Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 618

Hudson's thumb paused for a fraction of a second before resuming its smooth, rhythmic motion. "It's nothing serious."

Nora pressed her lips together. "But back at the estate, the things Lawrence said..."

The 'good girl' had completely dropped all formalities after the bloodbath in the parlor. She didn't even bother pretending to respect the man anymore.

"You actually believed that garbage? He just wanted to see you panic. The more terrified you look, the happier he is. You looked incredible when you slapped Arthur across the face. How did you let one sentence from Lawrence scare you so badly?"

Nora's eyelashes fluttered.

Of course she knew Lawrence was trying to manipulate her.

But when it came to Hudson's life, she couldn't afford to be rational about it.

"Then what exactly happened back there?"

Hudson looked at her, a faint, helpless smile tugging at his lips. "The incense burning in the parlor was laced. It was a specific toxin designed to trigger my condition. And besides, he said I wouldn't live past the end of the year. Did you really believe that? Do you think Dr. Silas Vane is just a complete fraud?"

Nora stared at him, desperately searching his face. "...Really?"

"Really." He leaned down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to the top of her head. "When have I ever lied to you?"

"You have no idea, you completely terrified me..."

Nora wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, pressing her pale face into his chest, listening to the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat.

The suffocating anxiety that had been crushing her chest finally began to dissipate.

"If you ever feel sick again, you have to tell me immediately."

"I promise."

...

It was late into the night by the time the Maybach pulled through the gates of Cloudwater Estate.

The driveway lamps cast a soft glow over the pavement. Hearing the engine, Bane bounded out of his kennel, furiously wagging his tail as he circled the car doors.

Nora bent down and gave the massive dog a heavy scratch behind the ears before Hudson led her inside.

The lights in the living room were still blazing. Dr. Silas Vane sat on the sofa with a cup of hot tea, squinting at the television screen. The moment he heard the door click, he scrambled to mute the TV and stood up, rubbing his hands together anxiously. "Arthur called and told me to get over here... he said you collapsed again?"

"Doctor, do you know of any toxin, completely colorless and odorless, that could silently trigger my condition?"

Dr. Vane blinked, clearly taken aback, before slowly stroking his chin. "Well, yes... but those are practically impossible to find on the black market. I thought the recipe was completely lost..."

"Enough talking. Check my pulse."

Dr. Vane opened his mouth to argue, but one look at Hudson's freezing glare forced the words back down his throat.

He obediently dragged a chair over and sat across from Hudson. He pressed three fingers to Hudson's wrist, closing his eyes as his brow furrowed deeper and deeper.

"Huh?"

"Wait..."

"This..."

"You... you you you..."

The night air was sharp and cool.

Nora walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Dr. Vane down the long driveway.

Dr. Vane's head was constantly on a swivel, terrified that a massive dog was going to lunge out of the shadows and tear his leg off.

"Doctor, Hudson's illness... what exactly is it?"

"Huh?"

Dr. Vane had been too busy scanning the bushes and didn't catch the question. When it registered, he quickly pasted on a bright, reassuring smile. "Didn't I tell you? It's just a severe case of exhaustion. He just needs to rest and recover. Don't you worry, the prescription I gave him is incredibly nourishing. It'll have him back at full strength in no time..."

"Doctor." Nora cut him off sharply. "Tell me the truth."

"I am telling you the truth! He just—"

Before he could finish the lie, Nora stopped walking and locked eyes with him, her gaze burning with an intensity that made the old man flinch. "I heard Lawrence Lancaster say today that Hudson won't survive the year. If anything happens to him... I won't survive it either."

"Oh, please! Why on earth are you talking like that?"

Dr. Vane practically stomped his foot in sheer frustration.

"Doctor, I just want the truth..."

Dr. Vane stared at her for a long time. Finally, he let out a heavy, defeated sigh.

"Hudson... he's been poisoned."