Chapter 99 Preparing for the Wedding
Just as Lark was about to lose her temper, she caught sight of a figure approaching in the reflection of the glass. She immediately curved her lips into a smile and said, "Harriet, you really do love children. No wonder you got divorced and immediately went after Mr. Johnson."
"Makes sense though. Chase is so handsome, which shows how good Mr. Johnson's genes are. The children you have with Mr. Johnson will surely be beautiful too."
Harriet wasn't in the mood to clarify her relationship with Nolan to Lark. "My business is none of your concern."
"So what I'm saying is true?" Lark smiled. "How wonderful. Congratulations, Harriet. I'm sure you'll soon fulfill your wish of becoming a mother."
Harriet couldn't take it anymore. She turned, about to snap back, when she suddenly saw Tristan standing not far away, staring at her intensely.
Harriet froze, then quickly understood everything from Lark's smug expression.
Lark's tactics never got old.
Harriet instinctively wanted to explain things to Tristan, but she swallowed her words.
They were strangers now. There was no need for explanations.
Harriet curved her lips upward. "Ms. Brown, the person you're waiting for has arrived."
Lark turned around, pretending she'd just noticed Tristan. "Tristan, when did you get here?"
"Just now." Tristan strode over, not sparing Harriet another glance, and pushed Lark's wheelchair away.
Their table was by another window, and from Tristan's angle, he could see Harriet perfectly.
He glanced over casually. Whatever Nolan had said made Harriet break into a radiant smile.
Just moments ago, she had been so cold when facing Lark, but now she was smiling so happily!
Did Nolan make her that happy?
Harriet could feel Tristan's piercing gaze, making her extremely uncomfortable.
"What's wrong?" Nolan asked. "Wasn't Chase's joke funny?"
"It was funny. Chase is very amusing."
Nolan seemed to realize something. "If you're uncomfortable, we can go to another restaurant."
Harriet shook her head. "It's fine."
Nolan smiled. "Your seat has the best view. Want to switch?"
Harriet understood his intention and didn't object. They quickly exchanged seats.
When Tristan looked over again and saw Nolan sitting in Harriet's place, his expression turned even colder.
"Tristan, I can confirm that Harriet is dating Nolan," Lark observed Tristan's expression and tentatively continued, "She's really in a hurry to have children. But it makes sense—Nolan already has a son, so it's like a buy-one-get-one-free deal."
Tristan's handsome face tensed as he slowly looked away. "Who my ex-wife dates is none of my business."
"That's true." Lark raised her glass. "Tristan, thank you for agreeing to have dinner with me today. Cheers."
Tristan drained his glass of red wine in one go and said, "Actually, even if you hadn't called me today, I would have sought you out."
"Tristan, what did you want to see me about?"
"I've been recovering at Cloud Bay these days and haven't gone out much. I heard you're preparing for our wedding?"
Lark feigned shock. "Mr. Owen Lancaster didn't tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
Lark explained, "Harriet ungratefully abandoned you, but you can't be without someone to take care of you. So Mr. Owen Lancaster decided to honor the childhood betrothal agreement between our families and have us marry."
Tristan frowned. "When did I ever say I wanted to marry you?"
Lark's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly said, "Tristan, I know this seems rushed, but Mr. Owen Lancaster has his reasons. People are spreading rumors about your physical condition, and we absolutely cannot let those rumors be confirmed—it would damage your reputation."
"And at this crucial moment, Harriet selfishly divorced you, which only fuels more speculation. So Mr. Owen Lancaster arranged for me to marry you. If I'm willing to marry you, it will silence the rumors and protect your reputation."
Tristan let out a cold laugh. "So you're saying that to avoid being mocked, I should marry you?"
Lark bit her lower lip hard, looking utterly wronged. "Tristan, are you unwilling to marry me? Don't worry, I won't hurt you like Harriet did. I've loved you since we were children, as you know. I'll definitely be a good wife to you."
"I don't plan to remarry," Tristan shattered all of Lark's fantasies with one sentence. "From now on, I don't want to hear any more rumors about you marrying me, or I'll personally come forward to clarify. If you're not afraid of embarrassment, then continue with your wedding preparations."
"Tristan, if you don't want me around, I don't have to move into Cloud Bay after we're married. I won't disrupt your life," Lark's tears fell. "I just want to shield you from rumors and fulfill my dream of marrying you."
Tristan gently swirled his wine glass, his gaze fixed on the red liquid. "My body is ruined now. There's no point in you marrying me. Haven't you seen how Harriet abandoned me at the first opportunity?"
"I'm different from Harriet. I love you as a person!" Lark declared firmly. "Even if you're impaired, even if I can never experience a physical relationship, I still want to marry you, Tristan. I love you, and that has never changed."
Tristan put down his glass and looked up at her. "But Lark, I don't love you."
Lark froze, feeling as if her heart had been struck a heavy blow.
Tristan continued, "I won't marry you. If you're so eager to get married, find another man."
Lark had only injured her legs, not lost sensation in her entire lower body, so she could still have a normal sex life. Wanting to get married was natural.
"You won't even agree to a marriage in name only?" Lark's tears flowed more fiercely. "I've already humbled myself to this extent. Why won't you accept me?"
Tristan didn't want to say more. From the corner of his eye, he saw Harriet standing up.
Perhaps she'd had too much to drink—she was swaying slightly as she walked toward the restroom.
Tristan quickly rose to his feet. "Take your time. Put this meal on my tab."
With that, he turned and left, leaving Lark alone, crying in despair.
For some reason, after seeing Tristan, Harriet had become restless.
She indulged herself, drinking glass after glass of red wine. Drinking too quickly, she soon became tipsy.
Harriet went to the restroom and splashed water on her face.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she felt utterly despicable.
That day at the Lancaster family home, the things she had said—she could imagine how much Tristan must hate her now.
Harriet collected herself, took out a tissue from her purse to dry her face, and turned to leave the restroom.
Just as she stepped out, a strong grip suddenly seized her arm and pulled her into a nearby storage room.
Harriet let out a startled cry, which was quickly silenced by the closing door.
When she saw the face before her, she froze.
It was Tristan.
"What are you doing?" Harriet asked nervously.
"Nothing much." Tristan's lips curled into a cold smile. "Just wanted to ask my soon-to-be ex-wife how it feels to be with Nolan?"
Harriet opened her mouth, wanting to explain, but changed her mind. "That's none of your business."
"Is that so?" Tristan pushed her against the wall. "Harriet, let me remind you, we've only filed the paperwork—we're not officially divorced yet. You're so eager to find another man that I could easily sue you for infidelity."
Deep in Tristan's eyes swirled a bone-chilling coldness. "Or is it that you're so desperate for a child that you couldn't even wait a month before climbing into Nolan's bed to sleep with him?"
Harriet fought back tears, swallowing all of Tristan's humiliating words.
Though her heart was in turmoil, her voice remained remarkably calm.
As if Tristan's words hadn't stirred the slightest ripple within her.
"I told you, my business has nothing to do with you."
"Really?" Tristan's lips curved upward. "I'd like to test whether you truly have no feelings for me anymore."
Before Harriet could understand what he meant, his lips captured hers.
To call it a kiss would be generous—it was more like punishment.
There wasn't a hint of tenderness in it.