“I see you look unwell and have lost a lot of weight. It seems you really need to prepare a coffin and a grave for yourself,” Leland mocked coldly.
Garrison did not get angry at Leland’s words; instead, he smiled faintly. “I have been to the hospital a few times recently. You might be disappointed, but there’s nothing wrong with my health. No need to build a grave for myself.”
“Do you want me to help you build one?”
“You should worry about yourself.” The two stood at the door, trading barbs, neither willing to back down.
Leland had forbidden him from building Winifred’s grave, and indeed, he wouldn’t build one anymore. After all, Winifred was still alive and well by his side. The person Leland couldn’t find was now found by him, and she would stay with him under a new identity.
In contrast, Leland had nothing. No matter how much he cared about Winifred, he would never have her. Garrison had won this round against Leland.
Garrison asked, “Leland Burns, it’s been so many years. Do you still remember what Winifred looks like?”
Leland’s eyes narrowed slightly, emitting a cold light.
Garrison chuckled coldly, “Are you still looking at her photo and thinking about her? So many years have passed; if she were still alive, she would have changed. You might not even recognize her if she stood before you.”
“What does it matter to you whether I remember her or not? You should be more concerned about your Reeves family’s business. Don’t blame me if your family goes bankrupt.” Leland’s face darkened. Winifred had always been a sore spot for him, a pain that hurt with just a slight thought. It was taboo; no one around him ever brought up her name.
There was no way he wouldn’t recognize Winifred. Even if she became unrecognizable, he could recognize her at a glance. But Garrison couldn’t even identify the disfigured corpse five years ago; why did he think he could recognize Winifred now?
Moreover, in Garrison’s mind, wasn’t Winifred already considered dead?
To Leland, Garrison never truly loved Winifred. It was more about competing with him than loving her-like a child unwilling to lose their toy.
After speaking, Leland turned and left. Garrison watched his back, clenching his fist.
So calm-let’s see if he can remain this calm once Winifred marries me.
Leland, who would have thought you’d miscalculate one day too?
After quickly signing a contract, Garrison returned to the hospital. Only seeing Winifred could ease his anxiety.
During the time away from her, he was constantly uneasy, fearing something might happen to her in the hospital. After meeting Leland, he also feared that Leland might notice something unusual and discover that Winifred was with him.
Garrison had already called Winifred to tell her he’d be back late tonight. He smelled faintly of alcohol; the weather in Bankshire in late February and early March was cold and piercing. The wind felt icy against his skin.
The cold without snow was damp and chilly. It took quite some time to travel from Peachshire Town back to Bankshire. He wanted to take Winifred to Peachshire Town so they wouldn’t have to travel between cities and waste time driving.
But he was too worried that taking her there would increase the risk of being discovered by Leland’s men since Peachshire Town was his territory. He didn’t dare keep Winifred by his side.
Moreover, Winifred’s face was still undergoing reconstruction and adjustment; leaving the hospital wasn’t an option yet. So he had no choice but to leave her in Bankshire.
Seeing her every two days was already the limit; sometimes when busy, they might not meet for a week and could only video chat for an hour at night.
When Winifred said she missed him during video calls, he wished he could reach out and hold her tightly to feel her warmth, heartbeat, and breath, and become one with her.
But when he actually saw Winifred in person, he didn’t dare hug her.
At 1 AM, Winifred was already asleep.
Judging by her complexion and the dark circles under her eyes, it was clear she hadn’t rested well these past few days.
She had told him on the phone that she was fine and taking good care of herself.
Garrison instinctively reached out to touch her but suddenly stopped himself. He sniffed his clothes; the smell of smoke and alcohol was gone, and he felt much warmer now. Although both were winter days, Peachshire Town was much warmer than Bankshire.
He went into the bathroom for a hot shower. When he came out, he found that the previously sleeping Winifred was now sitting on the bed dazedly with her head down and hair covering her face. Hearing movement at the bathroom door, she looked up and smiled at Garrison.
“I thought I was dreaming. You said you wouldn’t come back.”
Garrison looked into her hazy eyes as he slowly walked over step by step. He reached out to touch her head; she nuzzled against his warm palm like a cat.
“I said yesterday I wouldn’t come back, but a new day starts.” Garrison asked softly, “Have you been waiting long?”
“No, I just couldn’t sleep.” She had fallen asleep lightly after midnight but woke up completely when Garrison entered the bathroom and turned on the faucet.
It felt unreal; it seemed like a dream when she called him yesterday asking if he’d return today. He said no and told her to sleep early.
She wanted to obey but couldn’t sleep. She didn’t want to wait for him but found herself waiting anyway: waiting in the morning after waking up, waiting while eating meals, waiting during afternoon walks-even waiting while trying to sleep.
Garrison seemed gone but also present-his shadow always lingered beside her as if he were constantly accompanying her.
“It’s very late now; do you want me to tell you a story?”
Winifred shook her head and moved aside to make room for him on the bed. “You’re very tired; no need for stories tonight. Have you not been sleeping well lately? You look terrible.” She frowned at his face.
Garrison smiled wryly. “You dare say that? Look at yourself, with dark circles under your eyes.”
Winifred touched her eyes and muttered, “I want to sleep well too but can’t without you here. I nap during the day without anyone waking me up so I oversleep and can’t fall asleep at night. My schedule is messed up.”
“You finally fell asleep tonight but I woke you up.”
“No, I sleep lightly anyway. How’s your work in Peachshire Town?”
“Pretty good. I can stay in Bankshire for three days this time.”