The Ex–Wife’s Redemption: A Love Reborn
Chapter 12
I didn’t answer.
The silence in our bedroom felt like a physical weight, pressing down on me as I lay beneath Henry’s towering form. His gray eyes studied me with an intensity that made my skin crawl.
Rain continued its relentless assault on the windows, creating shadows that danced across Henry’s face. In the dim light, I could see something unfamiliar in his expression, a crack in his perfect mask indifference. His gaze traced over my features as if searching
for answers to questions he asked.
“You’ve changed,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. The words hung between us, heavy with unspoken accusations.
I stared past him at the ceiling, remembering how I used to be always soft–spoken, forever compliant, desperately trying to please a man who saw me as nothing more than an obligation. The memory made something twist painfully in my chest.
“Why are you doing this?” Henry’s fingers found my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Playing the victim? Acting like you’re the one who’s been wronged?”
I almost laughed at the irony. “Wronged? No, Henry. I wronged myself five years ago when I let you marry me.”
His grip tightened painfully. “Let me? You’re the one who wanted this marriage!”
And now I want a divorce.” The words came out steady, despite the fear coursing through my veins. “Please, Henry. Let me and Billy
go.”
After hearing my words, in one fluid motion, he shifted his weight, effectively pinning me beneath him. “You think you can just decide to end this marriage? That you can walk away whenever you want?”
“Why not?” I met his gaze, refusing to show fear. “Why keep me around when you have Isabella?”
Henry’s hand moved from my chin to my throat again, not squeezing but threatening. “Is this about Thomas Sanders? Planning to run straight into his arms?”
“This is about us!” I tried to push him away, but he caught my wrists, pinning them above my head. “About how yo moment of being married to me!”
e hated every
“Hate?” His laugh was cold and cruel. “You think Sanders would want you? A woman who’s had another man’s child? Do you think the Sanders family would accept a damaged good?”
The words hit like physical blows, but something inside me had finally snapped. “A damaged good?” I laughed bitterly. “Funny, you didn’t seem to mind this ‘damaged good‘ in your bed for the past five years!”
His grip became bruising. “Watch your
mouth.”
“Or what?” I challenged, recklessness born of desperation giving me courage. “You’ll force yourself on me again? Like you did in the hospital stairwell?”
Henry’s face contorted with rage. “You belonged to me then. You belong to me now.”
With strength I didn’t know I possessed, I wrenched one hand free and slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed in the room like a gunshot.
Taking advantage of his momentary shock, I scramb
away from him, nearly falling in my haste to reach the door. “I’m getting that divorce, Henry, whether you agree or not! I’ll take it to court if have to!”
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Chapter 12
I barely made it three steps into the hallway before his hand clamped around my arm, yanking me back against his chest. “You still want a divorce?” His voice was deadly quiet. “Fine. But Billy stays with me.”
“He’s my son!” I shouted.
“I’ve already told you, he’s the Harding heir.” His grip tightened painfully. “And if you want out of this marriage so badly, you need to pay me ten million dollars.”
“What?”
The number hit me like a physical blow. He knew I couldn’t possibly bay that amount, my father’s help during the financial crisis had depleted our family’s savings. This wasn’t a condition, it was a prison sentence.
“You bastard,” I whispered, tears finally spilling over. “You know I can’t pay that.”
“Then I guess you’re staying Mrs. Harding.” His lips brushed my ear, sending a shiver of revulsion down my spine. “Unless your dear Thomas is willing to pay your way out?”
I went still in his arms, understanding finally dawning. This wasn’t about money. This wasn’t even about me. This was about control, about making sure I could never leave, never be with anyone else.
“You know what’s truly pathetic, Henry?” I turned to face him, no longer bothering to hide my tears. “You don’t want me, but you can’t stand the thought of anyone else having me either.”
Something flickered in his eyes – pain, anger, or perhaps something deeper that neither of us wanted to acknowledge. His hand moved to my face, thumb roughly wiping away a tear.
“You think you know me well?” he said, his voice cold.
“Of course.” I met his gaze steadily. “I know you’d rather keep me imprisoned in this marriage than let me find happiness elsewhere.”
His fingers tightened on my jaw. “Is that what Sanders promised you? Happiness?”
“Thomas has nothing to do with this!” I tried to pull away, but his grip was implacable. “This is about me finally better than being your backup plan!”
zing I deserve
For a moment, something like genuine emotion crossed Henry’s face. Then his expression hardened again. “Ten million dollars, Sophia. That’s my price for your freedom. Take it or leave it.”
I stared at him, this man I’d somehow fallen in love with despite his cruelty, despite his constant rejection. In the dim light, he looked almost vulnerable, almost human. But I knew better now.
“What exactly do you want, Henry?” My voice rose with renewed anger. “You want to keep me trapped here while you parade around with Isabella? You wanted to force me to watch you love her day after day?”
His jaw clenched. “Leave Isabella out of this.”
“Why should I?” The words burst out of me, sharp and bitter. “She’s been in the middle of our marriage from day one! Since you love her so much, wouldn’t it be all right to divorce me?”
“Shut up!” Henry’s hand slammed against the wall beside my head.
“No, I won’t shut up!” I pushed against his chest, surprising us both with my force. “I’m done being the quiet, obedient wife who pretends not to see how you run to Isabella every chance you get. I’m done living in this mausoleum you call a home, surrounded by people who treat me like dirt!”
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Chapter 12
“Then pay the money and leave,” Henry snarled.
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