Chapter 167
Barrett resided in the room right next door.
When Barrett opened the door and saw Henry, he grinned widely. "Bro, good evening. Surprised to see me? Huh? Are you surprised?"
Henry's deep eyes looked at him with indifference. "Who asked you to bring my son here?"
Touched by the sudden chill, Barrett rubbed his nose. "I'm Jude's uncle. When he asked for my help, how could I refuse?"
A cold glint flickered in Henry's eyes.
Barrett hastily backtracked. "I was wrong, Henry. I won't do it again. Jude really wanted to see his mother. How could I deny him that? Plus, more contact between Jude and Victoria might actually help with family harmony."
"My family is harmonious," Henry retorted in a low, steady voice, walking past Barrett. He spotted the wine cabinet, pulled out a bottle, and poured himself a drink.
Barrett's eyes flickered as he thought, "Harmonious? His wife was planning to leave, and his son was following suit. Where was the harmony?"
"Henry," Barrett sat down and said cautiously, "I've noticed Jude has changed. He wasn't close to Victoria before, but now he is. I think this is a good thing. If Victoria has a bond here, she won't have any other thoughts of leaving."
Henry flipped open the cigarette box, extracted a cigarette and lit it, the flame briefly illuminating his face. His usually impassive eyes were now frosted over with a chill. In a voice low and resonant, he asked, "Do you really think we're a good match?"
Barrett blinked in surprise and exclaimed, "You and Victoria? Of course, you're meant for each other. If not, how could you have lived together for five years?"
Henry took a drag from his cigarette and replied, "She feels it's not appropriate and has always wanted a divorce."
Barrett looked at him seriously. "And you? Do you want a divorce?"
Henry frowned and muttered, "Divorce is too troublesome."
Barrett shook his head. "Henry, that's the wrong way to think. Divorce isn't a problem at all. Now that Victoria is no longer the daughter of the Hardwick family, they won't dare say anything about the divorce".
A thin plume of white smoke curled into the air, veiling Henry's sharp, chiseled face. His deep eyes, usually brimming with complex emotions, were now clouded and indistinct.
Barrett was right.
He hadn't pursued a divorce before because the Hardwick family had been a hassle, a headache he couldn't be bothered with, especially when it came to dividing property. All those complications had kept him from going through with it.
Now that it had come to light that Victoria wasn't really the daughter of the Hardwick family, all those problems had simply melted away.
If he wanted a divorce, he could have it anytime he wished.
But he didn't want to.
Why?
Because he had grown used to having Victoria around for the past five years.
Her presence and her scent had become so ingrained in him that the thought of her leaving felt wrong.
Maybe if he lived with any other woman for a few years, it would be the same.
A ridiculous thought crept into his mind, and Henry tightened his grip on the cigarette. The filter crumpled beneath his fingertips.
He liked her.
There was nothing else but pure love.
And that was why, every time she brought up divorce, he felt that twist of unhappiness and that reluctance to let her go.
Now that the realization had hit him, it only served to stir his irritation further.
The moment he acknowledged his feelings for her, she wanted out.
Barrett, watching his unreadable expression, hesitated before asking, "Henry, have you figured it out?"
Henry lifted his gaze, his eyes piercing. "Do you have someone you like?"
"Yeah!" Barrett nodded eagerly, a grin spreading across his face. "I fell for her the moment I saw her. I really like her!"
Henry paused, considering his next question. "If you like her, what do you do? What's it like?"
Barrett was shocked and thought, "Has Henry never been in love? He had girlfriends before, and he's been married to Victoria for five years. If he were to claim he didn't know what love is, who would believe him?"
Catching the peculiar glint in his eyes, Henry growled, and his expression abruptly clouded over.
Barrett quickly cleared his throat, pushing aside his own emotions.
"If I like someone, I just want to be with her all the time.
As for how it feels, when I see her, I'm happy.
I want to hug her, kiss her, and make love if she's okay with it.
When I'm away from her, my mind wanders to her, wondering what she might be up to, or if she's thinking of me.
I find myself rushing through my work for the chance to be with her again. "
He spoke earnestly, his mind drifting to the woman who haunted his thoughts. He likes Diana. He missed Diana.
Too bad he was still in the pursuit phase and didn't quite have the guts to make his move.
Henry lowered his eyes, absorbing Barrett's words.
He did think about Victoria often.
When he saw her, he wanted to kiss her, hold her, and do all the things that husbands and wives did.
He had initially believed this was simply the ordinary dynamic between a husband and wife, devoid of any romantic love.
But now, that understanding had been flipped on its head.
He liked Victoria.
Barrett chuckled, "Henry, if you don't want a divorce, then talk to Victoria. I think she's a good person."
Henry didn't respond. He finished his cigarette and downed another bottle of wine. His handsome face was expressionless, giving nothing away.