Chapter 56
“Lennox.”
Harriet took a deep breath, looking at Lennox with a tense face. After a brief conversation with Eiden, while washing up and having dinner together, she had been contemplating the moment to honestly reveal her origins. But unlike her, who had set aside most of her busy work, Lennox had been extremely busy.
Having heard he only left the office after sunset, she had been waiting for the right moment.
“Coco?”
Lennox, who was reading a book in bed, closed it as he saw Harriet in her robe.
“Is something wrong?”
He asked cautiously, but no answer came. With a serious expression, Lennox pulled back the blanket and approached her.
Though they had to share a room during their honeymoon, Harriet had insisted on separate rooms since returning to the mansion. It was unbelievable that she had come to his room on her own accord at this hour, looking tense.
“Well, a bit.”
Taking a deep breath, Harriet sat on the couch, pulling out a bottle of wine and two glasses from behind her.
“If you wanted to drink, you should have told the butler.”
Surprised by the unexpected items, Lennox fetched an opener from the mantelpiece and uncorked the wine.
As he skillfully filled the empty glasses with wine, Harriet, fidgeting with her hands, suddenly spoke.
“Claire Millet.”
“Ah, yes.”
It was the name that came from Earl Eiden’s mouth. Despite mentioning it again, Lennox’s expression didn’t change.
“Did you know?”
With a tense face, Harriet watched Lennox pour wine into her glass. Lennox quietly nodded.
“Vaguely. It’s not the first time Theodore has kept a woman on the side. I didn’t know her name, though.”
“…Ah.”
With slight relief, her tension eased. After taking a sip of wine, Harriet calmly explained.
“I told you about her earlier. She’s pregnant with Theodore’s child. And I’m taking care of her for a while.”
After a moment of silence, Lennox nodded at Harriet’s calm story.
“Yes.”
“What do you think about that?”
She cautiously broached the subject with Lennox, who remained silent.
“If that’s what you want, then do it. I don’t think I have the right to interfere.”
“No, that’s not what I meant…”
She hesitated, wondering how to phrase it, but couldn’t make it any more indirect. Reaffirming her resolve, Harriet spoke clearly.
“An illegitimate child.”
“Ah…”
Lennox looked at her quietly, seemingly surprised by the unexpected word. Then he gently asked the tense Harriet.
“Harriet, do you have an illegitimate child?”
“I don’t!”
Harriet shouted reflexively, jumping to her feet.
“Are you crazy?”
Logically, she understood Lennox’s question. She had brought up the topic herself, and she had a colorful history with men. She was constantly called the queen of scandals in the newspapers, so his suspicion was reasonable.
But regardless of her mind, indignation surged. It was even more infuriating because the question came from Lennox.
“I’m joking. You seemed tense.”
“Believe it or not, I’ve never…”
Harriet, lips trembling, confessed honestly.
“I’ve never shared a bed with the men I dated.”
“I know. I figured.”
“What?”
Surprised, Harriet widened her eyes, staring at Lennox.
Seeing her questioning gaze, Lennox shrugged and pulled her onto his lap. He then rested his head on her slender shoulder.
“Lennox!”
A flustered Harriet tried to get up, but it was no use. Lennox, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist, buried his head in her shoulder.
“See? Despite your supposedly numerous affairs, you freeze up when I touch you even a little. You get shy even with a kiss. Just like that night three years ago.”
“…”
“The newspaper articles must have been exaggerated.”
It was all true. As annoying as it was, she couldn’t deny it. At a loss for words, Harriet quietly nodded.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
“I actually…”
Though she had repeatedly resolved to be honest, her voice trembled as she tried to speak. After several deep breaths, Harriet confessed.
“I’m the daughter my father had outside of marriage.”
“…”
“You could call our marriage a scam. I should have told you beforehand.”
She had intended to keep it a secret, but it was a secret slowly being revealed to others. Thinking of the journalist who boldly came to her with her secret still sent chills down her spine.
“If you want to call off this…”
She had to pause her words as her throat tightened. She was the one who had initially set a six-month timeline. She never imagined she would feel this way back then.
“Coco.”
As Harriet struggled to continue, Lennox gently lifted her onto the couch beside him.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“What…?”
Surprised by his calm response, Harriet lifted her head. Smiling, Lennox caressed her cheek.
“I wanted you, not your family.”
