Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 34

She was about to find Arthur to head back to Cloudwater Estate when she spotted a tall, imposing figure leaning against a sleek car.

The man had his long legs crossed at the ankles, a cigarette dangling between his fingers. The swirling smoke partially obscured his striking, sharp jawline.

Catching her gaze, he looked up.

In a fluid motion, he crushed the cigarette with his bare fingers, tossed it aside, and strode toward her.

Nora froze, momentarily stunned.

Hudson?

What was he doing here?

"How did the interview go?"

She blinked, snapping out of her daze. "It went really well. I start tomorrow."

A faint smirk played on his lips. "Good."

He reached out and smoothly took her purse from her hands.

"Let's go. The dresses and gowns arrived. We're going for a fitting."

A fitting?

Hudson took a few steps toward the car, then paused and glanced back at her. "What are you waiting for?"

"Oh... right." Nora bit her lip and quickly caught up to him.

Arthur was already standing by the open door, respectfully shielding the frame with his hand.

Nora slid into the back seat, and Hudson settled in beside her.

The heavy door shut, instantly cutting off the stifling afternoon heat.

The air conditioning was on full blast, and the scent of cedar and faint tobacco filled the confined space.

Nora leaned back and observed Hudson.

He had his eyes closed, resting. The passing streetlights illuminated his sharp profile, casting long shadows beneath his thick lashes.

He looked energized, but the faint dark circles under his eyes lingered.

Thinking back to the passionate kiss they shared the night before, her cheeks burned. She quickly looked away.

Edmond Sterling.

Hudson's eyes narrowed, a lethal glint flashing in the dark depths of his gaze. But when he turned back to Nora, his face was a mask of pure indifference. He casually flicked his silver lighter open and closed.

"Know him?" he asked nonchalantly.

Nora's heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Yeah."

Hudson didn't push for details. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk touched his lips.

It was a subtle expression, but it sent a shiver of dread down Nora's spine.

Before she could dwell on it, Hudson pulled a pill bottle from his pocket, shook a few tablets into his palm, and dry-swallowed them without a second thought.

His jaw clenched tight, the sound of him chewing the pills echoing loudly in the quiet car.

"What... what kind of medication is that?"

Hudson held the bottle out to her. "For my mental illness. Want some?"

"..."