Chapter 120
Mark glanced between Henry and me, immediately understanding Billy’s intention. ‘Of course!”
Once they left, the hallway felt unbearably quiet. Henry and I remained frozen in our silent standoff, both waiting for the other to speak first.
Finally, Henry approached me, retrieving an elegantly wrapped box from a nearby chair. He held it out wordlessly, his eyes deliberately blank.
I stared at the gift box, confused by this unexpected offering. “What is this?”
Henry didn’t immediately answer, just continued holding out the box with an impatient gesture.
“Take it,” he finally said, his voice rougher than usual.
“What have you given me?” I asked, making no move to accept it. “A gift?”
Annoyance flashed across his face. “Why do you always ask so many questions? Just take it.”
I remained motionless. This man had tried to force himself on me just hours ago, and now he was offering gifts? Did he truly believe a present could erase what he’d done?
“What is this supposed to be? An apology?” I pressed, needing to understand his intention.
Henry’s jaw tightened. “Take it or don’t. I don’t care.”
I could see the struggle in his eyes–he was clearly attempting some form of reconciliation, but his pride wouldn’t allow him to admit fault.
“Sophia, I’m giving you a way to save face,” he finally said, his patience visibly thinning. “Don’t push your luck.”
This statement–so dismissive, so entitled–reignited my anger. This wasn’t an apology. This was Henry again believing he could buy my dignity with money.
“If you want to apologize, Henry, use words. Say you’re sorry for what you did.”
His expression hardened. “Isabella would never be so aggressive. She would just happily look at the gift and thank me!*
“I’m not Isabella,” I replied coldly. “I don’t want your gifts. What I want is for you to sign the divorce papers.”
Henry’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Still harping on about divorce?”
“Yes,” I said firmly. “Sign the divorce papers, and I promise I’ll still maintain a peaceful appearance for your grandfather’s health. If that’s what you’re worked about, we can pretend to be a married couple in front of him.”
“That’s not the point, Henry growled. “You’re being difficult on purpose. Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted–more of my attention? Well, now you have it. I’ll come home earlier, spend more time with you and Bil
own son.”
Leven treat Billy like my
The condescension in his voice made me feel insulted.
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Chapter 120
As if he were offering some great favor, some precious reward that I should be grateful for.
“Henry, wake up,” I said quietly. “I don’t want your attention anymore. I want a divorce.”
This eyes turned cold. “Here’s your gift. Take it of leave it.” He practically shoved the box into my hands before walking
away.
I stood alone in the hallway, holding the unwanted present. Curiosity finally got the better of me, and I opened the box to find an exquisite jade necklace nestled against black velvet.
I froze, immediately recognizing it. This piece looked identical to the emerald necklace Isabella had been flaunting on social media–the one Henry had supposedly given her as a token of his love.
Nausea rose in my throat as I realized what this meant. Either Henry had given us both nearly identical jewelry, or worse, he’d confused which gift was intended for which woman.
“Disgusting, I muttered, snapping the box shut.
I spotted one of Henry’s security guards standing nearby and marched straight over to him.
“Take this back to Mr. Harding,” I said, thrusting the box at him.
The guard hesitated, clearly afraid of being caught in the middle of our marital conflict.
“Ma’am, I don’t think I should-”
“Take it,” I insisted. “Tell him his wife doesn’t want his secondhand gifts.”
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