From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2 Drafting the Divorce Papers

Footsteps sounded from behind her.

Flustered, Jade quickly scooped up the pregnancy test and stuffed it into her pocket.

At the same moment, a hand landed on her shoulder, turning her around.

Jade’s body stiffened with tension. Forcing herself to calm down, she looked up into Hudson’s handsome, sharply defined face.

His eyes, usually as cold and unreadable as ice, met hers. His lips were pressed into a thin line below his straight nose, radiating that familiar, unapproachable chill.

This was how Hudson always was. For three years, she’d gotten used to his coldness. But last night, she watched his unyielding harshness soften into gentleness-only for Amara.

“Have you been crying?” His fingertip brushed her eyelid.

Her eyes, swollen from a night of tears, stung at his touch.

Hudson asked, “Just because I didn’t come home last night for my birthday?”

Jade’s fingers tightened on her skirt. She took a deep breath. “I-” she began, but a shadow fell over her.

A warm touch landed on her swollen eyelid. Hudson had kissed it. “I saw all the stuff you prepared…”

Against all logic, a foolish spark of hope flickered in Jade’s chest, and the shadows in her lightened a fraction. “Then you-”

eyes

Her words were cut off again. “Don’t bother with things like that next time. It’s a waste of time.”

Jade’s heart ached instantly. A waste of time? Because he knew he wouldn’t be home? Because anything I do is pointless?

Of course. Amara was the one he cherished. To Hudson, she was just a nuisance,

If it weren’t for John’s pressure, Hudson would have divorced her long ago. He’d already shown her last night who he wanted to be with. Why was she still lying to herself?

That tiny spark of hope in Jade’s heart froze solid. The light in her eyes died, clouded over. “I understand.”

After a moment, she remembered. She looked up again, her voice rough and strained. “So last night… where were you? Why didn’t you come home?”

Hudson’s tone was flat. “Working late.”

Two simple words that felt like a knife to her chest. Her eyes reddened, and she reached out, grabbing his sleeve. “Hudson…”

Jade could never hide her feelings. Now, with her eyes and the tip of her nose red, she looked pitiful enough to soften anyone.

Hudson leaned down and captured her pale, parted lips. His palm cradled the back of her head as he kissed her, deep and possessive. His kisses were like him-demanding and intense.

Jade soon went soft against him, her lips tingling, before he finally pulled back.

As she caught her breath, he reached past her for a jacket from the closet. In the movement, she caught a faint trace of women’s perfume on him.

Jade closed her eyes against the pain. When she opened them, Hudson was already putting on his jacket and fastening his watch. His black dress shirt was buttoned to the top, restoring his usual untouchable look.

Seeing him about to leave, Jade grabbed his arm. “Hudson, wait. Don’t go yet. I need to-”

“That’s enough,” Hudson said, pulling his arm free. He adjusted his tie in the mirror.

Before leaving, he dropped a kiss on her cheek. “I have an important meeting at nine. I’m short on time. Don’t be clingy. We’ll talk when I get back.” With that, he turned and left.

Jade watched him go, tears welling up.

Hudson was always meticulously planned. Even a real emergency meeting would have been scheduled with time to spare,

His hurry now had nothing to do with a meeting. He was rushing off to Amara and that little girl, wasn’t he?

Jade leaned against the closet door, all her strength gone. She slid down to sit on the cold floor.

This meant Michael had not only cheated, but had also rushed to marry the homewrecker while Jade’s mother was barely cold in her grave.

As a child, Jade didn’t understand. She thought Robert, like her, was just part of a blended family. It wasn’t until she grew older that she grasped the connection.

But Michael hadn’t neglected her because of Robert’s arrival. On the contrary, he’d been extra kind to her.

Because of this, even though she was angry and hurt on her mother’s behalf, she couldn’t bring herself to see Michael as an enemy.

Cindy, who had never liked Jade, was even more irritated by her indifferent attitude, which showed no respect.

“You-” she started to yell, but then seemed to remember something. The scolding died on her lips. Her eyes shifted craftily, and a flattering, ingratiating smile spread across her face.

“Jade,” Cindy said in a wheedling tone, “remember last time I mentioned I wanted to buy a villa in the Riverside District for Robert to use as a wedding home someday, but there’s no availability? Well, the Walter family developed that area. Have you mentioned it to Hudson?”

Jade asked expressionlessly, “A villa in the Riverside District costs tens of millions of dollars. Do you have that kind of money?”

Cindy waved a hand dismissively. “That’s what Hudson is for! He’s married to you, so he’s practically family. Getting a family discount from him shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Jade knew Cindy too well. She’d start talking about a “family discount,” but once Hudson agreed, she’d push for more, probably expecting to get it for free,

Usually, when Cindy’s demands were this outrageous, Jade not only couldn’t bring herself to ask Hudson, but also had to make excuses to put Cindy off, just to stop her from making a scene and putting Michael in a difficult position.

But now…

“If you’re thinking of taking advantage of Hudson, forget it,” Jade said coldly,

Cindy’s eyes widened. Before she could speak, Jade dropped another bombshell.

“Hudson and I are getting a divorce.”,