Chapter 98 Becoming a Mother
Lark was worrying when she suddenly saw Harriet drop to her knees right in front of Haven.
Lark thought she was going to tell the truth and instinctively turned to look at Owen beside her.
But Owen remained completely calm, just coldly looking down at Harriet kneeling on the ground.
Harriet held back her tears and said, "Grandma, no one forced me. I wanted the divorce myself."
"I don't believe it. This isn't something the Harriet I know would do. I absolutely don't believe you would do this!" Haven's face was tense. "Tristan saved you without caring about his own safety. With your character, how could you possibly abandon him?"
Tears streamed down Harriet's face. "But Grandma, I want a child of my own."
Haven was stunned but still shook her head. "I know you value family, but that wouldn't make you abandon Tristan!"
"Grandma, my grandmother's dying wish was for me to have a happy, complete family with my own children. I don't want to let her down or make her worry about me in heaven." Harriet wiped the tears from her face and said firmly, "As long as I can fulfill my grandmother's wish, what does being ungrateful matter? Tristan can't give me what I want. Why should I hang myself on one tree?"
Lark breathed a sigh of relief.
Owen's lips curved slightly.
Only Haven still refused to believe it. "Harriet, you..."
"Grandma."
A cold, distant voice from the doorway interrupted Haven's words.
Everyone turned to see Tristan standing at the entrance with a gloomy expression, though no one knew when he'd arrived.
Tristan wore a black suit with a matching trench coat over it, his whole body radiating a chilling, murderous aura.
He strode in with long steps, one after another.
"Tristan, perfect timing. I was just about to call you."
Tristan's lips curved, but there was no smile on his face, only bone-chilling coldness. "Grandma, you don't need to ask anymore. This is the truth. No matter how much you press, it'll be the same. It's not worth hurting yourself over someone like this."
Harriet's heart trembled violently.
Haven thought for a moment, then looked at Harriet. "Harriet, I'll speak up for you here. If you have anything to explain or clarify, say it directly to Tristan's face."
Harriet sniffled and said, "Grandma, what I just said was from my heart. I'm sorry I disappointed you."
Tristan laughed coldly. "Grandma, you heard her? Why have any expectations of someone like this?"
Haven looked at them both. After a long while, she finally nodded. "I understand. Everyone leave. I need to rest. Iris, personally see Harriet to her car. Don't let anyone make things difficult for her or bully her."
Harriet closed her eyes in pain, tears flowing even harder.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and winter came to Emberfall.
Harriet's life returned to normal, focusing on work every day.
Flora had done an excellent job publicizing how Harriet saved her. Several wives of wealthy heirs came to Harriet, signing her as their family doctor.
Harriet's workload increased considerably. Besides seeing patients at the clinic daily, she also had to make house calls at scheduled times.
She liked being this busy. It was not only fulfilling, but her medical skills were improving too.
More importantly, when she was busy, she didn't have to think about Tristan.
They hadn't seen each other since. Even that day at the Lancaster family home, he hadn't given Harriet a single glance.
In the evening, Nolan came to the clinic.
As soon as he entered the room, Nolan frowned. "There's no heating here?"
Harriet turned on the air conditioner for heat. "No, this place was converted from a warehouse, so there's no heating installed."
"You can't live here. You'll catch cold easily, especially since you're already sensitive to cold."
"I'm already looking for a place, but it might take some time to find one." Harriet poured him some hot cocoa. "Have some hot cocoa to warm up."
"Thanks."
Harriet sat down on the sofa. "You said you had something private to discuss with me alone. What is it?"
"I heard you got divorced?"
Harriet didn't deny it. "Looks like everyone knows about it now."
"I only found out by accident when I heard my staff mention that Lark was planning a wedding. I asked about it and learned she was marrying Tristan."
Harriet smiled. "Yes, I'm divorced. In about ten days, I can go get the divorce papers."
"Why?" Nolan looked at her. "Harriet, you clearly love him, love him enough not to care about his physical condition."
"Everyone weighs pros and cons, and I'm no exception." Harriet said calmly. "I just weighed my options and chose the path more beneficial to me."
Nolan sighed. "Whatever the case, I support your decision."
"Thank you." Harriet changed the subject. "How's Chase doing lately?"
"Pretty good. He's accepted the two new nannies, and his mood has been much more stable recently."
"That's good."
"You just got off work and haven't eaten yet. Let's go out for dinner." Nolan suggested.
Harriet was about to decline when he cut her off. "To be precise, you should treat me to dinner. Last time you had a fever, I was the one who took you to the hospital."
Harriet had no reason to refuse. "Right, I should treat you to dinner to thank you. Let's go then."
Nolan brought Harriet to a Western restaurant.
Harriet remembered Xavier mentioning this place, saying it was one of Emberfall's top high-end Western restaurants where you needed to book half a month in advance.
But when Nolan arrived, they were taken directly to the window seat with the best view, showing he'd made a reservation long ago.
Harriet didn't call him out on it.
Nolan ordered a bottle of red wine and asked Harriet, "Want some?"
"I still need to study medicine when I get back, so no wine for me."
Nolan poured her a glass anyway. "Taking breaks occasionally helps you work more efficiently. Rest tonight and consider it properly treating me to dinner."
Harriet could only agree. "Alright."
She picked up her wine glass. "Mr. Johnson, I toast to you. Thank you for taking me to the hospital that night."
Nolan clinked glasses with her and took a small sip of wine. "Since you're thanking me, I have one request. Can you agree to it?"
"Go ahead."
"Don't call me Mr. Johnson anymore. Call me by my name."
Harriet frowned. "That doesn't seem appropriate."
"Why not?" Nolan asked back. "We're friends. Calling each other by name is perfectly normal. You see, I don't call you Ms. Getty either."
Harriet said, "You're my employer. I think calling you Mr. Johnson shows more respect."
"That's a good point, but I hope you'll listen to me, considering I've helped you before."
Harriet said nothing.
She could sense that although Nolan appeared gentle and polite on the surface, he was quite domineering at his core.
"Fine. If there's anything else you want me to do, you can say it all now."
Harriet didn't want to have to listen to him about everything in the future just because he helped her that night.
"That's all." Nolan raised his glass. "Here's to your smooth journey ahead and a better life."
"Thanks."
"Harriet, you're eating here too?"
A familiar voice reached her ears, and Harriet immediately lost her appetite.
Lark quickly wheeled her wheelchair over. "Candlelit dinner, how romantic. Harriet, I'm so happy for you that you found someone new so quickly."
Harriet didn't even glance at her and said coldly, "If you're done being annoying, you can leave now."
Lark mocked, "What kind of manners do you have? Any sense of courtesy?"
"I save my courtesy for people."
Lark's expression changed. "Are you saying I'm not a person?"
"Looks like your reading comprehension isn't bad." Harriet took a sip of wine. "Can you leave now?"