Chapter 9

Hudson's pen clattered to the floor. He stared at his assistant, bewildered. Valeria snatched it up, thrusting it back into his hand. "Babe, what's the holdup? Everyone's waiting. Just sign it."

Hudson shoved her aside, pulling his assistant with him. "What the hell are you talking about? Reese and I were supposed to take a trip together. She wouldn't just get on a plane alone, and we never discussed going overseas."

His assistant, hands trembling, offered an envelope. "This just arrived, sir. From Mrs. Montclair."

Inside, Hudson found signed divorce papers and a USB drive. He stared at her signature, disbelief washing over him. Reese wanted a divorce?

He grabbed his phone, realizing she hadn't responded to any of his messages. For eighteen years—from starry-eyed kids to middle age—Reese had always replied instantly. Always. Until now.

His frantic texts: "Reese, where the f*** are you? Why aren't you responding?" "Divorce papers? Really? This isn't cute."

Red exclamation points. Blocked. Calls went straight to voicemail. Blocked there, too. What the hell happened?

Heart racing, Hudson headed for the door, but Valeria intercepted him. "Are you kidding me? It's Leon's ceremony. You promised him the company. Where are you running off to?"

"Reese's plane crashed. I need to find out—"

Valeria spotted the divorce papers and sneered. "Oh, look who's playing games. What, she's butthurt you took my side? So she fakes her death and throws divorce papers at you?"

"It's Leon's special day. Her kid's dead, so she has to come ruin ours?"

Leon snatched the USB, smirking. The screen displayed: "08:41 O What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stra… 33.6%."

"Dad, please. Girls pull this crap all the time. Next thing you know, she'll be posting sad quotes and crying selfies on Insta. So basic," Leon said.

Valeria cackled. "That's my boy! Sees right through these thirsty tricks."

Watching them high-five and snicker, something clicked in Hudson's head. This was the second time Leon had disparaged Reese. He'd dismissed it as teenage attitude before. But Valeria? A grown woman encouraging this mean-spirited behavior? What kind of mother taught her child to be such a jerk? Reese would never. Noah had been the sweetest, most well-mannered child…

The contrast hit him like a slap. Looking at Valeria's smug face, he felt utterly disgusted.