Chapter 405 Can We Talk Alone for a Moment
Tristan was in so much pain that he couldn't breathe.
He couldn't remember the last time he had held Evie, or even what it felt like to hold her.
He also couldn't remember the last time he had a proper conversation with Katniss.
Whether he would have that chance again was unknown.
Endless despair consumed him, but he was never afraid.
Only now, Tristan felt that their lives had others involved, and it seemed they could live well without him.
It was what he had hoped to see, yet it made him so desperate.
He was almost sleepless, and his already gloomy appearance became even more somber overnight.
Except for Nicholas and Emory occasionally saying a few words, he remained silent.
Until the morning, Nicholas went out to buy breakfast, but came back hurriedly after a few steps.
"She's here!" He pushed open the hospital room door. "Katniss is here!"
With that one sentence, Tristan, lying on the hospital bed, stiffened and quickly grabbed the bed rail to sit up.
As he sat up, Katniss had already reached the doorway, carrying a box of nutritional supplements.
"Katniss, you didn't have to bring anything," Emory said happily, as Tristan's silence the previous night had made both him and Nicholas feel oppressed.
It was obvious, though unspoken, that Tristan wanted to see Katniss.
Katniss let him take the gifts and nodded slightly at Tristan on the bed, "I heard Mr. Forbes was injured, so I came on behalf of the project leader to check on him. Bringing something is the right thing to do."
Nicholas thought, 'That sounds so official and awkward.'
"Is the injury serious?" Katniss asked casually.
Emory replied, "It's just a muscle and bone strain, probably won't be able to move for more than half a month."
Katniss's expression didn't change. "Then take more rest. I've already reported this to the company, and we will add some preventive structures around the village when building the resort to avoid such incidents in the future. Also, we will help the Nguyen family repair their house during the construction."
As she spoke, Nicholas and Emory observed Tristan.
She really was just here to visit on behalf of the company, with no personal feelings involved!
Seeing her still speaking formally, Emory whispered, "By the way, didn't Evie come?"
"No, Samuel is with her. It's inconvenient to bring her while I'm working." Katniss took a step towards the bed and said to Tristan, "Your leg is injured, so it will be difficult to liaise with the project for a while. Maybe your fiancée, Maddy, can temporarily take your place."
Tristan's lips pressed into a thin line, his facial muscles tense. After a moment of thought, he said, "Okay."
"No." Nicholas interrupted their conversation, "Don't make it so serious. Katniss, don't you have anything else to say?"
Katniss raised an eyebrow and finally couldn't help but say, "Yes, technically yesterday was supposed to be Mr. Forbes and Maddy's wedding, but it was postponed due to the weather. Mr. Forbes, take it easy and recover well. You can always have another wedding later. Although... it might have been God's way of saying you shouldn't get married, but where there's a will, there's a way. If you persist, you'll succeed."
Emory's mouth twitched. "Katniss, what are you saying?"
"What?" Katniss glanced sideways, "You don't understand? Then let me be blunt. If someone keeps looking for trouble, they'll eventually get themselves killed."
With that, she took out a sealed bag containing a stack of cash.
"This is a condolence payment approved by the company for Mr. Forbes. Please accept it."
Before anyone could say anything, she closed her bag and left.
In less than five minutes, she left a bunch of official words and walked away decisively.
This was completely beyond Nicholas's expectations. "So straightforward? She was so hard to persuade to leave before, and now she gives up so quickly?"
"Women change their minds quickly." Emory looked experienced and added, "She's the only one I've seen who changes her mind faster than Lyanna."
"Could she have been involved with Samuel for a long time?" Nicholas cursed in his heart and walked to Tristan's bedside. "Are you making a match for them?"
"Get lost." Tristan threw a pack of tissues at him, his tightly furrowed brows not relaxing.
Seeing his bad mood, Emory pulled Nicholas to go buy breakfast.
Sitting alone on the bed, his jawline was visible as he gritted his teeth, his chiseled face showing no signs of life.
He was deeply conflicted and troubled.
That afternoon, Tristan was discharged from the hospital. On the way back to the Nguyen House, he passed by where Katniss was staying.
From a distance, he saw Samuel playing with Evie in the yard.
Evie was moving her walker, babbling, "Daddy!"
His heart stirred.
"Call him uncle." Samuel corrected her repeatedly.
Tristan's eyes flickered, but he eventually looked away and walked on.
Due to the weather, Katniss stayed in the small village for two more days.
Three days later, the weather finally stabilized, and it was time for the flight she and Samuel had booked.
Before leaving, someone in the village reported that it was easy for mudslides to occur when it rained.
With more rain and tourists in the summer, not addressing this could cause trouble in the future.
Katniss and Samuel had already planned preventive measures and called a meeting with several key village members.
Including Tristan, who was chosen as the project liaison by the village.
They proposed two or three preventive plans, choosing the one that was easiest to implement and most effective.
The villagers were very pleased to see such quick and practical plans.
"Ms. Grey and Mr. Bennett are truly young and capable. Could you leave your contact information so we can reach you in case of emergencies?"
Samuel immediately took out his business card, "This is my card. You can call the number on it."
Someone then looked at Katniss, "What about you, Ms. Grey?"
"If you find him, you can find me. Once we return, we are almost always together, whether at work or off work."
Katniss glanced at Tristan sitting at the end, emphasizing the last part.
Tristan's eyelids twitched, and he looked over at her.
"We have a flight tomorrow morning. If you need anything, contact Mr. Gray for now." Katniss had already looked away and was about to leave with Samuel.
Tristan, who had remained silent, suddenly said, "Ms. Grey, can we talk privately?"
The villagers exchanged glances.
"Mr. Forbes, if you have something to say, just say it here." Katniss stood up but then sat back down.
"It's more convenient to talk privately." Tristan insisted.
Katniss replied, "We're not that close. Besides work, there's nothing personal to discuss. To avoid unnecessary trouble, either say it now or don't say it at all."
Hearing this, Tristan glanced at Samuel.
"We'll step out for a moment." Samuel wisely led the villagers out of the room.
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