The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 250

# Chapter 250

I usually sat with Emily's mother Mrs. Miller during parent meetings. So, we had a good relationship.

Plus, being mothers and attending a parent-child activity together, we had endless things to talk about regarding our children and men.

"Your Billy is so bright," Mrs. Miller said, watching our children play together. "Emily talks about him constantly at home. It's always 'Billy said this' or 'Billy did that.'"

I smiled, feeling that familiar sense of maternal pride.

"Billy also likes Emily very much. He's been practicing his reading just to impress her."

As we chatted about our children's recent lives, I couldn't help noticing Mr. Miller and Henry standing nearby, listening to us talk about the children, with gentle smiles on their faces.

Mr. Miller occasionally nodded at his wife's words, his hand resting naturally on her shoulder.

And Henry... Henry was doing exactly the same thing, standing beside me as if we were still married.

I stole a glance at him.

This gentle, patient Henry bore almost no resemblance to the cold, unapproachable man I had married.

The Henry I knew would check his phone every thirty seconds whenever he attended family activities with Billy and me, irritated by the "waste of time," counting the minutes until he could return to his precious office.

Now, he was smiling softly at Billy's antics, actually paying attention to our conversation—he was the husband I had once dreamed of having.

Ironically, the scene I had fantasized about for years was finally playing out before my eyes, yet I didn't feel happy.

In fact, I only felt angry!

How dare he play the devoted father now? Where was this version of Henry during our marriage?

This performance of domestic bliss came far too late. We were divorced. It was over. All his pretend warmth and attention couldn't change that simple fact.

Mrs. Miller noticed my sudden silence and nudged me. "Everything okay?"

Before I could answer, the teacher called everyone's attention. "Parents and children, please gather around for our final activity!"

Billy grabbed both our hands and pulled us toward the circle forming around the teacher. I noticed Mrs. Miller giving me a curious look, clearly sensing the tension between Henry and me, but thankfully she didn't pry.

"Our last activity is a sentence-building game," the teacher announced, holding up a set of word cards with accompanying pictures. "I have seven words here, and I want our clever students to make a sentence using all of them!"

She displayed the cards one by one: "Mom, dog, watch, lie down, ground, dog poop, eat."

To ensure everyone could participate, each word had a helpful illustration beside it. The teacher read through the list twice, making sure every child understood.

"Now, who can make a sentence using all these words?" she asked, her eyes scanning the eager faces. "There's a special prize for the correct answer! And remember, parents, please let the children answer by themselves."

The parents exchanged knowing glances, clearly curious about what sentences these innocent minds would create.

Hands shot up across the room, little bodies practically levitating with excitement. The teacher pointed to a boy in the front row. "Yes, you!"

The child stood up proudly. "I watch Mom lie down on the ground and eat dog poop!"

The room erupted in laughter—both adults and children completely losing control.

The teacher tried desperately to maintain her composure, but her shoulders were shaking with suppressed giggles.

She pointed to another child. "Your turn!"

"I lie down on the ground and watch Mom eat dog poop!"

Another wave of uncontrollable laughter swept through the room. I found myself doubled over, tears streaming down my face.

Even Henry—cold, serious Henry—was laughing openly, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

The teacher, barely maintaining her composure, called on a third child.

"The dog lies down on the ground and watches my mom eat dog poop!"

At this point, the entire playground descended into chaos. Parents were gasping for breath, children were rolling on the floor, and the teacher had abandoned all pretense of seriousness, clutching her stomach as she laughed.

I couldn't remember the last time I'd laughed this hard.

It felt good—liberating somehow—to just relax and enjoy this absurd moment.

One mother turned to her son, wiping tears from her eyes. "Sweetie, is dog poop tasty?" The little boy shook his head vigorously. "Then why would you make me eat it?"

Another mother was nearly hysterical. "Son, couldn't it have been 'Mom watches the dog lie down on the ground and eat dog poop'? Why am I the one eating poop? Am I that hungry?"

The teacher finally regained enough control to address the class. "Children, children! Is it absolutely necessary for mom to eat dog poop today?"

This sent the entire playground into fresh convulsions of laughter, including the classes that weren't even participating.

Through my tears of laughter, I caught Henry watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read.

Was that... tenderness?

I quickly looked away, uncomfortable with his scrutiny.

Finally, a little girl raised her hand and gave the correct answer: "The dog lies down on the ground and watches while I eat with Mom."

The teacher clapped enthusiastically. "That's right! Congratulations!" She reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope. "Your special prize is a family dinner voucher for the Four Seasons Hotel! This will cover a buffet dinner for your entire family!"

The parents gasped in appreciation, instantly buzzing with excitement.

"Isn't the Four Seasons owned by Harding Investment?"

"This voucher must be worth at least five thousand dollars! The Hardings are so generous!"

"You didn't know? The Hardings recently acquired this kindergarten. We'll all need to stay on their good side now."

"I thought their stock crashed recently?"

"That's old news! They've made an incredible comeback. Their shares are soaring again!"

"I heard they just donated a million-dollar library to the medical school!"

"That's the Hardings for you—pure class!"

The winning child jumped up and down with excitement, running to hug her father. Meanwhile, Billy's face fell, his disappointment obvious.

"Mommy," he said quietly, "I knew the right answer, but the teacher didn't call on me."

I pulled him into my arms, gently stroking his head. "Sweetheart, are you disappointed about not winning the prize? Or are you just sad about missing out on the Four Seasons ice cream?"

The hotel was famous for its incredible ice cream selection, and Billy had an insatiable sweet tooth.

Billy blinked up at me, his eyes slightly teary. "I knew the answer, Mommy. I wanted to answer, and I really wanted to go to the Four Seasons, but the teacher didn't call my name."

Seeing his crestfallen expression, my heart melted. I pulled him close, resting his soft cheek against mine. "If my baby wants ice cream, we can go as soon as the activity ends. How does that sound?"

Although I usually limit his sweet treats because they're bad for his teeth, I was willing to make an exception today.

After all, I wanted to see him smile again.

Billy's eyes instantly lit up. "Really? Can we bring Daddy too?"

I darted a glance at Henry, then quickly looked away. "Sweetie, your father is very busy with work. He doesn't have time to join us. Maybe next time."

International joke of the year—taking Henry along?

Absolutely not! We were divorced. Ex-wives and ex-husbands had no business going out together.

A proper ex should be as good as dead to you!

Henry's cold laugh cut through my thoughts. "Sophia, are you my personal assistant? How do you know my schedule so well? Are you monitoring my every move? Or perhaps you still can't get over me, which is why you're so concerned about my activities?"

I was stunned by his response. I'd been trying to create a convenient excuse for him, and this was how he repaid me? With sarcasm and accusations?

"Mr. Harding, please look in a mirror and tell me what about you is worth my attention?" I snapped back. "Narcissism is a disease—you should get it treated!"

Henry snorted, his beautiful almond eyes boring into mine. "If you're not paying attention to me, how do you know I'm busy? That I don't have time for Billy?"

I was speechless. "You..."

Seeing me stumble, Henry lifted his chin triumphantly. "Since you're so invested in my every move, don't do it secretly. I permit you to monitor me openly. Starting today, I'll have James send you my daily schedule."

My face burned with embarrassment and anger.

Billy, caught between us, sighed heavily and shook his head repeatedly.

When his father finished speaking, Billy looked up at him hopefully. "So, does that mean you can come eat with us afterwards, Dad?"

Henry smiled, ruffling the boy's hair affectionately. "Of course!"

He glanced at me, his eyes gleaming with challenge. "I always have time for you and your mother. Always."