"What?"
Freya blinked, thinking she must've misheard. She stared at Hudson in disbelief.
Did he just say the word divorce? she asked herself.
Hudson—who had followed her around for five years, supported her, and depended on her—was now asking for a divorce? That didn't make sense.
She quickly brushed off the shock and scoffed. He couldn't be serious. This had to be a scare tactic.
He's bluffing, she thought. He wouldn't dare divorce me. If anyone should be threatening to leave, it's me!
Her expression darkened. "Wow. A few days of freedom and now you think you've grown wings, huh?" she snapped. "You really think you have the guts to divorce me?"
Freya crossed her arms and sneered. "Hudson, if you're really gonna act like this, then starting today, I won't give you a single cent. Let's see how long that attitude lasts."
She was confident. Hudson always gave in. He adored her. A few harsh words and he'd be back to apologizing like always. Feeling smug, she turned away and resumed packing her suitcase.
But Hudson didn't respond. Instead, he walked out of the room.
Freya waited, expecting him to come crawling back any second. But when she glanced toward the door, the hallway remained empty. Her brows furrowed.
What's he trying to pull now?
She stepped toward the door, but just then, Hudson returned—carrying a small bag slung over his shoulder. Calm, composed.
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked sharply.
"To the court," Hudson replied quietly. "I brought the marriage certificate. Let's file for divorce."
Freya froze. Her heart skipped. The disbelief on her face deepened.
"You… Hudson, what the hell? You're always saying how much you love me! Was all of that a lie?" she demanded, her voice trembling.
Hudson looked her in the eyes. "Didn't you say people change? Maybe I finally did."
There was no anger in his voice—only a firm, quiet resolve. It stunned her.
Freya's mind spun. This wasn't like him. Hudson was the one who always gave in. Not this man. Not this silence.
She convinced herself of the cause. He must be jealous, she thought. It's because of Enzo. That's all this is. He's overreacting.
She softened her voice. "Hudson, there's nothing between me and Enzo. If there were, why would I have married you? He just got back from overseas—he doesn't know many people here. I'm just helping him settle in."
She gave a small smile, hoping to cool things down. "Let's talk this through, okay?"
They had argued before. Hudson always cooled off. This time would be no different. Once she got back from the trip with Enzo, everything would return to normal.
Besides, she never meant the divorce threats. It was just something she said when angry.
The Wilson Corporation was built during their marriage. Divorce would mean dividing everything. With the company about to go public, a scandal now would be a disaster.
"What's with all the yelling?" a voice called.
Freya turned and saw her mother, Faye, walking toward them. Relief washed over her—reinforcements.
She rushed to her mother, tears brimming. "Mom! Hudson says he wants to divorce me!"
Faye's expression hardened slightly. She pulled Freya aside, listened to the story, then shot her daughter a sharp look—What were you thinking?
Faye knew the stakes. This was the worst possible time for drama.
She turned to Hudson with a soft, calm smile. "Hudson, don't take it so seriously. Enzo's like family—we watched him grow up. He and Freya are just old friends, nothing more. You know how fast life moves in California. He's still adjusting."
She patted his shoulder gently. "But don't worry. Mom promises you—Freya is your wife, and she'll stay loyal to you. We're so grateful for all you do for us. If you weren't around to care for this family, I'd be heartbroken."
Hudson didn't respond right away. Faye glanced at her daughter and nodded sharply.
Freya dropped her pride and stepped forward. She took Hudson's arm and gave it a small shake. "Babe, please don't be mad. I promise, I was only trying to help Enzo. That's all. I'll always be your wife—I mean it."
Faye stepped in and tried to guide Hudson's arm around Freya, forcing a reconciliatory embrace. "Every couple fights," she said. "But divorce? That's too heavy for a simple argument. You two built so much together. Don't throw it away."
Freya took that cue and led Hudson downstairs. She pushed him onto the sofa and started massaging his shoulders, hoping to ease the tension.
Hudson let her touch him, but his thoughts were elsewhere. She still didn't know, didn't suspect. For the past year, he'd been practicing medicine in secret—even though he had a hard time with Wilson. It was a decision he made quietly, partly to reclaim himself, partly to prepare for this very moment. He had been building a life she knew nothing about.
The doorbell rang.
Freya, on her best behavior, quickly went to answer it—eager to keep Hudson impressed by her newfound "kindness."
"Enzo!"
Her voice was suddenly bright, too bright. She lit up and rushed into Enzo's arms, hugging him tight.
"Freya, you're still as beautiful as ever," Enzo smiled, embracing her. "I missed you all these years."
He leaned in and kissed her forehead.
"Enzo, you…" Freya blushed, lightly smacking his chest.
Then reality struck. Hudson was just behind her.
Freya stepped away quickly, trying to hide the moment. Her heart raced. She turned toward Hudson, saw his cold expression, and panicked.
"Hudson, it's not what it looks like," she said. "I was just happy to see him again. I lost control for a second, that's all."
Hudson gave a low, quiet chuckle—but said nothing. He simply stood there, as if already beyond this scene.
Enzo's eyes darted toward him with a smirk, but Hudson didn't bite. No reaction, no words. Just that unreadable calm.
Freya glanced between the two, confused and shaken. She didn't know Hudson anymore. And that scared her more than anything else.