Chapter 75
What had triggered Henry’s rege happened just minutes earlier
After picking Billy up from school, Henry had immediately returned to Maple Grove and retreated to his study to continue his unfinished work. Billy was left playing with his Legos under the supposed supervision of the household staff.
Time passed quickly, and three hours went by. When Henry finally emerged from his study, the house was unnaturally quiet. No dinner smells wafted from the kitchen, and no table had been set.
“Billy,” Henry called out, finding his son still playing with his Legos in the same spot where he’d left him. “Why haven’t
you eaten dinner yet?”
Billy looked up from his intricate creation, his expression matter–of–fact. “Mom’s not home.”
Henry’s brow furrowed. “What does that have to do with dinner?
“Mony makes all our food,” Billy explained, carefully attaching another piece to his structure. “If she’s not here, there’s no
dinner.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Henry scoffed. “What about the housekeepers? The staff?”
Billy shrugged his small shoulders. “They don’t listen to us.”
“What do you mean, they don’t listen?” Henry’s voice sharpened with disbelief.
“They only work when you’re coming home,” Billy said, his innocent words landing like bombs. “The rest of the time, they stay in Grace’s house. Mom says we shouldn’t bother them.”
Henry stood absolutely still, processing this information. For five years, he had assumed his wife and son were being properly cared for in his absence. The revelation that the staff his staff–were neglecting their duties was
incomprehensible.
“Stay here,” Henry instructed Billy, his voice controlled despite his rising anger.
He made his way through the house, noting the dust gathering in corners that should have been immaculate, the slight disarray that professional housekeepers would never allow. When he neared the kitchen, he heard a woman’s voice laughing carelessly.
“I’m telling you, Linda, you should really try to get assigned to Miss Grace’s house. The gifts she gives are amazing! Last week she gave me her barely–worn Louboutins just because they didn’t match her new purse.”
Henry paused outside the doorway, listening.
“God, I would kill to get out of this wing,” the maid continued, her voice growing more animated. “Being stuck with that woman and her kid is torture. She doesn’t have money for tips, and she’s so ‘proper‘ all the time. At least working for Miss
Grace is fun!”
“What about Mr. Harding?” another voice asked through the phone.
“Please! He’s never here. And when he is, he doesn’t even notice we exist.” The maid laughed again. I swear, staying with Miss Grace is the way to go. This reject wife and her brat get nothing from the family. Working for them is a waste of
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Chapter 75
time.”
When Henry rounded the cofner to find the maid sprawled comfortably across the kitchen sofa, phone pressed to her ear, he felt ice spreading through his veins.
You know what the old lady calls her?” the maid continued, oblivious to Henry’s presence. “The ‘replacement womb. Isn’t
that hilarious? Just here to-”
“You fucking servant!” Henry’s voice cut through the kitchen like a whip. “What do you think you’re saying?”
The maid’s head snapped up, her face draining of color as she scrambled to her feet. “Mr. Harding! I–I didn’t know you
were-“.
Henry’s voice was deadly quiet. “Tell me again what you just called my wife?”
“Sir, I didn’t mean–it wasn’t my words–I was just repeating–1
Before she could finish, Henry’s hand connected with her cheek the sound echoing through the kitchen.
It was at this moment that Billy appeared in the doorway, his eyes wide with terror at the sight of his father’s violence.
“Please forgive me, Mr. Harding,” the maid begged, tears streaming down her face as she knelt on the floor. “I didn’t mean
to ”
“You didn’t mean to?” Henry’s voice remained terrifyingly controlled.
“It’s not my fault!” the maid sobbed, desperately trying to save herself. “Mrs. Catherine and Miss Grace–they told all the staff to treat Mrs. Harding this way! They said you wouldn’t care, you-”
“Get up,” Henry commanded, his jaw clenched so tight it might shatter. “Get up and cook dinner for my son. Then pack your things and get out of my house.”
The maid scrambled to her feet, still trembling. “But Mr. Harding-”
“If you’re not out by morning, I’ll ensure you never work in this city again,” Henry threatened. “Now move!”
The maid rushed to the stove, hands shaking as she began pulling ingredients from the refrigerator.
Henry turned to find Billy still standing in the doorway, his face pale with shock.
“Go to your room, Billy,” Henry said, forcing his voice to soften. Dinner will be ready soon.”
Billy hesitated, then turned and fled, his footsteps pounding up the stairs.
Henry remained in the kitchen, watching the maid work with frantic energy. His mind raced with disturbing questions. How long had this been happening? Had Sophia been managing the household alone this entire time, cooking and cleaning while staff members–paid handsomely for their services–lounged in another wing?
“What I needed was your protection years ago!” Sophia’s words from the hospital echoed in his mind.
As Henry walked through the silent, oversized house, a strange feeling settled over him. The place felt empty, hollow. Is this what Sophia experienced every day? This crushing loneliness in a house too large for just her and Billy?
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He glanced at his watch. Nearly 9:30 PM. Where was she? The dinner with Thomas should have ended by now.
Henry pulled out his phone and dialed Sophia’s number. No answer.
He tried again immediately.
This time, someone picked up, but it wasn’t Sophia. Music and aughter echoed in the background.
“Hello?” a woman’s voice, slightly slurred and unfamiliar, came through the speaker.
“Who is this?” Henry demanded. “Where is my wife?”
The woman giggled. “Oh, are you looking for Sophia? She’s busy singing karaoke with Dr. Sanders right now! Should I tell her you called?”
Henry’s entire body went rigid. “Karaoke?”
“Yeah, we all came after dinner. Thomas insisted Sophia deserved the full birthday experience!” The woman’s voice became muffled as she called out, “Sophia! Your husband’s on the phone! Should I tell him you’re busy?”
More laughter erupted in the background.
Henry hung up, a cold fury building inside him.
Birthday? Today was Sophia’s birthday?
In five years of marriage, he had never once acknowledged her birthday. Had never even known when it was.
But Thomas knew. Thomas had remembered. Thomas was now celebrating with her.
Henry grabbed his keys and headed for the door, his mind filled with images of Sophia laughing, singing, enjoying herself with another man.
While he stood alone in an empty house, anger and guilt intertwined in his heart. He didn’t know what to do, but he wasn’t going to let his wife carouse with another man!
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