The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn Chapter 76

I stared at my phone, the screen glowing in the darkness of Betty's guest bedroom. Benjamin's call had ended abruptly after that alarming crash, leaving me with nothing but troubling questions.

What had happened? Was Henry truly hurt?

Despite everything, a familiar worry gnawed at my insides. I tried to push it away, reminding myself that Henry was no longer my concern. Let Isabella handle whatever crisis he'd created this time.

But my finger hovered over the call back button.

"Damn it," I muttered, finally pressing it.

The phone rang once, twice, three times—no answer.

Benjamin wasn't picking up now. Was he deliberately ignoring me? Or was something truly wrong?

I closed my eyes, cursing my own weakness. After everything Henry had put me through, why did I still care so much?

I sighed, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. I pulled a simple outfit from the closet—jeans and a warm sweater—and had just started changing when the bedroom door suddenly flew open.

Betty stood in the doorway, her expression fierce. "What are you doing?"

"I'm just—"

"I knew it! After seeing that ridiculous staged photo, you claim you won't go find Henry, but here you are getting dressed in the middle of the night?" Betty stormed into the room, positioning herself directly between me and the door. "Sophia, have you lost your mind?" I avoided her gaze, focusing on buttoning my jeans. "I heard a crash when I was on the phone with Benjamin. Henry could be hurt."

"And?" Betty crossed her arms. "How is that your problem?"

"It's not, but—"

"No buts!" Betty's voice rose sharply. "This is exactly what Henry wants. He's manipulating you—again! Creating some fake emergency so you'll obediently come running back like you always do."

Her words hit me like cold water.

Was I really that easily influenced? That pathetic?

"Think about it, Sophia," Betty continued, her voice softening slightly. "Why would Benjamin post that photo where you could see it? Why would you hear a crash? They're playing you. This is all a setup."

I sank back onto the bed, the energy draining from my body as clarity settled in. "You're right."

"Of course I'm right," Betty nodded emphatically. "That man spent five years treating you like garbage. Five years making you feel worthless while he chased after Isabella. And now what? One fake photo, one mysterious crash, and you're ready to rush to his rescue?"

I closed my eyes, feeling shame wash over me. "I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Nothing's wrong with you," Betty said, sitting beside me. "You're just too kind-hearted for your own good. But it's time to break the cycle, Sophia. He doesn't deserve your concern."

She was right, completely right.

I stood up and began changing back into my pajamas, a strange mixture of relief and disappointment settling in my heart.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "I needed that reminder."

Betty smiled, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "That's what friends are for—to tell you when you're being completely foolish."

Across town, Benjamin stared at his phone in disbelief. "She hung up. She's not calling back."

Henry, still lying on the VIP room floor, struggled to process this information through his alcohol-fogged brain. "What? Try again."

"I already did," Benjamin replied, pocketing his phone. "She's not answering now."

Henry tried to push himself upright, his movements uncoordinated and clumsy. "She has to come. Tell her... tell her I need her."

Isabella, who had been watching this pathetic display with growing irritation, finally exploded. "Enough! Can't you see she doesn't care about you? She's probably in bed with Thomas right now, laughing at your attempts to get her attention!"

Her words seemed to pierce through Henry's drunken haze. His expression darkened dangerously. "Don't talk about my wife like that."

"Wife?" Isabella laughed bitterly. "The woman who abandoned you? The woman who's filing for divorce?"

Henry struggled to his feet, swaying dangerously before finding his balance. Benjamin stepped forward to steady him, but Henry shrugged him off.

"I need air," he muttered, stumbling toward the door.

Isabella's mind raced as she assessed the situation. The hour was late; this might be her best opportunity to get Henry alone.

"Let me take him somewhere to sober up," she suggested, her voice honeyed with fake concern.

Benjamin wasn't falling for it. "Not happening."

"Don't be ridiculous," Isabella snapped. "Look at him—he needs to rest somewhere quiet. I can take him to my hotel suite. He'll be perfectly comfortable there."

Benjamin scoffed. "Sorry, but I'm not letting him go anywhere with you. Especially not to a hotel room."

"Fine," Isabella huffed, gathering her purse with exaggerated movements. "I was only trying to help. But if you'd rather leave him in this state..."

Henry, who had been leaning against the wall listening to this exchange, suddenly straightened up. "Sophia," he murmured, his eyes lighting up. "I need to see Sophia."

Benjamin approached him cautiously. "Henry, maybe we should just get you home—"

"No!" Henry's voice grew louder, more insistent. "Take me to Sophia. Now."

Isabella rolled her eyes dramatically. "For God's sake, Henry! She doesn't want to see you. Why can't you understand that?"

But Henry had already begun staggering toward the exit, his mind completely focused on this one thing. Benjamin hurried after him.

"Just mention Sophia and he becomes like an obedient child," Benjamin muttered to himself, watching Henry's unsteady progress. "Fine, I'll have to indulge you."

Isabella was left behind in the VIP room by the two men.

Once in Benjamin's car, Henry immediately collapsed in the back seat, his momentary lucidity giving way to exhaustion. Benjamin slid behind the wheel.

They had barely driven a block when Henry suddenly sat bolt upright, startling Benjamin.

"Sophia!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the silence. "Find Sophia!"

Benjamin glanced at him in the rearview mirror. "She's not answering my calls, Henry."

"Take me to her," Henry insisted, his voice surprisingly clear despite his intoxication.

"To Maple Grove?" Benjamin asked, already turning the car toward the Harding estate.

"No!" Henry's response was immediate and forceful. "She's not there. She's waiting at Rose Apartments."

Benjamin nearly swerved off the road in surprise. "Rose Apartments? How do you know that?"

"Just go," Henry commanded, slumping back against the seat and closing his eyes.

Benjamin muttered to himself. "Is he really drunk, or is he faking it?"

By the time they arrived at Rose Apartments, it was already 1 AM. The security gate was closed, with a drowsy guard monitoring the entrance.

"Now what?" Benjamin asked, turning to look at Henry, who appeared to be sleeping again. "

Hey, Henry. Do you know which unit Sophia is in? The security won't let us in without an address."

Henry's eyes snapped open, surprisingly clear. Without hesitation, he recited a complete address, including building number, floor, and unit.

Benjamin stared at him in shock, then repeated the information to the security guard, who checked a logbook before nodding and raising the barrier.

"I can't believe it," Benjamin muttered as they drove through. "How many times have you checked her address to memorize it like that?"

Henry didn't respond, his focus entirely on the approaching apartment building.

When Benjamin parked the car, he tried calling Sophia one more time. "Still not answering," he reported, putting his phone away.

But by this time, Henry was already out of the car, wobbling toward the building's entrance.

"Sophia!" he suddenly bellowed, tilting his head back to look up at the darkened windows above.

"Sophia!"

Benjamin rushed to him, trying desperately to cover his mouth. "Jesus Christ, Henry! You'll wake up the entire building!"

But Henry easily shook him off, his alcohol-fueled strength surprising Benjamin.

"Sophia!" he shouted again, even louder this time. "COME DOWN! I'M YOUR HUSBAND!"

Lights began flicking on in various apartments, curious and annoyed faces appearing at windows.

Benjamin could hear murmurs of complaint growing louder by the second.

"Oh God," Benjamin groaned, watching helplessly as Henry continued his drunken howling into the night sky. "We're about to get arrested for disturbing the peace."