The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 142

Ever since I saw Henry at the café, my mood had completely soured.

I immediately packed my bags and prepared to leave Aspen. This trip was supposed to be an escape, a chance to breathe freely with Billy away from divorce disputes. Only Grandpa William knew we were here—which meant Henry's appearance was definitely William's arrangement.

Despite the old man's good intentions, I truly felt nothing for Henry anymore. All I wanted was to free myself from this loveless marriage and return to a peaceful life.

After a day of recovery back in New York, I returned to work at the hospital. I had barely changed into my uniform when my phone rang. My mother's name flashed across the screen, making my stomach clench. With a sigh, I answered.

"Sophia, have you no conscience at all? I'm your mother!" Scarlett's shrill voice attacked my eardrums. "I don't have a single penny to my name, and you're just going to let me die? I'm telling you now—if you don't send me money, I'll come to your workplace and make a scene! I'll go to the Harding estate and let everyone see what an unfilial daughter you are! Think about it—will the Hardings still want you as their daughter-in-law after that? You decide!"

I held the phone away from my ear, listening to her rant with icy detachment in my eyes.

After remarrying, Scarlett had given birth to a son with her new husband. That son was now twenty-one and ready for marriage, but he had nothing to offer—no decent car, no proper home. What woman would be interested in a man like that?

Her current husband couldn't provide that kind of money, so he'd pushed her to approach me: "Don't you have a daughter who married into wealth? Go ask her! You're mother and daughter—she can't possibly leave you to suffer! Let me be clear: if you can't get the money, don't bother coming back. We don't keep useless people in this house."

Desperate and angry, Scarlett had no choice but to turn to me again.

"Scarlett," I said coldly, "you should have anticipated this outcome the moment you abandoned me!"

After my father died, Scarlett wanted to remarry, and I had genuinely supported her decision. But to please her new men, she'd abandoned her own daughter without a second thought.

From the day my mother abandoned me, I'd killed any remaining fantasy of maternal love. Her life now was miserable—her husband either beat her or demanded money. If she refused, he'd beat her so badly she couldn't get out of bed for days.

Now that her son needed to marry and couldn't find a wife without money, her second husband had placed all his hopes on her. Scarlett, desperate to please her husband, could only turn to me for money.

Hearing my refusal, she grew frantic. "Sophia! I'm your mother! The debt of giving birth is greater than the sky! Without my pain bringing you into this world, would you even exist today?"

Scarlett thought to herself, this ungrateful girl has grown too bold, daring to refuse me money! I won't let her off easily!

"Let me tell you something," I said decisively. "Henry and I are getting divorced. My affairs have nothing to do with the Harding family anymore. I suggest you don't embarrass yourself by going to the Harding estate." With that, I hung up.

After I ended the call, Scarlett's resentment intensified. She narrowed her eyes, staring at the dim sun in the distance, biting the inside of her cheek as she gazed at the city's skyscrapers. "Sophia, if you show no kindness, don't blame me for showing no righteousness!"

Scarlett's call hadn't affected my mood at all. As I walked through the hospital corridor, Thomas approached to greet me. "Sophia, you're back! How was your trip? Did you enjoy yourself?"

I subtly stepped back, creating distance between us while smiling politely. "It was very enjoyable, thank you for asking."

My polite but distant manner clearly displeased him. He couldn't help but complain, "Sophia, do you really need to draw such a clear line between us? Can't we even be friends?" He paused, looking genuinely regretful.

"About last time, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have forced myself on you like that, but I just like you so much. I couldn't control myself. Can't you give me another chance?"

Before I could respond, a cold voice came from behind me: "Another chance to hurt her?"

Hearing Henry's voice, my body immediately tensed.

Was he haunting me now?

He stood less than three feet away, his dark eyes fixed on me with a complicated expression. Upon seeing him, I mechanically took a large step backward, keeping my distance. We'd already burned our bridges—there was no need to maintain appearances.

This divorce was happening, period!

"Last time when you forced that kiss on her, did you ask if she enjoyed it?" Henry said sharply.

The incident had been resolved—Henry had saved me from Thomas's unwanted advances. Logically, the best approach would have been to pretend it never happened. Yet Henry deliberately brought it up in public, completely humiliating Thomas.

Thomas took a deep breath and positioned himself protectively in front of me, staring directly into Henry's cold eyes. "Yes! What I did that day was wrong! I admit my mistake and am willing to face the consequences!" His voice grew more confident. "I've since apologized to Sophia and received her forgiveness. Why can't I ask for another chance?"

"If apologies worked, why would we need laws?" Henry retorted. "The moment you tried to force yourself on her, you lost all chances. What, you still don't understand your place?"

This had been a private matter, but Henry deliberately announced it loudly, clearly trying to disgust me.

He wanted me to see what a repulsive man Thomas was—that I shouldn't want him!

I stepped out from behind Thomas, taking a few steps back. My almond eyes slid sideways to Henry as I mocked, "Is this your goal, Mr. Harding? To disgust both me and Thomas? Your tactics are rather pathetic!" I shook my head in disdain. "Let me be honest—this doesn't affect how I feel about Thomas at all. In my heart, he's always been a good man who knows how to respect women's feelings, a senior colleague I admire. Unlike you, who cheats during marriage and refuses to divorce."

"Thomas and I have a pure, appropriate relationship with proper boundaries. But you and Isabella? You've already slept together—what more is there to say?"

During my vacation, I'd received strange picture messages from unknown numbers. All showed Henry and Isabella together—kissing, embracing, lying in the same bed, sharing the same pillow, examples were everywhere.

Though Henry's eyes were closed in the photos, they were undeniably real. Henry's affair was irrefutable.

I wiggled my fingers in the direction of Isabella's hospital room. "If you're not afraid of embarrassment, Mr. Harding, I can post these online for everyone to enjoy."

I smiled sweetly. "Of course, if you quickly sign the divorce agreement and finalize our divorce, I might not share them. I'll save some face for you and Miss Isabella."

Though my words were exactly what Henry didn't want to hear, he couldn't stop staring at me, his eyes practically shining. For a moment, I had his complete attention.

But quickly, the man came to his senses. Looking at me with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, he said, "Oh? Why not share them with everyone online? I haven't even seen these photos myself—I'd love to take a look."