CHAPTER 218: CHAPTER 218: MY HEART IN TURMOIL

Of course, Henry Preston is a self-centered and domineering person; I’ve always known that.

But he can’t dictate my life like this!

Is it that when he doesn’t love me, I should obediently stay in the corner, and when he does love me, I must immediately cater to him?

"I thought you would be different from before," I said, deeply disappointed, "It turns out my hatred and unfortunate experiences mean less to you than your competitive spirit."

Henry Preston narrowed his eyes, saying nothing.

It’s truly ironic; my family is facing such severe issues, yet he comes to threaten me.

"I won’t turn back, Henry. If you think I’m still not miserable enough, then keep targeting me. Just like that Sanctum Biotech incident; you don’t help me, and I’m at my wit’s end, satisfying your perverted psychology." I slightly tilted my head and continued coldly.

Henry Preston gritted his teeth, "Perverted psychology? Is holding onto you also perverted psychology? Just now, openly flirting with Ivan Underwood in front of me, do you know how I feel?"

"Your feelings don’t concern me! I’ve let go of you. I’m not your property, so I won’t let go just because you say so. Henry, can you respect me a little bit? Was it my foolish infatuation in the past that made you used to having me without dignity?" I questioned with a hint of bleakness.

I was like a satellite, following the trajectory Henry set, revolving around him without a trace of self.

But that was my choice; I blame no one.

My words made Henry increasingly agitated; his naturally gloomy expression turned even uglier. He looked down at my hand, "Let go, don’t talk through a door."

I didn’t want to be at a disadvantage, so I let go, and once the door opened, we spoke face to face.

"I was wrong in the past; I can admit it a thousand or even ten thousand times, but I want a chance to make it up to you." Henry’s expression softened quite a bit as he saw me obediently release my grip.

"The past is over; can we not talk about it? I already have a boyfriend." I felt a sense of helplessness.

Henry’s face changed as quickly as flipping a page; his face, which had just eased a little, instantly tightened upon hearing my answer.

I continued, "What about Azure Vaughn? What about Rosalind Sutton? One’s your girlfriend, and the other’s your rumored lover. Have you not considered them?"

"No." Henry’s answer was heartless, despite those two women liking him; at this moment, I couldn’t see even a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

A long time ago, Crystal Dawson said to me: Never hold onto any hope for Henry Preston’s character.

Back then, I thought Crystal didn’t understand Henry, but later I realized she was truly a prophet.

A businessman at the top, who’s also a young man, would never be some good-natured person.

"Henry, we’re not suitable for each other, I’m begging you, let it end here, okay?" I found that cold words were no longer effective, so I softened my attitude and pleaded directly.

There was a trace of hurt in Henry’s eyes. He raised his hand to touch my face, but his fingers trembled slightly and then slowly lowered, "I want to, but I can’t; I said I wouldn’t let you go."

Upon hearing this answer, I truly felt utter despair; I know too well that as long as Henry himself doesn’t want to let go, there’s no way for me to escape.

Having barely escaped the swamp, I’m being dragged back in.

Since words don’t work, I turned around and walked away.

Just as I took two steps, Henry embraced me from behind, burying his head in the hollow of my neck, almost pleadingly, "Just one last chance, okay? You indulged me for ten years; why can’t you give me a little more time?"

"Let go of me." I felt a dull pain in my heart, but the next second, I regained my composure.

"I won’t let go; if I let you go, you’ll drift farther and farther from me. After the divorce, I thought you were angry with me and would return to me after a while until we lost the baby, until you released those recordings, only then did I belatedly realize I was really going to lose you." Henry’s voice was next to my ear, very clear, carrying intense regret.

I forced myself not to listen to those words, then nudged my shoulder slightly, trying to break free from Henry.

My silence and struggle finally made Henry release me.

I didn’t turn around to look at him; I hurried back, firmly closed the door once inside the living room, and locked it.

Not sure if Henry had left, I turned on all the lights alone and ran to the balcony of the second-floor bedroom, from where I could see the situation at the front door.

The entrance already showed no sign of Henry, he must have gone back.

The weight on my heart lightened, but I couldn’t deny my emotions wavered when Henry held me and said those things.

Then Ivan Underwood called.

"Are you asleep? I just got home." His voice came gently.

My restless heart suddenly settled down, "Just about to sleep, how about you? Why aren’t you sleeping yet after getting home?"

"I miss you, wanted to hear your voice." Ivan’s sweet words were overwhelming, "Didn’t you miss me?"

"We haven’t been apart long enough to miss..." I felt a bit embarrassed at his question.

Ivan sighed softly, "Seems like you don’t miss me, but I only feel time flies when I’m with you."

I laid down on the bed, listening to Ivan’s voice on the phone, my mind tangled with Henry’s pleading words, my heart a chaotic mess, leaving me silent.

"Fell asleep?" Ivan noticed my prolonged silence, asking.

"No, I was just getting clothes, planning to take a shower!" I casually explained.

Upon hearing this, Ivan promptly responded considerately, "Alright, it’s already late, I won’t take up your time so you don’t sleep even later."

"Okay, goodnight." I softened my voice and wished him goodnight.

After hanging up, I stared at the ceiling blankly, then placed my hand on my abdomen, thinking of the child I never met, causing my heart to ache with waves of pain.

Every time I submerged myself in past memories, thinking of the child brought me back to reality; the hatred toward Azure Vaughn and resistance to Henry tangled together, impossible to unravel.

With scattered thoughts, I fell into a deep sleep, and had a long dream, in which I was chasing Henry, and Ivan suddenly appeared, holding my hand to run in another direction.

But as we ran, Henry blocked our way again, looking at us with a dangerous and cold gaze.

When I woke up, my head throbbed painfully, my whole body felt feverish. Forcing myself up, I found the thermometer and tested my temperature on myself, finding I had a fever.

"Cough cough cough..." Intense coughing and chest tightness quickly followed.

I grabbed the car keys, planning to drive myself to the hospital for an injection, but I was already feeling dizzy from the fever and nearly passed out before reaching downstairs.

The sudden high fever forced me to return to the bedroom, and call someone for help.