Chapter 356
Once we reached the hotel room, I let Billy play around while Henry awkwardly hovered near the door, clearly not planning to leave anytime
soon.
I deliberately ignored him, focusing entirely on my son instead.
Billy was in his element, racing toy cars across the carpet, building towers with the complimentary notepad paper, and bouncing on the edge of the bed despite my repeated warnings to be careful.
The excitement of our impromptu trip had filled him with boundless energy.
After more than an hour of non–stop activity, my little one finally ran out of steam. Billy lay on the carpet, curling up into a ball and falling fast asleep.
I couldn’t help but smile at the sight. One minute he was bouncing off the walls, the next–complete shutdown. That was my Billy.
I shook my head in amused exasperation and bent down to pick him up. Before I could reach him, Henry’s immaculate hands appeared from nowhere, scooping Billy up with surprising gentleness.
He cradled our son against his chest, Billy’s chubby arms dangling limply, and carefully carried him to the bed. Henry’s movements were deliberate and tender as he placed Billy down, adjusting the pillow beneath his head before pulling the covers up to his chin.
The entire time, Henry’s face wore an expression I’d rarely seen during our marriage–soft, unguarded, filled with genuine affection. His usual sharp edges seemed to melt away when he looked at our son.
Something stirred deep inside me as I watched this scene unfold.
A thought I couldn’t quite suppress slipped through my defenses: If Henry had been this kind of father before our divorce–if he’d shown even a fraction of this tenderness and attentiveness–would we have ended up here?
After tucking Billy in, Henry straightened up and turned to me. “Where should I sleep?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I blinked at him, momentarily confused by the question. Was he seriously planning to stay the night?
The audacity of this man never failed to amaze me.
He’d already muscled his way into my hotel room with the flimsy excuse of “bringing in Billy’s luggage,” then lingered in the bathroom, claiming he couldn’t hold it any longer.
When he finally emerged, Billy had immediately demanded they play together, and I couldn’t bring myself to disappoint my son.
And now, after stalling until nearly eleven at night, he had the nerve to ask where he should sleep?
‘Doesn’t Mr. Harding have his own room?” I kept my voice low but sharp. “As I recall, you’re a diamond–level VIP at this hotel chain worldwide. Surely they’ve reserved their finest accommodations for such an important guest?”
Henry could easily stay in the presidential suite if he wanted. Why was he asking me where to sleep, unless this was yet another ploy?
Seeing my dismissal, Henry quickly fabricated an excuse. “Yes, I do have a diamond card, but I left in such a hurry from New York that I forgot to bring it. Is that a problem?”
I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly gave myself a headache. “Mr. Harding, if you’re going to lie, at least make it convincing. Your precious diamond card doesn’t need to be physically present–just your name would suffice. Please, stop insulting my intelligence.”
He was clearly determined to stay. Why couldn’t he just admit it?
1/2
Chapter 356
As if reading my thoughts, Henry’s demeanor suddenly shifted. Fine, I’ll be honest, he conceded. ‘I don’t want to leave this room. I want to be with you and Billy, I want my son to see his father first thing when he wakes up.”
I nearly jumped out of my skin. What the hell? Did Henry Harding–THE Henry Harding–just openly admit his intentions? The cold, aloof man I’d been married to for years would never have been so direct about his feelings.
When I remained silent, eyes deliberately fixed on the carpet, Henty took a bold step forward. His toes nearly touched mine as he gripped my shoulders, his voice dropping even lower.
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