Too Late to Love Her: When She Divorced, He Fell Apart-Chapter 8: Your Husband Got Hit, Aren’t You Going to Help with the Swelling?

Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Your Husband Got Hit, Aren’t You Going to Help with the Swelling?
Claire tugged at the corner of her mouth, gave Tristan Lockwood a casual glance, and cooperated, saying, "Yes, Grandma, if you don’t accept it, I won’t be able to sleep tonight."
To be honest, putting aside his usual cold and indifferent demeanor, the occasional hint of tenderness from Tristan Lockwood could easily unnerve someone. It’s no wonder so many women are drawn to him like moths to a flame.
When it came to acting, the two of them had been putting on a flawless act before The Elder Lockwood for two years, with seamless coordination, never undermining each other.
The Lockwood Matriarch, seeing their "love" for each other, couldn’t be happier. She couldn’t help but say at the dining table, "Tristan, when are you and Claire going to let me hold a great-grandchild? You’ve been married for two years now, and still nothing."
Tristan’s hand paused while holding his chopsticks, and he served a piece of saucy rib to Claire, saying, "Grandma, Claire’s law firm has just started to take off. We’re not in a hurry to have children."
"Don’t use Claire as a scapegoat for everything." Grandma Lockwood was clearly not buying his excuse and turned to hold Claire’s hand, asking, "Claire, tell me the truth. Is Tristan not good in that department, making you suffer?"
Claire’s mouth twitched slightly, and she looked up to Tristan with a smug glance, his face turning green.
Ironically, she and Tristan couldn’t see eye to eye, but their marital life was quite harmonious, not only physically compatible but also occasionally inventive.
"Let’s not talk about such embarrassing things at the dinner table."
Elder Lockwood was a serious man, steering the conversation back to important matters. He said to Tristan, "There’s a business banquet in a few days. You should attend on behalf of the Lockwood Family and bring Claire along."
Both Claire and Tristan were stunned, exchanging a glance.
Their hidden marriage was an unspoken understanding within the Lockwood Family. Tristan was not keen on marriage and had been involved with other women outside, and Claire also did not want to use their relationship for leverage in her career and social interactions.
She had a sensitive background and had to act cautiously after marrying into a wealthy family like the Lockwoods. Flaunting her status as a Lockwood wife could easily court trouble.
But Elder Lockwood’s words were clear; he wanted them to make their relationship public.
"Grandpa, I’m going on a business trip next week, so I probably won’t have time to accompany Tristan." Claire stepped in to cover for Tristan.
"You don’t have to speak for him. Don’t think I don’t know about the mess he’s been up to outside." Elder Lockwood was exuding a cold intensity, staring intently at Tristan.
Tristan put down his chopsticks and calmly wiped his mouth: "Actually, I also have something to tell you."
In the tense atmosphere, the grandfather and grandson left for the study room one after the other.
Claire nonchalantly glanced at Tristan’s broad back as he walked away, her eyes flickering, before turning back to chatting casually with the Lockwood Matriarch.
Suddenly, the Lockwood Matriarch held her hand, her calloused palm brushing over Claire’s, "Claire, you’ve been wronged."
"What are you saying, Grandma? Tristan and I are doing just fine."
She returned the grip on the Lockwood Matriarch’s hand, speaking calmly.
The Lockwood Matriarch said, "I’ve watched Tristan grow up. I know what kind of person he is. If it weren’t for you back then... sigh, would he be where he is today?"
"Grandma." Realizing what the Lockwood Matriarch was about to say, Claire’s eyes darkened, "You promised me you’d keep it a secret."
...
"You scoundrel!"
The inkstone smashed heavily into Tristan’s chest, hitting the ground with a dull thud.
The lake blue suit was stained black in one area.
Byron Lockwood’s eyes were red with anger, his trembling finger pointing straight at Tristan:
"You promised, didn’t you?! You agreed to marry Claire, and you didn’t give it much thought?! Haven’t you given me a great-grandchild yet you’re thinking about divorce?! Do you want to see the grass on your Grandpa Walter’s grave uproot?!"
Byron Lockwood and Claire’s grandfather, Walter Hale, were comrades who had fought side by side in their youth, sharing a life-and-death bond.
Back in the day, he found himself in a perilous situation. Everyone believed he had perished on the battlefield and abandoned the rescue efforts. It was Walter Hale who stood against all opposition and rescued him from the flames of war, leading to what he had today.
Unfortunately, Walter Hale lost his legs in that rescue operation.
Byron Lockwood had always felt a debt of gratitude and wanted to repay him as much as possible. However, Walter Hale was an old soldier who had faced bullets and valued loyalty; stubborn and unyielding, he wouldn’t accept a penny of assistance.
"Did I save you just for money?! So many comrades have sacrificed their lives for the revolutionary ideal, and while I’ve lost my legs, my life remains, so stop being sentimental with me!"
Walter Hale reprimanded him with a flushed face, and Byron Lockwood barely refrained from mentioning the matter afterward.
Until Claire was twelve, Walter Hale passed away due to illness. He entrusted Claire, who had been severely mistreated in the Hale Family, to The Elder Lockwood, who then raised Claire as their own.
Thinking of the grievances Claire likely suffered with Tristan, Byron Lockwood was furious and unable to hold back his anger towards Tristan:
"How are you any different from your useless father, constantly indulging in debauchery and playing with women? Don’t forget how your mother died. If she hadn’t caught your good-for-nothing father bringing a woman home that day, she wouldn’t have been distracted and gotten into a car accident! You wouldn’t have developed depression at such a young age!"
Tristan’s eyes turned instantly cold: "If we’re going to mention that person, there’s no point in continuing this conversation."
Byron Lockwood flipped the table and slapped him across the face.
Despite his age, Elder Lockwood was a former soldier and a war veteran, possessing an intimidating strength. Tristan’s face instantly turned red and swollen, with blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
Yet he showed no reaction, keeping a composed demeanor as he said, "Claire is not happy married to me. She deserves to find someone she loves. Besides, our divorce won’t affect her relationship with you."
Byron Lockwood did not respond, sharply scrutinizing him with eagle-like eyes.
"Is that your reason?"
Tristan met his gaze, tacitly acknowledging.
A peculiar silence enveloped the study, Byron Lockwood scrutinizing Tristan for a moment, as the surrounding anger dissipated, replaced by a chilling cold.
After a while, his eyes moved from Tristan to the fourth level of the shelf.
Behind the clean, transparent glass was a scratched-up rifle, exuding an aura of might.
"Talking about divorce, unless Claire doesn’t want you, it’s out of the question. As for the reason you just stated, whether true or false, you know better than I do. You know the consequences of lying to me."
With the conversation reaching this point, Tristan knew that the topic of divorce was going nowhere.
He left the study, just as Claire and the Lockwood Matriarch were returning from a walk in the garden, arm in arm, heading upstairs. Both of them saw Tristan’s swollen face.
"That old man is crazy again? How could he be so heavy-handed with his own grandson!"
The Lockwood Matriarch’s eyes turned red with distress. She anxiously paced and immediately instructed the servants to fetch ice, then rushed into the study to confront Byron Lockwood.
A servant brought over a box of ice, and Tristan signaled to place it on the table, but his gaze remained on Claire.
She raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance of what he meant, sipping her water, her demeanor clearly saying that it was none of her business.
Tristan lightly reminded her, "Your husband got hit; aren’t you going to help with the swelling?"