The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 236

Richard carefully studied Isabella's features, trying to find any resemblance to Catherine.

To his disappointment, the two had almost nothing in common, perhaps because Isabella hadn't grown up with Catherine.

The woman lying before him was in terrible condition.

Isabella's eyes remained tightly shut, her lips drained of color while her cheeks burned with fever. Her body curled into itself, occasionally shuddering—seemingly caught between convulsions and violent chills.

Logically, a man in such a situation, upon discovering his wife had given birth to another man's child, should be furious, perhaps even murderous with betrayal.

But in this moment, Richard felt no anger whatsoever—only endless disappointment and a sense of release.

Years ago, his first wife had died from an amniotic fluid embolism one month after giving birth to Henry.

His son hadn't even reached his first month when he lost his mother, and Richard had lost the love of his life.

The devastation had been so complete that he'd contemplated suicide, wanting to follow his beloved wife into death. Only the sight of his infant son had stopped him from making that irreversible decision.

It was then that Richard's late wife's family made a suggestion: Catherine, who was the deceased's sister, could marry Richard and help care for the child. No wedding ceremony would be necessary, just a simple marriage registration.

Richard understood their motivation perfectly—they wanted to maintain their connection to the wealthy Harding family, ensuring they wouldn't lose the protection of such a powerful clan.

So, less than a month after their eldest daughter's death, they hurriedly sent their younger daughter to replace her.

Richard, consumed by grief and longing to join his wife, had barely registered what was happening. He couldn't even bear to look at his own son, feeling that it was this child's arrival that had "killed" his beloved wife.

If William hadn't shaken him out of his despair, Richard might have actually ended his life.

Eventually, William took charge of the situation, bringing Catherine into the Harding household to help care for the child.

Catherine's arrival was very low-key, and the couple didn't even have a proper wedding ceremony. Richard's emotional state made it impossible for him to accept Catherine, so the marriage paperwork was postponed until Henry turned three.

By then, the household needed a mistress, and Henry needed a mother figure. And so, with the family elder's decision, Catherine took her sister's place as the lady of the Harding house.

Looking back now, Richard was startled to realize something: even after all these years, he still remembered every detail of his first wife's face, her voice, her laughter.

He had never forgotten her!

And as for Catherine—he had never truly cared for her.

Even their daughter Grace had been conceived on his first wife's death anniversary, when alcohol had allowed him to mistake Catherine for his departed love.

When he discovered Catherine had been with another man, he felt only relief—a burden he'd carried for years finally lifted.

Richard remained silent, his gaze fixed on Isabella's face.

His scrutiny made Catherine deeply uncomfortable, terrified he might see the truth. She quickly positioned herself between them, blocking his line of sight.

"Richard, Isabella is very sick," she pleaded, her voice strained with worry. "She's burning with fever. Could you arrange for a doctor to examine her?" Catherine anxiously wrung her hands. "I know what she did was wrong, but surely you can't just watch her die in our home?"

All these years, Isabella has suffered so much, Catherine thought desperately. Seeing her daughter in such a state, her heart was breaking.

To save Isabella, she would do anything—even kneel before Richard!

Catherine dropped to her knees in front of Richard.

"Richard, I'm begging you, please?" She hoped he might grant Isabella a chance at life for the sake of their long marriage.

Richard's gaze shifted to Catherine, his eyes cold and shadowed as they locked with hers for a moment.

"What is she to you?" he finally asked. "Why are you helping her like this?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Catherine felt as if she'd plunged into icy water: he must know the truth!

She stared at Richard's still seemingly calm demeanor with shock.

"You know, don't you?" she asked, her eyes reddening with fear. "You've known all along and deliberately pretended not to, just to watch me humiliate myself, haven't you?"

"This cruel tactic of pretending ignorance while watching me make a fool of myself—how vicious!" she thought bitterly. "Richard, you truly are a Harding man. All of you, equally heartless and ruthless!

"You could have confronted me the moment you walked in!" she continued, her voice rising with emotion. "But instead, you chose to say nothing, watching me scramble like a clown trying to hide the truth. You're so cruel! Did you enjoy watching me perform like a monkey for your entertainment? Did that give you some sick sense of satisfaction?"

Catherine's face contorted with rage, the once elegant and virtuous Mrs. Harding completely vanished.

Her eyes blazed with fury as she unleashed years of suppressed resentment toward Richard, every word making her heart bleed.

When her sister had died, this man had been so devastated he'd fainted multiple times from grief. Back then, she'd thought men capable of such profound love were rare in this world. When her mother told her to marry him, she had readily agreed, believing that being with someone so devoted and faithful was a blessing.

But after the marriage, she'd discovered the truth: Richard was polite yet distant, treating her more like a business partner than a wife. You give me money, I manage your household and play the role of Mrs. Harding.

Everyone on the outside thought she lived a glamorous, happy life. Only she knew the reality: Richard had barely touched her. They were spouses in name only, more like roommates sharing a house.

He always treated her like a guest—cold, distant, and scrutinizing.

For nearly thirty years, she had walked on eggshells, striving to be a good wife. But the bitterness behind that seemingly perfect facade was known only to her.

She felt her entire life had been nothing but a cruel joke.

"Richard, in all our years together, did you ever love me?" she demanded, tears streaming down her face. "You kept calling me your wife, but did you ever truly care about me?"

The most poisonous knife had finally pierced Catherine's heart.

For nearly three decades, Richard had encased Catherine in an exquisite glass dome with his coldness disguised as devotion, allowing her to live surrounded by golden splendor.

Now the glass was shattering, and everything had turned into an illusion. Catherine collapsed to the floor, hands clutching her aching knees, sobbing so hard she nearly broke apart.

Richard neither struck nor cursed her. His cold indifference was more painful than any physical blow could have been.

"I don't even deserve his anger?" she realized. "I mean absolutely nothing to him!"

Richard allowed her to cry, remaining silent for several long moments. Finally, he spoke calmly: "If you want me to save your daughter, it's not impossible."

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Catherine shifted from her kneeling position to sit on the floor, looking up at him with desperate expectation.

"Whatever the condition, I'll agree to it! Just please, save Isabella!"