Chapter 122
Isabella’s carefully maintained facade completely crumbled the moment Mark closed the door behind him. Her face contorted with anger as the violently threw the envelope across the room.
Why does everyone think they can control me?” she screamed, grabbing a vase of flowers and smashing it against the wall. Water and shattered glass scattered across the hospital’s immaculate floor.
“Am I naturally inferior to others?”
She overturned the bedside table, sending medication bottles clattering across the tiles. Breathing rapidly, she grabbed everything within reach–magazines, water glasses, even her own pillow–and hurled them frantically in all directions.
Nancy stood motionless outside the door, listening to the sounds of destruction within. She had seen Isabella’s manic episodes before and knew better than to intervene. Behind Isabella’s carefully crafted image of a fragile patient lurked the soul of a madwoman.
After several minutes, the sounds of destruction subsided, replaced by intense sobbing. Nancy cautiously peered through the small window in the door, watching as Isabella wiped away her tears and methodically straightened her disheveled hair. The transformation was astonishing–almost instantly, she had completely regained her composure, her face returning to an expression of elegance and serenity.
Isabella gracefully slid off the bed, adjusting her hospital gown with dignity.
“Nancy, she called out, her voice betraying no hint of her previous outburst.
Nancy entered cautiously. “Yes, Miss Isabella?”
*Prepare my discharge papers. I’m leaving.”
Nancy’s eyes widened. “But Miss Isabella, that’s impossible! Your condition-”
I’ve made my decision,” Isabella calmly interrupted her.
“The doctors won’t approve this,” Nancy protested weakly, already knowing her objections would be futile. “You still need monitoring and-”
Isabella’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Then find a doctor who will approve it. I need to take action now.”
Nancy hesitated, then reluctantly nodded. “As you wish, Miss Isabella.;
Outside Maple Grove, I shivered in the bitter cold, my fingers numb as I dialed Henry’s number for the eighth time. The wind cut through my thin jacket, and my teeth chattered uncontrollably. After what felt like an eternity, the call finally connected.
“What is it? Henry’s smug voice came through the speaker.
From his second–floor window, Henry observed me through binoculars, relishing my obvious discomfort. Seeing me stamping my feet against the cold, the corner of his mouth curved into a satisfied smile.
“How does it feel to be blocked?‘ he thought to himself. /Not so pleasant when you’re the one being blocked, is it?”
Just an hour earlier, his security guard had returned the jewelry box, explaining that Mrs. Harding had refused to accept it. Henry stared at the rejected gift, genuinely confused. Weren’t women supposed to love jewelry? This was his friend Benjamin’s suggestion–no woman could resist expensive jewelry; it was a man’s secret weapon for reconciliation.
‘It was all a misunderstanding,” I said into the phone, swallowing my pride. “I apologize, Mr. Harding. I’m sorry! Please let me take Billy home.”
My apology, though intended to be sincere, sounded hollow even to my own ears. To Henry, it sounded like mockery.
*Sophia, stop pretending, he coldly replied. Billy is with his chess tutor. The lesson won’t end for another two hours. Perhaps you’d like to come in and wait?”
I knew it was a trap. The rational part of my brain was loudly warning me. However, after standing in the cold wind for over thirty minutes, my body was
Chapter 122
trembling.
Another cutting blast of icy wind penetrated my clothes, and I surrendered.
Fine,” I said, my voice slightly trembling from the cold.
Henry’s smile widened. Eager to come in? That depends on your behavior.”
I bit my tongue, suppressing the anger rising within me. “What kind of behavior are you expecting?”
‘Make me a lavish dinner,” he answered simply.
The request caught me off guard. I hesitated repeatedly, but then again, Billy would be hungry after his lesson, and honestly, I was starving too.
“Alright, I reluctantly agreed. ‘I’ll make dinner.”
The gates slowly opened, and I hurried inside, rubbing my arms to regain some warmth. Henry stood in the doorway, his tall figure silhouetted against the warm light of the mansion. Despite everything that had happened, I had to admit his appearance was still striking–his elegant, handsome demeanor physically attracted me, even though I despised him emotionally.
As I approached, his gaze swept over me with calculating intent. His lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Welcome home, Sophia.”
The moment I stepped inside, Henry discreetly signaled to his security staff. “Lock all the gates,” he said quietly, then headed toward his study.
In his private sanctuary, Henry pulled open the bottom drawer of his desk and retrieved the divorce papers I had already signed. He smugly fed them into the paper shredder, satisfied as he watched my hopes for freedom reduced to confetti.
‘Divorce?” he muttered to himself. “Not without my consent. And I don’t consent.”
He took out his phone and dialed a number.
‘Benjamin,” he said when the other party answered. “Your advice didn’t work. She has no interest in jewelry.”
Benjamin’s exaggerated shock came through the speaker. “What? Impossible! Even jewelry didn’t work? Man, your wife–winning journey is tougher than I imagined!”
Henry frowned, embarrassed by his friend’s dramatic reaction. “Shut up. I’m about to have dinner with her right now.” He abruptly hung up, cutting off Benjamin’s teasing laughter.
Meanwhile, I quietly pushed open the bedroom door, catching a glimpse of Billy deeply focused on his chess game. Seeing his small face scrunched in concentration brought an involuntary smile to my lips. I gently closed the door, not wanting to disturb his lesson, then headed toward the kitchen.
Just as I reached the hallway, a shrill voice shattered the mansion’s peaceful atmosphere.
“Where is that gold–digging bitch Sophia? Get out here, you worthless tramp!”
Grace’s sharp high heels clicked against the marble floor as she stormed through the foyer, her face twisted with malice as she searched for me everywhere.
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