Chapter 84
tamess mind inced so he fellosed Henry into the elevator: The CFOs saw was clemebed co night it might distret, his ron hand maddie an und me të
display.
“Sir, James ventured carefully, perhaps we should call whend and
“No.” Henry’s voice was sharp enough to cut glass.
The silence that followed was suffocating. James hadn’t seen his bort this optez in years not sure abella’s departure to Bad thought the Birthday celebration might have softened things between Henry and Sophia, perhaps even set them as a path to reconciliation
Yet here they were, rushing to the hospital like firefighters to a blaze.
When the elevator doors finally opened, Henry stormed out, his shoes clicking aggressively against the polished floor. James had to quicon his g the brug up, mentally preparing himself for the storm that lay ahead.
As they approached the hospital gardens, James finally understood the source of Henry’s fury. Through the large winders, he could see Sephes and Billy sitting on a bench near the flowering shrubs. Billy was animatedly showing something to his mother–probably the drawing he’d made for his grashu grandfather.
Sophia’s head was thrown back in laughter, completely at ease.
Henry paused at the doorway, his eyes darkening as he took in the scene. The happiness on Sophia’s face seemed to infuriate him further
“Wait here,” he commanded, not bothering to look at James as he pushed through the garden doors.
James remained rooted to the spot, watching the inevitable collision course.
This wouldn’t end well.
Billy spotted his father first, his excited chatter dying mid–sentence.
The boy’s expression instantly shifted from joy to wariness–a transformation so swift and complete.
Billy’s readiness to handle family arguments at any moment made James’s heart ache.
“Dad?” Billy called out, his voice carrying a note of uncertainty.
Sophia’s head snapped up, her laughter instantly evaporating. She rose from the bench, instinctively placing herself between Henry and Billy.
Henry’s expression was thunderous as he strode toward them. “So this is where you’ve been hiding.”
Billy immediately stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of his mother.
“Don’t be mad at Mom,” the boy said, his voice surprisingly steady for a five–year–old confronting an angry adult. “I’m the one who wanted to visit Great- Grandpa.”
Something flickered in Henry’s eyes–perhaps surprise at being challenged by his own son. He stared down at Billy for a long moment before catching James’s eye across the garden and giving a subtle nod.
James understood the silent command immediately. He approached with practiced ease, kneeling beside Billy.
“Hey buddy,” he said cheerfully, “I heard the cafeteria has chocolate pudding today. The really good kind that Great–Grandpa likes. Wa Maybe grab some for him?”
check it out?
Billy hesitated, looking back at his mother with obvious concern.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Sophia assured him, though her tense posture suggested otherwise. ‘Go with James. I’ll be right here.”
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Chapter 84
“Promise? Billy insisted, his eyes narrowing with questioning Intensity,
“I promise, Sophia sald, forcing a smile.
James gently led Billy away, the boy glancing back repeatedly until they disappeared around a corner. Once hidden from view, Billy immediately paled Janies behind a large potted tree.
“We need to watch them,” Billy whispered conspiratorially. “Dad looks really angry.”
James hesitated, torn between conflicting loyalties. ‘Your dad would never hurt your mom,” he said, though even to him, the words sounded hollow,
I’m not saying he would use violence on my mom,” Billy replied. “Just that he always hurts people with his words.”
From their hiding spot, they could see Henry grab Sophia’s arm, practically dragging her away from the bench despite her obvious resistance. She tried repeatedly to break free, slapping at his hand, but Henry’s grip remained firm as he pulled her farther from the hospital building.
“Stop it!” When they reached a secluded corner of the garden, Sophia finally managed to break free. “What do you want, Henry?”
Her face was flushed with anger, her breathing rapid from the struggle. Henry stood before her, his posture rigid, his eyes never leaving her face.
“What’s wrong with me?” he repeated, his voice dangerously quiet. “You’ve been gone for five days, Sophia. Five days without a word. Is that not enough drama for you?”
“The same old tricks get boring after a while,” he continued, his tone dripping with disdain. “How many times are you going to run away before you realize
it’s childish?”
Sophia laughed–a harsh, bitter sound that held no humor. “Ever since I mentioned divorce, I’ve been looking for ways to escape this marriage. And guess what? Life without you is actually pretty amazing.”
Something shifted in Henry’s expression–a flash of pain quickly masked by anger. “Sophia, I’m warning you. Don’t test my patience.”
“Divorce, Henry,” she deliberately emphasized each syllable. “I’ve told you repeatedly that I want a divorce. I don’t know how to make it any clearer.”
“I’ve told you never to mention that word again!” Henry growled, stepping closer.
Beneath his fury, there was something else–a vulnerability I’d rarely glimpsed. I suddenly realized: he had waited at his office for hours, expecting me to come to him. He hadn’t been angry when he arrived; he’d been disappointed.
“Why did you ask James about my schedule?” he demanded suddenly “Why ask James where I would be?”
“What?” The question caught me off guard.
Henry pulled out his phone, showing me a screenshot of my message to James. “You specifically asked about my afternoon schedule. Why? So avoid me? Or were you planning to show up and then changed your mind?”
you could
shook my head, astounded by his ability to make everything about himself. “I wasn’t trying to see you, Henry. I was trying to avoid you. I wanted to visit William without running into you. That’s it.”
His face hardened at my admission. “So you’re now deliberately avoiding me?”
“Of course I am!” I shouted, no longer caring who might hear. “You’ve abandoned me more than once to see your Isabella, now it’s my turn to abandon you!
Pah!”
He wiped the spittle from his face where my words had landed, his expression unreadable.
“You’re out every night, he accused. “Where are you staying? With Thomas?”
“Henry,‘ I said, my voice suddenly very calm, very serious. I want a divorce. I will never return to Maple Grove. Ever.”
The finality in my tone seemed to touch him. He stood perfectly still, watching as I turned and walked away without looking back.
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Chapter 84
As I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with Billy and James crouched behind a large planter. My son’s worried face peered up at me.
‘I’m fine, sweetheart,‘ I assured him, extending my hand. “Let’s go back to Betty’s.”
From his hiding spot, Billy could see his father still standing where I’d left him, with an unfamiliar expression on his face.
Perhaps for the first time, Henry was beginning to understand that this wasn’t a temporary tantrum or a means to win back his affection.
I truly wanted out.
