Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 721

Finnian’s question was blunt, laced with a hint of teasing.

Hudson meticulously folded the candy wrapper and flicked it into a nearby trash can. "Cut the crap and get to the point."

Finnian clamped a cigarette between his teeth and lit it, a smirk playing on his lips. "Spit it out. What’s on your mind?"

Hudson threw him a sidelong glance, his voice cool. "Why didn't the Vaughns know about your mother and the Fairchilds? What, did your dad kidnap her?"

Finnian choked on his smoke, a vein throbbing at his temple. "My dad is your father-in-law. Do you have to slander him like that?"

Hudson raised an eyebrow, ignoring the complaint. "So what really happened? Why was her family kept in the dark?"

Realizing Hudson would just dig up the truth himself if left unanswered, Finnian figured it was better to control the narrative. Besides, Hudson was legally married to Nora now. He was family. Sharing the secret wouldn't hurt.

"You’ve probably looked into my mother’s background," Finnian said, taking the cigarette from his mouth and tapping the ash. He lowered his voice. "Her files are entirely classified. You can't pull up a single record."

Hudson leaned against the pillar, waiting for him to continue.

"The Vaughns refused to accept her relationship with my father," Finnian explained. "My mother was stubborn, so they eloped in secret. Even after having me and Evangeline, she never went public with the marriage. Naturally, the Vaughns never found out."

"So he practically lured a good woman away," Hudson remarked flatly.

Finnian exhaled a long breath, summoning every ounce of his patience. "It was mutual. My father genuinely loved her."

Hudson waved a hand, dismissing the argument. He understood the gist of it. Felix Vaughn had hidden her marriage from her family, and Henry had played along for over two decades.

"Then why didn't you confess to them all these years?" Hudson pressed. "The Vaughns are your mother's side of the family. The Fairchilds are your blood, but aren't they too? That's your grandparents' home."

The question caught Finnian off guard. His hand froze in mid-air. He had considered it, especially when he needed corporate backing during the recent microchip war, but Henry had shut the idea down immediately.

"My dad said he wronged my mother," Finnian admitted, sounding devoid of confidence. "If the Vaughns found out he married her in secret and had two kids, they’d treat him like a mortal enemy. You've probably heard of Alastair Vaughn's temper. If he knew about the secret marriage... he'd wage war on the Fairchild family."

Hudson let out a low chuckle and patted Finnian’s shoulder. "Finnian, you've really backed yourself into a corner."

The unexpected pat sent Finnian stumbling forward a half-step. He steadied himself, frowning. "What exactly does that mean?"

Hudson just laughed softly and turned back toward the house.

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