The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 114

Isabella stared at her aunt Margaret standing in the doorway, her triumphant mood instantly evaporating. The older woman's piercing gaze swept through the hospital room like a scalpel.

"Quite comfortable, aren't you?" Margaret commented, her voice carrying that familiar coldness. "Playing the tragic heroine again, I see."

Isabella's fingers clutched tightly at her bedsheets.

Of all the people who could have appeared, why did it have to be Aunt Margaret?

This woman had never been fooled by Isabella's performances, not even once.

"What brings you here, Aunt?" Isabella forced her voice to remain steady.

Margaret stepped into the room, her high heels clicking against the floor. "Of course, it's about the matter from last time."

Throughout her childhood, Isabella had been practically invisible in her family.

From the moment of her birth, her parents had made it clear she was a disappointment—not the son they had hoped for to carry on the family name. She'd spent her childhood being ignored, watching her male cousins receive all the attention, privileges, and opportunities.

Everything changed when she met Henry in high school. During a chance encounter, Henry had a heart attack, and Isabella happened to be there to call emergency services. This action completely transformed her life. Henry fell in love with the "pure-hearted girl" who saved his life.

Suddenly, Isabella mattered. Her status in the Scott family rose dramatically.

Everyone knew the Harding family's influence—their wealth and power were something the Scott family had to curry favor with.

For the first time, Isabella experienced what it felt like to be valued, to be important.

After tasting the benefits that came with dating Henry, Isabella developed an obsession: she had to keep his interest, no matter the cost. As long as her partner was Henry, the Scott family would have to respect her.

Margaret's voice interrupted her thoughts. "I know you don't particularly like me. To be honest, I don't care much for you either. If it weren't for my son's situation, I wouldn't be bothering you at all! Once my Kevin gets out, I promise never to trouble you again."

Isabella sighed heavily. Kevin had been in jail for nearly a month now, and Margaret had been desperately seeking help from anyone with influence.

In New York, nobody wielded more power than Henry Harding.

"Aunt Margaret," Isabella said, "given my current relationship with Henry, anything I say won't make a difference. Besides, your son's situation requires a lawyer, not a hospital patient like me."

The truth was, Isabella had called Henry three times last night, and he hadn't answered once.

Her influence over him was waning, but she couldn't let her family know that.

Margaret's expression hardened. "Isabella! Who do you think you are? Without Henry Harding, you're nothing!"

Margaret stepped closer to Isabella's bed and threatened, "If you won't help me, I'll tell Henry about how you arranged for someone to hit Sophia with a car."

Isabella's face instantly drained of color. "What are you talking about?"

"I overheard your father mentioning it," Margaret continued. "I'm sure Henry would be very interested to hear about it."

Isabella's mind raced. She had no idea how her aunt had learned about this, or even how much she actually knew. But this matter absolutely couldn't reach Henry's ears!

Margaret turned toward the door. "I guess I'll have to speak with Henry directly."

"Wait!" Isabella called out, panic rising in her throat. "I'll try to help."

Margaret's face brightened immediately. Both women maintained a facade of politeness until Margaret finally left, and Isabella revealed a sinister expression.

She had to contact Henry immediately. Henry answered on the second ring.

"Henry," Isabella maintained her customary fragile tone. "You promised that no matter what time it was, you'd always answer my calls. But last night, you didn't. You have no idea how much that hurt me." She paused, making her voice sound closer to choking up. "If it's too much trouble, I won't call anymore. I don't want to be a burden."

She heard Henry sigh on the other end of the line.

"Henry, I can't help wondering... if Sophia hadn't taken advantage of your illness to marry you, where would we be now?"

There was a long pause before Henry responded, his voice sounding tired.

Isabella pressed on. "I need you to come to the hospital for my blood test. I'm... I'm afraid of needles. And the nurse assigned to me is Sophia. Who knows what she might do to get revenge on me?"

To her surprise, Henry immediately defended Sophia.

"Even if I'm not there with you, she'll do her job professionally. She won't harm you!"

A wave of panic washed over her. This wasn't the reaction she expected. Henry was defending Sophia? The woman he supposedly never cared about?

Tears began streaming down her face, her sobs clearly audible through the phone.

When it came to Henry's feelings for Sophia, Isabella had always lacked confidence. Deep down, she suspected Henry had fallen for his wife years ago but refused to admit it.

If Isabella hadn't accepted William's five million dollars six years ago—if she had stayed by Henry's side when he was near death instead of leaving—would Sophia ever have had the chance to enter his life?

As Isabella continued crying, she heard Henry's irritation growing.

This contrast was painful—Henry had always been patient with her tears before.

Now they seemed to annoy him.

Isabella's tears reminded him of Sophia's quiet composure. Despite the hatred in Sophia's eyes yesterday, she had maintained her composure, her fingers turning white from the effort of restraining herself.

In that moment, Sophia had looked so vulnerable that Henry had wanted to take her in his arms. Even now, remembering that look in her eyes made his chest ache.

"Fine," Henry finally agreed. "I'll come for your blood test."

But his true intention was clear in his mind—he wanted to see Sophia at the hospital.

When Henry arrived at the hospital, he didn't immediately go to Isabella's room.

Instead, he headed straight to the nurses' station. Today was a workday, yet Sophia wasn't among the medical staff making rounds. Why?

Thinking about Billy's injured arm and Sophia's furious expression last night, Henry felt a sinking feeling in his chest.

He approached one of the nurses at the station. "Excuse me, is Sophia Wilson working today?"

The nurse looked up from her computer. "Nurse Wilson called in sick today."