Chapter 82
“Mom, can we go see Great–Grandpa today?” Billy asked, his small face suddenly serious as he put down the chess game. I want to show him my new drawing.
I hesitated, my hands mechanically continuing to chop vegetables. The thought of potentially running into Henry at the hospital made my stomach tighten,
“Honey, I’m not sure if today is a good day,” I began gently. “Great–Grandpa might be tired from his treatments.”
Billy’s shoulders visibly slumped. “But you promised we’d visit him this week. And I made him a special picture. He pulled a folded paper from his pocket, carefully opening it to reveal a colorful drawing of William and himself feeding birds from a hospital balconry.
Seeing this, my heart melted. After everything that had happened, Billy still maintained his connection with his great–grandfather.
‘Let me check something first, okay?” I said, reaching for my phone.
Betty raised an eyebrow as she cleared away the chess pieces. “Checking to make sure a certain someone won’t be there?”
I ignored her knowing look and walked into the hallway. My fingers hovered over Henry’s contact information before I scrolled past it to James’s name instead.
James, is Henry available this afternoon? I typed, then immediately deleted it. Too direct.
I started over. What’s Henry’s schedule like this afternoon? No, still too obvious.
Finally, I sent: This afternoon, what are your boss’s plans?
I waited anxiously, staring at the screen until dots appeared, indicating James was typing a response.
At Harding corporate headquarters, James looked at his phone with a mixture of surprise and calculation. This was the first time Sophia had contacted him since leaving the mansion. Mr. Harding had been in a foul mood for days, snapping at everyone, driving away staff left and right, and spending endless hours locked in his office.
James knew exactly what–or rather who–was responsible for the boss’s terrible temper. Sophia’s departure had affected Henry more than anyone expected.
Now he had received a message from her, asking about Henry’s schedule. This could be an opportunity to help fix things.
His mind quickly analyzed the possibilities. If Sophia was asking about Henry’s schedule, she must be planning to see him.
James carefully composed his response: Mrs. Harding, are you planning a surprise for the boss? If so, I can confidently tell you: Mr. Harding will be at the office all afternoon!
Sophia’s reply came immediately: just a simple OK.
James couldn’t suppress a smile as he strode toward Henry’s office, knocking briefly before entering.
“Sir, I have something that might interest you,” he announced, holding up his phone.
Henry glanced up from his computer, his expression guarded. “What is it?”
‘Mrs. Harding just messaged me. She was asking about your schedule for this afternoon.”
Henry’s eyes sharpened instantly, focusing with laser–like intensity. “Show me.”
James handed over his phone, watching as his boss read through the brief exchange. A transformation came over Henry’s face–the dark cloud that had been hovering over him for days seemed to lift slightly.
‘She’s coming here,‘ Henry murmured, more to himself than to James. “She’s finally coming to her senses.”
Chapter 82
James nodded eagerly. That’s what I thought too, sir. Should I prepare anything special for her arrival?!
Henry leaned back in his chair, a hint of his usual confidence returning. “Have my car brought around at three. And… he hesitated briefly, “being our necklace.
Right away, sit.”
As James left to carry out his instructions, Henry opened his desk drawer, staring at the divorce papers still sitting there. She hadn’t mentioned them oner since leaving. Perhaps she was reconsidering.
He remembered their night on her birthday–how they’d shared a cake with Billy, how her body had responded to his touch. There was still an emotional connection between them, something she couldn’t deny no matter how much she claimed to want freedom.
All he needed to do was wait for her to walk through his door.
At Manhattan General Hospital, Billy practically skipped through the corridors, clutching his drawing while I followed more cautiously behind. We’d visited William enough times that the nursing staff recognized us, nodding respectfully as we passed.
I hadn’t told Billy that I’d checked Henry’s schedule first. How could I explain to a five–year–old that his mother was deliberately avoiding his father?
When we entered William’s room, his face lit up immediately. “My two favorite people! What a wonderful surprise!*
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