Chapter 28
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Henry’s words made me free mid–step in the dimly lit parking garage. When I turned to face him, I caught him looking
que with an expression I’d never seen before the kind of tender gaze he usually reserved for dogs, mixed with ministakable contempt.
“If you’re limping, I can help you.” he observed, his perfect lips curving into a mocking smile.
Rage bubbled up inside me. If Billy wasn’t currently in his arms, I wouldn’t even dignify him with a response. And if I happened to have a brick handy… well, Henry Harding’s perfect head might not be so perfect anymore.
“I’m not limping, you idiot!” I snapped. “You’re the one who’s not only limping but stupid!*
Something flickered in Henry’s grey eyes – was that amusement? Five years ago, I would have smiled apologetically at his taunts and walked away. The old Sophia had been gentle as water, never talking back, always trying to keep the peace. But. that Sophia was gone, replaced by someone who wasn’t afraid to bare her teeth.
“Oh? Henry’s voice carried that dangerous silk–wrapped–steel tone. “So you’ve gotten stupid enough that it’s affecting your ability to walk? That explains a lot.”
“The only thing affected by stupidity here is your ability to see what’s right in front of you,” I shot back, my hands clenching into fists. “Tell me, Henry, does Isabella know you’re playing happy family with us tonight? Or is this just another one of your games?”
His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Watch your mouth, Sophia. There are things you don’t understand.”
“Oh, I understand perfectly,” I laughed bitterly. “You want to keep everything – your perfect mistress, your obedient wife, your heir. But life doesn’t work that way, Henry. You can’t have it all.”
“Can’t I?” His smile was cold as winter frost. “Look at you now, getting all worked up while I hold Billy. The old Sophia would never dare speak to me this way.”
“The old Sophia was a fool,” I spat the words like poison. “She thought patience and love could thaw a frozen heart. But you can’t thaw what isn’t there, can you?”
“Careful,” he warned softly. “You’re starting to sound bitter. It doesn’t suit you.”
I watched him shift Billy in his arms, noting how our son clung to his father’s neck. The sight made my blood boil even hotter.
“Billy,” Henry’s voice softened as he addressed our son, “sit tight in my arms while I help your mother into the car.”
Billy’s face lit up with delight. “Okay! Hurry, Daddy! Mommy always forgets things when she goes out. She probably forgot her brain at home today too!”
“Is that so?” Henry’s voice held an unusual warmth as he looked at our son. “And what else does Mommy forget?”
“Everything!” Billy giggled, clearly enjoying his father’s attention. “Last week she couldn’t find her keys, but they were in her hand the whole time! Daddy, you’ll help Mommy remember things, right?”
“That’s right,” Henry agreed, patting Billy’s head indulgently. “Semeone has to look after your forgetful mother.”
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I stared at my son in disbeliet. Is it too late to stuff him back in and start over? The thought was ridiculous enough to almost make me laugh, despite my fury. He’s my own flesh and lipod, I reminded myself. I have to go easy on him when I eventually throttle him.
Heikey approached me with that infuriating almost–smile that never quite reached his eyes. “Need help walking, Mrs. *Harding?
“You bastard, give me back my son! 1 lunged forward, but he easily sidestepped my attempt. Keep harassing us and III call the police! Money doesn’t put you above the law!”
“Stop making a scene,” Henry warned, his voice dropping dangerously low. “You’re embarrassing your alma mater with this
behavior.”
“My alma mater would be proud!” I shot back. “They’d applaud the for seeing through your manipulation, for finally standing up for myself! The only embarrassment here is you!”
Without warning, Henry shifted Billy to one arm and scooped me up with the other in one fluid motion. Before I could process what was happening, his hand landed a sharp, stinging slap on my bottom.
“Put me down!” I hissed, struggling against his iron grip. “This is assault!”
“Assault?” His breath was hot against my ear. I’m merely helping my forgetful wife to the car. Isn’t that right, Billy?”
“Yeah!” Billy clapped excitedly. “Daddy’s so strong, he can carry both of us!”
I twisted in Henry’s grip, furious at his manhandling and even more furious at how easily he’d turned it into a game for Billy’s benefit. “You arrogant bastard,” I whispered so only he could hear. “You think you can just—”
Another sharp smack cut off my words. “Language, Mrs. Harding Henry murmured, his voice dangerously soft. “There are children present.“, satisfaction coursing through me at having struck a nerve. “Henry,” I switched tactics, “aren’t you worried someone might send photos of this to Isabella?”
