Chapter 300

Chapter 300
My return raised more questions than it answered. The police confiscated my passport and ID, forbidding me from leaving New York until William's death investigation concluded.

I spent most of my time at Maple Grove, trying to piece together my fragmented memories.

Whenever I tried to recall what happened during those three months, my head would throb with excruciating pain.

Downtown, Henry sat with Benjamin and Frank at a secluded corner table. They huddled together, drinking expensive whiskey.

Benjamin swirled his glass, studying Henry's unusually gloomy expression.

"So, your woman's back, yet you're sitting here looking miserable. Don't tell me she's not letting you touch her?"

Henry slammed his glass down on the table. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Frank couldn't resist joining in. He nudged Henry's arm, grinning. "She really won't let you touch her, huh? Actually, that makes her seem more authentic! If she'd fallen into your arms immediately, I'd be suspicious. Don't forget, before she disappeared, she nearly had you castrated during your divorce!"

That time Sophia almost had Henry arrested after he'd been drugged and forced himself on her.

Benjamin stifled a laugh behind his hand, but Henry remained stone-faced, brooding.

"To be honest," Henry finally said, "I don't think there's anything wrong with this Sophia. It's just... her appearance feels too convenient."

He leaned forward. "Betty was the first to spot her. Think about it—if you were a kidnapper, would you take your hostage shopping? In public? With her face plastered on wanted posters all over the city? One phone call to the police and the whole operation would've been compromised."

He took another sip of whiskey, his eyes darkening.

"And why was Betty the first to see her? If they wanted to release Sophia, why not just leave her somewhere public where she could call the police herself? Why sacrifice five accomplices?"

Henry continued as Benjamin and Frank exchanged glances.

"The woman at home—she seems normal except for some mental instability. But she's always tense around me, like her entire body is on high alert."

After listening to Henry's analysis, Frank offered his perspective.

"Maybe you're overthinking this. What if—and I'm just speculating here—Sophia had leverage over her captors? What if she threatened them into taking her shopping?"

He shrugged. "Since none of us were there, we can only guess. If you can imagine one scenario, I can imagine another."

"Besides," Frank continued, "why waste time speculating? Just ask Sophia directly. Or if that doesn't work, interrogate those thugs who were guarding her. Tie them up and question them one by one!"

"I already did," Henry replied flatly. "Those men genuinely know nothing. I've tried everything."

"Impossible!" Benjamin exclaimed, baffled. "Give them to me. I have methods that will make them talk."

Henry waved dismissively. "No need. This is my family matter; I'll handle it. Actually, there's something else I need your help with..."

At Maple Grove, Billy raced home from school to find me waiting at the front door. His face lit up with pure joy when he spotted me.

"Mommy!" he shouted, running into my arms. "I missed you so much! Why were you gone for so long?"

During my absence, Billy had stayed with the Harding family.

The poor child had constantly asked about me.

Eventually, Henry had fabricated a story: "Your mommy's on a business trip. She'll be back soon, but you have to be good and not cry. If you cry, she won't come home."

So my brave little boy had held back his tears. Now, clutching my waist tightly, he finally let them flow freely.

"Bad mommy! You disappeared for so long! Your baby missed you so much!" he sobbed, his little body trembling.

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, stroking his round head as tears welled in my eyes. "It's all mommy's fault. I promise I won't go on any more trips. I'll stay right here in New York with my baby, okay?"

When Henry arrived home, he found us embracing in the foyer.

He approached and enveloped both of us in his arms.

Later, when Billy went to the bathroom, Henry turned to me. His eyes held an uncertainty I'd never seen before.

"Sophia, I want to remarry. Would that be possible?"

In the past, he would never have asked for my consent. Anything Henry wanted, he simply took. Now, he seemed to have learned to respect my feelings.

His question jolted me from my maternal bliss. "Why would you want that? Isn't what we have now good enough?" I finally managed. "I suffered too much before. I don't want to repeat that mistake. I don't have the courage to enter another marriage that might disappoint me completely."

Seeing the disappointment in his eyes, I quickly excused myself.

"I need to use the bathroom too!"

I fled, feeling his dark gaze following me.