From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 185

"She's lucky these are just flesh wounds. If the blade had reached the tendons, she'd have lost the use of her hands."

Jade sat there silently, a flicker of cold relief in her heart.

Good. She needed her hands to settle the score with Hudson and Amara.

Julian's expression grew even darker as he listened.

"Give her the best scar cream available. I want results."

The doctor nodded, applied an ointment, and left two jars of specialized cream behind.

Julian carefully read the instructions on the label.

"Twice a day," he said, pressing the jars into Jade's palm.

"This doctor is the best. I borrowed him from Jeff Mond—his family has been doctors to the elite for generations. This will work. Make sure you use it. I'll remind you."

Jade bit her lip and gripped the jars.

"Thank you for everything today."

The words made the image of her broken state in the hallway flash through Julian's mind again. He felt a lead weight drop into his stomach.

He looked down as he packed the medical kit, hiding the storm of emotion in his eyes.

"I've had some clothes prepared for you. When you shower, wear the waterproof gloves I've left in the bedroom. We can't let these get wet."

Jade wanted to ask how he'd found her, but seeing him disappear into the storage room, she swallowed the question.

A moment later, Julian returned holding a polished mahogany box.

"You can keep your mother in here."

The box was finished with a deep, lustrous lacquer and gave off a faint, soothing scent of cedar. It was clearly a precious heirloom.

Jade recognized the quality immediately and tried to refuse.

"This is far too valuable. I can't take this."

"A thing only has value if it serves a purpose," Julian said quietly. "In my eyes, your mother deserves a home this beautiful."

Jade felt a jolt of emotion. No one else understood what those ashes meant to her, yet Julian saw it—and he treated her mother with more respect than anyone.

She couldn't find the words to say no again.

"Thank you..."

Julian set the mahogany box on the coffee table.

"It's a bit heavy. Be careful when you move it."

"I will."

Julian knew she felt awkward sharing a space with him. Once he'd finished the instructions, he had a maid show her to her room and went to his study.

Jade carefully placed the ceramic shards and the sealed bag into the mahogany box and carried it upstairs.

After her shower, she placed the box on her nightstand. The faint scent of mahogany and cedar made her feel as if her mother were right beside her.

Enveloped in the scent, she finally drifted into a deep sleep.

Julian finished his business with Harbor City and stood outside her door for a long time.

He let his fingers brush against the wood, a ghost of a touch, as if trying to smooth the worry from her sleeping face.

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