The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 119

The room fell silent as everyone awaited my answer to Richard's direct question about the divorce papers. My eyes darted to William, whose face remained impassive, though his eyes held an intensity I couldn't quite read.

Though William rarely engaged with social media, butler Mark was exceptionally well-informed. The moment Grace's videos began circulating, Mark had immediately informed William of the situation.

"It's true," I finally admitted, nodding slowly. "I signed the divorce papers the day Isabella returned."

I avoided William's gaze, afraid to see disappointment in his eyes. "I wanted to give them a chance to be together... since that's clearly what Henry wants."

The tension in the room was palpable. Every Harding family member seemed to lean forward slightly, eager to witness the drama unfold.

I couldn't bear to let Billy witness this painful moment. I forced myself to smile, kneeling down to his level.

"Sweetheart, why don't you go with Uncle Richard to see your birthday cake? I need to talk with Great-Grandpa for a minute."

Billy looked between us, sensing something was wrong, but Richard quickly intervened.

"Come on, champ," he said cheerfully, taking Billy's hand. "Let's check if the kitchen got your favorite flavor right."

The moment Billy disappeared around the corner, I immediately knelt before William, not caring about the expensive gown or the shocked gasps from the onlooking relatives.

"Grandpa," I began, my voice breaking. "I know I've disappointed you, but I just can't continue like this anymore." Tears welled in my eyes as the words poured out. "Every day is just endless waiting, watching him run to another woman, seeing no hope for change. I've reached my limit."

I looked up at him, pleading. "Please understand. Please."

I knew William was the biggest obstacle to my divorce. Five years ago, he had personally arranged my marriage to Henry. From the beginning, William had treated me like his own granddaughter, showing me more genuine affection than I'd ever received from my own family. I couldn't simply disregard his feelings.

To my surprise, William quickly reached forward and pulled me to my feet.

"What are you doing, child?" he asked, his voice gruff but gentle. "Is this really necessary? We can talk properly without all this kneeling business." He shook his head. "It's just a divorce! Is that little thing worth getting on your knees? I already told you before – if you can't bear it anymore, then leave. I have no objections!"

He paused, his eyes twinkling with mischief despite the serious conversation.

"But there's one condition," he added firmly. "If you're leaving, you have to take me with you. Wherever you go, I go too!"

I stared at him, stunned by his words.

"The truth is," William continued, lowering his voice, "I've been considering this ever since Isabella returned. When Henry showed up at the airport with all those bodyguards to greet her..."

He shook his head in disgust. "That was nothing but a slap in our faces – mine and Richard's. He was clearly telling us, 'I'm powerful enough now that I don't need your approval anymore.'"

William's expression softened. "That's when I started planning your escape route, my dear."

He squeezed my hand reassuringly. "I just didn't expect you to be the one filing for divorce first."

Tears streamed down my face as I processed his words. "You're not... angry with me?"

"Angry?" William scoffed. "Why would I be angry? You've put up with more than enough. Now, do we have a deal? You take me with you, or no divorce."

I looked at this stubborn old man, feeling a complex mixture of emotions – gratitude, relief, and affection. This was the closest thing to a real father I'd ever known.

"Deal," I agreed, wiping away tears. "Wherever I go, you come too. I'll take care of you forever."

William nodded, satisfied with my answer. Then he glanced at his watch, his expression darkening. "What time is it now? Where the hell is that grandson of mine? His wife is leaving him, and he can't even show up on time for his son's birthday? That ungrateful dog really doesn't want to live anymore!"

After reassuring me, William walked out of the banquet hall with his smile. The moment the door closed behind him, his smile vanished completely. His cane tapped rhythmically against the floor as he muttered under his breath.

"Henry Harding, you worthless dog, are you dead somewhere?" He pulled out his phone and dialed Henry's number. No answer.

"Mark," William barked, his face flushed with anger. "Find that dog and bring him here immediately! I don't care if he's in Isabella Scott's bed – drag him out by his hair if you have to! I want to see him now – right now – this very minute!"

Mark had never seen William this furious before. Without another word, he bowed and rushed off to execute the order.

Across town, Isabella clung tightly to Henry's arm as they strolled down New York's most exclusive shopping district. Despite her vice-like grip on his arm and constant chatter, she couldn't help but notice his distracted demeanor.

Henry hated these meaningless shopping excursions. He had important matters to attend to, and he felt Isabella was deliberately wasting his time.

Sensing his impatience, Isabella stopped walking and turned to face him, her expression perfectly calibrated to appear vulnerable and helpless.

"Henry," she said softly, "if you don't want to be with me, just say so. You can leave me here alone if that's what you prefer."

Every time Isabella looked at him with those sad, luminous eyes, guilt washed over him like a wave. Henry didn't know how to express his current predicament.

Billy's birthday celebration had started at six, and he, the father, was late. Henry gently removed Isabella's hand from his arm, his expression growing increasingly serious.

"Isabella, I can't keep wandering around with you. There's an important meeting I must attend."

"What meeting?" Isabella asked, feigning innocence. "I'll come with you."

Seeing her persistent questioning, Henry could only tell the truth. "All right. To tell you the truth, I'm not going to a business meeting. I'm attending Billy's birthday celebration." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "My father and grandfather will be there. Bringing you would be... problematic."

Six years ago, Richard and William had made their dislike for Isabella clear, and nothing had changed since then.

Henry expected Isabella to back down, but she persisted.

"Henry, please, I want to come with you. I promise I won't cause any trouble. I just want to offer the child my birthday wishes and then leave. Is that too much to ask?"

Under the bright lights, Henry could clearly see her eyes reddening, tears threatening to spill over. Sighing, he pulled out his black credit card and offered it to her.

"James will stay and accompany you shopping," he said.

Isabella shook her head, not even glancing at the card. Her tear-filled eyes remained fixed on him. "Henry, I brought a gift for Billy. I know he's your child with Sophia, and you can't imagine how jealous I am of her for having your child."

Her voice trembled as she continued, "If I were healthy, it would have been me marrying you six years ago, not Sophia. I would have been the one giving you a child. Now my body is broken, and I can't have children anymore."

She spoke as tears streamed down her face. "I just want to see your child, to imagine what our child might have looked like. I only want to give him his present in person, say a few kind words, and then leave. Is that really so impossible?"

With each tear that fell from her eyes, Henry felt his resolve weakening. After a long internal struggle, he finally relented.

"Fine," he said, offering his arm once more. "Come with me."