After Rebirth, I Replaced My Ex-Husband's True Love-Chapter 99: Seven Photographs

"I’m not going this year, why don’t you take Azure instead?" I casually tucked my hands into my coat pockets, generously giving this chance to Azure.

I believed she needed this opportunity.

Henry Preston’s brows furrowed, forming a small mountain, and his gaze became more complex. It was not overt displeasure, but rather a subtle annoyance mixed with restraint.

"We won’t divorce, and I’ll handle things with Azure."

Honestly, upon hearing this, I began to suspect I was hallucinating.

Because it sounded as though he was telling me he chose me, and was ready to give up on Azure.

Isn’t that absurd? Just giving up on your true love like that?

"Henry, stop joking around. Don’t give me such empty promises. No, it doesn’t even qualify as a promise, does it?" I coldly refused.

After speaking, I turned to enter the house, only to be stopped by Henry grabbing my arm.

"Let me try," he said to me for the first time in such a pleading tone.

Even when he wanted to divorce me in the past, he never lowered his stance like this.

My heart was thumping with unease, could it be that Henry really fell in love with me?

But it’s impossible for him to love me more than Azure. If he were to give up, it should be me he’s giving up on. I thought Henry was pressured by his family and wasn’t prepared to go against the world for Azure just yet, so he planned to continue using me to appease his family.

This was the only reason I could think of that made sense and was reliable.

"No need to try, you should go back. My dad hasn’t returned yet, and if he shows up and sees you, it’ll be awkward." My rationale got the better of me.

Speak of the devil, my dad was just dealing with some unexpected matters, and my mom was busy with the New Year’s dinner at home, so she didn’t know Henry was here.

Upon seeing Henry, my dad’s face darkened swiftly, as if something ominous had entered our home. He sternly asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Dad," Henry still greeted him politely.

"Don’t call me that; I don’t deserve it. You’ll probably have a new father-in-law soon, so call him that instead." My dad responded without giving Henry a shred of face.

Fearing the situation would escalate, I quickly went to hold my dad’s arm, "Dad, Mom needs some help in the kitchen. You go ahead and help her, I’ll handle this."

My dad had promised me he wouldn’t interfere too much with my issues with Henry, so he unwillingly went inside.

"As you can see, my family’s impression of you is very poor. Even if we don’t divorce right now, it won’t end well. I’ve convinced my parents not to interfere in our matters, so you should go back and explain things to your family," I said calmly to Henry.

Henry looked at me intently, "I have no intention of divorcing. What is there to explain?"

"How long do you plan on holding me back?" I blurted out, "How can someone be so ruthless? Even though I agreed to marry you for your grandfather’s sake, putting pressure from your parents on you, it was still something you agreed to because of the benefits. Why put all the blame on me?"

Henry’s eyes suddenly flickered, and his tone changed, "Zoe Hathaway, do you really not know what you’ve made me lose?" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

I looked puzzled, "Freedom?"

"Haha," Henry let out a cold laugh, "Freedom is nonsense."

Indeed, after marriage he remained carefree, without the slightest restraint from being married.

Freedom was just a matter of choice for him; it wasn’t that serious.

I truly had no idea what else it could be.

My phone started ringing at that moment, it was my mother-in-law calling. Even though things between Henry and me were tense, my mother-in-law always stood by my side, so I felt it would be rude not to answer.

I moved aside to pick up the call, and my mother-in-law’s voice came through, "Zoe, will you and Henry come back for New Year’s dinner?"

"Mom, um... I might not make it this year." I hesitated for a moment but ended up declining.

My mother-in-law sighed, "Come back, I have something to tell you. Maybe it will help you understand why Henry has been so stubborn over the years."

I looked back at Henry, who was also looking at me.

I’ve loved him for ten years, deeply knowing his life, his personality, and his preferences. How could there be something I don’t know?

This indeed piqued my curiosity.

"Alright," I agreed, thinking it would be nice to know why I had been coldly treated by Henry before everything ended.

After ending the call, I said to Henry, "Let’s go to your parents’ place."

He didn’t say anything; he simply turned and walked toward the car.

I followed closely behind and was about to sit in the front passenger seat when I changed my mind and went to the back seat instead.

The front passenger seat now belonged to Azure, and I had no intention of fighting over it with her. Even though she’s not here, I’m willing to give it up voluntarily.

This move darkened Henry’s expression even more.

But he said nothing else, simply starting the car and heading toward City C.

On the way, I sent my parents a message explaining the situation. Luckily, they understood and just hoped I would return soon.

It was cold with snow, coupled with occasional traffic jams, so the ride was slower than usual. A trip that normally took about four hours ended up being six hours today.

We arrived well past lunchtime and had no choice but to wait for the New Year’s dinner in the evening.

"Dad, Mom," I greeted my in-laws warmly as usual upon seeing them.

Honestly, after what happened with Azure, I had grown even fonder and closer to my in-laws.

The thought that after the divorce, such good in-laws would go to someone else, made me a bit reluctant.

"Zoe, you’re back," my mother-in-law came forward and held my hand, then glared at Henry with a look full of reproach.

Henry pretended not to notice, simply took off his jacket, and went to sit on the sofa.

My father-in-law let out a grunt, turning his face away from his son, but instead invited me, "Zoe, come sit here."

I sat down with my mother-in-law, who then asked, "How long was the drive? Did you eat anything on the way? I had some dishes set aside in the kitchen for you to have a snack, eat more during the New Year’s dinner."

"Alright," I nodded.

When the food was served, Henry and I casually filled our stomachs as our in-laws watched, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere among the four of us.

"Eat more, you’re so thin, it’s distressing," my mother-in-law said, adding more food to my plate.

"Mm," I felt warmth in my heart and smiled at her.

Henry continued eating with his head down, making no sound or eye contact.

After eating, he went upstairs alone, while my father-in-law said he had some work to handle in the study, leaving just my mother-in-law and me in the living room.

She said, "Zoe, wait here for a moment."

A few minutes later, she came down from upstairs with a paper envelope, and seeing my puzzled expression, she opened the envelope and handed me a few photos, "Take a look at these."

I took the photos and examined them, and my face immediately changed, filled with shock.

There were a total of seven photos, and each one left me more stunned and incredulous than the last, so much so that by the time I finished viewing them all, I was completely speechless.