He walked in like he owned the world. Like the air itself moved out of his way. Hudson always had that presence. Heavy. Dangerous. The kind of man people lowered their eyes around.
A mafia boss. A king in the dark.
I took his suit jacket as he shrugged it off and hung it up carefully. Then I knelt in front of him and helped him change into his slippers. My hands moved on their own. I didn’t even have to think.
I’d done this too many times.
Hudson loosened his tie, irritation already written all over his face. “Next month’s the Hayes Global anniversary banquet,” he said. “You’re coming with me.”
My hands paused for a second.
Then I finished adjusting his slippers and stood up slowly. “I can’t go.”
His head snapped toward me. “What the hell do you mean you can’t go?”
I opened my mouth but nothing came out at first.
Should I tell him? That his woman send their videos to me? Would it even matter?
Before I could say anything, his expression darkened like he already had his own answer.
“…Don’t tell me this is about Amber again.” His voice dropped, colder now, sharper. “I told you from day one I had someone else. You said you wouldn’t interfere. Or were you just talking shit back then?”
The words hit like they always did. Clean. Precise. Like a blade he knew exactly how to use.
My chest tightened and it hurt so bad I almost laughed.
Yeah. What kind of husband said that on his wedding day?
What kind of wife agreed?
“I’m not…” I stopped, swallowing hard. “It’s not that.”
But wasn’t it?
Or was I just too tired to fight anymore?
He scoffed, running a hand through his hair. “Then what’s your problem? It’s just a damn banquet. You’ve done it before. Stand there, smile, play the part. That’s all I’m asking.”
Just stand there.
Just smile.
Just pretend like I wasn’t slowly breaking apart inside. I looked at him and for a second, I wanted to ask.
Did you ever feel even a little guilty? Did you ever look at me and think I was your wife? But the words died before they could leave my mouth.
Because I already knew the answer.
Five years ago, when our families announced the marriage, I thought I’d been given everything. I’d liked him for so long. Longer than I wanted to admit. So when I heard I was going to marry Hudson Hayes, I thought… maybe this was fate.
Maybe he’d learn to love me.
I was so stupid.