Richard glared at Catherine, his question hanging in the air between them. As his suspicions about her strange behavior toward Isabella grew stronger, the tension became increasingly palpable.
They had always maintained a comfortable dynamic–he worked tirelessly for the family business, while she managed their domestic life with impeccable precision. She never allowed anything to disturb his peace at home. In many ways, Catherine had always been the perfect partner, his true
helpmate.
He knew she disliked Sophia.
Over the years, he had repeatedly tried to smooth things over, gently suggesting that Catherine be kinder to their daughter–in–law. She would always appear to take his advice, slightly moderating her attitude over the following days..
But inevitably, her hostility toward Sophia would resurface, sometimes even more intensely than
before.
However, this time–bringing Isabella to Henry’s hospital room while he was still recovering–had crossed a line. And now her continued defense of that hypocritical Isabella was making him increasingly uneasy.
“Catherine,” he said, his voice dangerously quiet, “I’ve asked you a question. Do you actually want Henry and Sophia to divorce?”
Catherine’s eyes darted nervously around the room before she manufactured a look of wounded innocence. “Richard, how can you ask such a thing? I only want what’s best for our son.”
“What’s best for him?” Richard scoffed. “Look at what just happened! You brought Isabella here when you knew perfectly well it would upset him. You’ve seen him tear his stitches, risk his recovery–all because you insisted on pushing that woman on him when he clearly doesn’t want her!”
Catherine attempted to defend herself. “Richard, you have to understand–Sophia and Henry have reached a point of no return. Their relationship is public knowledge throughout New York. Even if Henry wants to salvage their marriage, Sophia clearly doesn’t. We might as well accept reality and help Henry move forward.”
She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper: “Besides, we could offer Sophia a generous settlement. She comes from such humble beginnings, and I’ve heard her family is desperate for money. With enough financial compensation, she’d leave without complaint. It would be better for everyone.”
Hearing her words, Richard’s face hardened. Without another word, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hospital corridor.
1/4
Chapter 277
Catherine watched him go without attempting to follow.
Once he disappeared from view, she turned and headed toward her car.
“To the old estate,” she instructed her driver. “And bring additional security personnel. She needed to send more people to retrieve Isabella,
If that girl revealed their true relationship, Catherine’s position in the Harding family would be destroyed forever.
Back in the hospital room, Henry’s wound had been freshly bandaged. Though bloodstains still darkened the gauze, it was no longer the alarming sight it had been minutes earlier. After the last member of the medical staff exited the room, Henry pulled back his covers and carefully swung his legs over the side of the bed.
With determination on his face, he reached for his phone and dialed Sophia’s number, desperately
needing to know where she was.
The first call went unanswered.
Undeterred, Henry immediately tried again.
This time, someone picked up, but it wasn’t Sophia.
“Hello, this is Alexander,” came a smug male voice that Henry instantly recognized. “Sophia isn’t feeling well and can’t come to the phone. She’s asked me to speak on her behalf. Mr. Harding, is there something important you need? If not, I’d suggest you stop trying to contact her.”
Henry could hear the challenge in Alexander’s voice, and it made his blood boil. The image of the man carrying Sophia in his arms flashed through his mind, no longer just a suspected accusation but confirmed by this call.
“Where is Sophia?” Henry demanded, his voice filled with anger. “Why do you have her phone? What have you done to her?”
His questions came rapid–fire, each one sharper than the last. “Let me make something perfectly clear, Alexander,” he continued, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl, “New York is my territory. If you think you can do whatever you want here, you’d better think again.”
When Isabella had shown him those photos, Henry had believed they might be fabricated. Now, with Alexander answering Sophia’s phone, what those photos showed was very likely the truth.
Henry instinctively despised Alexander, surprised by his own emanating hostility.
He resolved to speak with William about removing the man from Manhattan General Hospital. Alexander had outstayed his welcome.
2/4
Chapter 277
However, Alexander seemed entirely unfazed by Henry’s threats.
If anything, he sounded amused.
“Oh my, getting worked up already?” he laughed. “If you care about Sophia so much, why didn’t you treasure her when she was your wife? Men like you who don’t appreciate what they have deserve to
suffer the torments of love.”
Alexander’s words struck a nerve. Henry’s temper flared, and he shouted into the phone, “Put Sophia on right now! Otherwise, I’ll have you thrown out of New York!”
“Go ahead and try!” Alexander challenged, laughing loudly. “Kick me out of New York if you can! Come at me yourself if you dare! As for talking to Sophia–keep dreaming!”
Before Henry could respond, Alexander hung up.
I lay weakly in the hospital bed, and when Alexander ended the call, I gave him a faint smile. “You shouldn’t antagonize him like that. He might actually have you expelled from Manhattan.”
In truth, I didn’t want to speak with Henry. At that moment, my mind was consumed with one thought only: divorce. Nothing else mattered now.
If Henry had called to discuss finalizing our divorce, I would have gladly spoken with him. Otherwise, I had nothing to say.
Alexander tossed his head confidently. “Am I supposed to be afraid of him? Sure, he’s a big shot in New York, but I have William backing me! I doubt he can touch me.”
His confident attitude gradually calmed my concerns.
“Fine, whatever you say. But right now, the most important thing is helping me secure this divorce. Please help me figure out how to make Henry agree to it as quickly as possible. I can’t stand dragging this out any longer. I just need him to sign the papers!”
I looked at Alexander with pleading eyes.
After everything I’d been through–losing Harper, dealing with Ava, and now my own terrible health
issues.
What I found most exhausting was spending time and emotional energy with Henry on the divorce
issue..
At this moment, all I wanted was freedom.
3/4
The Ex–Wife’s Redemption: A Love Reborn
Chapter 278
