The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 66

Standing outside his front door, Henry suddenly realized he had lost his composure. Anger had clouded his judgment—he didn't know where Sophia was or how to find her. The karaoke bar could be anywhere in Manhattan.

Damn it.

Remembering the laughter he'd heard through the phone, imagining Sophia smiling at Thomas, accepting his birthday wishes, while he—her husband—hadn't even known what day it was, his hands involuntarily clenched into fists.

But he couldn't just leave like this. He had just disciplined the maid and left Billy alone in the house. The mansion was too large, too empty for a child.

Henry took a deep breath and walked back inside. He went upstairs to Billy's room. The boy was sitting on his bed, clutching his stuffed dinosaur to his chest, his eyes wide with wariness as Henry entered.

"Billy," Henry said, making an effort to soften his voice. "Would you like to go find your mother with me?"

Billy's expression remained guarded. "You were really scary downstairs."

Henry felt an unfamiliar sensation—could it be shame? He carefully sat on the edge of the bed, maintaining some distance to avoid frightening his son further.

"That maid said some very hurtful things about your mother," he explained. "Sometimes, when people disrespect someone we... care about, adults get angry."

Billy seemed to consider this, his young face serious. "Mom says we should ignore mean people."

"Your mother is wiser than I am," Henry admitted, surprising even himself with the sincerity of his statement. "Now, do you know where she is? We could go surprise her."

A flicker of excitement appeared in Billy's eyes. "Really? You want to see Mom?"

"Yes," Henry nodded, carefully concealing his true intentions. "But it's a surprise. So you need to help me find her without letting her know I'm looking for her. Can you do that?"

Billy nodded eagerly, the anticipation of seeing his mother apparently making him forget his fear.

"Can you call her on your watch? Ask her where she is, but don't tell her we're coming to get her. Remember, it's a surprise."

Billy's eyes brightened at being entrusted with this special mission. He raised his colorful smartwatch—a birthday gift from William—and pressed a button.

Sophia answered almost immediately, her voice filled with concern. "Billy? Is everything okay, sweetheart?"

"Hi, Mom! I miss you. Where are you?" Billy asked, his innocent voice betraying none of Henry's scheming.

"I'm at a work dinner, honey. Is something wrong? Is your father with you?"

"No, I'm alone," Billy lied with such skill that Henry couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "The maid is making dinner, but I'm bored. Can I come see you?"

There was a pause on the other end. "Billy, it's quite late, and this is an adult event—"

"Please, Mom?" Billy's voice took on that pleading quality that Henry had noticed Sophia could never resist. "I promise I'll be super good!"

Henry heard Sophia sigh. "Alright, I'm at the Imperial Palace Hotel in the banquet room. But sweetheart, how will you get here? Is your father—"

"I'll figure it out! Love you, bye!" Billy quickly ended the call before she could ask more questions, then looked up at Henry with a triumphant smile. "She's at the Imperial Palace Hotel!"

Henry couldn't help but be impressed by his son's deceptive skills. "Good job," he said, ruffling Billy's hair. "Let's go surprise your mother."

As they drove through Manhattan's night streets, Henry mentally rehearsed what he would say and how he would react. The thought of Sophia celebrating with Thomas made his blood boil, but he knew he couldn't display that anger in front of Billy.

"Dad, why didn't you want Mom to know you're coming too?" Billy suddenly asked from the back seat.

Henry met his son's eyes in the rearview mirror. "Adult things, Billy. Sometimes grown-ups like to surprise each other."

"Like for Mom's birthday?" Billy asked innocently. "Did you get her a present?"

The question hit Henry like a physical blow. Of course he hadn't gotten her a present. He hadn't even known it was her birthday.

"It's complicated," Henry said, forcing his voice to remain neutral.

"Mom says that's what grown-ups say when they don't want to explain something," Billy replied, his gaze never leaving his father's reflection in the mirror.

This kid is too perceptive, Henry thought.

"Sometimes that's true," Henry admitted. "But sometimes things really are complicated."

Back at the Imperial Palace, Sophia had already lost interest in the karaoke celebration. After perfunctorily singing a couple of songs, she slipped out of the private room and headed for the lobby. Her mind was filled with worry for Billy—Henry looking after him was unprecedented, and she couldn't help feeling anxious.

As she reached the grand lobby with its sparkling chandeliers and marble floors, she heard hurried footsteps behind her.

"Sophia, wait!" Thomas called, his expression filled with disappointment as he caught up to her. "Where are you going? The party's just getting started."

"I'm sorry, Thomas," she said sincerely. "Billy called. I need to go home to him."

Thomas's face fell. "But this is your birthday celebration. After everything you've been through, you deserve one night to yourself."

"I appreciate everything you've done," Sophia assured him. "The surprise, the cake, all of it. But Billy needs me."

"Henry is with him, isn't he?" Thomas asked, his voice carrying a hint of frustration. "Just let the child stay with him for one evening."

Sophia hesitated. "It's not that simple—"

"It is that simple," Thomas insisted, stepping closer. "You've been accommodating that man for five years, Sophia. You've signed the divorce papers. It's time to start living for yourself."

His words struck a chord in her heart. He had a point—she had been living in Henry's shadow, putting his and Billy's needs above her own for so long that she'd almost forgotten what it felt like to prioritize herself.

Thomas must have seen the conflict in her eyes, because he suddenly spread his arms wide, physically blocking her path to the exit.

"I won't let you leave," he declared, though his voice remained gentle. "At least right now, during your birthday party, you should stay."

Sophia stared at him, taken aback by this uncharacteristic behavior from the usually proper doctor. Yet she saw nothing but genuine concern and care in his eyes—no manipulation, no ulterior motives, just a friend trying to ensure she enjoyed the present moment's happiness.

"Thomas," she began, uncertain how to respond to Thomas's attitude.

"You've already signed the divorce papers," Thomas gently reminded her. "You need to start making changes, Sophia. Don't let Henry control your life anymore."

His words resonated deeply, making Sophia pause. She had been fighting so hard for her freedom, yet at the first call, she was ready to rush back to the world Henry had created for her. Was she really ready to break free, or was she just pretending?

As she considered Thomas's words, a small voice suddenly rang out across the lobby.

"Mommy!"

Sophia's head snapped up to see Billy running through the hotel's revolving doors, his face beaming with excitement. All thoughts of independence instantly vanished, as maternal instinct changed everything.

"Billy!" she exclaimed, rushing forward to meet her son in the middle of the lobby.

Thomas watched with a resigned expression, knowing that all his efforts had become meaningless with the small boy's arrival.

Billy threw himself into his mother's arms, hugging her tightly before turning toward Thomas with an accusatory look.

"Mommy, why won't Thomas uncle let you leave?" the boy demanded, his protective instinct triggered. "Thomas uncle, you can't do that to my mommy!"

Thomas was shocked by the child's directness. He hadn't expected Billy to witness that moment, and seeing the fierce protectiveness in the boy's eyes made him realize how his actions might have appeared.

"I...I'm sorry, Billy," Thomas stammered, genuinely chastened by the five-year-old's defense of his mother. "I didn't mean to upset anyone."

"It's okay, Billy," Sophia soothed, stroking her son's hair. "Thomas was just trying to make sure I enjoyed my birthday party."

"Of course it matters!" a deep voice interjected from behind them.

Sophia froze, recognizing Henry's commanding tone even before turning to face him.

Henry strode across the hotel lobby, his expensive shoes clicking against the marble floor, his presence immediately drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

"How can this be 'no problem'?" he asked, his voice dangerously low as he approached them.