Chapter 184 Three Years of Suppression Was All Released in That Moment 1
Henry was still holding a grudge, and things with Grace were pretty chilly after he got back from Harmony City.
When he swung by to see Taylor, Grace was nowhere to be found. At first, it bugged him, but then he figured she was all about Brent now. All their drama was just about having a kid, no feelings involved.
The more Henry thought about it, the more he distanced himself from Grace. It felt like the only thing between them was the kid. Nothing else.
Come the weekend, the red maples outside the Montague Group building looked like they were on fire. Another deep autumn had rolled in.
Henry was zoning out when Gracemessaged him. She kept it short and sweet. [You free?]
Henry didn't answer right away. He guessed her period was over. He stared out the window for a while before texting back: [Yeah.]
At 8 PM, they met up at the Celestial Waters Hotel.
In the presidential suite, the lights were off, and it was pretty dim. Henry sat by the window, lost in the neon lights outside.
Grace walked in and saw his silhouette against the light.
Henry's profile was sharp and handsome, but even from his outline, she could tell he was in a bad mood.
The door creaked open, snapping Henry out of his thoughts. He turned and said in a rough voice, "Oh, hey, you made it."
Grace didn't say a word or turn on the lights.
Maybe it was better this way. She quietly walked up to him. As she got closer, he noticed her lace dress that hugged her curves. Her blonde hair was up, and she still had those pearl earrings on.
In the darkness, Henry gently touched her earlobe, admiring her beauty.
He asked, already knowing the answer, "Your period's over?"
"Yeah," Grace said, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him, but Henry didn't budge.
After a moment, he said, "Let's talk about the contract first."
Grace was taken aback, her lips slightly parted. "Do we really need a contract for this?"
Henry stayed put on the armrest of the sofa, his gaze intense and his tone cold. "If we have another kid, who gets custody? How will they be raised? We need to sort this out unless you wanna remarry me now."
Grace definitely wasn't up for remarrying.
Seeing her reaction, Henry gave a bitter smile. "So let's talk business."
He leaned over and turned on the reading lamp. The bright light made Grace's face look pale. She blinked, staring at the contract on the table in disbelief. "You were ready for this?"
Henry shot back, "Weren't you ready to sleep with me?"
Grace had no comeback.
She walked over and flipped through the contract. Henry spoke up, "When the kid's born, whether it's a boy or a girl, custody's mine. The kid stays in Evergreen City. If it's a boy, he'll be groomed as an heir; if not, we'll see."
The document slipped from Grace's fingers.
She said softly, "I want the kid."
Henry's handsome face stared at her. After a while, he said calmly, "Grace, you don't have to sign, but why should I go along with this then?"
Grace didn't try to use family ties to sway him. She lowered her eyes and smiled faintly. "Henry, you really haven't changed at all."
Henry sneered, "You've changed a lot!"
In the end, Grace signed but wanted joint custody. Henry agreed easily, "Of course, it's your kid, it's only fair."
After signing, it was time to get down to business.
Grace thought Henry would carry her to the bedroom. For a long time, Henry hadn't done anything else, but she didn't expect him to press her against the floor-to-ceiling glass right then and there.
Their actions were anything but decent.
Henry was rough, and Grace's long legs in those high heels were shaking.
She cried out, "Henry!"
But that didn't slow him down. He moved in fast, his lips brushing her ear, his voice all hoarse and rough. He whispered some pretty nasty stuff. "Tell me, what do you like now? How can I make you feel it all?"
Grace couldn't see him, but the glass showed their reflections.
Henry held Grace, his handsome face all stern, making any woman feel something.
Grace couldn't fight back, just had to endure it.
After their session by the window, Henry carried her to the bed, pressing against her as they joined. Three years of pent-up needs came flooding out.
He wasn't gentle or considerate; he was rough and raw.
In the dim bedroom, their breaths went from fast to slow. Henry turned his head and asked softly, "Was it good?"
Grace turned over, giving him her back. She played it cool. "It was okay."
Henry looked at her back, wanting to flip her over and go again, but he held back. He asked, voice tight, "Compared to your other men, how was it?"
Grace's pupils contracted slightly.
She hadn't been with any other men these years. With Taylor being sick, romance was the last thing on her mind. Henry's words were unfair, but she didn't argue, just hummed lightly, "Not that great."
Henry was pissed. He moved closer, pinching her chin. "Grace, you!"
Just as he was about to take her again, Grace cried out in pain. Henry immediately stopped. "Where does it hurt?"
After asking, his face showed embarrassment. Being a grown man, he understood. He had been too rough.
He turned on the light and checked. Grace felt ashamed and resisted.
Henry was a bit forceful. As he checked, his face turned red. Despite his roughness, Grace was the only woman he'd ever been with.
He said softly, "There are some abrasions. I'll get you some medicine."
Grace said it wasn't necessary, she'd handle it at home.
But Henry insisted. He picked up his clothes from the floor, quickly put them on, and fastened his belt. "I'll go get it. I'll be right back,' he said before rushing out the door.
Grace lay on the soft bed, which still had their scent and his warmth. They had reconnected, even though she had hated him so much back then.
To have a child, she had finally slept with him again. Tears welled up in Grace's eyes.
Henry was gone for about 10 minutes. When he returned, he was wrapped in the cold. As soon as he entered, he took off his coat and grabbed her delicate foot. "Spread them. I'll apply the medicine."
Grace refused, feeling it was too humiliating.
Henry covered her face with a pillow, then squatted down. He applied the medicine carefully and meticulously. As he did so, his mind wandered, his heavy breathing betraying his inner struggle.
After applying the medicine, he looked up at her. Grace was staring at him, her eyes watery, looking just like the young wife she used to be.
Henry's voice was raspy. "The doctor said that in this condition, you shouldn't have intercourse for at least a week! I'll be gentler next time."
Grace threw the pillow at him. He caught it and then fell forward, pressing against her.
He didn't do anything else, just held her face. He had wanted to do this for a long time but never had the chance. Now she was truly in his arms again.
Grace's voice was hoarse. "Let go!"
Henry's blue eyes stared at her, then, as if driven by a ghost, he lowered his head and kissed her jelly-like lips.
He carefully sucked and cherished them.
Henry had never treated Grace like this before.
At that moment, Grace felt like crying. No woman could resist, but she remembered the hurt he had caused her.
She choked out his name. "Henry..."