Chapter 64 Henry's Absence Disappointed Grace Again
They never talked about it, but both knew that whenever Henry reached out after she came back, she was hesitant. Sometimes, she did get into it, though.
Tonight was different. The dim lighting, Henry's extreme gentleness—every touch was careful, like he was afraid of hurting her. He even whispered in her ear, asking if she felt good.
Grace wrapped her arms around his neck, staying silent. But her body told the truth. This night was the best in their three years of marriage, leaving both of them completely satisfied.
Afterwards, Grace took a bath.
Henry put on his pants and shirt, then sat on the balcony to get some air and smoke a cigarette.
The night breeze lifted his neatly trimmed hair, softening his handsome face. He heard noises from the bathroom and guessed Grace had finished her bath, but knew she'd take a while to dry her hair and do her skincare routine.
Henry leaned back in the lounge chair, casually scrolling through his phone.
There was an unread message on Facebook from Elodie's doctor: [Mr. Montague, the medication used in Ms. Williams' last treatment contained banned substances. Although the rescue was timely, it caused severe irreversible damage to her internal organs. Experts believe she may have less than two years to live.]
Henry stared at the medication's name, gripping his phone tightly. He closed his eyes briefly.
His mood soured, the joy from being with Grace vanished, his blue eyes dark with deeper emotions.
After a while, he made a call. When it connected, his tone was icy. "Did you do something to Elodie? To protect the Montague family's reputation, don't you think you've gone too far? I've told you before, there's no future between me and Elodie."
There was a brief pause on the other end, the response equally cool. "Henry, I don't understand what you mean!"
Henry hung up abruptly. He lit another cigarette, his fingers trembling. Memories from his youth flooded back.
Neil Montague leaving with his suitcase, Aurora chasing after him in a breakdown, and Henry hiding in the stairwell, helplessly watching them argue.
"Neil Montague, if you walk out that door, don't come back!"
"Go be with her then!"
"Who is she, to have you so infatuated?"
But Neil still left.
Aurora sat on the ground, muttering, "I won't allow you to leave me! You're my husband, how can you be affectionate and have children with another woman?"
She repeated this, not knowing Henry was watching, that scene becoming a shadow over the next 20 years of his life, making him unable to love again.
Grace emerged from the bathroom and saw Henry already dressed, she couldn't help but be surprised. "Henry, are you going out?"
Henry, in a bad mood, still managed to respond, gently pinching her cheek with a faint smile. "There's something at the company I need to handle. Go to sleep, don't wait for me."
Grace watched him leave for a while before sitting at the vanity, doing her skincare routine. After finishing, she looked at the birth control pills in the drawer, staring blankly.
Tonight, Henry didn't use a condom, and she was ovulating. Not taking the pill could easily lead to pregnancy.
Grace hesitated for a long time but eventually took a pill with some water. She thought adults must control their emotions, even if moved, they must be rational. There was no need to bring a new life into the world without a clear future.
Henry didn't come home all night.
Grace grew uneasy. They had shared an intimate moment, but he mentioned a late-night work engagement. Why would it stretch on all night?
Grace tried not to overthink, but she couldn't shake the feeling this had to do with Elodie. As she ironed his shirt, his whispered promise from the night echoed in her mind—he vowed not to see Elodie again.
Lost in thought, she heard footsteps on the stairs. It must be Henry coming back!
After a long, exhausting night, Henry looked worn out. He hugged her from behind, and she caught a faint scent of hospital disinfectant.
Though his embrace was gentle, Grace realized he had been to the hospital to see Elodie. The saddest part was, he had made those sweet promises to her just a week ago.
Grace didn't question him; it felt beneath her. She lowered her eyes and softly said, "Celeste called this morning, reminding you of an important meeting. Don't be late."
Henry touched her waist and paused, "Why did she call you?"
Grace smiled faintly. "Wasn't she with you working late? Maybe your phone was off."
Henry pulled out his phone and saw that it was indeed off.
He powered on his phone and saw four missed calls from Celeste, but none from Grace. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "You trust me that much?" he mused aloud.
Grace hung up the freshly ironed shirt and turned to face him with a gentle smile. "You said you aimed to be a devoted husband, Henry. I trust you," she said warmly.
Henry embraced her, his gaze filled with adoration, and leaned in for a kiss. Grace, in a cozy bathrobe, subtly turned her face away. Her voice, soft and comforting, advised gently, "Go take a shower, or you'll be late! If you're tired at noon, take a nap."
Glancing at the clock, Henry realized time was slipping away. He planted a quick kiss on Grace's lips before rushing into the bathroom.
As the bright lights illuminated the spacious walk-in closet, Grace's once radiant face now carried the weight of weariness.
After a moment of contemplation, a bittersweet smile graced her lips. Deep down, she thought, 'It's nothing really. The heart he once shattered has slowly begun to mend, only to be broken again. It stings, but it's a dull ache, nothing more. At least now, he isn't as rough with me.'
Grace ironed his suit numbly, not letting emotions bind her. She acted as his considerate wife, trying to move towards the direction she wanted in their seemingly loving married life.
As Gavin prepared for the upcoming concert, Grace, who was out meeting him, poured her heart into her music practice.
Her violin skills had flourished, captivating even Owen, who couldn't help but exclaim to Gavin, "She's destined for stardom, mark my words!"
Gavin was modest. "We can't be complacent! Stay low-key!"
During her free time, Grace tried to uncover the mystery buyer of the villa. Despite her persistent inquiries, the agent remained tight-lipped, hinting that the property had been acquired by a prominent figure from Evergreen City and was off the market for good.
As evening descended, Grace returned home by car.
Henry was already there, his silhouette blending into the twilight. Ignoring the driver, he tenderly enveloped her in a warm embrace, a soft smile on his lips. "I've been waiting for you all day! Have you been busy lately?"
Despite his tenderness, Grace couldn't shake a nagging thought. Was it because Elodie was too ill to satisfy him, so he settled for her, seeking physical release and hoping for a child? Was this Henry's gift to her?
Nevertheless, Grace maintained her composure. "Aren't you busy too? You've spent two or three nights away from home this week. I understand your commitments, but others might speculate and talk, insinuating an affair!"