Chapter 55
Diana was being very rational, her face cool and composed. "I suggest you keep a low profile. Have you forgotten how you made things difficult for Henry, which ended up affecting Victoria?"
Evie fell silent, her shoulders drooping. Victoria had taken on a debt of two hundred million to sort out that mess. Although it was resolved in the end, Victoria definitely suffered because of it. Just thinking about it made Evie feel guilty.
Diana chimed in, "Victoria. Are you still planning to pursue photography?"
Victoria paused at that question, memories flooding back.
Aside from studying aromatherapy, she used to dabble in various hobbies, and photography was her favorite way to unwind.
Capturing the beauty of nature and freezing those moments in time brought her joy.
Then came pregnancy and the whirlwind of responsibilities that followed.
She lost herself completely and forgot about her camera.
Reflecting on it now felt like a lifetime ago.
Victoria thought, "In these five years of marriage, I have poured my heart and soul into our relationship, but what have I gained? A distant husband, a son who resents me, and at marriage that feels more like a facade than a partnership. It's disheartening."
"Absolutely." Victoria's eyes sparkled with newfound determination. "Now that I think about it, creating fragrances, photography, and so many other things are what truly belong to me. Love is just the most elusive thing."
Diana nodded in agreement. "Alright then, I'll help you set this up."
Victoria rushed over and hugged her tightly. As she leaned in for a kiss, Diana blocked her playfully. Victoria said, "You are so nice. I love you."
Diana was the only daughter of the Ortiz family from Mayby. She didn't like being constrained and chose to settle in Lanceser after meeting them. Most people there had no idea about her true identity. "Are you sure you're not heading home?" Diana pushed her away gently.
Victoria grinned mischievously and stole a quick kiss before happily leaving.
On James's birthday, many friends came by to drop off gifts.
James asked Camille, "Why hasn't Victoria returned yet?"
Camille stiffened at his question. "She said she wouldn't be coming back."
James frowned at this news. "Has she forgotten that she's still my daughter just because she's Mrs. Harrison? Does she really think she can just fly away? Call her right now. If she doesn't come back, I swear I'll break her legs."
Camille rolled her eyes at him. "You're not serious. What good are those threats? Ever since she married Victoria, she hardly comes home except during holidays." James's expression darkened further. "I'll call her. She has to come back."
He pulled out his phone and called Victoria just as someone spoke from the entrance. "What's the big deal about being late? Are you really going to break my legs? What if I lose one? Wouldn't that mean the Harrison family would break off their engagement with the Hardwick family?"
Victoria walked in holding a box, her long hair cascading around her beautiful face adorned with a light smile. "Dad, happy birthday." She handed him the box.
James's expression softened slightly as he accepted it. "After being Mrs. Harrison for five years, why are you still so reckless?"
Victoria shrugged playfully. "That's just who I am. Besides, I'm home-do I really need to put on an act in my own house? That would be exhausting." She plopped down on the sofa and glanced at Camille while calling out to her.
"Where are Henry and Jude? Why aren't they here with you?" Camille asked directly.
"Oh, Henry's busy on a business trip abroad," Victoria replied casually. "Jude went along with him."
Camille's face darkened immediately. Clearly, she hadn't invited Henry at all. James also looked displeased..
Just then, a servant walked in and announced, "Mr. Harrison and Mr. Jude Harrison have arrived."
Victoria froze momentarily and thought, "Why are they here? When did they start caring about Dad's birthday?"
Victoria wondered, "Now they haven't even been invited but still show up?"
Camille forced a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Didn't you say he was on a business trip?"
Victoria remained unfazed. "I guess he returned halfway through." Camille was left speechless.
Moments later, Henry strode in tall and handsome with Jude at his side, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt paired with a tie -his little figure adorably neat yet icy. Henry greeted James flatly, "Happy birthday."
James beamed back at him. "Now that you're both here, I'm even happier. Jude, come over here to your grandpa." Jude walked over and greeted James sweetly.
Henry then sat down next to Charlotte and took hold of her hand firmly. "Why didn't you wait for me?"
Victoria stiffened at his touch. She instinctively wanted to pull away but found herself trapped by his grip tightening unexpectedly. She frowned slightly and replied coolly, "I thought our marriage was so strained that you wouldn't want to come along."
Henry's grip tightened subtly as he asked calmly, "What do you mean by 'strained"?"
Victoria blinked innocently at him. "I don't know. I forgot. But when I first woke up after my accident, and you called me your friend-doesn't that mean our marriage isn't harmonious?"
Those words had indeed come from him. Henry thought, "Why did I say that back then? Perhaps it was because Sarah has returned-l have considered ending my marriage, but Victoria's amnesia threw my plans off course."
Henry replied coldly, "At that time, I thought you were trying to play some tricks." Victoria thought, "So now he's shifting the blame onto me. I have indeed been playing some tricks for quite some time without him realizing."
"You're hurting me," she said softly with a hint of sulkiness in her lone.
Henry instinctively loosened his grip slightly before Victoria quickly withdrew her hand and stood up. "Is Sebastian back yet? I'll go check."