Chapter 154 Henry Confined Her In the Name of Love!
Grace woke up at noon with Taylor in her arms. Taylor, in a light pink onesie, was sleeping soundly, looking absolutely adorable.
Grace's eyes filled with tears. Taylor woke up, whimpered, and started nuzzling Grace, trying to find her way.
Despite feeling weak, Grace tried to feed the baby. This marked her debut as a mom, and she awkwardly grappled with the buttons, failing to undo them, and Taylor cried in frustration, her face turning red.
Henry stepped in, unbuttoning her nightgown with ease. "It might hurt a bit at first," he said gently.
Grace remained expressionless, still cold towards him. She brought Taylor closer, and the baby latched on, drinking greedily despite Grace's discomfort.
Henry stayed by their side, feeling a special connection. They were not just husband and wife; they were Taylor's parents. Taylor's arrival seemed to soften their past resentments.
Henry wanted to grow old with Grace at that moment.
After feeding, Taylor fell asleep. She woke up again, sucked for a while, and then fell into a deep sleep.
Henry picked Taylor up, burped her gently, and placed her in the crib. He was tender, like a caring husband.
"Are you hungry? I'll help you wash up and get you something to eat. There's fresh soup in the kitchen, perfect for postpartum recovery," he said.
Grace wrapped her clothes around herself, feeling cold despite the warm bedroom.
When Henry went downstairs, Grace stood by the living room window, watching the guards outside sealing off the villa. Henry had confined her.
She looked at her phone; no signal. All the landlines were disconnected. The house had become an isolated island, imprisoning her in the name of love.
Henry came in with a tray and saw Grace by the window, wrapped in a thick shawl but still looking frail.
He placed the food on the table. "I know you're not feeling well, but please eat a little. A nutritionist will help you recover soon," he said softly.
Grace didn't turn around. "Let me go," she said quietly.
Henry felt a pang in his heart. He walked up behind her and picked her up, carrying her to the table. Just as he was about to speak, Grace knocked over the bowl of soup, spilling it everywhere and staining Henry's clothes.
He didn't get angry. "Taylor is sleeping. Don't wake her up, okay?" he said gently.
Grace couldn't hold back any longer. She pushed Henry away and walked to the window, her face pale.
She pointed at the guards outside and the spilled soup, laughing bitterly. "Henry, you're confining me! Why pretend to be so affectionate? You're sick, and I don't want to sacrifice myself for you!"
"Listen, Henry, I will never love you again! I used to like you, but now, I don't want to see you for even a second!" Grace finished, breathing heavily and coughing up a bit of blood, clearly exhausted.
Henry wanted to hold her, but Grace refused. "Don't come near! Stay away!" she said softly.
Grace's voice was full of fatigue. Without Henry realizing it, she had developed postpartum depression. Her family was gone, no relatives around, and her husband had confined her in the name of love, claiming he wanted to make amends. It was laughable!
The place was a mess, and a heavy, oppressive air settled around them. They had once been sweet, but now Grace was trapped in the villa by Henry.
Clara was at her wit's end, and Juniper had tried everything to see Grace, but Henry's power was too strong.
Grace couldn't leave, so she stayed cold towards Henry. Their broken marriage was no secret in their social circle.
A week later, Aurora came to see Taylor. The baby was well-fed and chubby, very endearing.
Holding Taylor, Aurora thought of Grace. "Henry, how long do you plan to keep her confined? Until she gives in? Grace isn't the type to easily give in," she said softly.
Henry stood by the window, quietly looking outside.
Aurora continued, "Moreover, you're in your prime. You need a gentle and caring wife, and Taylor needs a mother who can take care of her. Grace can't even take care of herself right now."
Henry knew Aurora was hinting at him divorcing Grace and marrying Esme. He didn't know how much he loved Grace or what was left of their relationship, but he didn't want to end things so bleakly.
"No need to say more," he said calmly. He wouldn't divorce.
Aurora saw through him and smiled faintly. "Henry, you have to manage the company and take care of the child. Her heart isn't with you. How long can you hold on?"
Aurora left, and the servant took Taylor upstairs. Henry smoked a few cigarettes in the study before returning to the bedroom.
The bedroom was dimly lit. Grace, in a bathrobe, lay on her side on the bed, feeding Taylor. From behind, he saw her thin shoulders and golden hair spread on the white pillow, showing no signs of having given birth.
Taylor, full, lay quietly in Grace's arms, her pretty little face serene and calm. Grace looked down at her, finding a moment of peace, feeling truly alive.
When Taylor wasn't around, Grace often had wild thoughts, filling her with fear when she came to her senses.
Henry had thoughts in his mind. Aurora's words had affected him. He was a normal man, and seeing Grace with her bathrobe half-open stirred him. He wanted to hold her, not necessarily to make love, but just to be close.
Henry lay behind Grace, his lips pressed against her neck, his warm breath on her ear, just like before during their intimate moments.
Grace's body stiffened. She was very sensitive and could tell when he wanted to make love as soon as he got close.
Grace avoided his touch, her attitude cold. "Henry, if you want to satisfy your physical needs, you can find another woman. I don't care."
Henry's pupils contracted. Grace was telling him to find another woman.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and after a while, he spoke hoarsely, "I just want to hold you. Do you reject even that?"
"Yes," Grace said.
Henry still held her, touching her bit by bit, trying to melt her. But she was heartbroken; she felt nothing. She had no feelings for him, no feelings for his touch.