From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 219

"I will," Jade said, feeling a warmth in her chest.

The next morning.

Hudson woke up with a heavy head. Downstairs, the scent of food was drifting from the kitchen.

He hurried down, and there was Jade, wearing an apron, busy at the stove.

It had been forever since he'd seen a sight like this.

The smell of food made the place actually feel like a home again.

Jade must have realized she went too far yesterday, he thought. She's up early making me breakfast to make up for it.

Hudson felt a wave of tenderness and walked toward the kitchen. Jade walked out carrying a bowl of beef stew.

He looked at the steaming bowl in her hands, then peered into the kitchen.

The pots were clean, the counters were wiped... and there wasn't another bowl in sight.

He checked again, just to be sure. Nothing.

Jade caught him staring and knit her brows.

"What's wrong with you this early in the morning?"

From her tone, it was clear. She'd made one bowl. For herself.

For the first time since she'd been back, she'd actually cooked, and he wasn't invited?

She used to get up at the crack of dawn to make him breakfast without him even asking.

Hudson's temper flared. "I'm going to the office!"

He barked the words and stormed out of the house.

Before getting into the car, he paused and glanced back at the window, hoping Jade would come out to stop him.

Instead, he saw her sitting at the table, enjoying her meal, not even glancing his way, let alone stopping him.

Hudson fumed all the way to work. He skipped breakfast and downed a black coffee before heading into a meeting.

By noon, his stomach started to cramp.

As he left the conference room, Kevin noticed his pale face immediately.

"Sir, are you feeling alright?"

Hudson clutched his stomach, the pain coming in waves, leaving him unable to speak.

"Sir!"

Kevin rushed to steady him. Just then, his phone rang. He answered, gave a quick reply, and hung up. "Sir, the front desk says Cortney's here. Do you want to go down?"

"Cortney?"

Cortney nodded obediently, her small hands clutching his sleeve.

As he carried her toward his private elevator, he asked, "Cortney, how did you get here?"

"The lady mommy hired... she brought me."

It looked like that five million he'd given Amara had been put to use. She'd hired a nanny. He wasn't as worried now.

Inside the elevator, Cortney looked up with her red, puffy eyes and said piteously.

"Since mommy's not here, can I stay with you? I... I'm really scared to be alone."

Hudson stroked her hair. "Of course."

After getting her settled in his office, Hudson had Kevin find Chloe's private number and called her himself.

The moment she picked up, Hudson didn't even wait for a "hello". "Chloe, what's it going to take for you to drop the charges against Amara?"

Chloe was firm. "She tried to kill me! She said she's already got blood on her hands, so one more wouldn't matter! If she gets out, who knows what she'll do? I'm not letting her go!"

Hudson had been at the door; he hadn't heard that part. But Amara, a murderer? Impossible.

"She was just venting," Hudson said, trying to negotiate.

"If you drop it, I promise she won't be a threat to you. Plus, I'll give you three million."

Chloe's ears perked up at the three million, but she was still skeptical.