When Two Winters Met (Henrietta and Yosef) novel Chapter 253

They had just agreed that morning to wait two years before having children. They would obviously have to use contraception. But if, by some stroke of luck, she got pregnant from their first time, it would create an awkward dilemma. One of Henrietta’s quirks was her stubbornness; once a decision was made, she disliked changing it. If they had agreed that morning to have a baby if one came along, she would have stuck to that just as firmly.

Seeing Henrietta’s silence, Winona added, “But Mr. Nash isn’t exactly young, and that pill is hard on your body. Don’t you think you should… discuss it with him?” Winona thought Henrietta was the one who didn’t want a child yet and was trying to gently persuade her.

“We agreed to wait two years,” Henrietta clarified. “So… to prevent any unexpected surprises…” She looked at Winona meaningfully.

Winona nodded in understanding. “I get it. I’ll have my secretary handle it.”

Henrietta nodded.

Hearing this, Joaquin finally erupted. He’d been ignored the entire time, and now he slammed his hands on the desk and shot to his feet. “Do you two think I’m invisible?!”

His sudden outburst startled them both. Winona was the first to recover. “Frankly, no one cares that you’re here. You’re the one who refuses to leave. We haven’t even called you out for eavesdropping on our private conversation, so what are you yelling about?”

Joaquin’s face was livid. “You’re the ones talking about all this nonsense, and you blame me for listening? I was listening in broad daylight!”

“You—” Winona started to argue.

But Henrietta cut her off. “What do you mean, nonsense? Isn’t this a perfectly normal topic?”

Joaquin turned to her, his eyes fixed on her cool expression. “Normal? When did you become so open, Ms. Sargent?”

A cold smile touched Henrietta’s lips. “I’ve already had to endure an abortion because of you. What’s there to not be open about?”

Her jab hit its mark, and Joaquin’s face flushed with shame. “Henrietta! How could you… with him…”

“He’s my husband,” Henrietta cut him off sharply. “We’re legally married. Who else would I be with? If you’re sick in the head, you should see a doctor before it’s too late.”

Joaquin was so furious he felt dizzy. He pointed a trembling finger at her. “You…” He was acting as if she had cheated on him.

Henrietta continued, “Or what, do you want to be one of the girls? If you want to join our girl talk, then just listen quietly. Why are you throwing a tantrum? Who gave you the right to throw a fit in my office?”

Perhaps it was that last line that finally broke him. He nodded furiously. “Fine, fine, I’ll leave! I’m the sick one! Happy now?”

He stormed out.

After a moment of stunned silence, Henrietta added, “You’re not just sick, you’re also ugly.”

Joaquin’s pace quickened.

Winona watched him go. “Is he… actually seriously disturbed?”

Suddenly, Artina pulled out a dagger.

Henrietta and Winona froze. Winona quickly rushed to Henrietta’s side, pulling her back a step. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Artina pointed the dagger at them. “You forced me to do this! You’re the ones to blame! You know what I went through yesterday, and now you’re trying to force me back to work! How am I supposed to work? You just want to drive me to my death! Fine, if you want me dead, we’ll all die together! I won’t let you get away with this, even in death! I’ll take you all down with me!”

She was on the verge of a complete breakdown.

Winona pulled out her phone and whispered, “Should I call the police?”

But Henrietta put a hand on her arm. “She’s not willing to die.” Looking at Artina, she asked calmly, “So… what do you want?”

Tears streamed down Artina’s face. “I want to take a few days off! I have things to do! I need to rest! I can’t film right now! When I’ve recovered, I’ll go back to the set and work hard!”

Henrietta raised a delicate eyebrow. “How many days? If you’re saying you need a month off to get an abortion, that’s impossible.” She would never give Artina that much time.

“I don’t need that long!” Artina said defiantly. “Maybe two days, maybe three. The point is, I can’t film right now. I have things to take care of! Once I’m done, I’ll focus on acting. I’m going to be a huge star!”

Deep down, she was terrified of losing the path Henrietta had paved for her. The path with Jethro was already crumbling. If she lost this one too, she’d have lost everything.