His entire body went rigid at the mention of her name. “Don’t you know she’d leave you if she saw this?” I pressed on, knowing I was playing with fire.
The sharp smack on my bottom caught me completely off guard “One more word about her,” Henry growled, “and I’ll throw you over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes.”
“Why can’t you just let me go?” I demanded, fighting against his grip as he forcibly guided me toward the car. “If you love Isabella so much, why keep dragging this out? You can’t have us both, Henry! She wouldn’t stand for it, and neither will I!”
“You promised we’d divorce after Grandpa’s surgery,” I reminded him, my voice cracking slightly. “Or was that just another
lie?”
Suddenly, Billy’s voice piped up, “Mommy, stop being difficult! Daddy’s being nice and carrying you. Isn’t this what you wanted? Our family together?”
Inside the car, I turned to stare out the window, fighting back tears of frustration. My precious son, I thought bitterly, Henry’s most loyal supporter. Still, I reminded myself, He’s my flesh and blood. When the time comes to teach him a lesson, I’ll have to remember not to be too harsh.
The city lights blurred past the window as Henry’s expensive car purred to life. In the reflection of the glass, I could see Billy beaming at his father with pure adoration, while Henry’s expression remained unreadable. The perfect family
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Chapter 28
I stared at my son in disbelier. Is it too late to stuff him back in and start over? The thought was ridiculous enough to almost make me laugh, despite my fury. He’s my own flesh and bood, I reminded myself. I have to go easy on him when I eventually throttle him.
Heiky approached me with that infuriating almost–smile that never quite reached his eyes, “Need help walking, Mrs. Harding?”
“You bastard, give me back my son! I lunged forward, but he easily sidestepped my attempt. “Keep harassing us and I’ll call the police! Money doesn’t put you above the law!”
“Stop making a scene,” Henry warned, his voice dropping dangerously low. “You’re embarrassing your alma mater with this
behavior.”
“My alma mater would be proud!” I shot back. “They’d applaud the for seeing through your manipulation, for finally standing up for myself! The only embarrassment here is you!”
Without warning, Henry shifted Billy to one arm and scooped me up with the other in one fluid motion. Before I could process what was happening, his hand landed a sharp, stinging slap on my bottom.
“Put me down!” I hissed, struggling against his iron grip. “This is assault!”
“Assault?” His breath was hot against my ear. I’m merely helping my forgetful
wife
to
the car.
Isn’t that right, Billy?”
“Yeah!” Billy clapped excitedly. “Daddy’s so strong, he can carry both of us!”
I twisted in Henry’s grip, furious at his manhandling and even more furious at how easily he’d turned it into a game for Billy’s benefit. “You arrogant bastard,” I whispered so only he could hear. “You think you can just—”
Another sharp smack cut off my words. “Language, Mrs. Harding Henry murmured, his voice dangerously soft. “There are children present.“, satisfaction coursing through me at having struck a nerve. “Henry,” I switched tactics, “aren’t you worried someone might send photos of this to Isabella?”
His entire body went rigid at the mention of her name. “Don’t you know she’d leave you if she saw this?” I pressed on, knowing I was playing with fire.
The sharp smack on my bottom caught me completely off
throw you over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes.”
guard
“One more word about her,” Henry growled, “and I’ll
“Why can’t you just let me go?” I demanded, fighting against his grip as he forcibly guided me toward the car. “If you love Isabella so much, why keep dragging this out? You can’t have us both, Henry! She wouldn’t stand for it, and neither will–I!”
“You promised we’d divorce after Grandpa’s surgery,” I reminded him, my voice cracking slightly. “Or was that just another
lie?”
Suddenly, Billy’s voice piped up, “Mommy, stop being difficult! Daddy’s being nice and carrying you. Isn’t this what you wanted? Our family together?”
Inside the car, I turned to stare out the window, fighting back tears of frustration. My precious son, I thought bitterly, Henry’s most loyal supporter. Still, I reminded myself, He’s my flesh and blood. When the time comes to teach him a lesson, I’ll have to remember not to be too harsh.
The city lights blurred past the window as Henry’s expensive car purred to life. In the reflection of the glass, I could see Billy beaming at his father with pure adoration, while Henry’s expression remained unreadable. The perfect family
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Chapter 28
portrait, except for the wife who refused to play her assigned toe anymore.
Don’t worry, Billy, I thought, allowing myself a small, grim smile Mommy will remember you’re her baby when she’s teaching you a lesson. I’ll be very, very gentle….probably.
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