Chapter 108
I didn’t register how Henry gided me through the hospital cor dors, nor do I remember when Billy and I got into his car. My thoughts had already drifted far away–specifically back six years–replaying memories I had desperately tried to
forget.
Harper Davis. The woman who had once shown kindness to a frightened, pregnant girl with nowhere to go.
Hospital buildings gave way to city streets, then to the tree–lined avenue leading to Maple Grove. I stared out the window without really seeing anything, lost in a fog of memories and regret.
“Mom, are you okay?” Billy’s childish voice partially pulled me back to reality. His small hand hesitantly patted mine.
I forced myself to smile. “I’m fine, dear. Just thinking about something.”
Henry kept glancing at me through the rearview mirror, his eyes narrowed with curiosity. I didn’t care to analyze it. My mind was occupied with Harper’s cloudy eyes, her frail hands, and the bitterness in her granddaughter’s voice.
“Isn’t she the reason our family ended up like this?”
Only when the car stopped did I realize we had arrived at Maple Grove. The familiar mansion facade loomed before us, as cold and imposing as ever.
“I’m not staying here,” I said flatly when Billy unbuckled his seatbelt, finally breaking my silence.
Henry turned in his seat, examining me with those calculating eyes. “You’re already here.”
“I’m leaving,” I insisted, reaching for the door handle. “I need to go back to Betty’s.”
Henry moved faster, his broad shoulders blocking my exit. “You’ve been acting strange since meeting that old woman. Wh
is she to you?”
“None of your business,” I snapped, trying to push past him.
Billy looked back and forth between us, his small face creased with worry. “Are you going to fight again?” His voice trembled slightly. “Dad, can’t you be nicer to Mom? She’s obviously upset about something.”
The maturity in his tone shocked me. My five–year–old son had already become a mediator between his warring parents. What kind of childhood was I giving him?
Henry’s expression softened slightly as he looked at Billy. “Go inside, buddy. There are your favorite snacks waiting for
you.”
Billy hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave us alone.
“It’s okay, dear,” I assured him. “We’re just talking. Go on.”
Once Billy disappeared into the house, the tension between Henry and me intensified. Nei of us spoke, maintaining the silence.
“I’m not in the mood for your games today,” I finally said, my voice flat. “Stay away from me.”
Chapter 108
Henry’s eyebrows rose slightly, clearly unaccustomed to being addressed this way by me or anyone, ‘I don’t recall giving you permission to give orde’s in my home.”
I laughed, a hollow sound with no humor in it.
Your home? Is that all you care about? Your home, your reputation, your company–for you, everything is just about possession, Henry.”
He reached to touch me, but I jerked away from his contact.
“Don’t touch me,” I warned, feeling something dangerous bubbling inside me. “Today is not a good day for us to argue.”
A flash of genuine confusion crossed his face. He wasn’t used to seeing me like this–defiant, angry, unpredictable.
For years, I had been compliant, eager to please, desperate for any scrap of his affection. That woman was gone.
My thoughts returned to Harper Davis and her granddaughter.
During my most difficult time, when no one else was willing to accept me, they showed me kindness.
I had believed–hoped–that the money I sent them after marrying Henry had improved their lives. Today’s discovery shattered that comforting illusion. Harper was nearly blind. Her granddaughter clearly hadn’t received a good education. What had happened to their family?
Lost in these thoughts, I barely noticed Henry approaching until his hand gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him.
“Sophia,” he demanded, “what’s wrong with you?
Something broke inside me. Six years of suppressed anger, frustration, and pain erupted at once. I violently knocked his
hand away.
“Don’t touch me!” I shouted, suddenly no longer caring who might hear. “You think you can treat me like property? Like some doll you can throw away and pick up whenever it suits you?”
I lunged forward, aiming to slap his face, but Henry was quicker He dodged my hand, his eyes widening with shock at my unusual behavior.
“Sophia, what the fuck is wrong with you?” he growled, grabbing my wrists to prevent another attack.
I struggled against his control, feeling a strange wildness take over me. “Let me go! I hate you! I hate everything about you!”
His grip tightened. “Stop it. You’re acting crazy.”
This only fueled my anger. I twisted violently and bit his arm hard, biting deep enough to taste blood.
Henry cursed but didn’t release me. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me from behind, restricting my movement while carefully avoiding hurting me.
“I’m warning you,” he hissed in my ear, “if you keep this up, I’ll have to restrain you properly. I don’t make a habit of hitting women, but don’t push me!”
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Chapter 108
Despite his threatening words, his actions were carefully protective of me from harm.
As I struggled in his arms, he absorbed most of the impact himself.
Jet me go!” I screamed, my voice almost unrecognizable even to myself. “I need to see Harper! I need to know what *happened!
Henry called out sharply, and within seconds, the family doctor appeared with a syringe in hand. When I realized what was happening, I struggled more violently, but Henry held me firmly as the needle slid into my arm.
The sedative worked quickly. My limbs became heavy, and my vision blurred at the edges. As darkness overtook me, I heard the doctor’s concerned voice.
“What triggered this episode? Has she experienced any recent trauma or stress?”
Henry’s voice became distant in my ears as he replied, “I don’t know. Something about an old woman at the hospital set her off.”
The family doctor asked if Henry wanted his wound treated, but Henry waved his hand in refusal.
His mind felt a tremendous confusion: “What connection does my wife have to Harper Davis and her family?”
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