Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 543

Penelope opened her mouth to argue, but Hudson was already guiding Nora toward the exit.

"Arthur."

Arthur had just returned from the back door, a faint trace of blood still on his knuckles. "Yes, Boss."

"Clean this up."

"Understood."

Terrified, Penelope tried to scream for mercy, but Olive, annoyed by the noise, delivered a sharp chop to the side of her neck. She slumped to the floor, completely out cold.

Xavier stood rooted to the spot, looking from his unconscious mother to Nora's retreating figure. He opened his mouth a few times before finally calling out, "Nora..."

Nora paused, glancing over her shoulder. Her voice softened slightly. "Don't overthink this. Just go back to school."

"Okay..."

Pushing through the revolving doors, the crisp autumn wind of San Francisco washed over them, carrying away the stench of alcohol and violence.

Hudson helped Nora into the back of the car. Olive took the driver's seat, occasionally checking the rearview mirror to ensure Arthur was following closely behind.

Nora sat in silence, staring out the window as the city lights blurred past.

Hudson didn't push her to speak. He simply held her hand, his thumb gently caressing her knuckles.

"I wasn't scared back there..."

After a long time, Nora murmured softly.

Hudson turned to look at her.

Her gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery.

"Before, just the thought of him would make me physically shake. But tonight... watching him get broken, crawling on the floor like a dying animal... I realized the fear was gone."

She finally turned her head. There were no tears in her eyes, only a profound sense of peace and liberation. "I feel like I've finally pulled that thorn out of my heart."

Hudson brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss against her skin. "That thorn never belonged to you in the first place."

Her eyelashes fluttered. A faint smile touched her lips as she threaded her fingers through his.

"About Xavier..." she paused, her voice gentle. "Don't be angry with him. He's young, and he grew up with Penelope. He believes whatever she tells him. He didn't mean to set me up."

"Don't worry."

Hudson chuckled softly. "If I wanted to punish him, he'd already be locked in the Vault at Cloudwater."

Nora smiled faintly, leaning back into the seat.

Once they arrived at Cloudwater Estate, Hudson carried her upstairs for a hot shower.

She was, after all, a woman who prided herself on her appearance.

"It's not ugly. It's beautiful..."

Hudson murmured, crouching down to press a soft kiss directly over the scarred tissue.

Nora gasped, a shiver running through her at the intense sensation. "Don't..."

She twisted away, but the movement only caused their bodies to press flush against one another...

The atmosphere instantly ignited.

She was practically losing her mind under his relentless affection.

She had no idea how he possessed such terrifying stamina...

"You're incredible... how do you have so much energy?"

"Hudson! Stop... let me up..."

The sound of water echoed in the bathroom for a very long time. By the time they finally made it to the bed, Nora was so exhausted she couldn't even lift a finger.

Hudson chuckled softly, massaging her aching lower back. "Your stamina is terrible, honey. We really need to work on that."

Too tired to even roll her eyes, Nora simply turned her face into the pillow and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.