitely going with you. There's no way I'm staying in Emberfall to protect Della."
Harriet didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I haven't even said anything yet."
"We're husband and wife. I know you so well that I can guess what you're thinking."
"Della has never been away from me. Normally I'd take her with us, but she's injured now and can't handle the travel." Harriet thought it over. "Looks like we'll have to leave her with Nolan and Niamh."
"Also, arrange more people to protect her."
"Okay." Tristan said, "I'll arrange personal bodyguards to protect her. I won't let anyone suspicious get near her."
Della kept resisting Tristan, so he could only wait until she fell asleep each night before sitting by her bed at the hospital to keep her company.
When Nolan walked into the hospital room, Tristan was holding Della's hand, gazing tenderly at her face as she slept.
"Mr. Lancaster." Nolan lowered his voice. "Want to go out for a smoke?"
Only then did Tristan let go of Della's hand and tuck her in properly.
The two men went to the smoking area outside. Nolan pulled out cigarettes and offered one to Tristan.
Tristan took it. "Should you be smoking with your condition?"
Nolan lit his cigarette and passed the lighter over, smiling. "Harriet scolds me anytime I tried to smoke. Can't help it, I can't quit."
"I couldn't quit even when I was healthy, let alone now. Besides, there's no need to quit anymore."
"Mr. Johnson you shouldn't be pessimistic." Tristan blew out a smoke ring. "Harriet is a doctor. If she's telling you to quit smoking, she must have her reasons. You should listen to her."
"It's just a matter of living a few more or fewer days. That doesn't bother me anymore." Nolan chuckled dryly, taking a drag. "But Mr. Lancaster, you should quit smoking. With Della at home, you can't have cigarette smell on you."
"You're right." Tristan looked at him. "Thank you for being so good to Della."
"Della is smart and adorable. Anyone would love her." Nolan smiled. "I mean... she calls me daddy in that sweet childlike voice, who can resist that?."
Tristan froze slightly.
Nolan guessed what he was thinking and said, "I originally wanted to explain your relationship with Della to her, but Harriet thought that it should wait for a bit. Della is injured right now and her emotions are fragile."
"Harriet is right." Tristan took another drag. "There's no need to rush."
"Sure, blood is thicker than water, and of course you love Della so much. She won't refuse to accept you." Nolan asked, "When are you planning to go to Pinecrest?"
"Della will be discharged now, so in the next couple of days, I'll have to trouble you to take care of her then."
"It will be my pleasure."
After Della was discharged, she was sent to the Johnson's Mansion.
Tristan arranged for a doctor to care of her while at home, along with the tightest security to ensure Della's safety.
As soon as they boarded the plane, Harriet started missing Della.
"It's okay." Tristan held her hand. "We'll be back soon and after this, we won't be separated from Della again."
"Okay." Harrriet responded, pulling herself together.
After the plane landed in Pinecrest, they checked directly into a hotel owned by Apex Global Group.
Caspian called, "Ms. Getty, let me treat you both to a welcome dinner."
"No need." Harriet said coolly. "I need to see Elowen first and confirm she's alive. Otherwise our deal can't begin, can it?"
"I can't let you see her in person, but I can send you a recent video of her to prove she's safe and sound."
Harriet soon received the video from Caspian.
In the video, Elowen was trapped in a luxurious room. She seemed to just be confined, as she was banging on the door and cursing.
Harriet sent the video to Ryder to verify its authenticity.
Then she went to the bathroom to take a shower. By the time she was done, the hotel had already delivered their meal.
Tristan had even opened a bottle of wine. "It's been a long time since we had a proper meal together."
"Yes." Harriet hugged him from behind. "It's been a while."
"So wife, we should seize the moment."
Harriet was indeed hungry, she began to eat the minute she sat down.
The food at the seven-star hotel tasted great. Harriet ate it all even to the dessert.
After dinner, Harriet went to the sofa to video call Niamh.
She was informed that Della hadn't woken up yet, Niamh sat beside her, watching her closely.
"Thanks for your hard work, Niamh. If Della misses me, call me anytime. My phone will be on 24/7."
"No problem." Niamh assured, "Mrs. Haven Lancaster and Xavier came by last night, and I beat Xavier up again!"
Harriet didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Why do you enjoy hitting him so much?"
"He bullied you so much before. Of course I have to get revenge for you!"
"Good job." Harriet laughed. "He really does deserve it."
"Everything is fine in Emberfall, don't worry. You just need to be careful yourself. I heard from Mr. Johnson that the Romanov family is no joke."
"I know, don't worry about me."
As soon as Harriet hung up, Tristan pulled her into his arms.
"Wife, shouldn't I have all of your time tonight?"
Harriet couldn't help but smile. "Aren't I already in your arms?"
Tristan lowered his head, pressing a kiss on her lips.
Harriet knew that ever since they made love at Cloud Bay with things left unfinished, Tristan had been holding back.
These past days they'd basically been staying at the hospital, and even if they wanted to be intimate, there was no opportunity for that.
Tonight in a foreign land, finally able to be alone together, he didn't want to hold back anymore.
Harriet closed her eyes, surrendering to his lips before joining in.
The air between them grew warmer, wrapping them in desire and intoxticating tension.
Tristan kiss deepened with passion as he impatiently stripped off her clothes.
Just as he was about to claim her, one of their cellphones interrupted.
Harriet raised a hand, stopping him. "The phone..." she muttered.
Tristan didn't stop. "Don't answer it."
"No..." Harriet maintained, turning away to dodge a kiss. "What if it's something urgent? Let me answer it first..."
