Chapter 229
Seeing my complete indifference, Henry’s fare darkened, his heart tightening with pain.
Henry had always believed that no matter what happened, I would wait for him.
After all, I had repeatedly professed my love for him. For six long years. I had demonstrated my destine thenuate costines all sets of care and kindnes
But now, looking into my eyes, he could see there was no trace of the tenderness that had once been there. Only detachment and coldnent reresicet
in this moment, Benjamin’s words finally resonated with him. Just when Henry had assumed his charm and status were anough to keep me hopel devoted to him, I had already emotionally checked out. The love he had taken for granted was gone.
A bitter realization washed over Henry’s face as he leaned forward slightly, his voice lower but more sincere than I’d ever heard it.
“Can’t we just talk? take ordinary people–like friends? Have an honest conversation? His eyes searched mine, looking for the woman who had once loved him unconditionally. “We’re still married, Sophia. Doesn’t that mean anything?”
I couldn’t help but scoff coldly at his words.
“Mr. Harding, if my memory serves me correctly, during the first three years of our six–year marriage, you constantly threatened divorce. You even went abroad to find Miss Scott.” I leaned forward, my voice sharp as a blade. “If you love Isabella so much, why won’t you agree to divorce me now? Why the sudden change of heart?”
I wasn’t finished. The words I’d held back for years were finally finding their way out.
“You seem rather conflicted,” I continued, carefully observing his expression. “On one hand, you’re completely entangled with Isabella, and on the other, you refuse to divorcé me. What exactly are you trying to do? Practice polygamy? That’s illegal, you know!”
Despite the sarcastic edge to my words, I felt no satisfaction in attacking him. Deep down, I just wanted a clean break–to end this hopeless marriage with one swift cut rather than continuing the slow bleeding approach.
Henry maintained his composure, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Sophia, I’ll be honest with you,” he said with unexpected patience. “I don’t want a divorce, and I won’t agree to one. If you insist on divorcing me, I’ll take Billy’s custody.”
There it was–his trump card. Every time he threatened to take Billy’s custody, I had always backed down.
He knew it was my greatest weakness, and he exploited it shamelessly. In his mind, this marriage would continue whether I wanted it or not.
During our six years together, I had catered to his every need. Since I’d moved out of Maple Grove three months ago, his life had become noticeably more difficult.
This pathetic man was threatening me with my son again. I found it almost amusing.
‘I don’t care,” I replied calmly. “Take Billy’s custody if you want. Just be prepared for people to mock you for raising someone else’s child.” I looked at him steadily. “I know I can’t compete with you on this. If you want to take Billy’s custody, go ahead. But you can’t deny a mother’s visitation rights.”
Betty and I had discussed this possibility extensively If Henry forcibly took Billy, what could I do?
With Henry’s wealth and influence, he could accomplish virtually anything he set his mind to. If he truly wanted Billy’s custody, I could fight him and win. The best approach was to let him have the custody on paper while ensuring I could still see my son whenever I wanted.
Henry seemed shocked by my confidence and strength. He knew how much I loved Billy, and he’d always used my son as leverage against me. Now, seeing that Billy could no longer be used to manipulate me, he appeared genuinely stunned
“Are you sure about this?” he asked incredulously.
“Absolutely,” I replied without hesitation.
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Chapter 229
“After all, Billy isn’t your biological child, I continued, carefully observing his reaction. “He’s not close to you, and everyone in Manhattan i vatte you raise someone else’s child. Why would I turn down such a favorable arrangement?
I had finally realized that fear wouldn’t help me protect Billy. O
by bravely facing the situation could I secure any hope for our future.
My eyes reflected unwavering determination without a hint of retreat. I stared directly at Henry, showing no panic–as if I truly didn’t care about Billy at an
My expression left Henry utterly confused. He had always controlled me with this tactic, and it had always worked perfectly. Now, not only was it mefective, but it seemed to be backfiring.
“Henry, I continued, ‘I’ll face whatever you throw at me. I’m not afraid
anymore.”
In that moment, I radiated confidence and strength throughout my entire being.
Only then did Henry realize he could no longer control me through Billy.
Faced with this confident, powerful version of me, Henry finally stopped seeing me as the compliant woman I had once been.
“Sophia,” he said, his voice softening, “let me clarify something: I don’t want to fight you for Billy’s custody.”
He paused, seemingly struggling with the words.
“I just want you to come back to me, back to how things were before. Billy is your flesh and blood. Whether he’s biologically mine or not has nothing to do with our marriage. I just want you to come home with me–back to our home.”
This arrogant man had finally voiced what had been weighing on his heart for a long time. As soon as the words left his mouth, the pent–up frustration seemed to dissipate, leaving only hope in its wake.
He thought his sincerity would move me, before.
that it would somehow change my mind. But my expression remained unchanged, still as cold and distant as
I studied him silently for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, as if I’d just heard the most ridiculous joke. When my laughter finally subsided, I turned to Henry.
“Mr. Harding,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm, “is it possible that you’ve surveyed your options, discovered that no one treats you as well as I did, and now you’ve come crawling back? Is that what this is about?”
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