From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15 Keep This Baby

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It was only today that she finally saw it clearly. Hudson had never loved her. This marriage, from the very beginning, had been a one-woman show.

Downstairs, the interior designers, sensing the tension, had wisely made themselves scarce.

Hudson wanted to go upstairs to talk to Jade, but Amara grabbed his arm and held on tight.

“Hudson,” Amara said, her voice trembling as she started to cry. “Maybe Cortney and I should just go back to the hotel. Ms. Merchant is the lady of this house. Even if Cortney has nightmares at the hotel, sometimes waking up screaming in the middle of the night… we can tough it out. We can’t make Ms. Merchant uncomfortable just to accommodate Cortney. And I… I don’t want people to think I’m trying to be a homewrecker.”

“No.” Hudson’s urge to find Jade was immediately overridden by Amara’s words. “It’s not just about you and Cortney being uncomfortable in a hotel. What if the people responsible for Ronald’s death come looking for you? What will you and your daughter do then?”

Amara seemed to shrink in fear, her face stiffening. “Then what do we do?” she whispered, her body trembling as she pressed closer to Hudson. “I don’t care about myself, but Cortney… she’s so little…”

Hudson understood her fear. He put an arm around her shoulders, his voice low and

reassuring. “It’s okay. I’m here. You two stay here, where it’s safe. I’ll talk to Jade. I’ll make her understand.”

*****

Night fell. Jade didn’t know how long she had been sitting on the cold floor. When she finally stirred, her body was stiff and chilled, and a faint, cramping pain bloomed in her abdomen,

She pushed herself up, one hand going to her stomach. Her pale face, drained of color, twisted with panic.

“I’m sorry, baby… Mommy wasn’t thinking of you. I’m so sorry…”

So much had happened recently that she was still struggling to adjust to the idea of being a mother.

Until now, she hadn’t been sure if she even wanted this child. But the dull ache in her belly made the baby’s presence undeniably real. It felt like a protest, a tiny complaint about her

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Chapter 15 Keep This Baby

neglect.

This was a life, not fully formed but vibrant and alive. She had no right to end it.

Jade had made her decision. She was keeping this baby.

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As for Hudson… he didn’t believe her, and he’d never loved her. So he didn’t need to know this child existed.

Jade lowered her lashes, hiding the shadows in her eyes. Her hand moved gently over her stomach. “It’s just you and me now, baby. Mommy will do her best to take care of you.”

A knock sounded at the door.

Jade didn’t open it or say a word. She just sat on the edge of the bed, quietly planning for the baby’s future.

She had no experience raising a child, but from overhearing the other society wives at gatherings, she knew it was expensive.

She couldn’t rely on Michael, and she certainly couldn’t rely on Hudson.

In their three years of marriage, Hudson had bought her plenty of jewelry and given her a credit card. But she spent her days at home, tending the garden. There weren’t many expenses, aside from buying gifts for family. She’d hardly used the card.

Once they divorced, Hudson would surely take it back.

If she wanted to raise this child, she needed to earn money.

“Jade.” Hudson’s voice came from the other side of the door.

Jade pushed her thoughts aside, lay down on the bed, and pulled the covers over her head. “What do you want?”

“You ran off to the guest room. Are you planning to skip dinner now too?” Hudson asked.

“You just take care of Amara and her daughter. Don’t worry about me.” Jade curled tighter under the heavy blanket.

Even buried under it, she felt cold. This house held no warmth for her anymore.

Hudson’s voice was just as cold. “If you don’t want to come out, then stay in there and think about how you’ve been acting lately. Behave yourself. Don’t make me angry again. Rosa will bring your

dinner up later.”

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