Chapter 140 Henry Was Just Using Her to Provoke Grace
Esme stepped into the cozy living room.
The servant brought her coffee with such care, even her voice was soft. Esme thought sadly, 'They must be extra careful because Grace is pregnant.'
Esme never expected Grace to get pregnant!
'Didn't Henry and Grace have issues? How did she get pregnant right after they made up?' she wondered.
The rain outside drizzled on, adding to the gloomy mood.
Just then, the door opened, and Esme looked up sharply. It was Henry.
Henry stood at the door, not moving closer.
He didn't have his usual charm, and his eyes weren't playful. He looked like a devoted husband and father in his home clothes.
Henry closed the door, probably to keep the servants from overhearing and telling Grace.
Esme's heart ached even more.
She dropped her guard and asked, "Henry, do you care about her just because she's pregnant? If she wasn't, would we have a chance?"
"No," Henry said, lighting a cigarette.
His Adam's apple moved, and the smoke blurred his handsome face but didn't soften his sharp features.
He looked at her coldly, like she was a stranger.
Esme's lips trembled. "Henry, we..."
Henry flicked his cigarette ash and gave a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Esme, there is no 'we.' We didn't even have a fling. We just had a few drinks like friends, and someone took a photo of us talking in the hallway after too much to drink! I don't care who took the photo."
Esme's heart sank. So, Henry had always known!
He knew she orchestrated those photos, yet he let her believe she had a chance, making her bold enough to confront Grace.
Turns out, Esme was nothing! Henry said there was no romance between them!
How could he cut off his own retreat? How could he really get involved with her? From start to finish, it was all her wishful thinking. She was just a tool he used to provoke Grace.
Grace got pregnant, and Henry became a good husband again!
Esme, thinking she deserved an explanation, felt humiliated.
"Henry, you bastard!" she spat and left.
Henry finished his cigarette, opened the door, and headed upstairs. But in the hall, he saw Grace having breakfast.
Grace wore a light pink dress, loose and comfy. Her pregnancy made her look especially gentle, her face soft with maternal glow.
Henry felt moved. He walked over, poured her a glass of milk, and kissed her on the lips.
Grace was momentarily stunned but quickly smiled faintly. "Did you handle everything?"
Henry sipped his coffee, then looked at her seriously. "Grace, I never touched her! Not even once!"
Grace's smile faded a bit.
Esme had caused a scene, demanding explanation from Henry, but Grace felt nothing!
Compared to the hardships Grace endured with Elodie, this was minor. Besides, she no longer had feelings for Henry.
Grace no longer cared about Henry's affairs, how many women he had!
But she still smiled faintly, her voice gentle and soft, like a considerate wife. "I believe you!"
Henry gently touched her face, then couldn't resist her soft earlobe. Grace was very sensitive there; he loved to lightly bite that spot during their intimate moments, and she would respond so tenderly.
Henry had been holding back his desire for a while. Thinking of those moments, his voice got a bit hoarse. "I'll bring the car around. Have the servant grab a coat from upstairs; it's chilly outside." He got up and left, and Grace watched him go.
Henry was always impeccably dressed. Today, he wore a dark gray shirt with a custom-made suit. Even from behind, he exuded an air of nobility, no wonder so many women were infatuated with him.
Grace lowered her head, gently stroking her belly.
'Pretending to be in love with Henry wasn't that hard,' she thought.
The servant came downstairs with a shawl Grace often wore. She draped it over Grace's shoulders and said softly, "The ground outside is slippery, Mrs. Montague. Please wear non-slip shoes later. You need to be extra careful now that you're pregnant."
Grace smiled and nodded.
Grace hadn't been checked at the Montague Group's hospital before, but after Henry returned, he transferred her there.
The renowned obstetrician Jordan Davis was examining Grace. During the ultrasound, Henry stood by her side, watching the monitor with the tenderness of an expectant father.
Seeing Henry's expression, Jordan guessed Grace's importance to him and smiled, "The baby is very healthy! And the head circumference is not large compared to other babies of the same month, so there should be a good chance for a natural delivery."
Jordan's words hinted at the baby's gender.
Henry understood and was delighted. He squatted down to hold Grace's hand, his blue eyes filled with tenderness.
Jordan put away the probe and tactfully left to write the report.
As Grace tried to get up, Henry gently kept her still, took a tissue, and wiped off the lubricant for her. When he buttoned her clothes, he couldn't help but touch her belly. That slight bulge made him love it dearly. He looked at Grace with special tenderness, his voice very soft, "Our Taylor is a little girl! Grace, we're going to be parents."
As he spoke, Grace's belly gently moved. The three-month-old fetus was surprisingly active, showing early signs of movement.
Henry was overjoyed. Such a noble person, he actually gently pressed his face against Grace's belly in the hospital, wanting to hear the baby's sound. At that moment, his tenderness could make any woman fall for him.
Grace lowered her eyes, watching Henry's gentle demeanor, her eyes slightly moist. In this marriage, she did have some regrets.
She had loved Henry deeply, she had hated him, and now she neither loved nor hated, just wanted to part ways peacefully.
Grace and Henry had been married for several years, experiencing many ups and downs. She had long experienced his methods. She no longer confronted him head-on, no longer fought a losing battle. She restrained her sharpness and temper just to leave smoothly.
However, the child in her belly was destined to lack Henry's love.
Grace felt sad, gently stroking her belly.
Her hand was covered by Henry's.
Henry hugged her, gently burying his face in her neck, his breath warm and slightly rapid. After a long time, he said very softly, "Grace, forgive me, please?"
Grace didn't push him away.
Loveless marriages and hopeless relationships involved nothing more than a cycle of deceit; eventually, they would just learn to live with it.