Chapter 355
I stood frozen in place, watching Henry approach from beneath a large sycamore tree.
The flickering streetlights illuminated his tall, slender figure as he deliberately slowed his pace, a half–finished cigarette between his fingers.
The night breeze caught the edge of his black coat, revealing his long legs. He moved so slowly, as if savoring the last moments of the cigarette burning between his fingers.
Looking at him, I felt transported back in time.
That face that seemed unfairly blessed by God–the one I’d fallen for years ago–despite everything that had happened between us, it still affected me the same way.
Meanwhile, Billy’s little mouth hadn’t stopped moving since he’d jumped into my arms.
“Mommy, Daddy and I flew here on an airplane!” he exclaimed excitedly. “The flight attendants were so pretty, but not as pretty as the girl who sits next to me în class!”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his innocent declaration. “You’re quite the loyal one, aren’t you!”
Billy nodded proudly. “Of course I am!”
Alexander stood a short distance away, his expression growing increasingly dismayed. When Billy suddenly appeared in my arms, Alexander’s carefully planned evening instantly fell apart. He had arranged everything so meticulously, and now these two unexpected visitors had suddenly appeared.
Standing on the cold, windswept street, watching the happy interaction between me and my son, Alexander felt his heart breaking.
All his hopes for the evening vanished before his eyes.
Billy noticed Alexander and immediately waved to him. “Uncle Alexander, hello!” His childish voice carried across the space between them. “If you’re taking my mommy on a trip, you should have brought me too!” Then, with childlike directness, he added, “Didn’t you promise to be my good friend?”
A pained smile crossed Alexander’s face. He was certain Henry had coached Billy to say these things. With a resigned shake of his head, he crouched down to Billy’s level and gently patted his head.
“This is a conference, little one,” he explained kindly. “There aren’t any seats for children there.”
Billy blinked his big eyes and smiled brightly. “That’s okay! I can wait outside with Daddy while Mommy attends.”
Alexander had been looking forward to spending time alone with me, even if it was just walking side by side in the night air.
But Henry and Billy’s sudden appearance had interrupted all his expectations.
Taking a deep breath to suppress his profound disappointment, Alexander reached for Billy’s hand and turned toward the hotel. Would you like Uncle Alexander to take you back to the hotel?”
The little boy firmly shook his head. “No thanks! I want to stay with Mommy and Daddy.”
By then, the night wind had grown colder, and moonlight washed over the street, casting a pale glow.
Henry approached me, having extinguished his cigarette. As he walked toward me, there was a subtle smile in his eyes. The night breeze had dispersed the cigarette smell, leaving only a faint scent of fresh grass mingled with his uniquely masculine fragrance that drifted to my
nostrils.
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Chapter 355
1 koked up at the man standing just one step away from me.
His crisp white shirt was meticulously buttoned all the way to the top. His features were still strikingly handsome, but something was different how–the cold aloofness of the past had been replaced by a certain steadiness and sharpness.
“Sophia,” he said softly. Tim here.”
The fact that this man had traveled thousands of miles to find me was something I’d never expected. Facing him now with that gentle smile, I felt disoriented, as if caught in a dream–the kind of dream I’d longed for six years ago but had eventually abandoned.
If Billy hadn’t rushed over to grab my hand, I might have remained lost in my memories.
I lowered my eyes, avoiding Henry’s gaze, and responded flatly, “Thank you.”
Henry shrugged casually. “No need to thank me. After all, Billy calls me Dad!”
A few days ago, he’d had James compare DNA samples, and the results had confirmed his suspicions.
The blood on the hotel sheet didn’t match Isabella’s DNA. What did that mean? It meant Isabella clearly wasn’t the woman from that rainy night six years ago!
He had instructed his bodyguards to treat Isabella even more harshly.
That vindictive woman–not a single word of truth had passed her lips!
Combined with what Thomas had mentioned, Henry had also sent James to contact Mrs. Sanders. Though they hadn’t gotten results yet, one thing was certain: Mrs. Sanders definitely knew something.
When Henry noticed Alexander’s coat draped around my shoulders, his eyes instantly darkened.
Henry grabbed Alexander’s coat and tossed it unceremoniously into a nearby trash can.
“What are you wearing? It’s hideous!” He immediately took off his own coat and placed it around my shoulders. “Be good,” he said with undisguised affection. “Next time you want to wear men’s clothing, take mine.”
I felt warmth spread across my shoulders.
When I realized how intimate Henry’s gesture was, I immediately stepped back. We were divorced. Henry’s familiar, affectionate behavior didn’t bring me joy–it frightened me.
It frightened me that I might fall for him again!
After all, the last person he’d done this for was Isabella! Her name was like a thorn in my heart, one that remained deeply embedded despite my best efforts to remove her from my life.
Whenever something involved Henry, whenever he did something he’d once done for Isabella, I couldn’t help but see those images flash before my eyes. My gaze grew wary.
“Thank you, Mr. Harding, but don’t trouble yourself. I’m heading back to the hotel now. I don’t need a coat.*
Henry stepped forward and gripped my shoulders. His strength far exceeded mine, and no matter how I struggled, I couldn’t break free from his hold. Finally, I gave up fighting. Henry’s lips curved into a slight smile as he beckoned to Billy. “Billy, your mom says she’s going back to the hotel. What about you?”
The little boy immediately wiggled his chubby bottom as he rushed over and grabbed my hand. “I want to go back to the hotel with Mommy!”
After watching Billy and me get into the car, Henry approached Alexander.
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Chapter 355
Alr. Sanders,” he said coldly, though our familles have known each other for generations, there’s something you should understand: what doesn’t belong to you, you shouldn’t touch.”
Alexander replied through gritted teeth: “The moment Sophia filed for divorce, her heart died completely. She’ll never love you again!”
Henry ignored him and turned to leave.
As he walked away, Alexander reached into the trash can to retrieve his coat. He could have left it there, abandoned it like garbage. But this coat–Sophia had worn it, it carried her scent, it held meaning. He couldn’t bear to leave it behind.
Noticing Alexander fishing his coat from the trash, Henry mocked him: ‘Is the Sanders family so poor they can’t afford a new coat? Digging through garbage bins now? How pathetic! With that, he strode off to catch up with me and Billy.
Alexander examined the retrieved coat, turning it over in his hands. He’d intended to keep it as a memento, but seeing the stains Henry had deliberately left on it, he reluctantly threw it back into the bin.
He raised his middle finger at Henry’s retreating back.
“Henry Harding,” he muttered, “this isn’t over!”
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