Chapter 183 Returning to Tranquil Heights and Spending an Intimate Night 2
Grace took a sec to pull herself together and whispered, "I'm on my period."
"Yeah, I know." Henry didn't miss a beat. He pressed on, "Is sex all we got left? And just to make a baby?"
He ripped the band-aid off, laying it all out there.
Grace looked up, eyes all teary with reluctant acceptance.
Her lips quivered, and her pale fingers gently tugged at his shirt sleeve. She heard Henry's raspy voice. "It's been years. Shouldn't we try to get to know each other again? Grace, I need some time to adjust."
Henry, surprisingly, went on a long rant. He never used to do that.
Grace knew he was just making excuses; he wanted to be alone with her before the kitchen staff showed up in the morning.
Grace gave in, her fingers loosening, and Henry immediately scooped her up.
As Henry carried her upstairs, his blue eyes locked onto her small face. He didn't kiss her; he just stared. When they got to the second floor, he pushed open Grace's bedroom door and set her down at the foot of the bed.
Grace was in a light-colored silk robe, which softly clung to the bed.
Under the crystal chandelier, Henry's eyes showed a man's desire, along with something else—something deep and hard to read. He touched her through her clothes.
Grace felt embarrassed and gently closed her eyes.
Henry could tell she had feelings, but she was holding back.
'Is it because of Brent? Is she only willing when she's with Brent?' Henry wondered. A surge of anger rose within him, and his touch got rougher, though he still took care not to hurt her.
Grace was dazed by his torment, but Henry suddenly stopped.
He leaned close to her neck, his masculine scent wafting behind her ear. His voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of something she couldn't quite grasp. "Do you want to be with two?"
What did he mean by being with two? Grace didn't have time to think as Henry had already sat up.
Under the crystal chandelier, Henry's face looked stern, all traces of flirtation gone. This reminded Grace of the last time in the hotel; he was the same then.
Grace thought, 'so he was unwilling too back that day.'
Grace felt somewhat humiliated, but for Taylor's sake, she boldly said, "I'll call you when my period is over."
Henry deliberately said, "Then we'll go to a hotel?"
Unexpectedly, Grace was quite straightforward. She said softly, "The hotel is fine."
Henry stared at her, then suddenly pulled the nearby blanket over her head, covering her completely.
"Grace!" Henry's tone carried an inexplicable anger.
Grace thought he must really be frustrated, but she didn't care about that. She wasn't responsible for Henry's emotions right now; she just wanted Taylor to get better quickly.
When she pulled the thin blanket away, Henry was no longer in the bedroom.
On a whim, Grace chased to the door and saw Henry's lonely and desolate back.
Grace gently brushed her long hair aside, revealing her delicate face under the light. She couldn't guess what Henry was thinking, but she knew being with him was like playing with fire.
Henry might argue with Grace, but he treated Taylor very well. And Taylor was very attached to him.
In just two days and one night, Taylor was already following Henry around, calling him "Daddy, Daddy."
When they were leaving, Taylor was very reluctant, and so was Henry.
Henry tossed the car keys to Grace. "You drive, I'll hold her."
Grace looked at the car keys in her hand, then at him. His eyes were deep as the sea, still hiding a meaning she couldn't understand. Grace wanted to talk to him, but when it came to matters about sex, she thought it best to leave it alone.
She drove in the front, and Taylor kept singing to Henry in the back seat.
Though Taylor's singing was off-key, Henry said it was beautiful. Grace couldn't help but smile.
Henry, in the back seat, caught her smile and suddenly said, "Grace, thank you!"
'Thank me for what?' Grace thought for a moment and realized Henry was thanking her for not passing on her resentment to Taylor; Taylor was close to him. For a moment, Grace felt a pang of sadness.
She spoke softly, "When I took her, I said I would teach her love and happiness."
She added quietly, "She's my child, not my tool."
Henry said nothing more. He sat in the car, his face serious. Taylor's little hand reached up to touch his face and adorably said, "Daddy, smile!"
Henry gave Taylor a smile.
Taylor smiled too, showing a row of tiny teeth, just like Grace when she was little.
Henry felt a twinge in his nose. He thought, 'If only I hadn't acted so terribly in the past, our family would be whole now, and I wouldn't have to "compete" for her attention.'
He suddenly asked, "Is life in Vesper City good?"
Grace responded, "It's pretty good!"
After that, he remained silent.
When they arrived at Grace's apartment, Henry didn't go up. He opened the trunk and took out Taylor's things. Grace saw a suitcase inside.
Henry explained, "I have to go on a business trip to Harmony City. Celeste is already at the airport."
Grace understood then that he was actually very busy and had taken a day and a half to be with Taylor.
Holding Taylor's hand, she said softly, "You should go then."
Henry looked at her deeply. There was a hint of expectation in his eyes.
Grace lowered her head and led Taylor into the apartment. After a few steps, Taylor looked up and asked, "Mommy, when will Daddy come to pick me up again?"
Grace smiled slightly, "You can call Daddy later."
Over there, Henry leaned against the car until he couldn't see them anymore. Then he opened the car door and got in.
At the airport, Celeste was anxiously waiting. "Mr. Montague!"
Henry handed her the suitcase and walked quickly. "We have five minutes."
At the Montague Group branch in Harmony City, Henry didn't expect to see Sierra there, someone who should have been out of his life for three years.
Sierra had been promoted to PR manager. The once shy girl was now bold and decisive. Celeste noticed she was imitating someone. After thinking for a moment, she realized it was Grace.
Celeste smiled silently, with a hint of condescension.
Sierra seemed to be trying to impress, well-prepared. Henry, always professional, didn't care why Sierra was at the Montague Group branch as long as she made benefits for the company. Of course, he wouldn't have any personal relationship with her either.
After her presentation, Sierra felt a bit disappointed.
'Haven't I done well enough for Henry to notice?' she wondered.
So, when the meeting ended and Henry walked out, Sierra followed him. At that moment, she seemed like the little girl from years ago, begging for love, her voice filled with unease. "Mr. Montague!"
Henry stopped and turned around. In a classic black and white suit, his crisp white shirt accentuated his handsome face.
Years had passed, and he looked even more mature and attractive.
Sierra bit her lip. "Mr. Montague, will you fire me?"
Henry looked at her for a moment and said calmly, "No."
Just as Sierra breathed a sigh of relief, Henry added, "Because you're not that important. You're just an employee of the Montague Group. And stop imitating Grace. She is someone you can't match. No matter how much you imitate, you won't be like her. Besides, I don't like substitutes."
With that, Henry turned and left.
Sierra was left feeling humiliated.
She had imagined that meeting Henry again, he would be pleasantly surprised by her transformation. It turned out to be just her wishful thinking. Was it because Grace was back?