Chapter 172
Henry’s response to my divorce post shocked all netizens.
After all, what kind of billionaire would haggle over a mere ten million dollars? For him, it was just pocket change clearly nothing but an excuse to prevent our divorce.
StarSpangledSoul: Tsk, look at Mr. Harding’s tone, he’s clearly playing dirty because he doesn’t want a divorce! A mere ten million is nothing to him, why is he being so calculating with Sophia? It’s obvious he doesn’t want to divorce!
EagleEyeExplorer: If he doesn’t want a divorce, why not just say so? Does Mr. Harding not have a mouth? Instead he demands ten million from the woman, making me think he’s a beggar!
Freedom Fanatic: In my opinion, Mr. Harding probably feels resentful about raising someone else’s son for several years, so he’s demanding financial compensation from Sophia. Besides this explanation, I can’t think of any other reasonable one.
The internet exploded with reactions. Some strangers even offered to crowdfund my “debt to Henry.
“Let’s all chip in and buy her Mrs. Harding title!” one commenter wrote. “Then I can say I’m Mrs. Harding too!*
A wealthy female entrepreneur even publicly pledged five million dollars. “Just divorce him already, darling! Sell me that Mrs. Harding title. Let this sister play with your CEO husband for a few days. When I’m tired of him, I’ll pass him to the next girl!”
While this circus played out online, Henry remained focused on work, completely unaware of the storm he’d created. But Isabella, confined to her hospital bed, was shaking with fury, her face ashen as she scrolled through these comments.
If Henry truly wanted a divorce, would he care about ten million dollars? The answer was obvious–he didn’t want to divorce Sophia at all.
Realizing this made Isabella somewhat frantic.
Her situation at the hospital had also deteriorated. Once enjoying an entire floor to herself, her VIP ward was suddenly filled with noisy patients. She didn’t even need to guess who was behind this–it was certainly William’s doing.
Isabella wanted to call Henry and complain, but after everything that had happened, she lacked the courage. All she could do was suffer in silence, biting her lower lip until it bled.
Nancy noticed the blood and quickly brought a cotton swab. “Miss Scott, you’re bleeding!”
Isabella glanced coldly at the cotton swab in her hand, turning her face away. “I don’t need it!”
Nancy had planned to offer some comforting words, but seeing Isabella’s irritable state, she simply turned and left. Alone in her hospital room, Isabella felt waves of misery washing over her.
In the hospital room, when Mark reported Isabella’s situation to William, his expression remained calm. “This is just the beginning,” he said coolly. “She has much more suffering ahead of her.”
The next day, after finishing work, I hurried to William’s hospital room to pick up Billy.
I had barely slept the night before and was struggling to stay awake. All I wanted was to get my son and go home for some proper rest.
When I saw William, I greeted him warmly, pretending everything was normal. The old man’s face lit up at the sight of me, and Billy ran to embrace me. Jus as I was preparing to leave with him, an unwelcome voice broke the peaceful atmosphere.
“Grandfather!”
Henry stood in the doorway. After posting that ridiculous demand for money, he had been obsessively checking his phone, desperately hoping for my
response.
My silence had finally angered him, and he had even come to the hospital in person to find me.
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Chapter 172
Henry first went to the cardiology department, but I wasn’t there.
Henry felt deflated, like punching a pillow and feeling no satisfaction.
Then, he heard my voice coming from his grandfather’s room, and his anger dissipated, replaced by an odd sense of satisfaction,
When Henry pushed open the door, he saw Sophia with back turned, holding Billy as they talked. The soft hospital lighting cast a gentle glow around Sophia.
Henry stared, momentarily transfixed.
William’s face brightened when he saw his grandson in the doorway. He knew why Henry had come to the hospital–to win back his wife.
At least the boy wasn’t a lost cause.
Although I heard Henry’s voice, I deliberately didn’t turn around. Instead, I continued chatting with Billy as if Henry were a complete stranger.
As far as I was concerned, he already was.
Billy’s eyes lit up at the sight of his father, but noticing my indifference, he suppressed his urge to run to Henry and remained silent, not even calling out “Dad.”
William sensed the tension between us and exchanged a meaningful glance with Mark before turning to me. “Sophia dear, I feel a bit stuffy in here. I’d like to go for a walk. Would that be alright?”
Mark immediately brought a thick coat for William, then smiled at Billy. “Billy, would you like to accompany your great–grandfather for a walk?”
Billy agreed immédiately, delighting both William and Mark. Clever Billy completely understood their intention–to create a private space for Henry and me.
Within moments, the room had emptied, leaving only Henry and me. I grabbed my bag and headed for the door without hesitation.
I understood William’s matchmaking attempt, but as far as I was concerned, everything between Henry and me had already been said. There was nothing left to discuss except divorce papers.
I turned coldly and walked toward the exit. I’d barely taken two steps when Henry blocked my path, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. His deep eyes narrowed as he studied me, clearly not intending to let me pass.
Seeing he wouldn’t let me through, I spoke first, trying to keep my voice as neutral as possible.
‘Excuse me, sir, you’re blocking my way.”
At this point, I just wanted our divorce finalized as quickly and painlessly as possible.
‘To end everything cleanly and efficiently.
Henry scoffed, giving me a contemptuous look. “Sir? You don’t recognize me?”
I had clearly wounded his pride. My courage shocked him–he was probably used to me cowering before him.
I lifted my chin slightly, meeting his cold eyes without emotion. “I genuinely don’t.”
I held his gaze steadily. This man who had once been the center of my world was now nothing more than a stranger to me.
The Ex–Wife’s Redemption: A Love Reborn