Tristan had no choice but to stop. He reluctantly grabbed the phone, handing it over to her.
Harriet swiped to answer. "Ryder, what's the situation?"
"Mrs. Lancaster, I've checked it. The video isn't synthesized or edited. It's real footage."
"That's good. Thanks for your hard work."
"You're too kind."
Before Harriet could react after hanging up, Tristan scooped her up and carried her over to the bedroom.
Tears nearly welled up in Harriet's eyes, her cheeks flushing.
"Why are you so coy?" Tristan chuckled softly, kissing the corner of her lips.
Harriet glared at him. "Who told you to be in such a rush!"
"My fault."
He kissed her, and when she melted in, he didn't waste a single second, to resume their relentless indulgence.
Harriet felt her mind go completely blank. She couldn't think at all, she only surrendered to her body's instincts, sinking into his burning embrace.
After several bouts of pleasure, Harriet leaned against Tristan's chest, trying to catch her breath.
Tristan held her, his voice husky and sexy. "Wife."
"What is it?"
"Do you have something on your mind?" Tristan asked in a low voice. "Ever since we got back together, I feel like you've something bothering you. It's because of Mom, isn't it?"
Harriet didn't speak.
"You can't control your feelings for me, same way you can't let go of Mom's death, so you're troubled." Tristan said, cupping her face, he looked deeply into her eyes. "You still blame me, don't you?"
Harriet shook her head gently. "From the day I got back together with you, I knew I couldn't blame you, so it's not about you."
"It's me who hasn't adjusted my mindset. Just give me a little more time."
Tristan held her tightly. "I'll wait for as long as you want. As long as you don't leave me, I'll do whatever you say."
"Okay."
Tristan rolled over and kissed her again.
"That's enough." Harriet quickly pushed against his chest. "We still have to go to the Romanov family tomorrow."
Tristan looked at her pitifully. "Wife, I haven't had sex in three years."
Harriet suppressed her laughter. "Mr. Lancaster, I don't believe you haven't relieved yourself once in these three years."
"You suspect I cheated?"
"Who said it has to be cheating." Harriet grabbed his hand and raised an eyebrow. "Won't this work?"
Tristan laughed in a low, husky voice.
Harriet mimicked his tone. "Have you masturbated?"
"Rarely." Tristan admitted frankly. "Only when I missed you so much I couldn't stand it."
He lived at Cloud Bay, where her presence was everywhere. It was hard not to think of her.
He could have escaped that environment, but like some kind of self-torture, he went home every night, lay in their marriage bed, and endured the heart-wrenching pain of longing.
He never knew that loving someone could hurt this much.
He even wondered if he should have taken that pill back then.
That pill that could make him forget everything—he hadn't thrown it away.
Several times he took it out of the fridge wanting to swallow it.
But each time he gave up.
He couldn't bear it.
Couldn't bear to forget Harriet.
Listening to him express his longing, Harriet's heart felt like it was being squeezed by a cold hand, it hurt so much she could barely breathe.
She cupped his face as tears rolled down from the corners of her eyes.
Tristan's wiped away the tears from her eyes. "Wife, don't cry. Aren't we fine now?"
"We are." Harriet sobbed. "We have to stay fine forever."
"Of course."
Harriet could no longer hold back. She lifted her head and kissed him passionately, letting her emotions drive her.
Tristan joined in roughly, taking her all in.
After the initial fierceness, he became gentle.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly.
Though he was restraining himself, Tristan still kept going until the early morning hours.
Harriet was so exhausted she had no strength left, letting him carry her to bathe.
After returning to bed, she leaned against his chest. Too tired, she fell into a deep sleep.
Tristan walked out of the room and stood by the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room, smoking.
He took out his phone and made a call. "Three years of investigation and still no progress?"
The other party said something, and Tristan's eyes turned cold. "Useless! Keep investigating. Even though Harriet is back by my side, what happened back then must be uncovered..."
Early the next morning, the two got into the car Caspian had sent to pick them up.
The black luxury car drove toward a remote suburban area before arriving at an estate.
This place could no longer be described as luxurious—it was like a paradise on earth.
The car stopped in front of a castle-like building, and the driver opened the door. "Please, you two."
Although the Romanov family had settled abroad, Harriet noticed that most of the servants in the estate were from Athenia.
Caspian came out to greet them. "Mr. Lancaster, Ms. Getty, please come in."
"No rush." Harriet took a pill from her pocket. "Would Mr. Romanov mind taking this?"
"What is it?"
"Poison."
Caspian smiled calmly. "Is Ms. Getty so angry that you want to poison me?"
"Not quite." Harriet laughed lightly. "My husband and I are both here. If you wanted to take us down with you and something happened to us, wouldn't my daughter become an orphan? So I have to be careful."
"This poison is lethal, but it won't kill you immediately. It won't affect your health in the short term either. Once our deal is done and Elowen is safe, I'll naturally give you the antidote."
"Of course, poisoning you secretly wouldn't be difficult, but I prefer to be straightforward. If you truly have no intention of killing us, then take it without worry. If you don't harm me, I won't take your life."
"Ms. Getty is indeed straightforward. I love dealing with people like you." Caspian took the pill from Harriet's palm.
"Mr. Romanov!" A butler-like person beside him quickly tried to stop him. "Absolutely not!"
"It's fine." Caspian said calmly. "I trust Ms. Getty is someone who keeps her word. Ollie, pass the word down—I've taken Ms. Getty's poison. Anyone who touches her is threatening my life."
Ollie Chambers could only nod. "Yes."
Caspian swallowed the pill without hesitation.