From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Loving Him Is Exhausting

Hudson’s response was flat. “Yeah.”

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After dinner, Jade grabbed her laptop and started browsing online for job openings. In college, she’d majored in market analysis, graduating with top marks and a solid resume.

The only problem was she’d spent the last three years as a full-time homemaker, with no recent work experience. She figured she’d start by putting a resume together and sending it out, just to see what kind of response she’d get.

Her phone buzzed on the side table. She picked it up-it was Jewell.

She moved the laptop aside and answered. Jewell’s voice, full of concern, came through the line. “Jade, how did the talk with Hudson go? Did you tell him about the baby?”

“We didn’t talk… and there’s no point in talking now,” Jade said. She filled Jewell in on everything that had happened over the last couple of days.

“Holy crap!” Jewell couldn’t stop herself from swearing. “That woman has some nerve, moving in and taking over like that. And Hudson! Letting her walk all over you. Does he even see you as his wife?”

“Forget about him. He can do whatever he wants,” Jade said, pulling a throw pillow into her lap and resting her chin on it. “I’ve decided I want a divorce. I’m not going to tell him about the baby. I’ll have it and raise it on my own. But first, I need to find a job and move out before I start showing.”

Jewell was silent for a good ten seconds. “You’re sure? About raising a kid alone?”

“Yeah,” Jade said firmly.

Jewell let out a heavy sigh. “Dear, I’m not trying to be a downer, but raising a kid is crazy expensive. Just formula and diapers cost a fortune, let alone all the preschool classes and activities when they get older…” O

She trailed off, then her tone suddenly brightened. “Hey! You’ll get a ton in the divorce settlement, right? You can use that for the baby.”

Jade bit her lip lightly. “I… might get a little. But Hudson doesn’t want a divorce right now.”

“A little?” Jewell asked, confused. “Shouldn’t it be half of everything?”

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13:09 Sat, Mar 14

Chapter 16 Loving Him Is Exhausting

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“When I married Hudson, I signed a prenup. His career and his assets have nothing to do with me, no matter what,” Jade explained, her gaze dimming. “You know I didn’t marry him for money. I signed that thing without a second thought…”

“Would’ve been smarter if you had,” Jewell muttered.

Jade gave a weak smile. “If money was all I wanted, Hudson never would have married me in the first place.”

“True. Rich guys are sharp. They don’t let people take advantage of them,” Jewell conceded with another sigh. “What about your dad? Didn’t your mom leave you some shares in the company?”

At the mention of that, the shadow in Jade’s eyes deepened. “Mom did leave half her company shares to me. But the paperwork wasn’t finalized before she passed. Later, Dad’s company hit a rough patch, and almost went bankrupt. He merged his and Mom’s shares. Right now, those shares have nothing to do with me. But Mom did put a small apartment in my name when I was little. I can live there if I move out.”

“Hmm…” Jewell was hearing this for the first time. “Something feels off about that.”

Jade didn’t see it. “What do you mean?”

Not wanting to speculate without proof, Jewell backed off. “Never mind. Forget I said anything. So, about the job hunt. Any idea what you want to do?”

Jade glanced at her laptop, the screen still showing job listings. “I’ll look for something in my field first. I’m working on my resume now. I’ll see what happens in a couple of days.”

“You’re on it!” Jewell said, impressed. “Want me to go with

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