Chapter 14 Tristan searched every possible place, but there was no sign of Meredith. He tried to contact her friends and relatives, only to sink further into despair when he discovered there wasn't a single mutual contact in his address book linked to her. Disoriented and hollow, he raced back to the Palmer residence and suddenly remembered something. He barged into his grandmother's room. 'Grandma!" he shouted, shaking the elderly woman who had been dozing. Startled, the old matriarch, Marina, swatted his hand away with a sharp retort. "You heartless child-do you think I've lived too long and you want to send me off this earth?" Red-rimmed and frantic, Tristan pressed on. "Where is Meredith? I need to see her. You know vhere she is, right? She's the most filial one to you!" Marina sighed heavily, helpless. "I don't know where she is. That girl has always done things her wn way. If she wants to hide, no one will find her." How could this happen... I can explain. Why won't she even give me the chance..." he muttered. Seeing him wrecked and hollow-eyed, his grandmother showed no pity. Instead, she looked at im with a weary expression. "Do you know why I opposed you and Hillary back then?" ristan instinctively shook his head. ighing, Marina continued, "Because Hillary never wanted you-she wanted our family's fortune." That's impossible! Hillary isn't like that," he protested. he stared straight at him. "If she isn't, then with Meredith gone you should be the happiest mar live. So why are you running around like a madman looking for her?" ler words left him speechless. Tristan had no answer. Lately he'd felt exhausted being with Hillary. She used to be thrifty; even when he offered to spoil her, she saved instead. After her last ccident, he showered her with gifts every day to make her feel better. In return, she grew bolder emanding a life of luxury. He could afford it-but it left him strangely hollow. Inaware of his private turmoil, the old lady's voice softened as she drifted into memory. Meredith has suffered much since she was a child. She always seems sensible and obedient to is, but it breaks my heart to think of all she's carried alone. After she married you, she worked so hard to ease your burdens. She buried her grief and kept going, even after miscarriages-you lever even showed concern. If you don't love her, you should let her go." Tristan shook his head fiercely. "I won't let her go! Even if we're divorced, I'll win her back!" Divorced?" At that moment, Samantha appeared in the doorway with Hillary at her side. Hillary brightened at the sight of him. "Tristan, are you going to marry me then?" Tristan turned his face away and fell silent. Samantha, reading his expression, scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. As long as I'm around, that woman will never set foot in the Palmer household again." She patted Hillary's hand, all smiles. "You're heavy with a child now, Hillary-you two should hurry and be married. Don't make my poor grandson suffer." Tristan opened his mouth to argue, but Hillary cut him off sharply. "Tristan!" Her eyes were hard and resolute. "You'd better think carefully. If you still can't let go of Meredith, I'll go and have the baby aborted right now!" "My poor baby was just so happy to hear about our marriage-it even kicked!" she added with a theatrical sob. Seeing the madness in her eyes and remembering her previous leap from the window, he frowned and warned, "Stop talking nonsense. The child can hear you."