Chapter 55
Moonlight filtered through the trees of Central Park, casting dappled shadows across the playground. I watched Billy on the seesaw, his small hande clutching a burger as if someone might stitch it away at any moment. Seeing him eat so ravenously broke my heart–the result of his hunger anke, at the Harding Estate
Hiis cheeks were stuffed with food, a smear of ketchup decorating his chin.
Slow down, sweetheart, I called out, handing him a napkin. “Nobody’s going to take it from you.”
Billy nodded but continued his frantic eating pace. For a five–year–old raised with perfect table manners, this clearly showed how desperate he was for food. Thinking about what Henry had done to my child, I clenched my fists, anger bubbling in my chest.
“Look at him,” Betty said beside me. “Just seeing how that bastard treated your son should be enough reason for you to divorce him!”
I sighed, watching Billy finish the burger and immediately reach for the french fries. “It’s complicated, Betty.”
“Complicated?” She turned to face me, incredulity written across her features. “What’s complicated about a man who locks your child away and starves him? What’s complicated about a husband who parades his mistress around in public while treating you like dirt?”
When I didn’t respond, she continued, her voice rising steadily. “Sophia, I swear to God, if you don’t divorce that monster, I’ll drag you to the lawyer’s office myself. There are billions of men in this world, and literally any of them would be better than Henry!”
I smiled sadly, watching Billy wipe his greasy hands on his pants–something he would never dare do in Henry’s presence.
“This isn’t about finding another man, Betty. I’ve given up on relationships altogether. I just want to leave with dignity and take my son with me.”
“Then why haven’t you filed yet?”
“I have,” I reminded her. “But Henry refuses to sign.”
Betty snorted, ‘Of course! Control freaks never willingly give up their toys.”
“I’m not his toy,” I protested weakly.
“Could’ve fooled me,” Betty muttered, then seemed to catch herself. “I’m sorry, that was unfair. But Sophia, seriously–look what he’s done to you. Five years ago, you had your own career, you were confident, independent. Now you’re timid, second–guessing everything you do.”
I stared at my hands, remembering how confidently they had handled medical instruments during my training. Now they trembled at the mere thought of Henry’s disapproval. When had I become this person?
“You know what really makes me angry?” Betty continued, her tone growing more intense. “He couldn’t even give you a proper wedding. Five years ago, my best friend marries one of New York’s most eligible bachelors, and there wasn’t even a reception? From day one, it was like he was ashamed of you.”
“Lower your voice, Betty. Billy doesn’t like people criticizing Henry,” I said softly, watching my son on the playground.
“Oh, honey.” Betty’s voice softened as she followed my gaze, the words she was about to say hanging unfinished.
.
Betty’s phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the screen, her eyebrows drawing together in irritation.
‘Unknown number,” she muttered, then answered with undisguised annoyance. “Hello? Who is this? You’d better have a damn good reason for-
Her entire demeanor changed instantly. The color drained from her face, her spine stiffened, and her voice cut off mid–sentence. She shot me a panicked look, quickly covering the phone’s microphone with her hand.
“It’s him,” she whispered, her previous couragé completely vanished. Her eyes widened comically as she desperately gestured toward me. “Help! What do
do?*
If the situation weren’t so serious, I might have laughed at her dramatic transformation. The fierce Betty who had been boldly cursing Henry moments ago now looked terrified at the mere sound of his voice.
1/2
Chapter 55
How did he get my number? Betty hissed, her expression accusatory. Did you give it to him? After everything I just maid shout lost
you are!
1 spread my hands innocently, I didn’t tell him your number.”
Finding someone’s number in New York is effortless,” Henry’s cold voice carried clearly through the speaker, making Betty jump. Especially for
Betty swallowed visibly, her previously confident posture completely gone. “Mr. Harding, sir,” she stammered, ‘Sophia isn’t here right now. She, um somewhere else. I’m not sure where she is.”
I could almost hear Henry’s smirk through the phone. “People who lie to me,” he said smoothly, “typically find themselves at the bottom of the fludson River by morning.
Betty’s eyes bulged as she silently mouthed something that looked like ‘save me‘ before thrusting the phone in my direction with shaking hands.
I took it with a sigh. “Stop threatening my friends, Henry. What do you want?”
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