What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger novel Chapter 35

For eighteen years, Hudson had showered Valeria and their son with extravagant gifts.

The WhatsApp messages told the story:

"Babe, Leon's just a newborn! A bit early for that Maserati, don't you think? But you always spoil him... BTW, obsessed with that sapphire necklace! Love you! "

"Hudson! It's Leon's third birthday! The private island is absolutely gorgeous. You'll be here this afternoon, right? Your little man can't wait to see his daddy! "

That kind of devotion? Noah and I never knew it.

I'd given up my promising career at twenty to marry Hudson, happy to be his support system through the tough years of building his empire.

The stress took its toll - I struggled to conceive, but Hudson seemed oddly unbothered.

I'd thought he was being considerate, trying not to pressure me.

God, how naive I was.

In our fifteenth year of marriage, I finally got pregnant.

However, Hudson's reaction wasn't the joy I'd expected - just a perfunctory smile.

Now, looking at photos of him kissing Valeria's pregnant belly, his face radiant with happiness, the truth hit me:

He already had the child he wanted.

Under his pillow, I found a wish bottle - his birthday wishes written down by his teacher.

"Teacher says brave boys speak up, so I finally asked Daddy for a birthday present. But he got mad and left before I could finish."

"I just wanted Daddy to spend an hour with me on my birthday. Even thirty minutes would make me super happy."

The paper crumpled in my shaking hands. Tears scalded my cheeks as rage and heartbreak warred in my chest.

This - THIS was what Hudson saw as dangerous ambition? A little boy's innocent wish for thirty minutes with his father?

After printing the divorce papers, I held Noah's blanket close, breathing in his scent one last time.