Chapter 134
Henry spat out the cigarette and grabbed the back of Victoria's head, kissing her fiercely.
Earlier, he had been mindful of her drunken antics, choosing not to argue.
But he didn't like what she'd just said, as if marrying him had been the worst decision of her life. Countless women would have killed to marry him. This woman truly didn't know how good she had it.
His kiss was rough, almost as if he wanted to devour her, claiming her softness and sweetness as his hand instinctively roamed.
After five years as a couple, such movements, had become second nature.
Victoria trembled in his arms, pushing and struggling against him.
Henry pinned her to the bed, his solid frame towering over her like a mountain, leaving her unable to resist.
He was forceful, possessive, and domineering. The more she tried to break free, the more he refused to let her go. Their breaths grew ragged as they chased and entangled with one another. Henry devoured her roughly eventhough she was drunk.
The night was deep, clouds drifting lazily and blocking the moonlight's gentle glow.
After having sex, Henry was still kissing and bitting lightly on her body.
Just then, the phone's ringtone broke the moment, his brows furrowing tightly.
How many times had it been? The calls kept going on.
Irritated, he reached for the phone to turn it off, but paused when he saw the caller ID.
It was Jude, calling Victoria.
So late at night–why was this little rascal still awake?
"That's my phone..."
Half–drunk and asleep, Victoria heard the ringtone, reached out, and grabbed the phone without looking, answering it immediately.
"Hello, who's this?"
Jude was unusually nervous. It was already late, and he wasn't sure if his mom was asleep, but he couldn't sleep himself. He missed her. He wanted her to read him bedtime stories.
After hesitating for a long time, he finally dialed. He thought she might hang up or answer coldly, asking what he wanted. But to his surprise, he was greeted with such a gentle voice.
Jude's eyes turned red, and his voice cracked as he said, "Mom."
"Huh? A kid?" Victoria was surprised, her tone softening even more. "Are you looking for your mom? What's her name?"
Jude nearly burst into tears. Hearing her response, he froze and realized something wasn't right with her tone. She might have been drinking.
After hesitating for a while, he asked, "Can you tell me a bedtime story?"
"Sure!"
Victoria agreed immediately, her groggy state leaving little room for logic. Hearing the child call her "Mom," her heart melted completely, and she granted his request without thinking.
"What story do you want to hear?"
Julius was overjoyed and worked hard to keep his emotions in check. "Snow White," he said.
"Alright, let me think..." Victoria lay on bed, eyes closed, as she began telling the story in ridiculous drunk voice.
Henry watched the scene, his face darkening like a storm cloud.
That brat...
How old was he now? Still asking for bedtime stories? Looks like he'd have to send him back to the Harrison Villa!
But for now, he didn't intervene. Watching Victoria show such tenderness to Jude again, he couldn't bring himself to stop her.
His son clearly had a mother, but this heartless woman had abandoned him. She had abandoned both of them.
He threw off the blanket tangled around him, got out of bed, and headed to the bathroom again.
By the time he came out again, Victoria was silent now, but the phone was still connected.
"It's late. You should go to sleep," Henry said, taking the phone.
"Dad." Jude's groggy voice came through.
His voice was drowsy but pleading. "Can you bring Mom back? I like listening to her bedtime stories."
Henry's grip on the phone tightened as his gaze fell on the sleeping woman on the bed. After a pause, he replied, "Then make her like you as much as possible, so she tells you more stories."
With that, he ended the call, placed the phone on the nightstand, pulled back the blanket, climbed into bed, and instinctively pulled her into his arms.
It was a peaceful night.
When Victoria opened her eyes, she was greeted by a muscular chest. She froze, her fragmented memories replaying in her mind. The last person she remembered seeing last night was... Jayce! And eventhough she was drunk, she knew she obvious had sex last night.
Her eyes widened in panic as she frantically checked her body.
Her movements were a bit loud, waking the man. He raised an arm to shield his eyes.
Victoria jumped, startled, and turned away before even seeing his face. Stammering, she said, "Um, Mr. Caldwell, you... I..."
"Victoria," a deep, cold, raspy voice cut her off, chilling her to the bone.
"Who are you calling?"
Victoria froze, then whipped around to see Henry's dark expression.
For a moment, she relaxed and let out a breath of relief, but confusion quickly followed. "What are you doing here?" she asked.
Henry stood and stepped closer to her. "If it's not me, then who were you hoping for, huh?"
"The first name she called out when she opened her eyes was Mr. Caldwell! Which Mr. Caldwell? Jayce? Does she like Jayce?" he roared inwardly.
The moment the thought crossed his mind, he wanted to strangle the woman in front of him–and beat Jayce to a pulp!
He was standing too close, his presence overwhelming her. Victoria frowned slightly and pushed him away, saying, "What are you talking about? I don't want anyone here! Neither of you should even be here!"
Realizing she was barely dressed and remembering how this infuriating man had likely taken advantage of her last night, Victoria glared at him before heading to the closet.
When she came out again, she was wearing a slip dress and went straight to the bathroom.
After freshening up, her mind felt clearer.
Her memories of the previous night were fragmented, but she had pieced together most of what had happened.
It was true that Jayce had brought her here, but Henry had somehow shown up out of nowhere and taken her away. Then...
She couldn't recall much beyond that.
As she was drying her face, another figure appeared in the mirror. He stood directly behind her, his tall frame completely enveloping her. His strikingly soulful eyes bore into her, though his tone remained icy. "How exactly did you and Jayce get so familiar with each other?".
Victoria finished wiping her face and turned to leave. "That's none of your business," she said.
But her arm was grabbed, and she was pulled back, trapped between the counter and his chest. His overpowering presence caged her in as he braced his arms against the sink, leaving her no room to escape.
"Don't forget–you're my wife, and Jayce is my friend. If you dare mess with him, you're done," he warned, his gaze sharp.
His eyes were filled with a warning as he stared at her.
"Are you joking?" Victoria scoffed, a mocking smile on her lips. "Couldn't it be that he's smitten by my beauty and talent? Why blame that on me?"
"If he's the one pursuing you, I won't let him off either," Henry said, his tone heavy. "So behave yourself."
Watching his domineering demeanor, Victoria suddenly smirked. "Oh, Another memory just came back to me. After we got married, you were so distant. For the first few months, you hardly came home. You completely resented our marriage and always looked at me like I was a stranger."
She paused, her eyes calm and indifferent. "So, what do you mean by all this now?"
Henry felt that familiar ache again. Her calm recounting of their early marriage was like a dull knife cutting him, drawing out the pain endlessly.
For a moment, he avoided her gaze, his Adam's apple bobbing heavily. He straightened, and the sharpness of his demeanor faded like receding tides.
"I was set up by a scheming woman. Do you expect me to put on a smiling face all the time?" he retorted coldly.
He asked sharply before turning and walking away.