Chapter 233
As her car finally disappeared down the street, Henry shut the front door and leaned against it for a moment, breathing in the silence she left behind. Then, with a heaviness that dragged at his bones, he made his way upstairs to his bedroom.
The room felt wrong without her laughter lingering in it. The bed looked too big, too neat—like a reminder of everything he didn’t have. He lay down anyway, shifting from one side to the other, but rest refused to stay. His mind kept replaying the scene he wished he could unsee: Eliana in Rafael’s arms, her soft frame pressed against the billionaire’s effortless power… and Rafael’s steel-grey eyes—those eyes that could cut through a room even while pretending to be blind.
Henry clenched his jaw, his fist slamming into the pillow as jealousy twisted through him sharp and sour. “Why him?” he breathed into the darkness, voice cracking. “Why never me p>
But the night had no sympathy.
Every time he shut his eyes, he saw her—the tiny hopeful smile she used to hide her bruised heart, the way she looked like she was holding herself together with thread. It tore at him until the hours blurred. By the time dawn crept in, pale and uncaring, Henry felt like his body was made of lead. His eyes burned. His chest felt tight.
Then his phone buzzed violently on the nightstand.
He blinked at the screen, barely processing the group chat name until the message hit him like cold water:
“Emergency alert! Last-minute test tomorrow on cardiology. Prof says it’s 20% of our grade. Don’t miss it p>
Henry groaned, rubbing his temples. He couldn’t afford to skip it—not with his aspirations to become a doctor hanging in the balance. His wealthy family had paved the way with connections, but he wanted to earn his place. Dragging himself out of bed, he splashed cold water on his face, the mirror reflecting bloodshot eyes and a haggard expression. He dressed quickly in a crisp button-down shirt and slacks, grabbed his backpack, and headed to his car—a reliable Audi brought in yesterday by his secretary when he was out. Another gift form his parents.
The drive to the university was a blur, the morning sun mocking his turmoil with its cheerful glow. As he parked and walked toward the medical building, his thoughts still lingered on Eliana. The campus buzzed with students, their energy a stark contrast to his drained state. He just wanted to get through the day, ace the test, and collapse.
But as he approached the nursing building—adjacent to his own—a small crowd caught his eye. People were gathered in a loose semicircle, murmurs and laughter rippling through them. Phones were out, flashes popping sporadically. Henry wasn’t interested; he veered to the side, intent on bypassing the spectacle.
Then, a voice cut through the noise: “Eliana Vexley? Come on, spill the tea p>
Henry froze, his heart skipping a beat. Eliana? Here? He pushed closer, his tall frame allowing him to peer over heads. There she was, in the center of the throng—her warm brown skin flushed, expressive honey eyes wide with panic. Her long curly hair was tousled, and she clutched her bag like a shield over her pregnant belly. Students bombarded her with questions, their tones a mix of curiosity and cruelty.
“Why’d you dump Henry for that billionaire p>
“Is the baby really Rafael’s, or is it Henry’s p>
“Aren’t you ashamed marrying a blind cripple p>
Eliana’s voice rose in desperation, trembling with emotion. “Stop! You don’t know anything! Leave me alone p>
The crowd laughed, pressing in. Henry felt a surge of protective rage. How dare they? He started shoving through, but before he could reach her, Eliana broke free, tears streaming down her soft heart-shaped face. She sprinted toward the nearest building, disappearing into the women’s bathroom.
Without hesitation, Henry ran after her, his backpack thumping against his side. He reached the door, pounding on it ferociously. “Eliana! It’s Henry! Are you okay? Open up p>
Inside, Eliana huddled in a stall, her sobs echoing off the tiles. The knock startled her, her body tensing as she feared the mob had followed. But then she recognized the voice—warm, familiar, laced with concern. Henry. Wiping her tears with shaky hands, she rushed to the door, unlocking it with fumbling fingers.
The moment it swung open, she threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest. “Henry! Oh God, Henry, it’s awful. They won’t stop… the questions, the stares p>
He held her tightly, his strong arms enveloping her slender frame. The scent of her shampoo—sweet and floral—flooded his senses, stirring a mix of protectiveness and lingering love. “Shh, it’s okay. I’ve got you. Everything’s going to be alright. Just breathe p>
She clung to him, her body shaking as sobs wracked her. “They said horrible things… about Rafael, about the baby. About us. Why are people so cruel p>
Henry stroked her back gently, his voice soothing despite the storm in his heart. “People are idiots, Eliana. They thrive on gossip. But you’re stronger than this. Remember? You’ve always been the one with quiet strength p>
After a few minutes, her cries subsided to sniffles. She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with those expressive eyes, now red-rimmed but grateful. “Thank you for coming after me. I didn’t know what to do p>
He smiled faintly, brushing a curl from her face. “I’d never leave you to face that alone. Come on, let’s get you to class. I’ll walk you there p>
She nodded, taking a deep breath. “Okay. But… the crowd might still be out there p>
“We’ll handle it together,” he assured her, offering his arm.
As they stepped out, the remnants of the crowd—about a dozen students—surged forward, phones ready. The red-haired girl from earlier grinned mischievously. “Henry! What’s your deal with Eliana? You two look cozy p>
A guy in a hoodie chimed in. “Yeah, man. You know she’s married to Rafael Vexley now? Spill—were you her side piece p>
Henry’s jaw tensed, but he forced calm, his reserved nature kicking in. He raised a hand, his voice steady and authoritative. “Listen up, everyone. Eliana is my best friend—nothing more. We’ve known each other for a long time. And yes, I know about her marriage to Rafael. He’s a good man, and their relationship is none of your business. So, how about you all back off and just be happy for her? She’s starting a new Chapter, and she deserves peace p>
The crowd murmured, some looking sheepish, others disappointed. The girl with glasses pushed her frames up. “But the tabloids say p>
“Tabloids lie,” Henry cut in sharply. “Now, if you’ll excuse us p>
He took Eliana’s hand firmly, her fingers warm and trembling in his. With a determined push, he led her through the dispersing group, their voices fading behind them.