Chapter 122
Victoria looked at Camille and asked, "Are you so sure I'm faking it?"
Camille scoffed, "Don't play coy with me. You must know by now that Henry has feelings for Sarah, so you're trying to win him back this way. It's clear that it's working; he's now focused on you."
Victoria was speechless. That was nonsense.
Initially, she had pretended to have amnesia just to gauge Henry's feelings for her. But after realizing he felt nothing for her, she decided to go through with the divorce. She thought that without their past connection, the process might be quicker.
But had she known from the start how complicated things would be, she probably wouldn't have pretended to have amnesia; she would have asked for a divorce outright.
Now, it was too late for regrets. If Henry discovered she was faking it, the consequences could be disastrous.
Victoria replied, "I'm sorry to disappoint you. I truly have lost my memory."
Camille still wasn't convinced. She believed Victoria was merely playing tricks to win Henry back. In her eyes, it was part of her strategy that Victoria refused to acknowledge.
"Don't even think about getting a divorce. We won't agree," Camille insisted.
The marriage tied the Harrison Group and the Hardwick Group together. Even if the Hardwick Group didn't gain much now, it still benefited from the connection.
If they divorced, the Harrison Group would likely sever ties without hesitation, which was the last thing Camille and James wanted.
What frustrated Camille even more was that the paternity test results, expected in three days, hadn't come out yet.
Was something amiss? All she could do was wait.
Irritated, Victoria stood up and said, "I'm going to the bathroom."
Both the Hardwick family and Henry opposed the divorce. What was she supposed to do? Why was getting a divorce so difficult?
In the room, Sebastian spoke up, "Mom, Vicky truly has lost her memory. Why can't you believe that?"
Camille waved her hand dismissively. "No way. She's definitely pretending."
"But even if Vicky is faking it, she's resolute about the divorce, which doesn't seem like an act," Sebastian argued calmly. "So she must have genuinely lost her memory."
Camille sneered, "She's just playing hard to get."
James chimed in, "I don't buy for a second that she's forgotten everything. Besides, who only forgets certain people and events?"
As they were debating, no one noticed that the door was ajar, and a tall figure stood just outside.
Henry had intended to take Victoria away; he knew she didn't like being around her family.
It was just a meal, and if she hadn't eaten enough, he could take her somewhere else. He didn't expect to overhear their conversation.
The corridor lights were dim, casting his handsome features in shadow and making him look cold. Memories of everything since her car accident flooded his mind, leaving him bewildered by the inconsistencies.
For instance, why had she disposed of all her belongings as soon as she returned to Rose Villa?
Seeing Jude call Sarah Mom, she had left calmly but cried in the car, even crashing into Barrett's vehicle parked by the roadside.
Details he had previously overlooked now crystallized in his mind. Henry's expression darkened further.
After a moment, he sneered, realizing that Victoria was indeed pretending.
Victoria returned, grabbed her bag, and stepped out. She didn't want to stay with her family.
Sebastian stood up and said, "I'll take you home."
"Okay," Victoria replied with a smile, her eyes sparkling with trust.
Relaxing, melodious music filled the car as Victoria gazed out the window, her thoughts swirling in a mess.
Sebastian cast a glance at her, recognizing what was bothering her. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Divorce is not up to you, and no one will take your opinion seriously. It's better if Henry is the one to initiate it."
Victoria sighed, "But he hasn't."
It was clear that Henry not only had no intention of divorcing her but he was also fixated on helping her regain her memory.
Victoria couldn't fathom where he got the confidence to believe that if she got her memory back, she wouldn't want a divorce.
Perhaps he thought she had loved him so deeply that she couldn't live without him.
Victoria lowered her gaze, hiding her sadness.
After five years of devotion and companionship, even a fool could see how sincere she had been, let alone Henry.
"Then we need to figure out a way to get Henry to initiate it. Doesn't he like Sarah? To marry her, he will divorce you," Sebastian suggested.
Victoria's eyes brightened. "Sebastian, that's exactly what I was thinking! But how do we go about it? Should we drug him and send him to Sarah's bed?"
Sebastian considered it seriously. "That might actually work."
"What if he comes after us?" Victoria felt uneasy. If they angered Henry, they could be in serious trouble.
Sebastian reassured her, "Then we'll find another way."
He was willing to face the consequences. Even if Henry wanted to blame them, he had no grounds to hold Victoria responsible.
Victoria let out a soft sigh. This was indeed a huge problem.
The car pulled up to the gate of the Rose Villa. She waved goodbye to Sebastian and turned to enter the house.
Inside the living room, Emma was watching cartoons while Jude was reading a book. They seemed surprisingly harmonious.
"Ms. Victoria!" Mabel exclaimed joyfully upon spotting her, rushing over to hug her leg. "I missed you so much!"
"We just parted this morning!"
Emma said, "But it feels like ages! I really miss you!"
That was so sweet, and Victoria couldn't help but smile. "Then don't leave tomorrow. Just stay with me."
Emma, however, replied, "No way! I haven't seen my mom in two weeks. I miss her even more!"
Victoria was heartbroken at that.
"Mom," Jude greeted her, and though he appeared cold and distant, there was a subtle change. The look of resistance in his eyes faded away.
Victoria smiled at the two kids. "I have some things to take care of. You all be good, okay?"
Emma nodded. "I'm always good!"
Jude stayed silent, watching as Victoria entered the study.
Emma glanced at him, saying, "It's been two weeks, and you still don't seem to win Ms. Victoria's affection."
He replied calmly, "I gave up."
Emma leaned closer, her eyes wide with surprise. "Wow, you gave up that quickly? That's so unlike you."
Jude regarded Emma, who had previously annoyed him. After a brief silence, he asked, "How do you usually get along with your mom?"