Chapter 95 Formal Divorce
Tristan was confused. "But you clearly told me before that you loved me and didn't mind my physical problems."
"You saved me back then, and I was so moved that I impulsively agreed to get back together with you." Harriet suppressed the tears welling up in her eyes, refusing to let them fall. "But after I calmed down, I realized I couldn't accept this kind of life at all."
"I love you, but I love myself more. Without children, I'll have regrets for the rest of my life, and I don't want regrets. So Tristan, I'm sorry, I want to divorce you. I'll repay you in other ways, just like how you repaid Lark. You can't repay Lark with marriage, and I can't repay you with marriage either."
Tristan stared hard at her face. "Are you being honest right now?"
Harriet didn't deny it. "I struggled with it, but reason ultimately won over emotion. I'm sorry."
Tristan took two steps back and slumped onto the bed.
He looked down at the divorce papers in his hands and said in a low voice, "So your love for me isn't fake, but you love yourself more. Compared to being with a cripple like me, you'd rather start a family and have children with another man."
Harriet closed her eyes in pain. "Yes."
"I get it now." Tristan laughed instead of getting angry. "To me, not having children isn't a problem at all, but you're going to abandon me because of it."
"Harriet, there are actually many ways to have children—adoption, artificial insemination—but you didn't hesitate at all and went straight for divorce. This proves that in your heart, I don't matter at all."
She heard him say.
"Harriet, your love is really cheap."
Harriet's hands clenched into tight fists, her nails digging into her palms, reminding her to stay calm.
"Yes." Harriet looked at him. "We were never from the same world to begin with. I'm not good enough for you. Let's get divorced."
"Do you think I'm still going to beg you?" Tristan slowly raised his head, his handsome face covered in coldness, his deep eyes brewing a storm. "You want a divorce? Fine, I'll make it happen! All the blood you gave Lark over the years, I've paid it back with that stab wound. From now on, we owe each other nothing!"
That night, Harriet slept in the guest room on the first floor.
Originally she wanted to go back to the clinic, but Tristan said they were going to court first thing in the morning to file for divorce and he didn't want her to waste time.
Harriet knew that this time, Tristan was determined.
Anyone would be unable to bear those hurtful words she said.
Outside the window, a rainstorm started at some point, the raindrops hitting the window, covering up Harriet's crying.
She curled up under the blanket, feeling like she was in an ice cellar, without a trace of warmth anywhere in her body.
Harriet didn't sleep all night. The next morning, she only got up after hearing Rhea's voice.
Tristan also got up early. When the two of them sat at the dining table for breakfast, Rhea clearly sensed something was wrong between them, but didn't dare say anything.
After breakfast, the two left together.
The whole way, neither of them said a word.
It wasn't until they came out of the courthouse that Tristan spoke, saying his first words to her that day: "Come back in a month to get the divorce papers."
Today they only registered; they needed to go through a one-month cooling-off period before they could officially divorce.
Harriet watched Tristan get in the car. After the Rolls-Royce drove away, she immediately took out her phone and called Owen.
"Tristan and I have registered for divorce."
"Very good." Owen was in an excellent mood. "Looks like I can start preparing for his and Lark's wedding."
Harriet hung up the phone, all the strength drained from her body. She squatted by the roadside for a long time before dragging herself back to the clinic.
In the afternoon, the doorbell suddenly rang.
Rhea went to answer it and saw Lark outside.
"Ms. Brown?" Rhea frowned. "Why are you here?"
"Can't I come?" Lark glared at her. "Who do you think you are, talking to me like that!"
Rhea said distantly, "What do you want?"
Lark wheeled herself directly into the house. "To see Tristan, of course. You think I'm here for you?"
Rhea quickly blocked her. "Mr. Lancaster isn't seeing anyone today. Please leave."
"Get out of my way!" Lark was furious. "I'm about to become part of the Lancaster family, and you dare to stop me!"
Once she married Tristan, the first thing she'd do was fire this annoying Rhea!
Rhea didn't budge, firmly blocking her. "I said, Mr. Lancaster isn't seeing anyone today. And if you're going to dream, at least check what time it is—it's broad daylight."
"You think I'm talking nonsense?" Lark laughed. "Looks like you don't know yet—Tristan has already divorced Harriet. I'm going to marry Tristan soon. I came today to discuss the wedding with him."
Rhea couldn't believe it. "That's impossible!"
Lark didn't want to waste words with her. "Move!"
She took the elevator upstairs on her own. Seeing the master bedroom door open with cigarette smoke drifting out, she went right in and sure enough saw Tristan sitting on the sofa smoking.
Lark coughed from the smoke. Looking closer, she saw the ashtray in front of Tristan was almost full.
Even without much awareness, Lark could tell he was in a terrible mood.
Lark immediately became cautious, approaching with concern. "Tristan, is your wound feeling any better?"
Tristan slowly looked up at her. "Why are you here?"
"I was worried about you, so I came to check on you." Lark's carefully made-up face was full of concern. "Tristan, you're still injured—don't smoke so much, it's bad for your health."
"I know. You can go back now."
"Tristan, did I do something wrong?" Lark's eyes brimmed with tears. "If I did something wrong, just tell me and I'll change. I just ask that you don't distance yourself from me like this."
Tristan looked at her.
Lark was indeed very obedient. Whenever he wanted, she would revolve around him, her whole heart focused on him—countless times more obedient than Harriet.
He couldn't help thinking that if it weren't for that car accident years ago that brought him and Harriet together, Lark would probably be Mrs. Lancaster now.
Maybe then he wouldn't be feeling so miserable today.
Because Lark wouldn't ask him for a divorce again and again like Harriet did.
Seeing him lost in thought, Lark's tears fell. "Tristan, I know you're sad and in pain. I'll always stay by your side. Even if your body can't function anymore, I'm still willing to marry you. No matter what you become, I'll stay with you faithfully for the rest of my life."
Tristan smiled faintly.
Not long ago, Harriet had also made such a passionate declaration, saying she would never leave him.
She had promised to teach him how to love.
But she let go without hesitation.
The pain that Tristan had barely suppressed swept through his heart once again.