Chapter 140 This is What You Call a "Friend"?
Grace had recognized her true feelings, and she said to Henry, "Henry, I used to... I think I really liked you."
"Think?" Henry felt his heart being stabbed sharply by that word. "Why 'think'?"
He was hurt by that qualifier.
He had never known that liking someone could be qualified with 'think.' Either you liked someone, or you didn't.
Grace said, "Because I just realized what real affection should feel like. What I felt for you was more admiration and worship than genuine love. Perhaps, for the girl I was then, you were too unreachable. Deep down, I had already drawn boundaries for myself, afraid to cross them."
What she had thought was love really wasn't.
Toward Henry, she had perhaps always felt reverent awe.
Otherwise, when he tried to kiss her, why had her heart filled with such resistance?
Henry let out a self-deprecating laugh but said nothing more.
A long, heavy silence settled in the car.
The vehicle pulled into a restaurant parking lot.
Three hours earlier, Henry had made a reservation here.
After getting out, Henry walked around to the passenger side and opened the door for Grace, who stepped out immediately after.
Looking at Henry, she suddenly realized that accepting his invitation hadn't been wise. The way things had turned out wasn't what she had wanted.
But...
Perhaps it was necessary. She needed to—and had an obligation to—make things clear with him. No more dragging this out.
Inside the restaurant, Grace sat across from Henry. After a moment of silence, Henry didn't delve deeper into their previous conversation, instead asking, "You said you had something to ask of me. What is it?"
Grace took a moment to refocus. Seeing that Henry wanted to avoid that topic, she actually felt relieved and quickly gathered herself. "You work in the medical field. I'd like you to help me track down someone."
She handed him a file. "This woman named Jenny—could you help me find her? Her home address, workplace, even her current phone number..."
Henry took the file, glanced at it, and asked, "Why do you want to find this woman?"
Grace said, "Seven years ago, this nurse delivered my babies. She was the one who told me that one of my children had died. She wouldn't let me see the baby one last time. After I was discharged, she gave me an urn. I didn't think much of it at the time. But recently I discovered that the urn didn't contain ashes, so I suspect there's something fishy about her claim that the child died. I want to investigate."
Henry looked at the ID photo in the file without saying a word.
Grace continued, "It was a long time ago. Loving Child General Hospital doesn't exist anymore. The hospital was restructured, and all the medical staff were reassigned. I don't know where she went, but I thought you might be able to dig up some leads."
Henry said, "I'll do what I can."
He put away the file and ordered their meal. Soon, the food arrived.
Grace lowered her head, picking at her food absent-mindedly.
Henry appeared to have little appetite, quietly eating in silence.
The silence made Grace even more anxious. After some thought, she spoke up, "Henry, maybe there was never really a 'missed opportunity' between us. We just weren't meant to be. Even if you hadn't gone abroad to study back then, we might not have been right for each other."
Henry said, "Whether we're right for each other isn't for you or me to decide alone."
Grace said, "I won't... I won't choose you." She bit her lip and spoke harshly, "You're truly wonderful. It's just that I'm not good enough for you."
Henry laughed bitterly. "So you're not good enough for me, but you're good enough for Alexander? Or do you think I'm not good enough for you, and only Alexander is worthy?" After saying this, he looked stunned, realizing he had spoken out of turn.
He knew she wasn't materialistic or gold-digging. He hadn't meant to say something so hurtful—he just didn't like hearing her talk that way.
It felt like she was desperately trying to push him away.
Henry added, "Just consider it my wishful thinking. Don't worry—I won't pester you from now on, but I won't give up easily either."
Grace lowered her head again, feeling lost.
After dinner, Henry stood up. "I'll drive you home."
Grace also stood, immediately saying, "I can just take a cab home."
Henry said, "Do you think I'd feel comfortable letting you take a cab home alone?"
As he spoke, he grasped her hand firmly. "I'm driving you home."
Grace instinctively tried to pull away, but he was already leading her toward the exit, holding her hand.
Just as they reached the entrance, Grace noticed Henry's steps falter as he stared toward the doorway.
Confused, Grace followed his gaze.
At the restaurant entrance, the evening breeze drifted through the open door.
A tall, imposing figure stood silhouetted in the doorway. Alexander wore a black shirt that seemed to blend with the night itself, his entire presence radiating a dark, oppressive aura that was suffocating in its intensity.
Alexander?
How was he here...
Grace froze in shock, instinctively pulling her hand free from Henry's. But as soon as she did it, she realized her reaction looked guilty, like she'd been caught doing something wrong.
Alexander stood in the doorway, his commanding presence sharp as a blade. The evening wind tousled his dark hair, which fell across his brow but couldn't hide his ice-cold eyes.
The man's handsome face showed almost no expression, but his piercing gaze was like a cold knife cutting into Henry.
Henry wasn't intimidated by that stare. Instead, he stepped closer. "Alexander? What are you doing here?"
Alexander replied coolly, "I should be asking you that question. Why are you here?" His gaze fell on Grace. "Is this the 'friend' you mentioned?"
Grace didn't know how to explain.
She could feel Alexander's anger but didn't understand why he was so furious.
Was he misunderstanding the situation?
Alexander said, "You two seem very close. Why did you stop holding hands?" As he spoke, his eyes moved to Henry's now-empty hand.
Grace wanted to explain, but Henry raised his hand to stop her.
He knew Alexander was misunderstanding, but he welcomed this kind of suspicion.
"You saw what you saw," Henry said, pulling Grace into his arms protectively, smiling provocatively. "But what can you do about it? You two are divorced. She can meet with whoever she wants—you have no right to interfere."
Grace sensed the provocation in Henry's words and went rigid, especially seeing Alexander's expression shift. She felt waves of cold dread rising from her feet.
"Henry, don't..." She couldn't just watch Henry provoke him.
"Don't what?" Henry cut her off. "Am I not stating facts?"