Chapter 167 Belated Repentance and Ironic Retribution

Chapter 167 Belated Repentance and Ironic Retribution

Henry's sharp rebuke cut through the air, the atmosphere in the study growing thick with tension as if the very air had frozen.

"Watch your words. I won't tolerate any more insults directed at her. My marriage is my decision to make."

Outside the door, though Sophia couldn't make out the specific words, she could sense the heated argument brewing inside. She glanced toward the study with concern.

Avery gently patted her hand, wearing a knowing, grandmotherly smile, and whispered reassuringly, "Don't worry, dear. Henry's been strong-willed since childhood. Once he's made up his mind about something, nothing can change it. His mother has some outdated notions, but give Henry time—he'll handle it. You just focus on becoming a proper member of the Windsor family."

Avery's words eased Sophia's tension considerably.

That evening, Avery warmly insisted that Sophia stay overnight at Windsor Manor, arranging for her to sleep in the room adjacent to Henry's.

Before bedtime, Avery specifically called Henry aside, speaking to him with heartfelt sincerity.

"Since you've made your choice, treat her well. Marry Sophia soon—before others get any ideas about pursuing her."

Henry nodded solemnly, "Grandmother, I understand. I'll make arrangements as soon as possible."

The next morning, Henry and Sophia left the Windsor Manor together for the office.

As their car pulled through the estate gates, Henry thoughtfully handed Sophia a warm food container, "Grandmother had the kitchen prepare this breakfast especially for you. She was worried you might not eat properly this morning."

Sophia accepted the container, warmth flooding her heart.

As their car merged into rush-hour traffic, while waiting at a red light, Henry naturally reached over to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his movements gentle and focused.

Sophia looked up at him with a soft smile, the morning sunlight streaming through the car window, painting their silhouettes in perfect, sweet harmony.

Neither of them noticed the familiar car nearby, where Oliver sat staring intently at this intimate scene.

Watching the natural happiness radiating from Sophia's face, seeing Henry's tender care for her, Oliver felt as though an invisible hand was crushing his heart, suffocating pain spreading through every fiber of his being.

Regret, resentment, jealousy—a torrent of emotions gnawed at his sanity.

His vision blurred, his mind reeling from the emotional shock. He failed to notice the traffic light ahead had turned red. By the time he snapped back to reality and slammed on the brakes, it was too late.

The deafening impact as his car slammed into the vehicle ahead sent him into unconsciousness instantly.

Shortly after arriving at the office, Sophia received a personal call from Gavin, his voice carrying an unprecedented weariness and urgency, even a note of desperation.

"Sophia, Oliver... he's been in a terrible car accident!"

Sophia froze.

"He's badly injured. They just managed to stabilize him, but he's still in intensive care. While unconscious, he kept calling your name... Could you... Could you please come see him?"

Sophia gripped the phone, her brow furrowing.

Her instinct was to refuse—she felt nothing for Oliver anymore except annoyance and disgust.

But hearing Gavin's choked voice on the other end, remembering his genuine affection for her in the past, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to say no.

"Grandfather, which hospital?" She took a deep breath, her voice steady and emotionless.

After getting the address, she briefly explained the situation to Henry.

Understanding her character, Henry knew this gesture stemmed more from respect for the elderly than any lingering feelings. He simply squeezed her hand, "Take the company car. Call me immediately if anything happens."

When Sophia arrived at the hospital, Oliver had been moved to a regular room.

He was wrapped in bandages from head to toe, his face deathly pale, wearing an oxygen mask while various monitoring devices emitted steady beeping sounds. He looked severely injured.

Gavin's eyes were red-rimmed. Seeing Sophia arrive felt like grasping a lifeline, "Sophia, you came! Thank goodness... Please talk to him. The doctors say he needs stimulation..."

Sophia sighed inwardly and approached the bedside.

As if sensing her presence, Oliver's eyelids fluttered before slowly opening.

Seeing Sophia standing beside his bed, his dull eyes suddenly blazed with intense light as he struggled to lift his hand.

"Sophia..." His voice was weak and raspy through the oxygen mask, "You... came..."

Sophia stared at him expressionlessly, offering no response.

Oliver seemed to summon every ounce of strength, gasping several times before speaking in broken phrases, "I thought... I was going to die this time... For a moment, I swear I saw the gates of heaven, and that's when I finally saw clearly... I was wrong... Sophia, I truly know I was wrong..."

Tears rolled down his cheeks, mixing regret with anguish, "I regret it all—giving up on you for some ridiculous freedom, believing Clara's lies, not treasuring you properly. I... I deserved this..."

He looked at Sophia with humble, pleading eyes, "Sophia, give me one more chance. Please? I'll prove it to you with my actions. From now on, I promise..."

"Oliver." Sophia finally spoke, her voice cold as ice, laced with undisguised mockery, "Did that accident scramble your brains?"

Oliver was stunned into silence, his face growing even paler.

"We're already divorced, and you were the one who couldn't wait to end it."

Sophia looked down at him condescendingly, her eyes holding not an ounce of sympathy, only clear revulsion.

"This pathetic display of heartfelt repentance only makes me feel sick and amused. Your actions to prove yourself? Save it. What you should be doing is treating Clara well, since you two are true love, isn't that right?"

"No... that's not true!" Oliver became agitated, causing the monitoring equipment to sound alarms, "Clara and I... I regretted that long ago! I love you... it's always been you..."

"Love me?" Sophia looked as though she'd heard the most ridiculous joke in the world, "Your love meant abandoning me with your true love on our wedding day, right when my grandfather had just died and I was most vulnerable? Your love meant enabling her to scheme against me and slander me repeatedly? Oliver, your love is too cheap. I don't want it, and it disgusts me."

Her words were like poisoned daggers, stabbing into Oliver's heart one by one, causing unbearable pain he couldn't refute.

"I came to see you this once out of respect for Gavin." Sophia stepped back, creating distance, her tone final, "But from now on, please don't appear before me again. Don't harass me under the banner of regret or remorse. You and I ended long ago. In my eyes, you're worse than a stranger."

With that, she turned to leave.

"Sophia! Don't go!" Seeing her actually leaving, Oliver lost complete emotional control, lunging forward to grab her wrist.