“Still have feelings for Thomas? Henry’s question hung in the air between us.
I looked at him incredulously.
Did he seriously think I was interested in Thomas? The only reason I’d spent those extra minutes talking to Thomas was to find out who had assaulted me six years ago.
When Thomas mentioned his mother might know something, I immediately lost interest.
I hated the man who had violated me. I wanted nothing more than to drag him to court, make him pay for what he’d done, watch him rot in prison for his crime.
But I despised Mrs. Sanders even more. The thought of begging that woman for information made my skin crawl.
I’d rather never know who my attacker was than lower myself to ask her for help.
The truth was, I’d finally started to move beyond the shadow of that night.
As Betty had told me over countless late–night conversations: “What happened, happened. You can’t change the past. All you can do is focus on the future and make the most of today.”
I had no intention of explaining any of this to Henry. We were divorced. I didn’t owe him explanations anymore, didn’t need to accommodate his jealousy or report my every interaction.
I ignored his question and turned to Billy with a gentle smile.
“Sweetie, are you full? Would you like something else to eat?” I didn’t want to argue with Henry in front of our son. I just wanted to finish this awkward meal and go our separate ways.
If not for Billy’s insistence, I would never have agreed to share a table with my ex–husband.
Billy looked up at me with innocent eyes. “I’m full! Dad asked you a question, Mom. You haven’t answered him yet.”
I froze internally.
So this was how it was going to be–my sweet little boy had been recruited to Henry’s side.
I bit my lip, glanced at Billy, then looked directly into Henry’s eyes. When I finally answered, my voice was ice cold.
“No, I don’t.”
I had never had feelings for Thomas. Where had Henry gotten that ridiculous idea?
Hearing my answer, a satisfied smile spread across his face.
“Good,” he said, sounding unreasonably pleased. “The way you were chatting with him so comfortably, I thought you might still harbor feelings for your old flame.”
Henry had always viewed any man in my vicinity as a threat, but his hostility toward Thomas was particularly intense. He seemed to especially look down on Thomas.
“Ex–husband,” I said coldly, “perhaps you should spend less time worrying about my life and more time focusing on your true love, Isabella.”
Speaking of Isabella, I realized I hadn’t heard anything about her in quite some time.
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The media had been telentless in condemning her, with some even calling for her Imprisonment, but there’d been complete silence regarding her whereabouts. Henry had probably hidden her away somewhere safe.
I don’t love her, Henry said casually, as if commenting on the weather.
I looked up in shock, my eyes widening at Henty’s words.
Henry, noticing my reaction, seemed almost amused. He held my gaze steadily and added, “Believe it or not–that’s up to you.”
“Since she drugged me, she’s been locked away. It was Father’s decision, and Grandfather’s as well.” Henry paused, watching my reaction carefully. “Regarding the attempt to run you and Billy down… Margaret confessed to everything and provided evidence, which absolved Isabella of all responsibility.”
He continued with clinical detachment: “If Isabella were charged with anything, it would only be for drugging me with illegal substances. That would mean at most two weeks in prison. Too lenient.”
Henry’s eyes hardened as he explained, ‘Father and I agreed that keeping Isabella confined in the Harding basement, sometimes fed, sometimes starved, torturing her like this, would be far more effective than prison.”
He added, “Besides, my mother has taken her as a goddaughter. There’s absolutely no possibility of any romance between us!”
I could tell he was giving me this explanation because he knew how much Isabella bothered me..
But I deliberately ignored his explanation, which clearly irritated him.
When I went to the cashier to pay, I was informed that “the gentleman across from you already settled the bill.”
Apparently, Henry had paid while I was speaking with Thomas. Reluctantly, I muttered, “Thank you.”
“No need for thanks,” Henry replied smoothly. “You can treat me next time.”
I was too annoyed to respond. So his plan included forcing me into another meal with him?
This man wasn’t even attempting to hide his intentions anymore.
Henry showed no sign of discomfort at my silence. Taking Billy’s hand, he said casually, “Billy wants to visit his great–grandfather at the hospital. Let’s go together.”
Billy nodded eagerly, looking up at me with hopeful eyes. “That’s right, Mommy. We haven’t seen Great–Grandpa in ages. I miss him.”
I pressed my lips together, glaring at Henry.
I was certain the bastard had planned this.
I knew exactly how busy Henry was–the man never had free time.
+
The Hardings were New York’s premier financial dynasty, and since Henry had taken control of Harding Investment, he hadn’t relaxed for a single day. Their business empire encompassed everything from real estate to medical facilities, luxury retail to tech manufacturing, automotive to high–end jewelry.
Just reviewing the daily financial reports from these various divisions took at least four hours, not counting the countless meetings and decisions required at his level.”
He typically got up at 6 AM and returned home at 11 PM.
Then, as long as I wasn’t on my period, we’d have sex, often not finishing until 1 AM.
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With such a punishing routine, I’d always worried about his heart.
For this reason, I had spent years preparing special foods and supplements to maintain and nourish his body.
Yet today, Henry had attended Billy’s school event, joined us for lunch, and now was planning a hospital visit?
Where had he suddenly found so much free time?
While 1 pondered this, the driver pulled up in front of us.
Henry lifted Billy into his arms, glanced at me from the corner of his eye, and slid into the backseat without even pretending to care whether I joined them or not.
Of course, he knew perfectly well that when it came to visiting Grandfather William, I wouldn’t refuse.
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