Chapter 131
Henry seemed satisfied that he had achieved his goal as he headed toward our bedroom.
The house was well–heated, and even though he was only wearing thin pajamas, he didn’t show any signs of being cold while walking down the mature
When I pushed open the bedroom door, Henry had already completely stripped naked and was lying face down on the bed with just a white towel draped across his lower back.
He looked exactly like a spa customer waiting for service, his posture radiating an entitled arrogance.
Hearing the door open, Henry didn’t even bother to lift his head.
“You didn’t like the birthday gift I sent earlier, so I picked something else,” he said casually, as if our earlier confrontations had never happened.
“It’s on the nightstand. Take a look. If you don’t like it, I can exchange it again.”
I walked over and opened the box sitting on the nightstand.
Inside lay a platinum necklace with a pink diamond pendant the size of a pigeon’s egg, sparkling brilliantly even in the dim bedroom light.
Henry remained face–down on the bed as he spoke. “Sophia, I want to apologize again for what happened this morning. I’m sorry. His tone shifted slightly. “The necklace is my birthday gift to you. I know it’s a bit late, but it’s a small token of my appreciation.”
Listen to that condescending tone–his apology sounded more like he was bestowing a royal pardon.
I carefully placed the gift box back on the nightstand.
“You should keep this and give it to Miss Isabella instead. Besides, we’re getting divorced soon. It’s not appropriate for you to give me necklaces.
Henry finally raised his head, his eyes narrowing. “Divorce? You’ll complete these hundred back scrubs first, then we can talk.”
I gritted my teeth in frustration.
This infuriating man was impossible–making me both love and hate him at the same time.
Henry laid his head back down and impatiently called out, “Sophia, hurry up.”
*Fine, fine, fine. I’ll get some water ready,” I responded half–heartedly, heading to the bathroom. Once inside, I started running water into the tub.
Henry lay on the bed listening to the water running, waiting for me to return. Minutes passed, and his patience began to wear thin. His naked body developed goosebumps in the increasingly chilly air. Finally unable to wait any longer, he got up only to discover I’d locked the bathroom door from the
inside.
“Sophia!” he shouted, banging on the door.
Meanwhile, I was luxuriating in the massage tub, enjoying the relaxing sensation of warm water easing the tension from my body. I closed my eyes in bliss, completely ignoring Henry’s increasingly agitated calls from outside.
I let my mind wander. If Henry wanted to wait, let him wait. The door was locked, and I had no interest in dealing with his tantrum right now.
ow who Billy’s
From his attitude, I’d made at least some progress on the divorce front. Once William’s heart transplant surgery was successful, I could finally be single again. I’d move in with Betty, and we’d support each other–I’d be the mom, and Betty would be the dad figure. Even though I d biological father was, I could raise him perfectly well on my own.
Speaking of Billy’s father, I’d never tried to find him, nor did I want to. Since I’d managed to give birth to my son alone, I could certainly raise him alone
too.
Just then, Billy’s voice came from outside the bathroom door. “Mommy, are you in there?” His sweet, childish voice pulled me from my thoughts.
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Chapter 131
I quickly responded, “Billy, why are you up? Mommy will be out in a minute.
I hastily finished my bath and emerged wrapped in a bathrobe to find a sleepy eyed Billy holding a chocolate bar—obviously Henry’s reward for Ingin ye
out.
I immediately recognized the father–son conspiracy and scolded, “Billy! No chocolate at night! It’ll give you cavities!
That manipulative bastard! Using a small child like this! Henry, you’re even exploiting a child this young? Doesn’t your conscience bother you? Or did a dog eat it?”
To my surprise, Billy enthusiastically offered to share half his chocolate with me, which made me both amused and touched. I gently coazed him back for bed, making sure he brushed his teeth first.
After Billy left, Henry was still lying face–down, still expecting his back scrub. I approached him with barely contained frustration and began serubbing hi back with excessive force, turning his skin red.
Remarkably, Henry maintained his composure, acting as if nothing unusual was happening, though I caught a glimpse of satisfaction in the corner of his
eye.
When I finished, I silently began calculating my debt ledger.
Seriously? Did I really have to go through this ninety–nine more times?
I decided that cooking for Henry should also count toward my debt repayment–one meal should be worth $1 million, which seemed perfectly reasonable to
- me.
After putting Billy to sleep, I stayed beside him until his breathing became deep and regular. Later, Henry silently approached the bed where his wife and son slept and carefully slipped his arm around my waist.
In the middle of the night, I was awakened by the buzzing of a phone.
Feeling the arm tightly wrapped around my waist and catching the faint scent of fresh grass cologne, I immediately knew who was holding me.
“Henry, your phone!” I pushed him irritably before rolling over to continue sleeping.
Henry answered the call. It was Nancy, and even from my position, I could hear her distressed voice clearly through the speaker.
“Mr. Harding, something terrible has happened!”
Nancy sounded frantic, her voice punctuated by sobs. “Miss Isabella is gone!”
‘I’ve searched the entire hospital and couldn’t find her anywhere.”
“Mr. Harding, I didn’t mean to disturb your rest, but I’ve been looking for Miss Isabella for a long time and can’t find her. I’m so worried about her.”
The night was quiet, with the gentle sound of rain.
At this moment, I was no longer sleepy, only filled with/questions: Would Henry leave the house in such cold weather?
The man behind me hesitated slightly, then grabbed his phone and got out of bed.
Then came the sound of the bedroom door opening and closing.
I didn’t hear Henry’s response, but I already anticipated the outcome.
In the darkness, I opened my eyes, staring into the black night with clear awareness
I was waiting, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Soon, I heard the sound of a car engine starting, followed by the sound of tires rolling over the wet ground.
Chapter 131
The light in my eyes gradually faded away, leaving only deathly silence,
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