Chapter 5 Leaving with Nothing

Harriet's blood froze, an icy chill shooting from the soles of her feet through her entire body in an instant, nearly paralyzing her.

She'd been so naive.

She thought she could make it work, thought Tristan would settle down for their child, just as Rhea had suggested.

But apparently, in his heart, their child wasn't as important as Lark.

Her child was unwelcome to Tristan.

Harriet closed her eyes in agony, tears sliding down her cheeks.

"I know you don't like Lark, but her health really is poor. Try to understand," Tristan said, attempting to soothe her as he looked at her paper-white face. "If you want children, we can plan for that after her condition improves."

Harriet's lips twitched into a hollow smile.

If she told Tristan she was pregnant right now, he'd probably rush her to the hospital for an abortion immediately.

This baby was one of her few remaining family members. She absolutely couldn't let her child be terminated because of Lark!

"I understand," Harriet said, wiping the tears from her face. "Go back to work. I won't bother you anymore."

Harriet fled back to Cloud Bay, packed her belongings, gave Rhea a few instructions, and walked out the door with her suitcase.

She had planned to find a hotel, but in the taxi, she received a call from her uncle, Jasper Getty, and immediately headed over.

Xanthe Miller, her aunt by marriage, opened the door. The moment she saw Harriet, she eagerly welcomed her inside. "Harriet, you finally came! I've missed you so much!"

When she noticed Harriet's empty hands apart from the suitcase, her smile instantly froze.

Harriet quickly explained, "Aunt Xanthe, I'm sorry. I left in a hurry and didn't have time to bring you a gift."

"Harriet, come in," Jasper approached them. "You've never visited without bringing something before, no need to be so formal. Why didn't you tell me you were released? I could have picked you up."

"It was raining, so I didn't want to trouble you. How have you been, Uncle Jasper?"

"Same as always." Jasper noticed the suitcase in the entryway and asked, "Why are you carrying luggage?"

"I'm getting divorced. I've moved out of Cloud Bay."

"What? Divorced?" Xanthe's shrill voice rang out. "Was it Tristan who suggested it?"

Harriet shook her head slightly. "I want the divorce."

"Have you lost your mind?" Xanthe exclaimed anxiously. "The Lancaster family is the wealthiest in Athenia! So many women would kill to marry into that family. And here you are, asking for a divorce? Did prison make you stupid?"

"Shut your mouth!" Jasper glared at Xanthe before turning to Harriet with righteous indignation. "When Tristan sent you to prison without even verifying if the video was real, anyone would have given up. If you want a divorce, get one! Grandma may be gone, but I'll support you. Move in here so I can look after you."

Harriet quickly refused. "That's not necessary. I'll rent my own place and find a job. Don't worry about me, Uncle Jasper."

"We have plenty of rooms. Why waste money on rent?" Jasper reached for her suitcase. "It's settled."

"Yes, listen to Jasper," Xanthe chimed in, then immediately asked, "Harriet, divorce is fine, but how much of the Lancaster fortune are you planning to claim?"

"I'm walking away with nothing."

"What did you say?" Xanthe exploded. "You really have lost your mind! How can you leave with nothing? How will you survive without money?"

"Aunt Xanthe, I signed a prenup. It was never possible for me to take any of the Lancaster family's assets." Harriet changed the subject. "By the way, Uncle Jasper, Grandma gave me an amulet before she died and mentioned something about my background. What was that about?"

Jasper's eyes flickered momentarily, but he quickly composed himself. "Since Grandma gave it to you, just keep it safe. As for what she said about your background, she was just lamenting your unfortunate circumstances."

Harriet didn't question it. "Even though I grew up without parents, Grandpa and Grandma gave me all their love. I never felt unfortunate."

"If you can think that way, their spirits can rest in peace."

At ten that night, Tristan returned to Cloud Bay, but Harriet wasn't in the master bedroom.

He took out his phone to call her, but couldn't get through.

Tristan went downstairs and summoned Rhea. "Where's Harriet?"

"Mrs. Lancaster has moved out."

"What did you say?" Tristan frowned. "When did she leave?"

"This morning."

Rhea hesitated. Before leaving, Harriet had made her promise not to tell Tristan about the pregnancy, warning that it would endanger the baby's life. So she remained silent.

Rhea handed him a document. "These are the divorce papers Mrs. Lancaster left."

Tristan took them, flipping through briefly before letting out a cold laugh. "Walking away with nothing—she's really something!"

"Mr. Lancaster, Mrs. Lancaster is determined to divorce you."

"That's not for her to decide!" Tristan irritably loosened his tie. "Where did she move to?"

"Mrs. Lancaster didn't say."

Tristan strode out, instructing his driver to start the car.

In the guest room, Harriet had just showered and was about to sleep when her phone rang.

It was an unknown number.

Harriet answered, "Hello, who is this?"

"Come downstairs." The familiar cold voice came through the line.

Harriet's hand froze on the phone. "I've already gone to bed."

"You have ten minutes to come down, or no one in this building will get any sleep tonight."

Harriet stared at the disconnected call, hesitated briefly, then changed and went downstairs.

A black Rolls-Royce was parked in front of the building entrance. Tristan, tall and straight-backed, leaned against the car smoking.

Harriet approached, maintaining a safe distance, and calmly asked, "What brings you here so late?"

"What do you think? Harriet, did you ignore what I said last night? You dare draft divorce papers and run away from home?" Tristan took a deep drag from his cigarette. "Get in the car and come home with me now, and I'll let this go."

"Run away from home." Harriet gave a bitter smile. "Do you think that place is my home? If it were, why would my husband spend his nights with another woman?"

"This is still about Lark. Harriet, can't you be less narrow-minded?"

"So what would make me less narrow-minded? Smiling while watching you two together? Continuing to donate blood to her? Or maybe serving a few more years in prison?" Harriet looked at him. "Tristan, our marriage was a business arrangement, but I'm a human being, not Lark's personal blood bank."

Tristan's lips curled into a cold smile. "So you admit this marriage was a business arrangement. You married me to get treatment for your grandmother, and now that she's gone, you're rushing to divorce me. Burning bridges, aren't you?"

Harriet closed her eyes wearily. "Then I'll repay you for all the medical expenses my grandmother incurred these past years. That way I won't be burning bridges, right?"

Anger instantly flared in Tristan's chest. "Say that again!"

Harriet met his furious gaze directly. "Calculate how much it was. I'll write you an IOU and pay in installments. You can set the interest rate."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Tristan abruptly tossed his cigarette aside and strode toward her.