The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 71

"Mom, can we go see Great-Grandpa today?" Billy asked, his small face suddenly serious as he put down the chess game. "I want to show him my new drawing."

I hesitated, my hands mechanically continuing to chop vegetables. The thought of potentially running into Henry at the hospital made my stomach tighten.

"Honey, I'm not sure if today is a good day," I began gently. "Great-Grandpa might be tired from his treatments."

Billy's shoulders visibly slumped. "But you promised we'd visit him this week. And I made him a special picture." He pulled a folded paper from his pocket, carefully opening it to reveal a colorful drawing of William and himself feeding birds from a hospital balcony.

Seeing this, my heart melted. After everything that had happened, Billy still maintained his connection with his great-grandfather.

"Let me check something first, okay?" I said, reaching for my phone.

Betty raised an eyebrow as she cleared away the chess pieces. "Checking to make sure a certain someone won't be there?"

I ignored her knowing look and walked into the hallway. My fingers hovered over Henry's contact information before I scrolled past it to James's name instead.

James, is Henry available this afternoon? I typed, then immediately deleted it. Too direct.

I started over. What's Henry's schedule like this afternoon? No, still too obvious.

Finally, I sent: This afternoon, what are your boss's plans?

I waited anxiously, staring at the screen until dots appeared, indicating James was typing a response.

At Harding corporate headquarters, James looked at his phone with a mixture of surprise and calculation. This was the first time Sophia had contacted him since leaving the mansion. Mr. Harding had been in a foul mood for days, snapping at everyone, driving away staff left and right, and spending endless hours locked in his office.

James knew exactly what—or rather who—was responsible for the boss's terrible temper. Sophia's departure had affected Henry more than anyone expected.

Now he had received a message from her, asking about Henry's schedule. This could be an opportunity to help fix things.

His mind quickly analyzed the possibilities. If Sophia was asking about Henry's schedule, she must be planning to see him.

James carefully composed his response: Mrs. Harding, are you planning a surprise for the boss? If so, I can confidently tell you: Mr. Harding will be at the office all afternoon!

Sophia's reply came immediately: just a simple OK.

James couldn't suppress a smile as he strode toward Henry's office, knocking briefly before entering.

"Sir, I have something that might interest you," he announced, holding up his phone.

Henry glanced up from his computer, his expression guarded. "What is it?"

"Mrs. Harding just messaged me. She was asking about your schedule for this afternoon."

Henry's eyes sharpened instantly, focusing with laser-like intensity. "Show me."

James handed over his phone, watching as his boss read through the brief exchange. A transformation came over Henry's face—the dark cloud that had been hovering over him for days seemed to lift slightly.

"She's coming here," Henry murmured, more to himself than to James. "She's finally coming to her senses."

James nodded eagerly. "That's what I thought too, sir. Should I prepare anything special for her arrival?"

Henry leaned back in his chair, a hint of his usual confidence returning. "Have my car brought around at three. And..." he hesitated briefly, "bring out that necklace."

"Right away, sir."

As James left to carry out his instructions, Henry opened his desk drawer, staring at the divorce papers still sitting there. She hadn't mentioned them once since leaving. Perhaps she was reconsidering.

He remembered their night on her birthday—how they'd shared a cake with Billy, how her body had responded to his touch. There was still an emotional connection between them, something she couldn't deny no matter how much she claimed to want freedom.

All he needed to do was wait for her to walk through his door.

At Manhattan General Hospital, Billy practically skipped through the corridors, clutching his drawing while I followed more cautiously behind. We'd visited William enough times that the nursing staff recognized us, nodding respectfully as we passed.

I hadn't told Billy that I'd checked Henry's schedule first. How could I explain to a five-year-old that his mother was deliberately avoiding his father?

When we entered William's room, his face lit up immediately. "My two favorite people! What a wonderful surprise!"

Billy rushed forward, carefully climbing onto the bed to give his great-grandfather a gentle hug. "I made you a picture! See? It's us feeding the birds!"

As they examined the drawing together, I sat in the visitor's chair, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. Henry wasn't here. We could have this moment in peace.

William looked better today, some color returning to his cheeks, and he had even shaved.

"Sophia," he called, patting the bed beside him. "Come closer. Let me look at you properly."

I moved to sit on the edge of the bed, maintaining a respectful distance.

"You look tired," he observed, his shrewd eyes missing nothing. "Not sleeping well?"

"I'm fine, Grandpa," I assured him. "Just busy with work and Billy."

William nodded, though his expression remained skeptical. "My wife used to say that same thing. 'I'm fine, William, stop fussing.' Right up until the day she collapsed from exhaustion."

The mention of his late wife softened his features. Even after decades, he still spoke of her with such tenderness.

"We were married for forty-seven years," he continued, his gaze distant. "Not a day goes by that I don't miss her. When you've found someone to share your life with, Sophia, you hold onto them with both hands."

I looked away, uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. William had always believed Henry and I could make our marriage work, never fully understanding the depth of our dysfunction.

"Grandpa—" I began, but he cut me off with a wave of his hand.

"I know, I know. You youngsters think the old man doesn't understand modern relationships. But love isn't modern or ancient, Sophia. It's just love."

As Billy entertained himself with a puzzle book the nurses had left, William leaned closer to me.

"Tell me honestly," he said, his voice lowered. "Are you happy, living away from Henry?"

I considered the question carefully. "I'm... calmer," I finally answered. "Less anxious. Billy's happier too. He laughs more."

William nodded slowly. "And Henry? Have you spoken to him?"

"Not since I left."

"You're both so stubborn," William sighed. "Just like my wife and I in our early years. We had so much pride between us, we nearly ruined everything."

While we continued our conversation, I didn't notice the family butler slip away from his post by the door. He moved silently through the corridor until he reached a large winter holly tree in the hospital atrium. Concealed behind its branches, he quickly dialed Henry's number.

Henry glanced at his watch for the fifth time in as many minutes. Three o'clock had passed. The expensive necklace—intended as a belated birthday gift for Sophia—sat quietly in his desk drawer.

Where was she? James had confirmed her interest in his schedule, but hours had passed with no sign of Sophia.

A terrible thought suddenly struck him.

What if she hadn't been asking about his schedule because she planned to see him? What if she had been making sure he would be at the office... so she could avoid him?

His phone rang, the screen displaying the butler's number. He snatched it up, barking, "What is it?"

"Sir," the butler's voice was apologetically low, "I thought you should know that Mrs. Harding and young Master Billy are here at the hospital visiting Mr. William."

Henry's grip tightened on the phone. "How long have they been there?"

"About an hour, sir. They appear to be planning to stay for dinner."

"I see," Henry said coldly. "Thank you for informing me."

He ended the call, his suspicions confirmed. Sophia hadn't been planning to come to him at all. She'd been checking his schedule to ensure she could visit William without running into him.

She was deliberately avoiding him.

After their night together, after the birthday celebration, she was still running away.

He had been waiting here like a fool, expecting her to come back, when she'd actually been playing him all along.

He slammed the jewelry box shut.

If Sophia thought she could hide from him, she was sorely mistaken.

No one played games with Henry Harding without paying the price.

"James!" he shouted, his voice carrying through the office. "Get the car ready. Now."