The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 74

"Where did you go? What took you so long?"

"I went for a run around the neighborhood."

Garnett glanced at the damp ends of her hair and said softly, "I thought we were going to watch a documentary. You were gone a long time. Are you avoiding me?"

"Why would I do that?" Lavinia picked up her knit cardigan and shook it out vigorously.

The air filled with invisible specks of dog hair.

Garnett didn't notice. He walked over, gently stroking her cheek, and said softly,

"Since I've been staying at the hotel, I haven't touched any other women."

Lavinia thought to herself, There's really no need to tell me that. Besides, you've touched Sigrid plenty of times right in front of me.

He even slept by her hospital bed. It was disgusting.

Seeing her keep her head down and stay silent, he knew the thorn was still stuck in her heart, impossible to pull out.

But he truly couldn't abandon Sigrid. He could only slowly soften her heart and make her accept reality.

He merely had a woman he was obligated to take care of. Unlike other successful men with their multiple mistresses, he was already considered a model husband in their circle.

"Lavinia, let's just live a good life together, okay?" His tone grew even gentler. "Stop talking about divorce. I'm never going to agree to it."

He paused before continuing, "Chairman Locke of the Gloris Group just had a third child with his wife, and all he did was reward her with fifty million."

"Grandma Judith adores you, and I care about you too. Once we have a child, Grandma and I will both fight to get you shares."

"Among all the wives in Blossom City, no one will be more favored than you."

In that instant, Lavinia finally saw the man standing in front of her with complete clarity.

He never cared about her feelings or what she wanted. All he wanted was a standard-issue Mrs. Harper. Obedient, capable of having children, presentable at events, and willing to serve him.

But to Sigrid, he offered endless care and tolerance. For her, he defied his own father. When she had a minor illness, he stayed by her side, never leaving. When she was upset, his comfort arrived right on time.

A dutiful wife at home and a perfect lover on the side—it was the ultimate setup for him.

"Lavinia, you come from an ordinary background. You don't understand the reality of families like ours. For the past two years, I've been trying my best to make this work with you."

He paused, raising a hand to touch her cheek. His long fingers were ice-cold.

"Once you step into the Harper family, you can't escape, and neither can I. Since that's the case, why not just go with the flow?"

He stared at her pure face.

Just a few months ago, he had thought he would never touch her. But now, he really wanted to secure this little woman as soon as possible.

Whatever his psychological reasons were, he didn't want to worry about an unstable home life anymore, and he needed to reassure the main family estate.

Lavinia pursed her lips. The young master was hopelessly trapped in his own perfect logic, like a donkey chasing a carrot on a stick.

"I'm going to take a shower," she said flatly.

Garnett paused, then smiled slightly. "I'll wait for you."