Chapter 33
The grandfather clock in the hallway struck midnight, its sofern chimes echoing through the silent corridors of Maple Grove. I stood in my bedroom doorway, one hand gripping the handle of my suitcase, the other pressed against the solid wood of the door frame.
I’m leaving Harding Estate, I announced to Henty, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands.
I’d delayed this moment for days, weathering Grace’s taunts and Catherine’s barbed comments, weighing the cost of my decision. My salary would mean no more private schools, no more designer clothes for Billy. But anything was better than watching my son grow up in this gilded cage of manipulation and rruelty.
The thought of Billy made me pause. Sweet, precocious Billy, who wasn’t even Henry’s son, though no one but me and Henry knew that truth.
I met Henry’s gaze steadily, my eyes reflecting nothing but cool indifference. This wasn’t my husband anymore just another obstacle between me and freedom.
“Excuse me,” I said, attempting to push past him. His body remained immovable as granite, the expensive fabric of his suit brushing against my arm.
Leaving Harding Estate?” His voice carried that familiar note of mockery that had become the soundtrack to our marriage.
I straightened my spine, reminding myself that I was no longer that naive girl who’d married him five years ago. “Yes, Mr. Harding. I believe I made myself clear.”
“Mr. Harding?” His lips curved into a cruel smile. “How formal. Have we become strangers so quickly?”
“Weren’t we always?” The words slipped out before I could stop them, sharp as broken glass.
Henry’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “These past five years, you’ve enjoyed every privilege the Harding name could offer. And now there’s the matter of the ten million dollars in compensation we discussed. Shouldn’t we settle accounts before you leave?”
The words hit me like a physical blow. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe, rage closing my throat more effectively than any hand. “Ten million?” I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper. “Where exactly do you expect me to get that kind of money? Should I rob a bank?”
A bitter laugh escaped me. “Henry Harding, your shamelessness truly knows no bounds. Even the thickest glass in the world isn’t as thick as your skin!”
I wanted to scream every curse I knew, to let five years of suppressed rage explode in his face. But Billy was sleeping in the next room, and I wouldn’t let him hear his mother lose control.
Henry’s smile never wavered, cold amusement dancing in his grey eyes. “Hasn’t the Harding family given you and Billy the best of everything? And correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t you say you’d accept any conditions as long as I agreed to the divorce?”
He looked perfectly composed in his tailored suit, but to me, he suddenly resembled nothing so much as a loan shark coming to collect a debt.
“You…” My chest felt tight, each breath a struggle. I had said those words, drunk on desperation and hope. “I only want Billy’s custody. Whatever other conditions you want, I’ll accept.” The memory of my own voice mocked me now.
“And yet here you are,” Henry’s satisfaction was palpable, “making grand gestures without the means to back them up. Why pretend to be so generous when you can’t even afford the basic price of freedom?”
He stepped closer, and I caught a whiff of his familiar cologne – the same scent that had once made my heart race, now making my stomach turn. “These are my terms,” he said softly. “Meet them, and I’ll sign the divorce papers immediately.”
I closed my eyes, fighting back the urge to slap the smug expression off his face. When I opened them again, my voice was steady. “Fine. I’ll get you your ten million. Now will you sign?”
Something flickered in Henry’s eyes as he watched me – a memory, perhaps, of other nights when I’d stood before him like this, proud and defiant despite my fear. His gaze traveled down my body, lingering in places that made my skin crawl. For a moment, I saw raw desire flash across his features, quickly masked by his usual cold control…
“What about Grandpa?” His voice dropped lower, dangerous. “He’s in the hospital, fighting for his life, and you choose now to demand a divorce? Are you trying to speed up his death?”
1/2
Chapter 33
The uccusation hit its mark. I felt my resolve waver. William had always been kind to me, treating me more like a granddaughter than an nburg
“If you insist on hurting Grandpa this way, Henry continued, pressing his advantage, “there will be consequences. We agreed to wait until his condition. stabilized. Are you going back on your word?”
My fingers tightened on my suitcase handle until my knuckles turned white. “Fine,” I spat the word like poison. But the ten million will have to be paid in installments. You know my financial situation!”
A spark of triumph lit Henry’s eyes, but I wasn’t finished. “And you push too hard, I’ll never divorce you. Let your precious Isabella wait forever!”
His jaw clenched at the mention of Isabella’s name, but I pressed on, beyond caring about consequences. But let me be clear – until the divorce, I won’t stay at Harding Estate, I’m moving out! And keep your family’s attack dogs on a leash. I won’t tolerate harassment from your mother or your sister!”
I pushed forward with my suitcase, forcing Henry to step aside or be
- er. “Excuse me, Harding.”
What happened next seemed to unfold in slow motion. Henry stumbled backward, his usual grace deserting him as he clutched his ankle, his face contorting in pain.
“Sophia Wilson,” he ground out, “this is assault. I’ll have my lawyers-
‘Please do!” I cut him off, savage satisfaction coursing through my veins. “Let all of New York see how fragile the Harding heir is. One little bump and he’s crippled!*
I made it halfway to Billy’s room before something in Henry’s continued expressions of pain made me pause. A chill ran down my spine as I considered the possibilities. Would he really fake an injury to trap me? Or worse, had I actually hurt him?
Either way, a lawsuit would be disastrous. I couldn’t afford lawyers, couldn’t risk losing access to Billy over this.
Slowly, against my better judgment, I turned back. “Are you alright?”
Chapter Comments
.1
POST COMMENT NOW
< SHARE
