The Ex–Wife’s Redemption: A Love Reborn
Chapter 20
Isabella Scott’s voice cut through the room like crystal breaking, each syllable perfectly enunciated for maximum effect, the stood in the doorway, a vision in pale blue designer wear, her platinum hair arranged in artistic waves. Behind her loomed Henry, his tall frame filling the remaining space, grey eyes taking in the scene with dangerous intensity.
“Henry,” Isabella’s voice dripped honey–coated venom, isn’t it interesting to find your wife here?”
I instinctively shifted away from Thomas’s desk, though we’d maintained a perfectly appropriate distance. The movement didn’t escape Isabella’s notice, her perfectly painted lips curving into a satisfied smile.
“Miss Scott, Thomas rose smoothly, every inch the professional physician. “This is a private consultation regarding Mr. William Harding’s condition.”
Henry’s voice was arctic when he finally spoke. “A consultation that requires you to be alone with my wife?
“Your grandfather is critically ill,” Thomas met Henry’s gaze steadily. As his physician, I have a duty to discuss his condition with his family members.”
“Family members?” Isabella’s laugh was musical, practiced. “Oh, how kind of you to consider Sophia a member of the Harding family. Though I suppose five years of marriage does count for something, doesn’t it, Henry?”
I watched Henry’s jaw clench, noting how his hand automatically moved to support Isabella’s elbow when she swayed slightly gesture was so natural, so intimate.
The
“Grandpa is waiting for you to bring Billy for a visit,” Henry’s words cut through my thoughts like ice. “Instead, I find you here with Sanders. What are you doing here?”
“I came to understand Grandpa’s condition,” I managed, fighting to keep my voice steady. “As his family…”
“His family?” Isabella interrupted with a delicate cough. “Is that what you were discussing so… intensely?”
The implications in her tone made me angry. Before I could respond, she pressed a hand to her chest, her breath catching in a perfectly timed display of distress.
“Isabella!” Henry’s transformation was immediate, his cold demeanor melting into concern as he steadied her. “Are you alright?”
“Just a bit faint, Isabella murmured, leaning into his support. “The hospital air, it’s so… oppressive.”
I watched Henry’s face soften with tenderness as he cradled Isabella, the same way he had at the restaurant. The same way he always did when she played her carefully rehearsed role of delicate flower.
“Perhaps we should continue this discussion another time,” Thomas suggested, though I caught the flash of disgust in his eyes as he watched Henry fuss over Isabella.
“Yes, perhaps Mrs. Harding should focus on her actual duties,” Isabella agreed sweetly. “After all, William needs his family now, doesn’t he?”
I gathered my coat, avoiding Henry’s burning gaze as I moved toward the door. Thomas’s quiet “We’ll talk later‘ earned a sharp look from Henry, but I pretended not to notice.
The late afternoon air bit through my coat as I waited outside Brooklyn Heights Academy. Around me, luxury cars idled in the pickup zone, their heated interiors visible through tinted windows. The school’s Georgian architecture loomed against the darkening
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sky, every brick and column screaming old money and privilege,
“Mommy!” Billy’s voice cut through my brooding thoughts. He bounded down the steps, his backpack bouncing against his small shoulders, golden hair catching the last rays of sunlight. “Look at my stars! Mrs. Peterson said my reading is way above grade level!
I knelt to accept his enthusiastic hug, breathing in the familiar scent of crayons and playground air. “That’s wonderful, sweetheart! Tell Mommy all about it.”
“We’re reading Charlotte’s Web,” Billy exclaimed, pulling a book from his backpack. “Mrs. Peterson says my vocabulary is exceptional, I only needed help with three words in the whole chapter!”
“Is that so?” I smiled, brushing a strand of golden hair from his forehead, “Which words were tricky?”
“Salutations,” he pronounced carefully, “and melancholy, and versatile. But I learned them all now!” His face beamed with pride. “Did you know spiders can write words in their webs? Like real words!”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his enthusiasm. “Fiction can be magical that way. What else did you learn today?”
“In math, we’re doing multiplication!” Billy held up his fingers, counting off achievements. “And in science, we learned about weather patterns. I told everyone about how you explained the water cycle to me last week. Mrs. Peterson said I should be a meteorologist!”
“You can be anything you want to be, sweetheart,” I said softly, my heart swelling with pride and love.
“Even a doctor like Dr. Sanders?” he asked innocently, catching me off guard. “He explains things really well, like you do.”
I cleared my throat, didn’t answer.
#
As we walked to the car, Billy chattered about his day, his small hand warm in mine. “Can we have burgers tonight? Please? And you promised we’d go to Central Park this weekend!”
“We’ll see about the burgers,” I managed a smile, helping him buckle his seatbelt. “But first, we need to visit your Great–Grandpa. He’s not feeling well and wants to see you.”
Billy’s face lit up. “Will Daddy be there too?”
The hope in his voice made my heart ache. “Maybe, sweetheart. We’ll have to see.”
As I navigated through traffic, Billy’s excited chatter about school gradually slowed, replaced by thoughtful silence. In the rearview mirror, I could see him fiddling with the strap of his backpack – a nervous habit he’d inherited from me.
“Mommy?” his voice was small. “Is Great–Grandpa going to be okay?
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, choosing my words carefully. “The doctors are doing everything they can, baby. That’s why it’s important we visit him now.”
“Can Dr. Sanders cure Great–Grandpa?” Billy asked worriedly. “Dr. Sanders cured me last time, and he must be able to cure Great- Grandpa as well.”
“Yes, sweetheart. Dr. Sanders is helping take care of Great–Grandpa.” forced a smile, answered.
I pulled into the hospital parking structure just as the last light faded from the sky. Billy’s small hand slipped into mine as we walked through the familiar corridors toward William’s private room. With each step, I felt the weight of the afternoon’s confrontation pressing down on me.
The door to William’s room stood partially open, warm light spilling into the hallway. As we stepped through the doorway, I saw
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Henry in the ward too.
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