Chapter 95
Henry rose from the bed in one fuld metinn, backing me into the corner of Retty’s meal vorm. As he wvgrad, his que nece bit vành, tip, the predatory grace returning now that he was fully sober.
After heating his emotional confessions last night drunk though he was I couldnt maintain the came lest of ages 1 if her masing ko dut
“You’re coming home with me,” he stated matter of factly, closing the distance between us
Before I could formulate a response, his strong arms enveloped me, pulling me against his chest in an ameace e right it nearly robbed me if bread The familiar scent of his cologne, the solid warmth of his body my traitorous senses responded instantly, making me male against him despite my ketter judgment.
Henry, I whispered, pushing against his chest. “Let me go.”
“No.”
I struggled harder. This doesn’t change anything. One night doesn’t erase what you’ve done.
“I don’t care,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. ‘You’re my wife. You belong at home–with me.”
The mention of “home” instantly rekindled my resistance. The thought of returning to Maple Grove, of facing Catherine and Grads contemptoms starts of living under their constant scrutiny and mockery…
“I’m not going back there,” I said firmly, finally managing to break free of his embrace. “I won’t subject myself to your mother and sister’s cruelty again.
Henry’s jaw tightened. “This isn’t a negotiation, Sophia. I’m not asking you to come home–I’m telling you.”
“And I’m telling you no,” I countered, lifting my chin defiantly. “I’ve signed the divorce papers. It’s over, Henry.”
Something dangerous flashed in his eyes. “If that’s your decision,” he said, his voice dropping to that terrifyingly calm tone I knew too well, then you never see Billy again.”
My heart stopped. “What?”
“You heard me.” His expression was completely unreadable now. “If you don’t return to Maple Grove today, you’ll never see your son again.”
“You can’t do that,” I whispered, though we both knew he absolutely could.
Henry didn’t bother responding. He simply turned and walked out of the bedroom. By the time I rushed after him, he was already in Billy’s room, quickly gathering our son’s belongings.
“Dad?” Billy asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes as Henry lifted him into his arms.
“We’re going home,” Henry said, his voice immediately softening when addressing our son.
“But Mom- Billy began to protest.
“Mom’s coming later,” Henry assured him, already heading for the door.
I stood frozen, watching helplessly as Henry carried Billy away. The boy’s sleepy eyes caught mine from over his father’s shoulder, his small face etched with confusion and concern before they disappeared from view.
In the blink of an eye, they were gone.
Moments later, Betty emerged from her bedroom, hair tousled and eyes still heavy with sleep. “What’s going on? What’s that je. early in the morning?”
“He took him,” I whispered, collapsing onto the sofa. “Henry took Billy.”
g making a scene so.
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Chapter 95
Betty was instantly alert. “What? When? Just now?
I nodded, my hand covering my mouth to stifle a sob. He said if I don’t move back to Maple Grove today, I’ll never a Billy again
“That manipulative son of a bitch!” Refly exploded, pacing the living room. We should call the policer
I laughed hollowly. “And tell them what? That a father took his son home? He’s still legally Bully’s father.
Betty sat beside me, taking my hands in hers. Then fight him, Sophia. File for divorce. Take him to court for custody.”
I sighed, feeling the weight of defeat settling over me. ‘Henry’s lawyer is Frank Wall–the man who once got the opposing counsel disbarred dining a case No one will take this on, Betty. No one dares go against him.”
“Then run,” Betty suggested, her eyes lighting up. “Take Billy and disappear. Change your names, start over somewhere newr.
I gave her a sad smile. ‘First I need to get Billy back. That’s the priority now.”
Across town, Isabella sat in her hospital room, scrolling through the comments on her latest social media post. She’d become something of a minor coleg her relationship with Henry making her the subject of endless online speculation.
The door opened, and her aunt entered carrying an expensive flower arrangement.
“Isabella, darling! How are you feeling today?” the woman gushed, though her eyes darted around the luxury hospital suite with barely concealed calculation.
Isabella immediately recognized that look. Her aunt hadn’t visited once during her years abroad, yet here she was now, hovering like a volture,
“What do you want, Aunt Margaret?” she asked bluntly.
The woman’s smile faltered slightly. “Can’t I visit my favorite niece?”
“Cut the act, Isabella said coldly. “You’ve never cared about me before. What is it?”
Her aunt’s demeanor shifted instantly, the false concern replaced by her true purpose. “It’s about your cousin Kevin. He’s in some trouble, and I thought perhaps, given your… relationship with Henry Harding…”
Isabella laughed, the sound brittle and without humor. “Let me guess. Cousin Kevin is facing criminal charges, and you want me to ask Henry to make them disappear?”
“He just made one mistake!” her aunt protested. “The girl
was
practically enticing him, wearing that short skirt-”
“Get out, Isabella interrupted, her voice deadly quiet.
“But-”
“I said get out!” Isabella repeated, reaching for her phone. “Or I’ll call security.”
After her aunt left, Isabella immediately contacted Nancy. “Call Henry, she instructed. “Tell him exactly what just happened, and that I’m upset.”
As dusk settled over Manhattan, Henry stood on the second–floor balcony of Maple Grove, his eyes fixed on the main entrance. The temperature had dropped with the setting sun, but he barely noticed the cold.
He’d used Billy to force Sophia’s hand, a tactic he knew was cruel but effective. Why engage in a protracted tug–of–war when he had the weapon that would guarantee bringing her back–Billy?
Yet as darkness fell with no sign of her, even the normally confident Henry began to doubt his strategy. Had he pushed to
is time?
Just as uncertainty began to gnaw at him, the gates swung open. A taxi pulled up, and a slender figure emerged from the back seat.
Henry’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the familiar silhouette, her delicate frame unmistakable even from a distance.
2/3
The Ex–Wife’s Redemption: A Love Reborn
