Chapter 177 Nervous? Haven't You Had a Man all These Years?
Henry's words hit Grace right in the feels, making her eyes well up.
She shut the door, adjusted her shawl, and muttered, "Why bring that up, Henry? It's ancient history."
Henry shot back, "Then what's the point?"
He set Taylor's toy aside and, catching Grace off guard, pinned her against the foyer wall.
The bright light showed off her stunning looks.
Henry stared at her small face for a long moment. Then, he suddenly spun her around, grabbed her slim waist from behind, and started caressing her.
Grace's voice was shaky. "Henry!"
Her body trembled a bit, but she didn't push him away. Henry knew why; she came back because she wanted to be with him.
Henry didn't let Grace see his face. He pressed against her back, asking softly, like a regular husband, "How long you staying?"
"Two or three months. Gonna open a couple of stores nearby, then head back to Vesper City." Grace's voice trembled, each word dripping with feminine allure. She nervously tried to push him away, but Henry held her waist, not letting her go.
Henry pulled a small item from his pocket—a pearl earring.
He pulled her into his arms and gently put the earring on her from behind, saying softly, "You left this in my car last night. Where's the other one?"
He noticed it lying on the foyer cabinet and draped it gently over her shoulders. As he did so, he lightly brushed her earlobe, a gesture more reminiscent of a lover than an ex-husband, in a way that felt oddly intimate.
Grace trembled lightly in his arms.
Henry leaned close to her ear and asked hoarsely, "Nervous? Haven't had a man all these years? Just a touch and you're like this."
"Enough, Henry!" Grace was annoyed and tried to push him away, but Henry grabbed her hand.
He turned Grace around, then pinched her waist and pressed her forward, making her arch her back in a way that seemed to cater to him, which was utterly humiliating.
The earlier gentleness seemed like a mirage.
Henry's expression was stern. Even though he was doing such things, he exuded a sense of control.
"What's your deal with Lucas? Thinking about starting a family?" he asked.
Henry pressed Grace against him, the difference in strength between a man and a woman clear. The subtle friction reminded Grace of their shameful past.
Under the light, Grace suddenly smiled lightly.
Her red lips parted slightly, her voice raspy. "That's none of your business."
Henry's blue eyes stared at her. He didn't speak. Under her fixed gaze, he touched her body.
She was different from before. It wasn't visible on the outside, but touching her revealed a mature charm that would make any man reluctant to let go. She clearly resisted, yet she was also yielding.
Henry knew why. As she cried softly, he leaned close to her sensitive ear and asked, "Why are you letting me touch you? Is it because of a woman's need, or something else?"
Grace finally couldn't hold back and raised her hand to slap him, but he caught it.
Henry held her hand, his tone no longer as forceful, but with a touch of male gentleness and coaxing. "Weren't you the one who came onto me just now? Why are you crying now that I'm giving you what you want? Uncomfortable?"
Grace was about to say something when Henry suddenly got all serious again. He grabbed a tissue to clean her up, eyes down, and said calmly, "I know you bailed on me 'cause you hate my guts! I've been trying to make it right all these years. Oliver's getting out next month! Grace, this is the only thing I can do for you."
Grace's throat tightened, and she couldn't get a word out.
Seeing her like this, Henry felt a pang in his heart.
He stopped being a jerk, gently pressed his forehead against hers, and said softly, "Grace, if you're open to it, we can start over! Let me take care of you and Taylor, okay?"
Henry was being so humble, like her leaving without a word was just a bad dream.
As they talked, Taylor woke up and called out, "Mommy!"
Taylor, in her onesie and holding a pillow, ran out barefoot. The apartment was warm, so she wasn't cold.
Seeing Henry and Grace hugging, she blinked her big eyes, her big head and small body looking especially cute.
Henry looked down at Grace. "We'll talk about this later."
Then, he let go of her and walked over to pick up Taylor.
It was around eight in the evening. Guessing that Taylor was hungry, he asked softly, "Want something to eat? Daddy will make it for you, okay?"
Taylor, still half-asleep, obediently lay on Henry's shoulder, her small hands holding on tight.
Henry's heart softened. He looked deeply at Grace and said softly, "Go freshen up! I'll take care of her for a bit."
Grace went back to the bedroom, turned on the bathroom faucet, and washed her face vigorously.
Looking up, she gently touched the pearl earrings. She had a feeling Henry knew something, but it wasn't clear.
Henry seemed different too!
He wasn't rough anymore. He handled women with ease. From the earlier contact, she could tell he wanted to make love. As a woman, she could naturally feel it, but she could also see that even if they were alone, he wouldn't really do anything to her.
He seemed gentle and considerate, but in reality, he kept his distance from her. Grace was momentarily unsure.
When she went out again, Henry had already whipped up a baby meal at lightning speed.
He settled into the dining chair, his dark gray shirt and neatly tucked pants accentuating his lean, fit physique. At any glance, he didn't appear to be the type to engage in household chores.
Taylor sat daintily in his lap, her two bare little feet tucked into Henry's abdomen for warmth, and Henry fed her.
With Henry coaxing her, Taylor ate better than usual.
Grace felt very conflicted. She hated Henry, but she didn't have the right to deprive Taylor of her father's love. She had once said Henry didn't know how to love, but he was very good to Taylor.
Henry raised his arm, letting Taylor lean on it.
He seemed to know what Grace was thinking and said softly, "I've been learning to cook during my free time these past two years, thinking that when you both come back, I could take care of you."
After saying that, he looked up at her. Grace did too.
Their eyes met, filled with past pain and unhealed scars.
Finally, Grace looked away first and said plainly, "I'm planning to settle in Vesper City!"
Henry's gaze deepened.
Grace continued, "Henry, don't hold out hope for me. It's impossible between us!"
In front of Taylor, he asked her, "Then why didn't you push me away just now and let me touch you? You know I wouldn't touch you if you didn't want it!"