From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 206

Jade nodded vigorously, a rare spark of excitement in her eyes.

"My parents were always working when I was little. They rarely had time to take me to places like this."

Especially after her mother passed away, the theme park became a forbidden kingdom she never entered again.

Sometimes, she'd stare out the window of the school bus, her eyes lingering on the colorful rides for as long as possible.

She hadn't come back as an adult, thinking she'd outgrown it, but her inner child was still just as hungry for it.

Julian stopped at a small stall and bought a massive cloud of cotton candy for her.

"Here. What the other kids have, you get to have too."

Jade's cheeks flushed a soft pink, but she eventually reached out and took the sweet treat from him.

The sugary scent hit her nose, a fleeting sweetness that seemed to sweep away all her lingering worries.

She took a cautious bite. It was cloyingly sweet, but in a way that felt like a hug.

Julian led her to a large directory map, scanning the locations of the different attractions.

"Which one do you want to hit first?"

Jade nibbled on her cotton candy, her eyes fixed on the map with intense concentration.

She was pale, her bunny ears were white, her cotton candy was white, and even her fuzzy coat was white.

To Julian, she looked exactly like a little bunny that had somehow transformed into a human girl. His fingers twitched at his side as a sudden, playful itch took hold of his heart.

He tried to restrain himself, but the urge won. He reached out and gave the fuzzy ear closest to him a gentle tug.

The movement on her head made Jade tilt her face toward him in confusion.

Julian quickly looked away, rubbing his fingers behind his back to hide the sensation of the soft fur.

"You had a bit of... lint on your head."

"Oh..."

Jade didn't suspect a thing. She raised a finger and pointed to the icon for the grand carousel.

"I want to go on the carousel."

Julian checked the direction. "This way to the left."

He stepped out in front to clear a path through the crowd for her.

"Let's go."

Jade finally got her wish, spinning around on a painted wooden horse.

The wind caught her hair, and Julian discreetly pulled out his phone to snap a photo of her genuine smile.

As the ride slowed and she stepped off, Julian darkened his screen and slipped the phone into his pocket.

"What's next on the list?"

Before Jade could answer, a soft, pathetic whimpering sound caught her attention.

"Sob... sob..."

"Daddy? Mommy? Where... where are you?"

But as they rounded the next corner, they ran straight into Hudson, Amara, and Cortney.

Their eyes met, and the warm atmosphere of the park plummeted to sub-zero temperatures.

Hudson, who was carrying Cortney, locked eyes with Julian, who was carrying the lost girl.

In that silent exchange, their gazes were like whetted blades, neither man willing to yield an inch.

Amara stepped forward intentionally, her hand sliding possessively onto Hudson's arm as she glared at Jade.

Gradually, her eyes moved to Julian's face before returning to Jade with a suggestive, catty smirk.

"Ms. Merchant! Fancy seeing you here. Won't you introduce us?"

Jade's face remained a mask of calm as she returned a thin, polite smile.

"I'd be happy to introduce my friend, but I'm at a loss as to how to introduce you. Should I say you're childhood sweethearts reunited, or should I just call you a family of three?"

She paused, making a graceful, mocking gesture of invitation. "Actually, I think it's better if Ms. Hoyt handles the introductions herself."

Her tone was flat, her attitude so indifferent it was as if the man standing before her wasn't her husband, but a complete stranger.

Before Amara could react, Hudson's jaw tightened so hard his facial muscles twitched. He looked at Jade as if he wanted to burn a hole through her.

Jade didn't give him the satisfaction of a look. She turned a mocking gaze back to Amara.

"Well? Ms. Hoyt, aren't you going to say something?"

Several other parents nearby noticed the tension and, sensing a juicy bit of drama, began to linger and watch.