You’ve actually fallen for her, haven’t you? You ve fallen in love with Sophia!”
Grace’s accusation echoed in the suddenly silent room.
Henry didn’t answer Grace’s question directly. His eyes turned cold as ice as he stared at his sister.
“Stop talking nonsense,” he snapped, his voice carrying an unmistakable threat. “Go to the reflection room and kneel. Now,”
The murderous aura emanating from him was enough to silence even Grace. Without another word, Henry turned and headed upstairs, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.
I took the opportunity to slip away, heading toward Billy’s room. I had no desire to witness the aftermath of that confrontation.
Grace knocked over an expensive potted plant in anger, ceramic fragments scattering across the floor everywhere, her voice filled with hatred.
“That bitch will pay for this! She’s turned everyone against me!”
‘You’re right, darling,” Catherine softly soothed. “We have leverage against her! Remember what you told me about Sophia’s pregnancy? The timing didn’t add up, did it? I’ll have someone look into it immediately.”
“Yes! Investigate her! Once
We
Billy isn’t Henry’s child, she’ll be thrown out of this family for good!”
In Billy’s room, I found my son fast asleep, his small chest rising and falling peacefully. I sat on the edge of his bed, watching him sleep as my thoughts spun in chaotic circles.
My mind felt like a battlefield, with two voices fighting for dominance. One reminded me of all the pain Henry had caused me, urging me to continue with the divorce. The other whispered of how he had defended me against his sister, how he had taken a knife to the hand to protect me.
Henry’s unexpected defense tonight had shaken my resolve.
After five years of coldness, why was he suddenly standing up for me? It made no sense.
However, I recalled him saying “Sophia is my wife!” The statement was so profound and resounding that it made something flutter in my chest.
I was so immersed in thought that I didn’t hear the familiar footsteps approaching until Henry was standing in the doorway.
I didn’t need to turn around to know it was him.
When I signed those divorce papers, I believed I had finally cut off any possibility with Henry, this was a marriage scarred beyond repair.
I had once yearned for his love, made efforts toward it, constantly compromising.
I became obedient and compliant in front of him, but all my efforts had been in vain.
I deeply realized that love was a luxury–something you couldn’t buy with money or obtain through effort.
It was either freely given or not given at all.
Henry approached silently, his hands coming to rest on my shoulders. Neither of us spoke, both pretending the other wasn’t even…e. Yet I felt the warmth of his palms through the thin fabric of my blouse, the weight of his presence behind me.
I found myself sinking into this quiet moment, experiencing an unexpected sense of peace,
If we could just stay like this forever–no words, no arguments, no painful memories–maybe that would be its own kind of happiness.
‘I’m sorry,” Henry finally said, rarely did I hear such gentle words from him.
Chapter 130
“I should have better disciplined Grace. He spoke with the natural tone of a husband apologizing to his wife, which was particularly unfamiliar in our relationship.
“It’s not your fault,” I replied softly. “It’s Grace’s.
I was wrong too,‘ he said remorsefully. “I shouldn’t have forced you… to do things you didn’t want to do.”
I knew he was referring to the scene in the bathroom this morning.
“I was wrong too, I admitted. ‘I shouldn’t have provoked you when you were already angry this morning. I’ve been pushing for divorce without considering your position,” I continued. “That was inconsiderate of me.”
Henry’s breathing became noticeably faster at the mention of divorce. His body tensed, and his dark expression reflected in the window glass. It took him several moments to compose himself.
“Can you stop mentioning divorce?‘ he finally said, his voice strained. ‘Every time you bring it up, I lose control of my temper. If you dare say the word ‘divorce again, I swear I’ll kiss you right now. I’ll kiss you until you never want to say it again.”
I closed my mouth, guilt flashing in my eyes.
Henry continued, his voice softening slightly.
“We already agreed, didn’t we? We’ll discuss it after Grandfather is released from the hospital. Can’t you wait even that short time? Grandfather loves you so much–this would break his heart.”
“You have to give me a timeline,” I insisted, suspicious that this might just be Henry’s delaying tactic. “I need to know you’ll keep your word.”
“I promise,” Henry said firmly. “But there’s one more condition–when are you going to repay me the ten million you owe me?”
My calm immediately vanished.
“What? I don’t owe you any money! A woman’s youth is worth more than a man’s, and I’ve wasted five years of mine with you!”
Just like that, the brief moment of tenderness between us evaporated completely.
What kind of man was Henry?
After everything, he was still fixated on money? Why?
What I didn’t realize was that Henry was deliberately provoking me. He had no intention of letting me divorce him.
‘If you don’t want to pay the money, there’s another option,” he said casually. “You can work it off with services. I’m thinking of reasonable prices–how about a back scrub for one hundred thousand? That seems fair
He pretended to calculate in his head. “That’s not much. Just one hundred sessions and your debt will be cleared.”
I stared at him, wide–eyed, certain I had misheard. How could this man be so shameless?
He could see the murder in my eyes, and it seemed to amuse him.
“What’s wrong? Planning to skip out on your debts? Henry taunted. “You know, not paying your debts can land you in jail. The
a mother.” His voice carried a tone of arrogance and teasing.
would be left without
‘I guess I’d have to let Isabella be his stepmother. Poor Billy would be miserable. But then again, he’s not even my biological son, so why should I care?”
How could anyone be so utterly despicable?
Just the thought of Isabella becoming Billy’s stepmother made my blood boil. The idea of my son at her mercy was unbearable.
‘Fine! 1 snapped. “I’ll do it! I’ll give you your stupid back scrubs!”
2/3
Chapter 130
In my mind, I was already plotting my revenge. I’d give him his back scrub, all fight but I d make sure he regretted ever asking for it.
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