Chapter 92
She joined me at the window, her jaw dropping as she took in the scene. ‘Holy shit. Is that-”
“Henry,‘ I confirmed, unable to tear my eyes away from the spectacle below.
“And he’s throwing money around?” Betty squinted in disbelief. “I knew he was rich, but this is just…”
‘Insane,” I finished for her.
Billy squeezed between us, his small face lighting up when he spotted his father. “Dad’s here! Can we go see him?”
I hesitated, thinking this frenzied scene might not be appropriate for Billy to be involved in.
“Billy, go back to bed. Mom needs to go down and talk to Dad about some things,” I said softly, quickly pulling on jeans beneath my nightshirt.
Billy’s eyes showed obvious disappointment. “Okay, I’ll wait for you to come back.”
I motioned to Betty, “Let’s go down before he gets himself arrested.”
As I headed for the door, Betty grabbed my arm. “Are you sure? If you meet him, all our previous efforts will be wasted.”
‘I don’t have a choice,” I replied, gesturing to the window. “If I don’t go down there, who knows what he’ll do next?”
She reluctantly nodded.
When we stepped outside, the cold winter air hit me. I hadn’t put on a proper coat, and my thin nightshirt offered little protection against the cold.
Henry spotted me immediately, his eyes lighting up with joy, making me momentarily forget my anger.
For a brief moment, I seemed to glimpse a shadow of the Henry I had fallen in love with years ago in the Henry standing before me now.
Betty stepped forward, pointing an accusatory finger at Henry. “You unbelievable asshole! Do you have any idea what time it is? You think you can just show up drunk in the middle of the night, disturbing an entire building full of people?”
Before she could continue her tirade, Benjamin smoothly intercepted her, guiding her several steps away with surprising efficiency. “Let me explain what happened,” I heard him murmur, leading her away from the confrontation.
Left alone, I cautiously approached Henry. The smell of alcohol surrounded him–not just the usual whiskey scent, but a mixture of various strong spirits.
“How much have you had to drink?” I asked, feeling more concerned than angry despite myself.
Henry didn’t answer, instead wrapping his arms around my waist from behind, pulling me against his chest with such sudden force that I gasped. I tried to pull away, but his embrace was impossible to escape.
“Let me go, Henry,” I said, keeping my voice low and gentle, aware we had an audience of neighbors still watching us with undisguised curiosity.
“Can’t,” he mumbled against my hair. “If I let go, you’ll run away again.”
People were beginning to recognize him now, whispers spreading through the crowd, and some even took out their phones to record this absurd scene.
“That’s Henry Harding!” I heard someone exclaim “The richest man in the city!”
I shivered in the cold night air, my body trembling against Henry’s.
“Bad woman,” he slurred into my ear, though despite the accusation, his voice was surprisingly tender. “Making me chase you like this.”
Before I could respond, he spun me around to face him, pulling me into a tight embrace. With fumbling fingers, he unbuttoned his coat and wrapped it around both of us, cocooning me in his warmth.
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Chapter 92
“There,” he said with drunken satisfaction. “Now you won’t be cold.”
My heart raced at the sudden intimacy, my face pressed against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat, steady and strong.
“Come home with me,‘ he whispered,
“I can’t,” I replied softly. “My home is here now. Let Benjamin take you home, Henry.”
He pulled back slightly, cradling my face in his hands, tilting his head as he examined me from side to side. Fine,” he said after a moment. Then I’ll stay with you.”
Before I could protest, he’d scooped me against him and was heading toward the building entrance.
“Henry, wait-” I began, but my words were cut short as he suddenly dipped his head down, capturing my lips in a gentle kiss.
Since I’d known him, this was the first time Henry had displayed affection in public–and in front of dozens of witnesses with camera phones.
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