Suddenly, Mikhail’s voice overlapped in her mind. Though the words were similar, the resonance was worlds apart.
Unable to respond, Harriet blinked. Lennox, finding her endearing, slyly asked.
“And did you really think I didn’t know? After watching for so long?”
“Lies… Aaron wouldn’t have said anything.”
“He didn’t. I just figured it out on my own. I’m perceptive, you know.”
Lennox kissed her lips softly, whispering. Harriet froze, her ears burning. A mix of emotions tangled within her—guilt, embarrassment, surprise, gratitude.
“If you’ve been suffering alone because of that, you don’t have to anymore. Relax from now on.”
“Lennox…”
He kissed her forehead softly as she called his name tenderly.
“Go to sleep.”
As he quietly rose to return to bed, Harriet reached out and grabbed his clothes.
“…Harriet?”
Startled by the unexpected action, Lennox paused. Harriet, too shy to meet his eyes, lowered her head.
“I don’t want to go.”
“…”
“I want to sleep here.”
Her voice was barely a whisper, but it echoed loudly in the quiet room.
She waited for a response, but none came. Growing anxious, Harriet slowly lifted her head.
“Kyaa!”
Lennox, supporting her knees and shoulders, suddenly lifted her like a princess.
“You know what that means, right?”
His eyes burned as he stared intently at her. Harriet nodded, feeling heat rise through her entire body.
“I know… I’m not a child.”
“There’s no turning back now. I’ll never let go.”
“Do as you wish.”
Reaching up, Harriet gently wrapped her arms around his neck.
No more words were needed. Lennox carried Harriet to the bed, carefully laying her down. As the soft pillow touched the back of her head, his shadow loomed over her, his firm body covering hers.
His hands, which had been untying her robe while planting small kisses, paused.
“…Coco?”
“…”
“Why are you wearing…”
“In case…”
Harriet, her face as red as a carrot, turned her head sharply.
“I thought there’d be no other way.”
“…Oh my.”
Lennox, covering his mouth, stared at her incredulously.
“Were you going to pounce on me if it came to that?”
“…”
“Really?”
“…I’m leaving.”
At his continued questioning, Harriet, her entire face flushed, pushed against his shoulder.
Lennox gently caught her hands, placing them on his cheeks.
“This isn’t a dream, right?”
“Of course not.”
Harriet, giving him a sidelong glance, sincerely confessed.
“I like you.”
“…”
“Sorry I’m late. I’ll say it again. I like you… Mm!”
Before she could finish, his lips covered hers, moving fluidly. Embracing him, Harriet pulled him closer, feeling his hands confidently removing her robe.
***
“Coco.”
The soft whisper made Harriet slowly lift her heavy eyelids. Lennox, who had brought a simple meal on a small table, sat before her.
“Lennox…?”
“Are you alright?”
Half-asleep, the enticing aroma tickled her nose. As she tried to sit up, wondering what he meant, a dull ache in her lower abdomen made her freeze.
“Did I overdo it last night?”
Instead of answering, Harriet covered her face with her hands. It was a night she would never forget.
“Harriet… Coco.”
“Haah…”
“Lift your hips a bit more.”
“Stop… Ah.”
Recalling the events of the previous night made her feel flushed to the tips of her hair. Lying back down, Harriet pulled the blanket over her head.
“…I’ll eat on my own. Leave it.”
“What? I can’t do that.”
“Why?”
“I came to see that embarrassed face.”
“…”
Though he had improved, his mischievous nature remained. As Harriet looked at him incredulously, Lennox pulled the blanket down and sat her against the headboard. He then offered her a fork with a piece of pre-cut pancake.
“Open wide.”
“What are you… Ah!”
Before she could protest, the soft pancake entered her mouth. Though she glared at Lennox, she couldn’t help but smile at the sweet taste.
“Is it good?”
“Yeah. The chef is skilled.”
“I made it myself.”
“What?”
Startled, Harriet widened her eyes.
“You can cook?”
“Simple things, yes.”
As soon as she swallowed, Lennox offered another bite. Like a baby bird receiving food from its mother, Harriet accepted the pancake.
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Nous_Defions
This is gonna be pretty interesting from hewr on… A little bit curious, and worried on how Harriet would react if she finds out who really orchestrated all this from the start… Definitely Beneath My Savior’s Feet vibes…