A flicker of worry crossed my mind. I rose from my seat, intending to check on him. Henry immediately stood up too, his tall frame blocking my path. His sudden movement made me instinctively retreat a step, my body tensing with suspicion.
“What are you doing?” I asked, eyeing him warily.
Henry noticed my apprehension and quickly raised his hands in a placating gesture. ‘Don’t worry, I mean no harm,” he said hurriedly. I just wanted to see if I could help you with anything. I only want to help, nothing more.”
I relaxed slightly, though not completely. ‘I want to check on Billy,” I said, keeping
my
voice
neutral,
‘Let’s go together,” Henry suggested, already moving toward the staircase.
As we walked up the stairs, I noticed something odd about Henry’s pace. He was aerately slowing down, matching his steps to mine. Each stride was
measured and unhurried, as if he was trying to prolong our time together.
I didn’t care about this change in him. As far as I was concerned, Henry Harding was already my past. The soul–crushing pain he’d inflicted was something I never wanted to experience again. The familiar surroundings, the familiar furniture, the familiar man beside me–none of it stirred anything within me anymore. My heart was like a dried–up well, incapable of rippling with emotion.
We reached Billy’s bedroom door, and Henry gently pushed it open. Inside, we found Billy curled I up on his bed, fast asleep, clutching his favorite toy against
his chest.
I saw the flash of satisfaction in Henry’s eyes before he masked it. This was exactly what he’d
anted.
“What do we do now?” he whispered. ‘Are you sure you want to wake him? The little guy’s exhausted.”
I hesitated, looking at Billy’s peaceful face. I couldn’t bring myself to disturb him.
‘Let me help, Henry offered, already moving toward the bed.
He carefully lifted Billy and placed him properly on the bed, gently removing his shoes and pulling the covers over him. Every movement was tender, a side of Henry I rarely witnessed.
After tucking Billy in, he turned to me and unexpectedly took my wrist, guiding me out of the room. He closed the door behind us with his free hand, still holding onto me as he started walking down the hallway.
I remained rooted to the spot, refusing to move. When Henry turned back to look at me, he saw the disgust in my eyes. In that moment, he suddenly understood how I had felt all those times he’d dismissed me in the past.
He immediately released my wrist, his expression contrite. “I’m sorry, I forgot. Please don’t be upset
I watched his hand retreat and nodded slightly. “It’s nothing,” I said dismissively, stepping around him to walk ahead.
Henry stood there, staring at my retreating form. He looked down at his empty palm, his expression complex. Perhaps he was woning why he hadn’t been kinder to me six years ago.
I was done caring about Henry’s feelings. Getting away from this man was my only viable path forward.
Across town, in a stark hospital room, the damp cold of the changing season created a miserable atmosphere. Isabella sat up in her bed, anxiety etched across her face as she questioned Nancy.
“Nancy, did you call Henry? Did he say when he’s coming to see me?”
It had been a full week since Henry’s last visit–seven days that felt like seven years to Isabella. She’d even considered sneaking into Maple Grove to find him, consequences be damned!
But Catherine had already warned her: “The access codes to Maple Grove have been changed. Even I don’t know them. Security has also been tightened. Anyone trying to enter needs Henry’s explicit permission. They’ll call him directly.”
Chapter 204
In the past, Isabella could have used Henry’s name to gain entrance through the main gate. Now, attempting to visit would only result in humiliation
Nancy finished peeling an apple, tossing the skin into the trash before slicing the fruit. ‘I called, but he never picked up,‘ she replied without looking up. I think he might have blocked my number too.”
She glanced at Isabella, carefully considering her next words. ‘Miss Scott, why don’t you Even if they overstep, he won’t do anything to them.”
ask Mrs. Harding or Miss Harding for help? They’re Henry’s family.
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The Ex–Wife’s Redemption: A Love Reborn
Chapter 205
