From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 237

If the owner of The Gilded Palate was going to this much trouble, the customer had to be someone incredibly high-profile.

Jade didn't have that kind of pull, so it had to be whoever had sent the meal.

"Hmm..."

Jade paused, not sure how to explain it. "Just a friend who's looking out for me."

Julian pressed her. "The same one who sent the restoration machine?"

There was no point in lying. Jade nodded. "Yeah."

Julian knit his brows, his tone turning cautious. "That guy has some serious weight behind him. Be careful."

"I know," Jade said, heading back inside with the food.

Julian followed her. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Not right now." Jade opened the thermal bag, and the rich aroma hit her instantly.

Fluffy white rice, garlic butter shrimp, glazed ribs, and sautéed asparagus. It looked incredible.

She'd been so worried about Jewell she'd missed dinner entirely, and now her stomach was starting to growl.

It was the perfect meal—light enough not to upset her stomach, but substantial enough to actually give her some energy.

As she ate, the color slowly returned to her pale cheeks.

Julian stared at the logo on the bag, his brow furrowed in deep thought.

Jade was naturally guarded. She didn't let people in easily.

When he'd first met her, she was polite but distant. It had taken forever for her to even call him by his first name.

And yet, she'd accepted this guy's help without a second thought. It meant she felt safe with him.

Everything this man did was perfectly timed and tailored to help her without making her feel pressured.

It was calculated and precise.

Julian realized he'd been far too aggressive in his own approach.

This guy was in a different league—not just in terms of money, but in his absolute control over the situation...

-

Grandview Estate.

Hudson walked through the door, a throbbing pain in his temples and his stomach twisting in sharp, agonizing cramps.

His stomach issues were getting worse by the day, and sleep was becoming a distant memory.

Every time he closed his eyes, the nightmares started.

He'd see Jade covered in blood, screaming at him for the child they lost and the ashes that were destroyed. She'd tell him she'd never forgive him, then walk away with another man.

She'd seen how much he was suffering and come back to take care of him.

Hudson practically rolled out of bed and rushed downstairs, his heart racing with a desperation he didn't even recognize.

He reached the kitchen and saw a figure in a purple dress busy at the stove.

A pale beige apron was tied around her slender waist.

The kitchen was filled with steam, the windows fogged up, and for a moment, the icy chill of the house was gone.

A smile touched Hudson's lips as he walked over and pulled her into his arms.

"Jade—"

"Hudson?"

Amara's surprised voice rang out. She turned her head, looking up at him in shock.

The smile vanished from Hudson's face instantly. He let go and stumbled back a few steps.

"Amara? What are you doing here?"

Amara's expression didn't change. She turned back to the stove, stirring the pot with a practiced hand.

"I saw Rosa a few days ago and got her number. She's away, and I heard Ms. Merchant was busy at the studio. I heard your stomach was acting up, so I asked her for your specialty recovery meal recipe. I wanted to make it for you."

"It's almost done." Amara ladled some specialty chicken soup into a bowl and set it on the table.