Chapter 24
Realizing he was doing this on purpose, Victoria clenched her fists and stormed off, her anger practically visible in the air around her.
Grace quietly pulled out her phone and sent a message to Henry.
Grace: [Mr. Harrison, Mrs. Harrison left in a fury.]
At Rose Villa, Jude was recovering, though his pale complexion revealed he hadn't fully regained his strength. Children could never hide their ailments, and after just one bout of fever, his once-round and chubby face had noticeably thinned.
He sat properly at the dining table, staring at the food in front of him with a small frown. He didn't have much of an appetite.
In the past, whenever he was sick, Victoria would always prepare his favorite meals. He had grown used to her cooking.
When Henry walked in, he noticed right away that his son hadn't touched his plate. "What's wrong? You don't like the food?"
Jude's big eyes blinked as he looked up, hope flickering in them. "Dad, why isn't Mom here?"
The only reason he had wanted to return to Rose Villa was because Victoria would be there.
But she wasn't.
His small face fell, the light in his eyes dimming as disappointment and sadness took over.
He was afraid that she didn't want him anymore.
Yet, he didn't know how to express it. After all, his attitude toward her had always been cold and dismissive. She never seemed to mind before, always spoiling and indulging him anyway.
Henry's gaze softened as he noticed his son's pale, thin face. At that moment, his phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen and saw Grace's message.
His sharp eyebrows lifted slightly, and without hesitation, he dialed Victoria's number.
She hung it up immediately, still fuming.
Henry wasn't bothered in the slightest. Instead, a faint smile spread across his face.
He sent her a message instead.
Henry: [Come to Rose Villa. Bring the divorce papers.]
Victoria paused when she saw the text, her brows knitting together.
"What's he up to now?" she thought, suspicious. Still, if she didn't go, who knew when she'd have another chance to push the divorce through?
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her keys and started the car, heading for Rose Villa.
The estate was named Rose Villa because Victoria had always loved roses. The fiery red blooms were her favorite, vibrant and full of life.
As her car rolled into the driveway, she caught sight of the breathtaking sea of red roses in the garden. Once upon a time, she loved walking among them, experimenting with rose-infused wine, and even soaking in rose petal baths.
But now, her gaze held no trace of nostalgia.
Instead, she was already thinking about pulling all these roses out when she had the time.
Without her around, no one would take proper care of them anyway.
The garden was filled with traces of her, and she had made up her mind to erase every single one.
Stepping into the villa, she spotted two figures sitting on the couch.
Henry was dressed in a black shirt with the top few buttons undone, his tie nowhere in sight.
His collar was slightly loose, revealing a faint glimpse of his sharp collarbones.
He was looking down at a tablet, his deep-set features highlighted by the shadows of his long lashes.
With his straight nose and tightly pressed lips, he carried an air of cold detachment and effortless elegance.
Next to him sat Jude, holding a book with his tiny hands. His pale, delicate face was focused and serious. When he heard her footsteps, he glanced up, his eyes brightening for a brief moment. The spark quickly faded, and he pressed his lips together, saying nothing.
"Just sign it," Victoria said, her voice flat. Her gaze swept past them without a hint of emotion as she tossed the divorce papers onto the table and sank into a single-seater armchair.