Chapter 11%
Even as Daniela’s agonized screams echoed through the phone, Michael didn’t so much as flinch.
Instead, he just smiled at me, calm and unfazed.”
“Daniela,” he said smoothly, “I already know you drugged me that night. This child can’t be kept.“”
His voice was steady and cold. “As for those fake posts you paid to spread online–the ones claiming the Hudson family’s wife is infertile–I’ve had them wiped clean.“}
“You see, slandering my wife comes with consequences.”
He paused, his gaze sharp and icy. “When the doctors operate on you, they won’t be using anesthesia. And from today on, you will never have children again.””
There was a heavy, breathless silence at the other end of the line. After a short while, a panicked, choked sob sounded.}
“Mr. Hudson! Please–please, I wasn’t thinking straight, I didn’t mean it! I–I’ll take any punishment you want, just please, spare the baby! Please-! No, no, don’t–Aaaahhh!“}
Daniela’s bloodcurdling scream pierced through the phone like a knife.}
I instinctively blinked, my brows furrowing.”
Noticing my reaction, Michael immediately ended the call.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he gently took my hand and placed it against his cheek, his pale face wearing a look of deep tenderness.
“Ashlyn,” he whispered, “I’ll have the surgery video sent to you later.“}
“When you’ve watched it yourself… maybe, just maybe… you’ll forgive me. Even just a little.“}
“Even a little,” he murmured, “would be enough.”}]
I pulled my hand away like it had been stained.
Looking down at the now–crushed man before me, I gave him a flat, unbothered suggestion. “This hospital’s psychiatric department is pretty well–known. You should consider checking yourself in.“}
Michael gave me a fragile smile.}
“Alright,” he said softly. “Whatever you say.”
He had wronged me too deeply, too many times to count. But none of that mattered to him anymore. He had finally realized his mistakes, and he was determined to spend the rest of his life making up for it.”
Or so he thought.”
Three days later, I’married Bryson in a grand, breathtaking ceremony.
By the time Michael heard the news and raced to the venue, driving like a madman, it was already too late.”
He burst through the doors just as the elderly priest finished reading the vows.
He arrived just in time to hear me–dressed in a stunning white gown–smiling as I said those two words to Bryson.
“I do.”D
“No!! Ashlyn!” he cried out. “You can’t marry him!“>
Something inside him shattered.}
Chest clenching with blinding pain, he dropped to his knees on the vibrant red carpet like a man struck by lightning.
The ever–composed, icy CEO Hudson now looked like a drowned, abandoned dog in the rain–desperate, and trembling.
Kneeling, his voice rough and broken, he pleaded, “Baby, please–we’re not divorced. I never signed anything. I never even wanted a divorce.”
“Don’t marry him. I’m begging you… don’t leave me for someone else.“}
I looked down at him without a shred of sympathy. My expression was laced with nothing but cold disgust.}
“Michael,” I said coolly, “since your grandfather was kind enough to send me a red envelope of blessings, I’ll forgive you for interrupting my wedding.“%
“But let me be clear–this ceremony has no place for you. So do me a favor–go back to wherever the hell you came from.“}
My words hit him like ice water.}
Michael finally lost all control. Tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.”
“Ashlyn… I know I was wrong,” he sobbed. “Please… just give me one last chance. I swear I’ll change.“}
“I can’t live without you. Ever since you left, I’d been thinking about you every single day. Even in my dreams–it’s always you. The way you used to love me, the way you looked at me…“}
“Ashlyn, I love you.”
“I love you more than anyone else ever could.”
He poured out his love–desperate, uncontrollable, agonizing–as if saying it out loud might make it real again.”
His emotions surged to the point that the veins on his forehead stood out like lightning.
In one last fit of madness, he ripped open his black shirt, revealing the still–bleeding moon tattoo over his chest.
