Chapter 222
The bills fluttered between us, carried by the cold winter breeze. Henry’s words echoed in my ears, making my blood boil.
Were still husband and wife, Sophia. Do we really need to be so formal about such small matters?
Six years. For six long years, when had Henty ever treated me like a wife? And now he had the audacity to act generous?
Who’s your wife? Ex–husband, sit! I snapped, watching the money scatter across the pavement. “Mr. Harding, I remember giving you the divorce papers already. I’ve even announced it publicly. In my eyes, you’re already my ex–husband. So me having dinner with a friend is my personal business. Toute overstepping!”
Something flickered across Henry’s face—that tiny glimmer of hope in his eyes extinguished by my words. The disgust in my expression must have looked familiar to him..
After all, it mirrored exactly how he had looked at me for the past six years.
“I was just trying to do something for you,” he said quietly, his voice lacking its usual commanding tone. “After all, we are husband and wife.”
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at his words.
The audacity of this man was truly remarkable.
“We’re husband and wife? Mr. Harding’s memory is certainly impressive! After more than six years, you finally remember we’re married.” I stepped closer, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “If your memory isn’t that reliable, let me remind you: Mr. Harding, we’re in the middle of a divorce. Everyone in Manhattan knows we’re getting divorced, yet here you are claiming we’re husband and wife. Forgive my bluntness, but you should see a neurologist before it’s too late.
Henry’s expression softened unexpectedly, his lips curving into a gentle smile that made him look years younger.
“You’re right about everything,” he admitted, his eyes never leaving mine. “My brain must not be working properly. Would Mrs. Harding be kind enough to take me to a neurologist to check my condition?”
His response completely stunned me!
The arrogant, cold CEO was suddenly acting playful? Without thinking, I raised my handbag and swung it toward his head. Before it could connect, Alexander’s hand caught my wrist, gently restraining me.
“Why punish your body over someone who doesn’t matter?” he said softly. “Getting angry is just penalizing yourself for someone else’s mistakes. It’s not worth it.”
His words broke through my rage, and I slowly lowered my arm, reason returning to my mind.
“Harding, Alexander said with casual familiarity, ‘consider dinner my treat today. It has nothing to do with Sophia. Next time, I’ll let you return the favor.”
Alexander completely understood Henry.
He could see that Henry was trying to reconnect with me but had no idea how to go about it and was only making things worse. The mighty CEO of Harding Investment stumbling over such a small matter was almost comical.
Of course, Alexander wouldn’t tell Henry this. He had his own interests at heart. If Sophia was determined to divorce Henry, Alexander was determined to support Sophia. Only after Sophia was free could he allow his admiration for Sophia to blossom into something more.
As Alexander and I walked away, I could feel Henry’s eyes following us, but he took no action. He just stood there, silently watching us leave.
Once we reached the parking lot, Alexander spoke directly: “Sophia, do you really not care about Henry at all anymore?” He glanced at me with curious eyes. ‘From what I just saw, it looks like he’s reluctant to let you go. Like he wants to reconcile.”
Men understand other men better. Just from Henry’s gaze, Alexander could sense that Henry had feelings for me. But Henry was too proud, too unwilling to lower himself, completely unaware that he needed to treat me gently, to coax me, which had led him to his current situation.
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Chapter 222
Henry having a change of heart?” I scoffed, my voice firm with conviction. Absolutely limpossible! A man that arrogant could never bow he Your joke isn’t funny at all, so please don’t repeat t
Henry coming back to me to reconcile? Bullshit! He’d more likely go running back to Isabella,
Alexander disagreed, shaking his head. “Sophia, I’m not wrong. Actually, from the moment we left the hospital, he’s been following us in his eat. You Mare notice, didn’t see his vehicle.”
I believe he cares about you deep down. Otherwise, with his personality, how could he possibly stoop to secretly following us?”
I considered his words carefully before responding: “Even if he has had a change of heart, so what? Who can guarantee I’ll be waiting for him? I’m completely disillusioned with this relationship. All I want now is to escape!”
My clear–headedness seemed to impress Alexander. He stared at me with a slightly dazed expression, lost in my bright eyes.
This woman before him was confident and unrestrained, willing to let go without hesitation when necessary, cutting her losses–truly open–minded.
Through this conversation, Alexander suddenly realized his fondness for Sophia had grown–the kind of fondness that exists between a man and a woman.
“Sophia, you’re so clearheaded,” he said with genuine admiration. “I can’t help but feel humbled.”
Harper’s surgery was a complete success. I busied myself taking care of her, attending to every detail with meticulous care. This irritated Ava immensely. The doctors had said that even after surgery, the old woman would live five years at most. With her eyesight gone, what was the point of living another five years? Wouldn’t it be better to save that medical money for herself?
And then there was Sophia with all her money, yet refusing to share it with her. It was infuriating.
Ava thought about the boasts she’d made to her friends and that $200,000 handbag she coveted, and she couldn’t resist calling Sophia again.
*Sophia, I asked you for $500,000. Why did you spend all the money on the old lady’s treatment? What’s that supposed to mean?” Her shrill voice demanded through the phone. “Where’s my money?”
I knew exactly what Ava wanted. I also knew exactly how much Harper’s surgery would cost. Hearing her demand money from me again, I let out a cold
snort.
“Ava,” I replied loudly, my patience finally exhausted, “I’m not your mother, and I won’t indulge your behavior! You want money? Too bad–there isn’t any for you!”
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