The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 256

He's only six years old. Why should such a small child have to go through all this?

If today's incident had only targeted me, I wouldn't have much to say.

But if Billy was involved... if that van had been aiming for my son... that would be more painful than losing my own life.

My face was ghostly white, paler than paper. I could feel the panic and unease flowing through my veins, making my whole body tremble like a frightened rabbit—helpless and terrified.

My expression made Henry's heart clench. He didn't understand why things had escalated this way. Seeing the fear in my eyes, all he wanted was to pull me into his arms.

In that moment, he truly understood what it meant to be afraid. If he hadn't grabbed me in time, what would have happened? Nobody knew.

When he'd pulled me into his embrace, the van's side mirror had scraped against his hand.

Even now, his hand throbbed with pain.

If I had been injured, he couldn't imagine what he might have done in retaliation.

I remained silent, letting the wind brush against my pale face as I stared at Henry. My eyes reflected nothing but distance and disgust.

From the moment our divorce was finalized, Henry had been dead to me. This man had no awareness of his position as an ex-husband, yet here he was, forcing his presence on me. What was his angle?

I'd experienced being hit by a van before, which had left me with lasting psychological trauma. Even though Henry had saved me today, I felt no gratitude.

I couldn't shake the feeling that he was still cleaning up Isabella's messes, protecting her. Even after Henry claimed Isabella was locked away, I couldn't bring myself to trust this man.

"Seems like your confinement methods aren't working so well," I said sarcastically. "Someone's still finding ways to try and kill me!"

Henry recognized the cold detachment in my eyes. "You think I'm protecting Isabella?" he asked in response.

I said nothing, just staring at him silently.

Henry continued, "I'm not! Isabella is locked away—she doesn't have the time or resources to plan something like this!" His voice grew more insistent. "She's confined in the Harding basement. I know this better than anyone."

I let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Interesting. I didn't even mention her by name, yet you're already defending Isabella? Worried I might misunderstand your beloved?"

See? Henry claimed he no longer loved Isabella, yet his actions still showed he was protecting her.

Henry's chest tightened with frustration.

"Sophia, you know damn well that's not what I meant! Isabella is literally locked in the Harding basement right now. I can take you to see for yourself!"

He suddenly realized that no matter how he explained, I wouldn't believe him. This was what left him feeling most powerless.

Recognizing his tone had become harsh, he quickly lowered his voice. "Isabella is seriously ill. She doesn't have the ability or energy to orchestrate something like this."

Isabella had been waiting for a kidney transplant, but without a suitable match, she could only control her condition through medication and dialysis.

Recently, being confined in that cold, damp basement, underfed and poorly clothed, she had developed a fever that nearly killed her.

But somehow, whenever he tried to explain this to me, it came across as him defending Isabella.

I stared at Henry, watching as his emotional outburst gradually settled into calm, though my heart felt unsettled.

In the past, Henry never bothered explaining his actions, remaining unmoved even when tears welled in my eyes. Now that he was finally offering explanations, I couldn't bring myself to believe him.

Was there any point in trying to repair a marriage built on such a fundamental lack of trust?

Once, I had asked Betty a question: "How much do you have to like someone to willingly endure their coldness, to weather all the little frustrations of marriage and still want to spend your life with them?"

Betty had smiled and answered, "Liking isn't enough. You need love—intense, powerful love. Anything less and you'll end up going your separate ways, filing for divorce."

Back then, I had naively believed my love for Henry was sufficient, that I could bear all the disappointments and hurts of our marriage. Only later did I realize that just the transition from hope to silence had drained all my love for him.

Even the deepest love couldn't withstand persistent indifference and coldness.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Fine. I understand."

My response was so perfunctory that Henry was left confused, assuming I still didn't believe him.

"Sophia, everything I've told you is true! If you don't believe me, come back to Maple Grove with me. I'll show you myself."

I shook my head. "No need. I want to go home."

Once in the car, I closed my eyes, fatigue evident on my face.

Seeing my condition, Billy immediately looked toward his father, pointing at me with his small finger, his eyes asking: Did you make Mommy angry? Henry gave a bitter smile and shook his head, at a loss for words.

Clearly, despite all his explanations, I still believed he was protecting Isabella.

If there were some device in this world that could let people hear one's true thoughts, Henry would have paid any price to buy one, just so his ex-wife could hear that from the beginning to the end, there had only ever been one name in his heart: Sophia!

Seeing his father's expression, Billy knew immediately that he had upset me again.

The little boy said nothing, simply moving closer to me, hugging my arm and nestling against it.

Feeling my precious son's nearness, I forced a smile, pulling him into my arms. My restless heart instantly found comfort. I kissed the top of his round head before closing my eyes again to rest.

Actually...

In that moment, Henry didn't need to explain anything—he just needed to hold me tight,

to give me a warm embrace. That would have solved everything.

Unfortunately, he didn't understand my heart. He didn't realize that love requires mutual desire to work.

Spring brought the revival of all living things.

Alexander knew I was unhappy, and insisted on taking Billy and me fishing during the weekend. After visiting William at the hospital, he drove us toward the lake.

"Sophia, trust me—empty your mind and just enjoy the spring sunshine. I guarantee you'll feel refreshed after fishing," he said.

Ever since learning about my divorce from Henry, Alexander had been constantly around, showering me with attention.

We arrived at the lakeside and had just received our fishing gear when I heard Henry's voice: "Billy, come to Daddy, okay?"

Alexander turned toward the sound, his features contorting with anger when he saw who it was.

Noticing my displeasure as I stood by the car, Alexander complained, "Why is he everywhere? We can't seem to shake him!"

"Wait here, Sophia. I'll go tell him to get lost!" But before Alexander could act, Billy had already heard his father's call and was eagerly running toward Henry on his short little legs, wiggling his chubby bottom.

"Daddy, how did you know we were coming here today?" Billy called out as he ran. Henry bent down to pick him up, smiling. "Take a guess!"

The wound on Henry's right arm had healed, leaving only a crooked, worm-like scar. It wasn't visible when he wore long sleeves, but was clearly noticeable now in short sleeves, looking quite horrifying.

Although fine movements with that arm were still difficult, he had no problem lifting his son!

Billy was wearing a pink down vest over a black sweater, light gray pants, and camel-colored high-top boots, topped with a fisherman's hat—looking both handsome and full of energy.

Not wanting Billy to interact with Henry, I waved to him, signaling him to come back.

"Mommy, can I play here for a while?" Billy asked. With extreme reluctance, I replied, "You can play for a bit, but come back soon."

Children need paternal love, something I couldn't provide.

So I allowed my son to enjoy some fatherly affection from Henry, not standing in their way.

With my permission, Henry carried Billy to the lakeside pier. He casually picked up some stones from the path and skipped them across the water.

The stones bounced six or seven times before sinking beneath the surface.

Billy watched in delight, shouting, "Daddy, that's amazing! I want to learn too!" Henry smiled, pulling the little boy close and guiding his hand.

Meanwhile, Alexander approached Henry, eyeing him sidelong. "Mr. Harding, you seem quite leisurely. What's the situation? Company troubles all resolved? Finally have time to chase women?"