Chapter 62
The winter sun set quickly, an eady sinking below the horizon four o’clock in the afternoon.
By this time, I had composeit myself after saying goodbye to Thomas, standing alone at the kindergarten entrance, waiting to pick up Billy.
My thoughts kept returning to William’s hospital room, his weathered face filled with hope as he spoke about the possibility of Henry and me reconciling. The idea made me feel ejected.
The doctors said William’s health was deteriorating rapidly. Without a suitable heart donor, he likely wouldn’t make it through winter. The least I could do was bring Billy to visit him as often as possible.
The sound of high heels pulled me from my thoughts. I turned see Grace approaching. Two security men in dark suits flanked her sides.
Grace had clearly come looking for trouble. Her ridiculously high stilettos forced her to walk with an awkward, tottering gait as she attempted to appear graceful but failed miserably.
Evidently, the punishment she’d received for her previous behavior hadn’t taught her any humility.
“Well, well,” Grace’s voice carried that familiar note of disdain, if it isn’t Sophia.”
I maintained a calm expression. After everything I’d been through with Henry, Grace’s petty hostility seemed almost comical.
“Grace,” I acknowledged with a slight nod. “How unexpected to see you here. I didn’t realize you had children enrolled at Brooklyn Heights.”
Her eyes narrowed at my deliberate misunderstanding. “Obviously, I’m here for you. Our business isn’t finished yet!”
“Is that so?” I raised an eyebrow, watching her struggle to maintain balance on those ridiculous heels. “I thought your community service sentence had made things quite clear.”
Grace’s face flushed with anger. “You think you’re so clever, don’t you? Getting Grandfather to punish me while you play the innocent victim?”
Several mothers waiting nearby began to notice our conversation, their curious gazes moving back and forth between us.
“Grace,” I said quietly, “this isn’t the place for your tantrum. There are children present.”
“Oh, I’m well aware,” she smirked, glancing at the school entrance. “Where’s my dear nephew? I thought I’d take him shopping today. Since his mother can barely afford proper clothes these days.”
The veiled threat in her words made my blood run cold. “Billy isn’t going anywhere with you.”
“Who’s going to stop me?” Grace’s smile widened as she gestured to her security team. “They all take orders from me.”
The school bell rang, and children began pouring through the doors, their excited voices filling the afternoon air.
Grace turned to her security men. “Gentlemen, I believe Mrs. Harding needs some assistance. Please escort her to my car.
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The men exchanged uncomportable glances, neither moving to flow her order.
“Aren’t you going to move?” Grace’s volce rose sharply.
1 stepped closer to Grace, my posture elegant and confident. “Cace, I’ve been wanting to tell you something. I lowered my voice, forcing her to lean in slightly. “Those high heels are much too tall for you. You can barely walk, and you look quite ridiculous, Why insist on wearing something you can’t carry off
Her eyes widened with indignation. “How dare you–”
“It’s just a small suggestion, I continued calmly. “I absolutely promise I’m not mocking you.”
Grace’s face contorted with rage.
“Grab her!” she suddenly shrieked at the security
men. “Now!”
The men remained rooted in place, their expressions
increasingly uncomfortable.
“Mrs. Harding is Henry Harding’s wife,” one of them said cautiously. “We’re concerned…”
Grace spat, wobbling slightly on her dangerous heels. “She’s nothing! A gold–digger who trapped my brother! Move immediately!”
I stepped forward.
“I am Sophia Harding, Henry’s wife, and daughter–in–law to William Harding, the family patriarch. Do you really think William would forgive anyone who laid hands on me?”
At the mention of William, the security men visibly paled.
The undisputed decision–maker of the entire Harding family, the absolute leader.
“She’s lying!” Grace’s voice took on a desperate edge. “My grandfather would
never-”
I slapped Grace across the face, leaving a bright red handprint that quickly appeared on her cheek.
While she was still recovering from the shock, I said, “Are you willing to risk your careers–perhaps even your lives–on that assumption?”
Both men immediately stepped away from Grace.
I turned, confident they no longer posed a threat, and began walking toward the school entrance where Billy would soon
appear.
“You actually dared to slap me!” Grace’s shrill voice carried across the schoolyard.
I continued walking, my pace unhurried. Hearing her stumbling footsteps behind me, I felt a satisfied smile tugging at my lips. Five years ago, I might have cowered before her anger. Now her pathetic attempts at intimidation had no effect on
- me.
The footsteps grew closer, each step laden with resentment.
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Chapter 62
I turned just in time to see Grace lunging toward me, her face contorted with rage.
Without thinking, I stepped aside gracefully.
Grate’s momentum carried her forward.
Grate’s
I thought I heard the snap of breaking bone, immediately followed by Grace’s wail.
Grace lay sprawled completely on the ground.
“I think,” I said calmly, looking down at her pitiful form, “you should call an ambulance for the Harding princess.”
“By the sound of it, that must be a bone fracture.”
Grace was loaded onto a stretcher, her face contorted with pain and rage. Despite her injury, she continued hurling insults at me, her voice growing increasingly shrill.
“You psychotic bitch! Do you know what you’ve done? I’ll make sure Henry destroys you for this!”
I simply watched as the paramedics secured her position, completely unfazed by her tantrum. The mothers around us whispered to each other, their expressions ranging from shock to poorly disguised amusement.
As they lifted her into the ambulance, Grace glared at me with pure hatred. “This isn’t over, Sophia! You’ll regret this!
Just then, Billy emerged from the school building, his small backpack bouncing against his shoulders. His face lit up when he spotted me.
“Mom!” he called, running toward me with a small certificate clutched in his hand. “Look what I got today!”
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