When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 185

Yosef turned to Henrietta. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s go home.”

Henrietta’s heart skipped a beat. “Okay,” she nodded, falling into step with him.

Their strides were perfectly matched, their height difference ideal. She had never imagined that being held like this by a man like Yosef, in such a protective embrace, would feel so reassuring. It filled her with a strange, quiet sense of happiness. Perhaps this was the security that came from being with someone so powerful. And she quite liked it.

The moonlight was soft, the stars hazy. Their shadows stretched long before them as they walked, creating a scene of simple, beautiful tranquility.

But the beautiful moment was soon shattered. Just as they neared their convoy of cars, they ran into Matteo, Jolie, and Leon.

In the dim light, Matteo’s face was as pale as a ghost, his eyes filled with anguish. He was leaning heavily on the other two, looking as if he would collapse if they let go.

Henrietta paused, surprised to see them, but said nothing.

As she moved to get into the car, Matteo suddenly spoke, his voice raw with pain and oddly hoarse. “Henrietta, how… how could you get married?”

She stopped, finding his question ridiculous.

Yosef also stopped, but he didn’t spare Matteo a single glance. Instead, he looked at Henrietta and spoke before she could. “It seems a friend wants to talk to you. I’ll wait in the car.”

Then he added, “Take your time.”

Henrietta was stunned. Then she understood. He was giving her the ultimate respect, freedom, and dignity. He was a true gentleman. Not like Joaquin, who would have exploded with jealousy and probably started throwing punches without asking a single question.

“Okay, I will,” Henrietta nodded.

Yosef didn’t leave right away. He looked at her for a few seconds longer, then reached out to gently ruffle her hair before pulling his suit jacket tighter around her shoulders.

As he turned to go, Henrietta called out impulsively, “Mr. Nash.”

He stopped. “Yes, I’m here.”

She looked at him, and in the dim light, her beautiful eyes seemed to sparkle. “Wait for me,” she said, tugging lightly on his sleeve.

Outside the car, Henrietta faced a pathetic-looking Matteo. “You’re ridiculous. Why can't I get married?”

Matteo looked at her, a profound sense of inferiority washing over him. He had expected the powerful man, the number one man in the world, to look down on him, to mock and humiliate him. Instead, the man hadn’t even bothered to look his way.

Matteo stared at Henrietta. In the moonlight, his ex-girlfriend was breathtakingly beautiful. Draped in that man’s jacket, she seemed to be wearing a suit of armor, making her appear all the more formidable. She just stood there, cool and silent, making him desperately want to hold her. This was the woman he had cherished for so long. How had she, in the blink of an eye, become another man’s wife?

Matteo swallowed hard, his voice trembling and choked with emotion. It seemed to take all his strength to ask, “Then what about me? Henrietta, if you don’t want me anymore, what am I supposed to do?”

As he spoke, tears welled in his eyes. To any observer, it was a scene of deep, touching affection. Even Jolie’s eyes turned red; her brother truly seemed pitiable, abandoned so suddenly and still trying so desperately to win her back, only to be rejected again and again.

But Henrietta just sneered, looking at the man who had wasted her youth, stalled her career, and crushed her sincere heart into dust. Her voice was cold and final. “What you do is none of my damn business. We broke up a long time ago. Aside from our professional relationship, there is nothing left between us. Nothing!”

With that, Henrietta turned to leave.

“I don’t believe you!” Matteo roared, losing control. He lunged forward, stumbling in his haste.