Chapter 13

The pain was suffocating. He'd never known the extent of Reese's suffering. And when she needed him most, he was with Val—and Reese had seen everything. He'd then believed Val's lies and helped torment his own wife.

His assistant unearthed all the incriminating evidence—every vile message Val had sent Reese. After reading them, Hudson sat, wrecked, looking ten years older. Finally, his voice cracked: "Release a statement. I'm cutting ties with my mother. Leon has no connection to the Montclairs. Stop all payments to Val and Leon. Recover every asset I ever gave them. If Val won't return them… I don't care if she ends up broken or dead—whatever gets the job done."

"She made Reese leave. Time to pay up."

The assistant flinched. This would leave Leon disinherited.

After he left, the doctor called.

"Mr. Montclair, how are your wife's wounds healing? Don't forget her follow-up appointments."

"She won't be coming."

"What?"

Hudson choked. "She found out about Noah and the surgery. Tried to leave. The plane went down."

Silence. Then a sigh.

"There's something else. During surgery, her mouth was bleeding. Upon closer examination… her teeth were broken. I assumed the attacker was responsible, but… she must be immune to anesthesia. She bit through her own teeth to remain silent when she heard everything. I can't imagine the pain…"

Hudson broke. "Just… stop. Please…"

Don't remind me what a monster I am. What I've lost.

But the doctor persisted: "Mr. Montclair, the fact that Search and Rescue hasn't found anything… might be a good sign. Your wife's a fighter. She wouldn't give up that easily."

"But dead or alive? She'll never forgive me."

After hanging up, Hudson sat, eyes vacant, tears falling. Finally, staring into nothingness, he whispered, "You're right… my Reese is a fighter. Always has been. She can't be… she wouldn't just be out there…"

"But baby, where did you go…?"

08:41

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You St…