Chapter 18: Not Suicide Editor: Henyee Translations

Tessa Lawson was about to say she had seen Noelle Sutton at the fabric market with a man. She thought about it, but held her tongue. After all, she hadn’t gotten a very clear look.

Although Tristan Lawson was cold to Noelle Sutton, she was the wife he had chosen himself. Not long after they married, they had a child.

There should still be some affection between them as husband and wife, more or less. It wouldn’t be good if she were mistaken.

"It’s nothing. Grandpa called and said your family is coming back to the old residence tonight. I’m just calling to ask when you plan on leaving?"

"Before dinner."

Tristan Lawson would never neglect his grandfather’s birthday.

Tristan Lawson hung up the phone. The door to the emergency room opened. He hurried over. "Doctor, how is she?"

"Tristan." Sophie Hughes was already awake. Her face was pale, and her lips were completely colorless. She looked incredibly weak.

Tristan Lawson’s brow furrowed involuntarily, and he reached out to take Sophie Hughes’s hand.

"The patient just lost a lot of blood. We’ve treated the wound, so there’s nothing to worry about. She’ll need to stay in the hospital for a few days, and after she’s discharged, have her eat more nourishing foods. She’ll be fine."

Tristan Lawson let out a small sigh of relief and followed the nurse as they wheeled Sophie Hughes into her room.

Joshua Lawson had come to the hospital with Tristan Lawson.

At one point, the hospital had a blood shortage. Tristan Lawson was busy arranging for a supply from elsewhere and didn’t feel comfortable leaving Joshua Lawson at the hospital. After a great deal of coaxing, he finally convinced Joshua by assuring him that Sophie Hughes would be fine and had the driver take him home.

Tristan Lawson pulled over a chair and sat down. "How could you do something so foolish?" His reproachful tone was laced with concern.

Sophie Hughes furrowed her brow slightly. "Tristan, what are you talking about? I don’t understand."

Tristan Lawson’s deep, unreadable gaze fell upon Sophie Hughes’s wrist.

Sophie Hughes glanced at her wrist, then looked up. "Tristan, you don’t actually think I tried to kill myself by slitting my wrist, do you?"

"That’s what Joshua said when he called me."

Sophie Hughes quickly explained, "No, Tristan, don’t misunderstand. I just accidentally slipped and fell. A glass shattered, and a piece happened to cut my wrist. When I fell, I also hit my head and passed out completely."

There was a large, dark bruise on Sophie Hughes’s forehead, which was also swollen.

"So that’s what happened..."

"Tristan, did you think that because the news of your marriage to Noelle was announced, I couldn’t get over it and tried to kill myself?"

For the past few days, Sophie Hughes had been constantly testing Tristan Lawson’s limits.

Tristan Lawson said nothing. After all, admitting it would make him seem conceited, as if he assumed Sophie Hughes cared that much about him. "I’m sorry. I didn’t keep the promise I made to you."

"Tristan, don’t blame yourself. We... That’s all in the past... You’re married now. You don’t have to dwell on those things anymore."

Tristan Lawson stared at Sophie Hughes, his gaze fiery yet profound.

In truth, Sophie Hughes wasn’t sure what Tristan Lawson was thinking right now. However, she was certain that he still cared about her, about the things they had said and done together in the past.

"Sophie Hughes." He called her name softly. Ever since they were children, he had never called her "Auntie," always just her name. He only ever used her full name, first and last, when he was angry.

"Tristan, are you angry?" Sophie Hughes’s eyes were filled with tender affection.

"Everyone has their principles. Mine won’t change."

Sophie Hughes froze for a moment. Does he mean... He still remembers the promise he once made to her? So, he does still love her, right?

Tears welled up in Sophie Hughes’s eyes. "Tristan, just forget it. Don’t be so fixated on it anymore. Seven years ago, we..."

Sophie Hughes didn’t finish her sentence. Her voice trembled as she added, "It’s even more impossible now. So, let’s just forget about the past."

A myriad of complex emotions filled Tristan Lawson’s cold eyes. He didn’t speak.

Time seemed to stand still.

After about two or three minutes, he stood up, his posture tall and straight.

"Get some rest. I have to go back for a bit."

"Okay. You take care of your business. I can look after myself."

After Tristan Lawson left, Sophie Hughes wiped the dampness from the corners of her eyes.

Noelle Sutton finished picking out fabric at the market, and Wyatt Yates helped her carry it. She signed to Wyatt Yates that he didn’t need to see her home; she could get back on her own.

Wyatt Yates’s expression darkened slightly as he asked, "Which home are you going back to?"

Noelle Sutton pressed her lips together and slowly signed, "Back to my current home."

Wyatt Yates didn’t insist on taking her. After all, he was a man. If Tristan Lawson saw them, it would be difficult for Little Mute to explain.

Wyatt Yates hailed a taxi for Noelle Sutton and handed the fabric to her. She was heading back mainly because it was more convenient in Glenwater.

Going back to Silverwood would take two or three hours by car, and traveling back and forth would be a waste of time.

Wyatt Yates had given her the sound-emitting necklace, and he was an old acquaintance she hadn’t seen in years. The least she could do was help him with this small favor.

Besides, when she was a child, Joy Rhodes had been quite kind and pleasant to her.

Thinking of the sound-emitting necklace, Noelle Sutton couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness.

Tristan Lawson... he... he’s truly heartless.

When Tristan Lawson returned to Westhill Villa, Joshua Lawson rushed up to him. "Dad, how is Sophie?"

"Much better. She’s awake now."

A smile finally broke through the worry on Joshua Lawson’s face. "I want to go see her."

"She’s very weak right now. Let’s let her rest for a while."

Joshua Lawson agreed. If he went, Sophie would feel obligated to look after him, which would interfere with her rest.

However, his thoughts soon turned to the Renaissance Cityscape Painting.

"Dad, look! The artwork I asked you to buy was delivered today. When Sophie gets out of the hospital and sees it, she’ll be so happy."

Only then did Tristan Lawson notice that A Renaissance Cityscape Painting was now in the living room. Casually propped against the wall, it surprisingly added a certain charm to the house.

Tristan Lawson raised an eyebrow. "Didn’t you say you really liked this piece?"

"After this piece was exhibited, Sophie kept staring at it. I could tell from the look in her eyes that she really loves it! I like it a lot too, but I don’t have to be the one to own it. I wanted you to buy it for her."

Noelle Sutton pushed the door open, just in time to hear what Joshua Lawson was saying. She stood frozen in place, her hand still on the doorknob.

Tristan Lawson’s brow furrowed. "Joshua, Director Ford wasn’t willing to sell this piece. She saw the paper-cut animation illustrations you made and had a change of heart. She decided to give this piece to you as a memento. Are you sure you want to give it to Sophie?"

So Director Ford wasn’t trying to sell her work... She thinks she understands now.

Director Ford decided to give the artwork to Joshua Lawson because she appreciates talent, and she was the one who taught him.

It’s just that...