The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 141

William and the Reynolds family patriarch had been war buddies with a bond forged in blood. Years ago, the two old men had even planned to connect their families through marriage, hoping to arrange a match between their children.

Unfortunately, both families had sons, thwarting their initial plan.

Later, they contemplated matching their grandchildren, but fate played the same trick—both had grandsons.

Richard's second wife did give birth to a daughter for the Harding family, but William never particularly cared for his spoiled granddaughter Grace. Fearing she might bring harm to the Reynolds family, he completely abandoned the idea. Thus, Alexander narrowly escaped that arrangement.

Alexander was actually grateful that William hadn't pushed Grace as his bride. When the old man needed his help, he readily extended a hand.

If William hadn't specifically asked, Alexander wouldn't have agreed to meet with Sophia.

Though Alexander had a good impression of Sophia, his opinion of Henry wasn't favorable at all.

"Mr. Reynolds, I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your distance from my wife," Henry warned with barely concealed hostility. "She's married to me, not available for you to fantasize about!"

Alexander responded with a casual shrug, methodically picking up his coat from the sofa and putting it on. While buttoning it up, he addressed Henry: "Whether she's still your wife remains to be seen! I heard from Grandpa William that she doesn't love you at all and is determined to divorce you."

Henry didn't waste time arguing with Alexander. After tossing a few more warning words, he turned and followed Sophia as she left.

Once Henry departed, Alexander returned to his seat, gently stirring his coffee as the smile gradually faded from his face.

"Are you two really so happily married?" he murmured to himself. "Then why is Sophia so determined to divorce you?"

He took a sip of his coffee, a knowing glint in his eye. "Henry Harding, you've already lost."

My previously pleasant mood evaporated instantly.

I never imagined Henry would show up in Aspen. The moment that bastard appeared, my enjoyable vacation turned sour, leaving me with nothing but anger and a desperate need to escape. Henry caught up quickly, grabbing my arm from behind and forcefully pulling me toward him.

"Sophia!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the quiet street. "I'm still alive, you know! Are you already so eager to find my replacement?"

Just moments ago, seeing me laughing and talking with Alexander had obviously triggered something in him. I could tell by the way his jaw clenched—he was furious. Yet my face showed nothing but impatience and disgust.

"If you were dead," I replied coolly, "it would be nothing but beneficial for me. Being a widow would be much more convenient than dealing with divorce paperwork. Not only that, all your assets would automatically become mine, and Isabella wouldn't get a penny."

The detachment and unfamiliarity in my eyes seemed to unsettle him.

A sharp, suffocating pain flashed across his face, as if something was stabbing at his heart. He tightened his grip on my hand, his thin lips barely moving as he spoke.

"Don't worry," he said through gritted teeth, "someone like me—even the Grim Reaper wouldn't take me." He paused, his eyes boring into mine. "You should be thinking about how to get back into my good graces and return home with me to live properly, not entertaining these ridiculous ideas!" His voice grew harder. "And I'm warning you—if you continue associating with Alexander, you'll regret it!"

I stared at the man before me, convinced he'd lost his mind.

"Back in the city, I already made my position crystal clear. The moment I posted those divorce papers online, our marriage was effectively over. As a former husband, a decent ex should be like the dead—not constantly appearing in front of me!" My voice grew sharper. "Your behavior only makes me think you can't let go!" I looked him straight in the eyes.

"Henry Harding, have you fallen in love with me?"

When Henry heard this, he looked genuinely shocked and immediately released my hand. A faint blush crept across his handsome face as he gritted his teeth in anger. "What nonsense are you talking about?" he snapped. "I'm simply trying to prevent you from embarrassing the Harding family! Why do you always have so much to say?" His eyes narrowed.

"Until our divorce is finalized, you're still Mrs. Harding—my wife. Yet here you are, shamelessly flirting with another man. Have you given any thought to the Harding family's reputation?"

"Henry, don't talk to me about the Harding family's reputation," I fired back. "I've been married to you for six years. Hand on your heart, tell me: have I ever spent a penny of your money? Have you ever given me a shred of love?" Years of resentment finally found their voice. "The money I use? I earned it myself. The meals I eat? I cooked them myself. The clothes I wear? I bought them myself. When I get sick, I go to the hospital alone. In my daily life, there's not a single trace of your existence. In this marriage, I might as well have been a widow!"

In the past, I never dared speak these words, afraid Henry would be angry, afraid I'd lose him. Now, I had nothing left to lose and nothing to fear.

My accusations rang out, sharp and clear, like an arrow piercing straight through Henry's heart.

Seeing him speechless, I gave a self-deprecating smile before continuing. "If you have even the slightest decency left, I hope you'll quickly finalize our divorce. That would be the greatest comfort and compensation you could offer me."

Henry clenched his jaw, spending a long moment before coming up with a reason even he seemed to find flimsy: "Sophia, after divorce, you'll be... secondhand goods. With a child in tow, finding someone new won't be easy." As soon as the words left his mouth, he looked like he wanted to bite off his own tongue.

I heard him perfectly clearly, and even laughed.

"What's wrong with a divorced woman? I have money, I have my son, I'm single and free. I can find whatever type of man I want!"

My former husband's arrogance was truly astounding. Did he seriously believe he was the only man in the world?

My response completely stunned Henry. He seemed to realize that in this moment, I had somehow transformed in his heart—radiating a dazzling light, my entire being glowing with confidence.

After considerable thought, he finally replied with characteristic arrogance: "Secondhand goods—who would want them?"

I had changed, becoming someone he barely recognized. My eyes no longer held him or any trace of adoration for him. My expression darkened, and when I looked at him, my gaze turned knife-sharp, filled with intense disgust.

"Henry Harding, after divorcing me, you'll be 'secondhand goods' too! Let's see which blind, brain-dead woman will take you then!" With those words, I turned and walked away decisively.

The moment I turned, Henry panicked. He reached out, trying to grab me, but caught nothing. He could only watch helplessly as my slender figure disappeared into the vast, snowy landscape.

Henry felt a sharp pain in his chest—that familiar ache he'd come to view as punishment returned right on schedule.

Standing alone in the snow, Henry regretfully slapped himself. "Fuck! What did I just say?"

From a distance, William's bodyguards witnessed the entire scene and promptly relayed the information to the old man. Back in the city, William stared at his tablet, watching the events unfold with mounting frustration.

"This is infuriating!" he exclaimed. "Tell me, what's the use in raising such a grandson? How can his emotional intelligence be so low? He can't even win back his own wife!"

Mark watched the old man fretting and didn't know how to console him. He quietly took the tablet away and handed William an orange.