Chapter 258
The image of Henry being tushed to surgery replayed in my mind as I paced anxiously outside the operating room, my eyes fixed on the glowing red light above the door. That light–that small unblinking red eye–held Henry’s fate within it.
Betty had told me over the phone what I hadn’t witnessed myself. When David lunged at me with the knife, Henry hadn’t hesitated for even a second. He’d thrown himself between us, using his own body as a shield. The knife had sliced deep into his right hand as he’d blocked the attack meant for
- me.
His hand. Those elegant, powerful hands that signed billion–dollar contracts and commanded one of Manhattan’s largest financial empires–now one of them might never function properly again.
Why would he do something so stupid? I’d told him clearly that we had no future together. I’d made it abundantly clear that divorce was the only path forward. So why risk everything for someone who wanted nothing to do with him?
Every time a nurse emerged from those imposing double doors, I rushed forward, grabbing their arms desperately.
“How is he?” I’d ask, my voice barely recognizable to my own ears.
And every time, the answer was nearly identical: “His life isn’t in danger, but the nerves in his hand… they might be permanently damaged.”
After experiencing this conversation again and again, I collapsed onto a bench in the hallway, burying my face in my hands. The weight of what had happened crushed down on me like a physical force.
How could I possibly repay this debt? Before today, I could have walked away from our marriage without a backward glance. But now? How could I possibly ask for a divorce from a man who had just sacrificed his hand–possibly his career–to save my life?
This wasn’t just about gratitude or obligation. To insist on divorce while he lay on the operating table because of me would be absolutely heartless. It would turn me into a despicable person I couldn’t even accept myself!
Lost in these thoughts, I didn’t notice the arrival of William, Richard, and Catherine until Catherine’s sharp voice sliced through my misery.
“A perfectly healthy young man, and the moment he gets involved with this walking disa he ends up in surgery,” she spat, not bothering to lower her voice despite William’s presence. “How dare you
even sit here?”
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She glared at me with undisguised hatred, “This is all because of you! Admit it, Sophia → you re cursed. Everyone who gets close to you ends up suffering!”
If William and Richard hadn’t been present, I’m certain her words would have been even more venomous. As it was, she barely restrained herself out of respect for the family patriarch.
William’s cane struck the floor with a sharp crack as he turned on Catherine.
“Mind your tongue!” he thundered. “What nonsense are you spouting? What exactly is wrong with Sophia?” His eyes flashed dangerously. “By your logic, when your sister died shortly after giving
birth, was that also because she was ‘cursed“?”
Catherine paled at the comparison but remained stubbornly silent.
“This is when Henry needs all of us most,” William continued. “You’re his mother! Is this how you behave in a crisis? If you can’t say anything helpful, then keep your mouth shut. No one will mistake you for being mute!”
Richard shot his wife a withering glare. “Catherine, don’t create problems where none exist. Henry’s injured, and Sophia is clearly devastated. The poor girl is suffering enough without your
accusations.”
The authority in his voice was unmistakable, his eyes cold with warning.
Catherine opened her mouth to argue, then caught her husband’s threatening stare and swallowed whatever she had been about to
Say. Still, the hatred in her eyes when she looked at me was palpable. I had become her enemy, someone to be despised.
I quickly wiped my face and forced myself to smile at the elder Hardings, though I’m sure it looked more like a grimace.
“Grandfather, Father,” I said, my voice breaking. “The nurses told me that the nerves in Henry’s hand might be permanently damaged.” The words caught in my throat. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault…”
I was still in shock, unable to process the full implications. If Henry’s nerve damage was permanent,
he would be disabled for life. For someone as proud and accomplished as him, how could he possibly accept such a fate? If he lost the use of his hand because of me, the debt I owed him would be impossible to repay.
Richard had already been briefed on what had happened. Seeing my distress, he placed amforting
hand on my shoulder.
“Sophia, protecting his wife is a husband’s duty–it’s the natural order of things. If Henry hadn’t protected you today, I would have been the one scolding him.”
He gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “At least he’s alive. Even with an injured hand, he’s still with
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- us. If that criminal had hurt you Instead, that would have been the real disgrace for the Harding family.
William, clearly worried that I might blame myself entirely, quickly added, “Your father–in–law is right! If that boy hadn’t protected you and let you get hurt instead, that would have been our family’s misfortune.”
His voice softened: “As for the nerve damage, we can discuss that further with the doctors. Perhaps it’s not as bad as you fear.”
Comforted somewhat by their kind words, I fell silent and returned to watching the operating room’s red light, my thoughts a chaotic storm.
Finally, the red light went dark! My heart leapt with both hope and fear–joy that the surgery was over, terror at what the results might be.
The doors swung open, and Henry was wheeled out by nurses. The Harding family immediately surrounded them, anxiously asking, “Doctor, how is he?”
Henry lay motionless on the bed, his eyes closed, his face ashen. Without his usual commanding presence, he looked almost peaceful, like a young boy sleeping innocently.
The surgeon removed his mask and looked at the assembled family. “Are you all Mr. Harding’s relatives?” He sighed before continuing, “I’ll be direct–Mr. Harding’s life is not in danger, but several nerves in his right hand have suffered permanent damage.”
Hearing this confirmation, my heart sank. Now, I owed a debt that I might never be able to repay!
William immediately pressed for details. “Doctor, how significant is this permanent nerve damage? Will it affect his daily life?”
The doctor shook his head wearily. “It’s difficult to say at this point. We’ll need to monitor his recovery. Everyone’s body responds differently–we’ll have a better idea in time.”
Due to the anesthesia, Henry remained deeply unconscious even after being moved to a private room. I sat beside his bed, staring at the face I had once loved so deeply, my thoughts a tumultuous sea of regret, gratitude, and confusion.
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