Reborn
Chapter 337
“Why are you asking this? What does it matter?” Thomas was completely shocked by my intensity.
My brain was working overtime, frantically searching through my memories, trying to transport myself back to that night six years ago.
It had been pouring rain, and my coworker couldn’t arrive for her 10:30 PM shift, so she asked me to cover for her.
I agreed and started my rounds of the guest rooms at exactly 10:30 PM.
When I reached the seventeenth floor, I ran into Thomas’s mother.
Mrs. Sanders stopped me in the hallway, her words dripping with hostility. “Sophia, people should know their place. Some things don’t need to be spelled out, do they? You and my Thomas aren’t cut from the same cloth. You’ll never fit into our world. I suggest you drop whatever ideas you have and focus on your studies instead.”
Despite her thinly veiled insults, I maintained a polite smile. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Sanders. I have no interest in things that don’t belong to me. Perhaps you should keep a closer eye on your son–maybe tie him to your belt loop to stop him from running around everywhere.”
Back then, Thomas hadn’t even confessed any feelings for me, yet his mother was already hostile.
I was completely bewildered by her attitude.
I’d considered talking to Thomas, asking him to explain to his mother that I already had a boyfriend and nothing would ever happen between us. But since Thomas had never actually confessed to me, approaching him would have seemed presumptuous on my part.
Mrs. Sanders snorted, scrutinizing me with a judgmental gaze that seemed to last forever. Finally, she spoke with naked superiority: “Girls like you, from such humble backgrounds, are only interested in what’s in a man’s wallet. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re after–you’re just hoping to get your hands on the Sanders family fortune.”
“Here’s a check for one million dollars,” she continued. “Take it, leave Manhattan, and never show your face again.” As she spoke, a check floated from her hand, landing right at my feet. The humiliation burned through me, turning my face scarlet.
I didn’t pick up the check. Instead, I faced her with dignity. “Mrs. Sanders, in your world, does money buy everything?”
“Let me tell you something,” I continued steadily. “There are things in this world money can’t buy–like sincerity and dignity.” At nineteen, I’d never dealt with anything like this before. Simply not breaking down was my last act of defiance.
I turned and walked away on shaky legs.
Just as I left, I noticed a strange, indescribable scent in the air. I ignored it and continued my rounds. I hadn’t gone far when a large hand covered my mouth. The next thing I knew, I was being dragged into a dark room.
What followed was something that would haunt me for the rest of my life.
Thomas wasn’t even there that night–so how could he possibly know Henry had been at the hotel?
Thomas had clearly expected me to confront Henry about Isabella after this revelation.
However, his information had only piqued my curiosity.
“Sophia, don’t you understand what I’m saying?” he pressed. “The man is tainted. I’m telling you this because I don’t want you to even consider remarrying him. He’s dirty–he doesn’t deserve you.”
I barely listened, my mind racing with connections and possibilities. Looking up at the man who towered over me by half a head, I felt increasingly suspicious.
1/2
Chapter 337
Just tell me one thing, I said, “Were you actually there when they checked in? Did you personally see them enter the same room? Or is this something your mother told you?“:
What happened years ago was in the past. I had no interest in dwelling on the past or whatever might have occurred between Isabella and Henry, But if there had been a witness to what happened to me that night…
I wouldn’t mind finding that witness and pressing charges against my attacker,
Thomas had clearly hoped this information would create a rift between Henry and me, driving us further apart.
However, he was discovering that my focus wasn’t on whether Henry and Isabella had slept together at all.
After struggling with his thoughts for a long time, Thomas finally conceded: “I don’t actually know the details. My mother mentioned it in passing. If you want to know more, you could come to my house. I can arrange for you two to meet.”
By then, I’d lost all interest in the subject.
I gave him a cool look: “No thanks. Your mother and I have nothing to discuss.”
Six years ago, Mrs. Sanders had used every means at her disposal to break me down. She’d contributed significantly to my decision to jump into the sea after discovering my pregnancy. Now, the idea of sitting down for a friendly chat with her was laughable!
I turned away from Thomas and headed back toward the table where Henry and Billy were sitting.
Thomas reached out to grab my arm, but I moved too quickly, and his hand closed on empty air. Looking at his empty palm, Thomas’s face filled with emotion.
“Sophia,” he called after me, “you’re divorced from Henry now. Can’t you give me even one chance?”
His only answer was my resolute back and silence.
When I returned to our table, Billy had already finished his ice cream. Watching my son’s satisfied expression as he contentedly closed his eyes, I shook my head with resignation. Billy had a sensitive stomach, especially in winter. I wasn’t sure if his digestive system could handle it.
I usually refused to let Billy eat ice cream, and today it was all Henry’s fault!
I was just about to blame Henry when he spoke first:
“Still have feelings for Thomas?”
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