Chapter 45
I raised my phone, my fingers steady despite the cold, Isabella Scott’s perfect femures contorted with genuine alatim of the realizes adat ver
Miss Seall, I kept my voice deliberately light, shall we give everyone a proper show? Since you love attention in mul
“Henry!” Isabella’s composure cracked, her designer silk robe billowing dramatically in the wind. Look what she’s doing!
Henry’s grey eyes turned dangerous as he moved toward me. Sophia, don’t you dare.*
“What’s wrong, Henry? I taunted, my voice steady despite my racing heart. “Afraid the public might see the real you? The man who abandons his wife for his mistress?”
One more word,” he growled, closing the distance between us, and you’ll regret it.”
“Like I regret marrying you?” I laughed bitterly. “Go ahead, show everyone watching exactly who Henry Harding really is. Show them how you treat youn wife!”
His fingers twitched at his sides, but with all the cameras watching from below, he couldn’t risk losing control. You have no idea what you’re doing, he warned, his voice dropping to that dangerous whisper I knew too well.
I met his gaze steadily, no longer intimidated by his threats. If they hadn’t taken Billy, I wouldn’t be standing here in this ridiculous wind, playing my part in Isabella’s latest drama. But they had taken my son, and for that, I would make them pay.
“Everyone,” I spoke clearly into the phone’s camera, “let’s see how a Harding family drama really unfolds.” The live viewer count began climbing immediately. “See those emergency personnel? All here because Miss Scott needed an audience for her performance.”
Isabella’s tears started on cue, perfect drops sliding down her expertly contoured cheeks. “Stop it! You’re making everything worse!”
“Worse?” I laughed, the sound sharp with bitterness. “Like having your private nurse lock me in a bathroom? Tell me, Miss Scott, was that part of your plans
too?”
“Enough!” Henry’s voice cracked like a whip.
I turned the camera toward him, catching his imposing figure in the frame. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Harding show. Where wealth buys you everything except dignity.”
*Turn off that damn phone,” Henry growled, taking a threatening step forward. “Now.”
“Or what?” I challenged, my voice steady despite my racing heart. You’ll threaten me with Billy again?”
As if on cue, Isabella launched into a spectacular coughing fit. “Henry…” she gasped, one manicured hand clutching her throat. “I can’t… breathe…”
The transformation in Henry was immediate. He rushed to her side, gathering her into his arms with a tenderness that made my stomach turn. “Easy,” he
murmured, “I’ve got you.”
I kept filming as he carried her back into the hospital room. The scene was perfect for social media – the concerned lover rushing to save his damsel in distress. Too perfect.
Within minutes, my phone began buzzing with notifications. The hashtag #HardingDrama was trending, accompanied by a flood of comments:
@NYCSocialite: “Isabella Scott having a meltdown at Manhattan General. Anyone else think this is staged? #HardingDrama
@WallStreetGossip: “Henry Harding choosing his mistress over his wife IN PUBLIC. Savage. #MarriageGoals? Not.”
@UpperEastInsider: “That private nurse story though… Someone’s playing dirty, #ManhattanGeneral‘
The Instagram fashionistas weren’t far behind:
@NYFashionista: “Can we talk about Isabella’s silk robe? Perfect crisis outfit #CrisisButMakeItFashion”
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Chapter 45
@Socialite Watch The Harding, making every other Unisaram look amateur #ResÚLYTU
After turning off the live feed, I walked downstairs to look for Billy and couldn’t find.
My hands shook as I dialed Henry’s number, desperation finally breaking through my calm facade, ‘Where is my son?
He is safe. Henry’s voice was cold, detached. ‘Away from your theatrics.”
“He needs his mother!”
“He needs stability.” The contempt in his voice was palpable. ‘Something you clearly can’t provide.”
“At least I’m there when he’s sick! My Voi 4
ed with
emotion. ‘Where were you when he had a levert.
‘Don’t test me, Sophia. His tone turned dea” Your little social media stunt won’t change anything. Billy stays with me until you learn your place.
“My place?” I fought to keep my voice steady. “As
- “Our obedient wife while you parade around with Isabella? What kind of example is that for Billy?
“Billy?” His laugh was cruel. “The Harding heir needs proper guidance, not your emotional instability.”
The line went dead before I could respond.
1 walked anxiously back to Isabella’s VIP room, trying to find
out from Henry where Billy was.
Through the room’s glass walls, I could see Isabella reclining on her bed like a tragic heroine in a Victorian novel. Her platinum hair spread artfully across the pillow, her silk robe arranged to highlight her fragile beauty.
“Henry…” her voice carried that perfectly calculated tremor. “I’m so sorry. I never meant for things to get so out of hand.”
Henry perched on the edge of her bed, his fingers gentle as they smoothed her hair. “Rest. You’re still weak.”
‘Maybe I should apologize to Sophia…” Isabella’s lower lip trembled perfectly.
“You have nothing to apologize for.” Henry’s voice held a warmth I’d never heard directed at me.
Isabella’s hand found his, her designer rings catching the hospital light. “I’m scared, Henry. What if she tries to hurt me again?”
‘No one will hurt you.” His promise was fierce, protective. “I promise.”
“The things people are saying online…” She turned her face away, a single tear trailing down her cheek.
‘Let them talk.” Henry’s jaw set with determination. “I’ll handle everything.”
He pulled out his phone, his voice dropping to that commanding tone that brooked no argument. “James? I want every media outlet that ran that live strean shut down. Use whatever means necessary.”
Isabella’s eyes filled with adoration as she watched him/“You always know exactly what to do…”
‘No one threatens what’s mine.” His words carried the weight of generations of Harding power.
I watched through the glass as Isabella nestled closer to him, her head finding that familiar spot on his shoulder. Her voice, when it came, was soft but clea enough to carry. ‘Henry…”
“Hmm?
“You’re so good to me.” She pressed closer, her words a whispered confession. I love you so much.”
I needed to return to the Estate to find my son. I turned away from their intimate tableau, my steps echoing in the empty corridor. Henry wouldn’t dare harm Billy, I thought to myself. He must have had his security team take him back to the Harding Estate. My mind was made up
21
The Ex Wife’s Pedemption: A Love Reborn
