Chapter 10
"Are you out of your mind?" Victoria struggled violently, feeling his reaction and resisting even harder.
She wanted to strike him, but he anticipated her move, quickly tearing off her tie and binding her hands to the headboard.
Henry was becoming lost in the kiss. He was very attracted to her body. Throughout their five years of marriage, he had brought her immense pleasure in bed. When he was in the mood, he would even prioritize her feelings and ensure her satisfaction before indulging his own desires.
But now, Henry was not in the mood. He just wanted her to remember and return to the Victoria who had loved him and Jude wholeheartedly.
Just then, his phone rang, interrupting their heated moment. Taking advantage of his distraction, Victoria bit his lip hard. The taste of blood mingled between them, and he looked at her with a mixture of anger and desire.
Victoria's eyes were wide with fear, tears brimming, and her body trembled slightly.
The ringing phone broke their rhythm and brought Henry back to reality. He paused.
Victoria's voice quavered as she said, "Don't touch me, or I'll accuse you of rape!" She was really distant from him.
Veins pulsed on Henry's forehead; he wanted to remind her that they had a son together-why pretend to hate his touch? But seeing the fear in her eyes made him suppress his urge.
Impatiently, he took the phone, and when he saw the caller ID, all the coldness drained from his features.
"Hello?" he said, his tone hoarse yet softened. "Okay, I'll be there tonight."
Victoria was close enough to hear a woman's voice on the other end of the line. The only woman who could evoke such emotional control in him was Sarah.
A sharp pang of pain hit Victoria, and she felt disappointed in herself. She had already resolved to leave him, so why did it still hurt? Was it really so difficult to move on?
Henry hung up the phone and turned to find a scene that ignited arousal within him.
Victoria lay on the dark grey bed, dressed in red, her hands bound, long hair splayed beneath her, her eyes rimmed with red and glistening, lips a striking crimson. Her clothes were disheveled, the hem barely covering her legs.
They had been on the brink of something intimate just moments before.
After a brief pause, he suddenly stood and headed straight for the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water filled the air.
"Pervert!" Victoria muttered under her breath and then set about untying her wrists.
Finally, she managed to bite through the tie, sitting on the edge of the bed to straighten her clothes.
Half an hour later, the water stopped, and Henry emerged clad in a bathrobe. Victoria avoided his gaze and walked into the bathroom. She needed to check her reflection. She wasn't afraid he would try to force himself on her again.
After all, Sarah had just called him. His attention was diverted; how could he possibly focus on her?
Victoria's indifference kept Henry's expression gloomy.
Once she had composed herself and emerged, she saw him changing clothes and asked, "Where are you going? Didn't you say you wanted to talk to Jude about our divorce?"
Henry didn't even glance at her and replied coldly, "You said some hurtful things to him. He doesn't want to see you."
Inside, Victoria scoffed. Was Jude upset just because she had said she didn't want a child like him? So, had he ever considered her feelings when he called her a shame in the past?
Victoria didn't want to drag Jude into her issues with Henry. After all, he was just a child and had no say in this.
"Divorce is between the two of us," she said. "Henry, can you please stop dragging this out? Come on, be a man."
He paused while adjusting his collar, and his eyes locked onto her face, a heavy pressure enveloping her.
Victoria realized she might have crossed a line, but she summoned her courage and continued, "From what I've observed over the past few days, it's clear we don't have a good marriage.
I wasn't happy before I lost my memory, so let's just get a divorce and move on. "
Was she unhappy in the past?
A small, mocking smile flickered across Henry's lips.
"Save that for when you get your memory back," he said coolly before walking away.
Victoria stood there, feeling a bit bewildered. What did that expression mean?
Did he think she was lying? Did he believe she had been happy? That was ridiculous.
Being treated as a stand-in for another woman while being looked down upon by her husband and son-was that a happy life?
Did he really think that marrying him was the pinnacle of happiness? He must have given himself way too much credit.
As a member of the Hardwick family, her life had been genuinely joyful before she married him.
Fuming, Victoria had no outlet for her anger. She stomped her foot in frustration, left the bedroom, and headed downstairs.
In the living room, she saw Jude returning from school.
Dressed in his uniform, he stood straight.
The features of his young face bore a striking resemblance to Henry's, especially his pretty eyes, which reflected the same indifference and rationality.
He didn't seem like a five-year-old at all.
"Grandma, I'm back," Jude greeted Jennifer. But when he noticed Victoria, he frowned and instantly turned away, pretending not to see her.
"Brat!" Victoria muttered under her breath.
She walked down, looked at Jennifer, and asked, "You heard what I said earlier. What do you think?"
Jennifer replied, "That's between you and Henry. I'm not getting involved."
Victoria fought the urge to snap back and was utterly frustrated. What was wrong with the Harrison family? Since Jennifer didn't like her, why not just support their divorce?
Clenching her teeth, Victoria turned to Jude. "Jude, I want to divorce your father. Do you agree?"
"Victoria," Jennifer interrupted sharply, clearly displeased.
Victoria said, "Henry said I should discuss this with Jude since he's part of the family, too."
Jude's eyes widened slightly. "You want to divorce Dad?"
That was the first thing he'd said to her since he walked in, and he hadn't even greeted her.
Victoria nodded. "Yes, I don't like your dad, so I plan to divorce him."
"Are you serious?" Jude stared at her in disbelief, as if he thought she had lost her mind.