Chapter 143
Jayce watched Delia in silence, his expression unreadable. He had always been reserved, rarely sharing his thoughts, especially in front of Edward.
But with Victoria, he felt a pull to engage, to spark a conversation. Yet the timing was off. Victoria was Henry's wife, and his feelings were misplaced.
Turning away, Jayce stepped into his apartment, where a fish tank adorned one side of the living room. Inside, swam beautifully vibrant betta fish, their pink hues aligning with the dreamy backdrop of colorful stones and coral.
It was a scene Delia had arranged, and Jayce often found solace in watching the fish glide gracefully through the water.
But today, he bypassed the tank and locked the door behind him, shutting out the world.
Delia stood frozen for a moment, unsure of what to do.
"Did I say something wrong?" she murmured to herself.
Meanwhile, Victoria entered her home, using her fingerprint to unlock the door, and headed straight for the kitchen.
Henry's gaze followed her, his voice low and intense. "You either move out, or I move in."
"Why?" Victoria asked, tying on her apron, confusion etched on her face.
Henry stepped closer, his expression serious. "He lives right below you. You're really asking why?"
"Seriously?" Victoria laughed, incredulous. "Where he lives is his business. Just because he's downstairs doesn't mean I should move out."
"So, you're okay with him living there? You two hang out all the time?" Henry's tone grew colder.
"That's ridiculous," she retorted, feeling frustrated.
Victoria thought, "I can't control other people's choices, and neither can you!"
She loved this place and had no intention of leaving.
Henry's chest tightened as he took in her impassive face. The familiar feeling of suffocation crept back in. He tugged at his collar, realizing it had loosened during the earlier scuffle, but that wasn't the source of his discomfort.
Henry stepped out onto the balcony, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag, hoping it would ease the tension. After a moment, he pulled out his phone and texted Grace.
He asked: [Did you get that thing I asked you to handle done?]
Grace had just dropped Tina off and was about to head home when she saw the message. She hesitated for a moment, quickly checking her notes.
Her eyes landed on the task of securing a unit at Starlight Terrace. She mused, "Mr. Harrison is pushing for this; it has to be about this!"
Grace replied: [Mr. Harrison, it'll be taken care of by tomorrow.]
Henry said: [Your bonus for this month is docked.]
Grace blinked in disbelief.
"With a boss like him, I might just hit menopause early," she thought.
The enticing aroma of dinner wafted from the kitchen.
Henry turned to see Victoria busy at the stove, her back to him. Her long hair was casually pinned up, with a few loose strands cascading down.
Memories of the countless nights over the past five years when he'd come home to find her just like this flooded back. She had been smiling brightly as she served dinner.
At that moment, something stirred within him, a familiar ache that felt both nostalgic and painful.
Henry glanced down, realizing the cigarette was burning dangerously close to his fingers, but the pain was nothing compared to what he felt inside.
Unseen, something fundamental had shifted between them, but he hadn't recognized it yet.
Victoria was hungry. After finishing dinner, she settled at the table to eat.
Henry pulled out a chair across from her, glancing over the simple spread of dishes. His mind drifted momentarily.
In the past, she had gone out of her way to perfect meals just for him, eagerly watching for his reaction.
But now, it was clear Victoria didn't care whether he liked her cooking or not.
The atmosphere at the table was thick with silence, broken only by the occasional clink of forks against plates.
With so much on her mind, Victoria hardly touched her food. After a few bites, she set her fork down and picked up her phone to check for messages.
Henry watched her and finally spoke up, "I can have those trending topics taken down."
"No need," Victoria replied, not bothering to look up.
Taking down the trending topics would only make her seem guilty. She preferred to let her actions speak for themselves.
Henry frowned, concern creeping into his voice. "If those topics stay up, you could attract the wrong kind of attention. You're putting yourself in danger."
Finally, Victoria met his gaze, her expression calm.
"Then arrange for a few bodyguards to keep me safe."
"I'll get you the protection you need, and I'll handle the online situation, too," he assured her.
It was strange. Tonight, there was no biting sarcasm or sharp retorts between them.
The atmosphere felt oddly harmonious, yet an invisible chasm lingered between them, deep and insurmountable.
"Thanks," Victoria said, standing up and heading toward the bedroom.
After a couple of steps, she turned back and added, "Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
Henry's mood soured instantly. He stared at her, his expression darkening. "You're really going to kick me out this late?"
Victoria shrugged. "You didn't drink, so you can drive. What, you want me to give you a ride home? Her nonchalant attitude about him leaving irked him.
Henry mused, "Doesn't she remember we are married? We haven't been apart for five years except for my occasional business trips!"
Regret washed over him for having allowed her memories to return. The distance between them seemed to have widened even more.
He recalled Gideon's words, if she remembered everything and still wanted a divorce, what would he do?
Henry had said, "Then let her go." But now, with the future looming ahead, a sense of unease gripped him.
Henry stood up abruptly, striding toward the door.
He could feel her words hanging in the air, threatening to cut deeper if he lingered.
The door slammed shut behind him.
Victoria turned away, shaking off the tension, and headed straight for the shower. As she stepped out, her phone buzzed with Diana's call.
"Hello, Diana," she answered, her tone brightening.
Diana said, "I found something. I sent it to your email. Take a look."
"Great!" Victoria felt a rush of excitement. With evidence in hand, she could finally stand her ground.
Diana continued, her tone shifting, "Oh, and there's something else about the incident from five years ago. I discovered another surveillance camera that caught the face of the person who drugged."
Victoria's breath hitched, anxiety creeping in. "Can you find out who it is?"
"It was impossible before, but now we can. I've sent you the details. The person isn't currently in the country, though."