Chapter 176 Henry Knows Taylor Was Sick!
Taylor spotted Henry right away.
She felt a mix of emotions—mostly pissed 'cause he'd been gone so long. Instead of running to him, she clung to Grace's leg.
Henry gently grabbed her tiny arm and pulled her close.
He couldn't help himself and hugged her tight, breathing in her baby scent, feeling a wave of sadness. When he left, she was just a baby.
Taylor, snug in Henry's arms, felt a bit shy. But kids are super intuitive, and she could tell Henry was crying.
She cupped his face, her big eyes blinking. "Daddy's eyes hurt? I'll blow on them, and they won't hurt anymore!"
Henry touched her little arms and legs.
He missed her deeply. No matter how much he caressed her, it never felt like enough. At times, he even wished he could tuck her into his pocket.After a bit, Henry asked softly, "Baby, where'd you learn that?"
Taylor still held his face, thinking how handsome her daddy was!
Her voice was innocent. "When Mommy cries, I blow on her like this. She always says it doesn't hurt anymore."
Henry looked up at Grace, his gaze intense.
He asked softly, "Do you cry often?"
Grace awkwardly brushed it off. "Just got some sand in my eyes."
"Really?" Henry's voice was low, loaded with meaning. He then picked up Taylor, his eyes on her but his question aimed at Grace. "What's wrong with her?"
Taylor's little face scrunched up, looking pitiful despite her fair skin. "I have a nosebleed!"
Henry's heart broke, and he kissed her little nose repeatedly. He looked at Grace and asked, "What did the check-up say?"
Before Grace could answer, a tall figure in a white coat walked over. It was Lucas, who came to stand beside Grace.
Lucas probably heard from Brenda about Taylor's condition and knew Grace was feeling down, so he gently patted her shoulder, his actions carrying a touch of masculine tenderness.
Henry's gaze tightened as he watched Grace, observing her reaction.
At that moment, only Henry knew how scared he was of seeing Grace lean on Lucas's shoulder, showing vulnerability, and how afraid he was that they were a couple!
Luckily, Grace just looked up and smiled faintly. Lucas did the same. But their silent understanding was enough to make Henry jealous.
No matter how jealous he was, he couldn't show it because he and Grace were no longer married!
At this moment, Taylor in his arms had tears in her eyes. "Uncle Lucas!"
Lucas took out a candy from his pocket, coaxing Taylor. Their familiarity suggested they saw each other often.
Henry's gaze deepened.
Lucas looked up at him and said calmly, "Every time I go on a business trip to Vesper City, I visit them!"
Each visit made Henry a bit uneasy, but he maintained his composure. "I appreciate you taking care of them, Lucas."
Their conversation was warm and polite, but they had actually fought once, a fierce fight that almost landed them in the hospital.
Meeting again, everything seemed calm. But it felt like Henry was the outsider. Henry felt a pang of sadness.
He watched Lucas leave. Holding Taylor, he turned to Grace and asked, "Has he been transferred to this hospital?"
Knowing it wasn't his place to ask, he found the question slipping out anyway. "Have you been in frequent contact over the years?"
By this time, Grace had composed herself. She took Taylor from Henry's arms and said softly, "Henry, you have no right to ask about my private life!"
When Grace touched Taylor, Henry lightly grabbed her slender wrist. It was gentle but had that unmistakable manly assertiveness.
Grace couldn't help but look up. In that moment, she saw the deep meaning hidden in his dark eyes.
Their gazes locked, bringing back memories of those late nights when he held her wrist, pressing her into the pillow, taking her with a raw intensity.
Their memories together, aside from the hurt, seemed to be filled with those intimate moments.
Grace smiled sadly. She struggled slightly, her voice even lower. "Henry..."
Henry still stared into her eyes, his voice soft and earnest. "I know I'm overstepping! But I can't help it, Grace, I'm afraid you'll be with him."
Henry knew she was repulsed, so he didn't push further. He graciously saw them to the car.
Clara got in the car holding Taylor first.
Grace was about to get in when Henry said softly, "I'll come to see her tonight."
Grace hesitated slightly.
Henry pressed on, but his voice was gentle. "I just want to see her, isn't that okay? Grace, I've missed her so much over the years."
Grace agreed. As she got in the car, Henry held the car door above her head, very gentlemanly, without crossing any boundaries.
Watching the car drive away, Henry's expression turned blank.
He said to Celeste behind him, "Find a way to get Taylor's medical records. I want them by this evening."
Celeste's eyes were still moist.
She was a mom now too. Two days after she gave birth, she got a generous gift from Vesper City, sent by Grace, fulfilling a promise she had made. The gift was worth ten years of Celeste's salary.
But if given the choice, she would rather Grace hadn't gone through all that pain. From the moment she returned to Henry, they should have lived happily together, with a son and a daughter.
After a while, Celeste nodded in agreement.
In the evening, the setting sun made the Montague Group building glow like fire!
In the top-floor CEO's office, Henry sat quietly, in front of him was a medical record, the patient was Taylor.
[Primary blood disease.]
[Multiple skin and mucous membrane hemorrhages.]
Henry held the record, reading it over and over. Finally, he leaned back on the sofa and lit a cigarette. He didn't smoke it, just stared into the pale blue smoke.
His Taylor was sick, and she had used that sad little face to say, "I have a nosebleed!"
Taylor was sick! That was why Grace came back.
That was why Grace appeared by his side again, she wanted to have a child with him! After giving birth, she would leave with the child without saying a word.
Henry tilted his head back slightly, his Adam's apple moving.
After a long time, he stared at the bright white light and spoke softly, "Celeste, I don't care about your personal relationship with Grace, but don't tell her about this!"
Celeste hesitated slightly and agreed.
After Celeste left, Henry sat alone for a long time, thinking about Taylor's illness and his reunion with Grace.
As dusk fell, he finally got up and left.
He drove to the shopping center, bought toys that little girls love, and then went to Grace's apartment.
Grace opened the door for him.
Meeting again, their gazes were somewhat ambiguous. Henry looked down and changed his shoes, asking casually, "Clara and the nanny aren't around?"
Grace nodded. "They went out to buy daily necessities."
Henry nodded in acknowledgment.. He took off his coat and draped it over his arm. The shirt he wore underneath was still the one she had bought him years ago. It seemed he had worn it often over the years, as the collar was already a bit worn and not as crisp.
Henry caught her eye and offered a faint smile. "It's a bit worn out. The laundry service isn't as meticulous as you were."