Grandpa, 1 began carefully, how did you
How did I know? William waved dismissively. I may be old, but I’m not blind.”
He reached for the water glass beside his bed. The question isn’t how I know, Sophia. The question is whether you’re serious about this.
I stared at my hands, unsure how to respond. William had always been good to me, but his loyalty ultimately lay with the Harding family. If he opposed the divorce, he could make things even more difficult than they already were.
“Look at me, child, William commanded softly.
I raised my eyes to meet his, surprised to find not anger but concern in his weathered face.
“Are you divorcing my grandson?”
How could I possibly answer him honestly? This man had been nothing but good to me for five years–the only person in the entire Harding family who had treated me with genuine warmth.
If I told him the truth about Henry and me, the stress might take his life at any moment.
“Grandpa, I began carefully, things are complicated right now. Henry and I are going through some difficulties, but-*
William’s hand gripped mine with surprising strength. “Don’t lie to me, child.” He gazed at me with such intensity.
I swallowed hard, feeling tears threatening to spill. “I don’t want to upset you.”
William patted the bed beside him, inviting me to sit closer. As I did, he sighed deeply.
“Henry has already told me everything,” he finally said. “He’s helping Isabella only out of respect for past connections. I believe he loves you.”
I felt my smile fade. Of course Henry would spin a story to make himself the victim, a noble man honoring past obligations while his unreasonable wife threw tantrums.
“Do you really believe he loves me?” I asked softly.
William’s sharp gaze told me he understood far more than he showed. “What I believe is that Henry doesn’t understand his own heart.” He shifted slightly, adjusting his position against the pillows. “My grandson thinks he loves Isabella Scott, but what he feels for her isn’t love. It’s obsession, mixed with his pride and stubbornness.”
The heart monitor beeped steadily as William continued, his voice growing more serious. “Sophia, I’ve known Isabella’s family for decades. They’re old money, Boston aristocracy–the kind who smile at you while calculating how to use you. That girl has been trained since birth to be the perfect society wife -beautiful, accomplished, and utterly ruthless beneath her charm.”
I remained silent, letting him speak. Hearing William talk this way about Isabella was incredible–I had thought the entire Harding family was bewitched by her.
‘I can see it in your face,” William said with a hint of sarcasm, “you’re wondering why I allowed Henry to pursue her in the first place if I felt this way.”
I nodded, surprised by his perception.
*Life is complicated, dear. The Scotts were powerful allies, and at the time, I thought Isabella might be different from her family.” His expression darkened slightly. “I was wrong. When financial troubles hit our family five years ago. The moment she realized Henry’s inheritance might be in jeopardy, she fled to Europe faster than you could say ‘gold digger.”
Henry had always implied Isabella was forced to leave because of our marriage, but the truth was apparently quite different.
‘Now she’s back,” William continued, “everyone knows she only cares about wealth, yet she claims she yearns for true love.” He snorted dismissively.
1/2
Chapter 57
Looking at William’s face, I realized he had been protecting me all these years.
Don’t push your husband away, Sophia, William said, his tone becoming gentler. I know my grandson can be difficult, Stubborn. Even gold. But here that, he has a good heart. He just doesn’t know how to show it.
Grandpa, I tried to interrupt, but he held up a hand to stop me.
Henty needs someone who won’t abandon him in difficult times. Someone who challenges him rather than coddles him. His eyes fixed on mine with remarkable intensity. “Someone like you.”
1 felt my heart sink. William didn’t understand. He thought Henry and I were having some minor marital dispute, not standing on the precipice of divorce, The gulf between us wasn’t something a few kind words could bridge.
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