The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 263

I never expected to be attending a prestigious medical conference, but here I was, thanks to Alexander. He'd somehow secured me a ticket to this exclusive event, where only the industry's elite were invited.

Since the conference wasn't being held in New York but in Denver instead, I had to travel. After dropping Billy off with Betty, I boarded the flight to Colorado with Alexander by my side.

The truth was, the organizers had invited Alexander as their esteemed guest; I was just tagging along. He was the star of this medical research conference.

I knew my place. I sat quietly beside Alexander, maintaining a respectful distance.

Alexander hadn't brought an assistant on this trip. It was just the two of us the entire time.

He was incredibly attentive—carrying my luggage, checking me in, making sure I had everything I needed. As I watched him striding ahead of me, suitcase in hand, I couldn't help feeling a wave of melancholy.

If I didn't have Billy, if I'd never married Henry, if I'd met Alexander earlier...

Would I have fallen for this kind, thoughtful man?

Life is cruel that way. Meeting the right person at the wrong time.

Despite being single now, despite having every right to pursue happiness, despite knowing Alexander's feelings for me...

My failed marriage had obliterated my ability to love again.

I'll admit, there was a moment when I considered leaning on Alexander, staying with him, settling for companionship over passion.

But adults know better—love isn't just a thought in your head.

Alexander and I weren't just separated by Billy; we were separated by the Harding family.

More importantly, I didn't feel that electric spark with him—that inexplicable chemistry that draws a woman to a man.

No matter how good he was to me, I couldn't fully give myself to him.

Lost in these thoughts, I barely noticed Alexander approaching until he was beside me, leaning close to my ear.

"Staring at my reflection in the elevator—does that mean you're interested in me?" His voice was teasing, but I could sense the nervous tension beneath it.

He tried to make it sound like a casual joke, but it was clearly a gentle probe.

My cheeks instantly flushed red.

"What? No, not at all!" I quickly averted my gaze, embarrassed. I caught a glimpse of hurt flashing across Alexander's eyes before he masked it.

Before I could say anything else, the elevator chimed, announcing our arrival at our floor.

The doors slid open, and we stepped out into the hallway. Alexander pulled out the key cards, swiping one to open a door.

"This is your room," he said, smiling. "I'm right next door. Let me know if you need anything." He wheeled my suitcase inside, gave me a small wave, and closed the door behind him.

As the door clicked shut, I felt a pang of guilt.

I knew I was hurting him by keeping him at arm's length, but I couldn't offer what I didn't have.

On the other side of the door, Alexander closed his eyes, a wave of loneliness washing over him.

In that moment, he wanted to ask Sophia a simple question: what does it feel like to truly love someone?

Despite her smiles, despite their easy conversations about life's little amusements, she kept him firmly outside the walls of her heart.

No matter what he did, he couldn't find his way in. It frustrated him to no end, but what could he do?

You can't force feelings. He could have confessed outright, but he feared losing even the friendship they had, losing the privilege of being near her at all. So he buried his feelings deep.

So this was what unrequited love tasted like—bitter and sour.

After settling into my hotel room and taking a shower, I immediately video-called Billy.

As his face appeared on my screen, something felt off.

"Sweetie, are you at Betty's place?" I frowned slightly. I'd stayed at Betty's apartment long enough to recognize her décor, and this definitely wasn't it.

Billy's chubby little face filled the screen. He'd clearly just finished eating something sweet—there was a smudge of white cream at the corner of his mouth.

His pudgy hand waved excitedly at me. "Mommy! You figured it out! I'm not at Godmother's house. Since you're so smart, guess where I am now!"

I squinted at the background, my stomach dropping as recognition hit. "Is that... Maple Grove?"

My son beamed proudly. "Yes! Daddy picked me up today!"

The last time I'd seen Henry at the hospital, we hadn't parted on good terms.

For six years, Henry had been an absentee father, almost never caring for Billy. A man with zero parenting experience had the audacity to lecture a mother who had raised a child for over six years—about how to care for our son.

From that day, I'd firmly told myself: Henry had been as good as non-existent as a husband for six years, so he had no place in Billy's life now either.

That's why when I left for Denver, I'd only told Betty, entrusting Billy to her care.

In my mind, leaving Billy with Henry would be the height of irresponsibility.

So when I heard that Billy was now with Henry, I nearly lost it.

"Sweetheart, didn't we agree? You were supposed to stay with Godmother, not go to Daddy's. Why did you break your promise to Mommy?"

In that moment, I wanted to reach through the phone and strangle Henry! What the hell was that man thinking?

Once upon a time, Billy had always listened to me. Now, my child was disobeying me—this had to be Henry's influence! That damn man!

Seeing my expression darken, Billy quickly tried to smooth things over. "Don't be angry, Mommy! Getting angry gives you wrinkles, and then you won't be pretty anymore. What happened was, Godmother was supposed to pick me up, but she got sick and wasn't feeling well. So I called Daddy instead! I didn't think he'd actually come, but he picked up right away and came to get me!"

Billy seemed genuinely pleased with Henry's immediate response. Hearing Billy's explanation, my anger subsided somewhat. "What's wrong with Godmother?"

My son shook his head. "She just said her tummy hurt, but that she'd be okay."

As a woman, I immediately understood Betty's situation.

Suddenly, the screen shifted, and Henry's ridiculously handsome face appeared. He wore a white button-down shirt, the right sleeve rolled up to reveal his lean forearm, marred by a pinkish scar that twisted like an earthworm along his skin.

He had always been perfect. Now, that ugly scar ruined the elegant lines of his forearm.

Seeing that jagged mark, all the angry words I'd prepared died on my lips.

That scar was the price he'd paid for saving me.

Looking at that long, ugly line and remembering how he'd shielded me that day, I felt a lump form in my throat. Henry must have cared for me at some point, right?

Otherwise, why would he have taken that blow meant for me?

"So you're on a business trip?" His first words carried unmistakable displeasure.

When Billy had called him earlier to be picked up from school, Henry had been shocked. He'd immediately asked: "Where's your mother?"

The child didn't know exactly where I'd gone, only that I was traveling for work. Henry had ordered James to investigate, quickly discovering my destination: Denver.

I had gone to Denver with Alexander without so much as a word.

Two single adults traveling together, with Alexander's obvious interest in me...

To Henry, this spelled disaster.

"Mmm, yes," I replied dismissively, not engaging with his anger.

Henry's irritation visibly grew at my casual response.

Through gritted teeth, he asked: "With Alexander? Just the two of you?"

When he first asked, I felt like I'd been caught cheating. Then I remembered—we were divorced, and I didn't need to explain my schedule to an ex-husband!

I straightened my back and looked coldly at the screen. "Yes! He's single, I'm single—what's the problem?"

Seeing my defiance, Henry's anger boiled over. "Sophia, you abandon your son at home while you run off to Denver for a romantic getaway with your lover? Is that appropriate?" His voice rose. "Have you considered how your son feels?" Another pause. "You're neglecting your child for a man?"

If Billy hadn't been nearby, if Henry hadn't been concerned about the impact on our child, the words coming out of his mouth would have been a hundred times worse.

Henry just couldn't understand—why would Alexander and I travel together? What legitimate business could we possibly have? Alexander hadn't even brought an assistant!

What else could be happening between two single adults who found each other attractive... besides sex?