Chapter 6

“I don’t want to play this game anymore.”

I picked up the bank card from the floor, stood up, and grabbed my suitcase. Then, I stepped right over the IOU slips scattered across the ground—the last things that proved there had ever been any connection between Hudson and me.

For a moment, Hudson looked stunned. When he saw my hand resting on the doorknob, he snapped out of it and quickly stepped forward to stop me.

“Soph, don’t be mad. Couples argue all the time. I just didn’t think before I spoke…”

I twisted the handle, opened the door, and walked out, never looking back.

At the hotel front desk, I took out my bank card to pay, but the receptionist informed me that my balance was insufficient. Embarrassed, I apologized and then used the twenty thousand dollars the overseas company had sent me as a travel allowance to cover the bill.

After tossing my luggage into the hotel room, I checked my bank account history. That was when I realized the money in my card had been gone for a long time. The transaction records showed payments to couples’ restaurants, romantic hotel suites, and luxury brand counters. Hudson had never spent money with me at any couple’s places, nor had he ever bought me gifts. It didn’t take much thinking to know who he had spent that money with.

Just then, the HR manager sent me a message.

[Sophie, if you’re in a hurry, see Mr. Hudson yourself tomorrow morning to get his signature.]

I replied with a simple okay. That night, I slept well.

Early the next morning, as I passed by the HR department, I saw Hudson’s tall figure standing there.

The HR manager was busy processing Lara’s onboarding paperwork while flattering her enthusiastically.

“Ms. Lara, Mr. Hudson treats you so well! The two of you are such a perfect match!”

Lara looked pleased with herself. Hanging prominently on her chest was a badge that read Vice President.

“Hudson, you’re making me dive straight into the company as a vice president. Won’t people say I got the job through connections? If I remember correctly, Sophie has been with you for seven years, and she’s only a manager of a department.”

Hudson didn’t care at all. He casually tucked a loose strand of hair behind Lara’s ear.

“You’re my wife. Who would dare gossip? Or… are you saying you don’t want to rely on my connections?”

The two of them looked exactly like a loving newlywed couple.

Since I had run into Hudson anyway, I figured it would save me another trip. So, I handed him my resignation letter.

“Mr. Hudson, please sign this.”

Hudson’s eyes lit up the moment he saw me. He slowly took the letter from my hand. After glancing over it, he let out a disappointed, mocking laugh.

“Resigning? Trying to act all proud, are you? Don’t forget your grandma’s poor health. With all her medical conditions, how long do you think your little bit of savings will last? You’ll be starving in no time.”

Lara smirked. “That’s right, Sophie. Don’t let a moment of stubborn pride affect your grandmother’s health.”

The HR manager, who had no idea what was going on, added, “But, Mr. Hudson, Sophie’s grandmother has passed on. She took a leave of absence from me just recently.”

Hudson froze. His fingers gripping my resignation letter were trembling slightly. He looked at my calm expression, and suddenly, guilt flashed in his eyes.

“You… Why didn’t you tell me?”

Seeing his evasive gaze, I suddenly remembered years ago, back when Hudson would chop firewood and cook for my grandma. His handsome face would be smudged black with soot, yet he would grin at me with bright white teeth, laughing happily.

Then, I remembered my grandma, tears in her eyes before she died, holding my hand as she said, “Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you and Hudson to be together back then…”

With the piercing pain still lingering in my chest, I replied coldly, “Mr. Hudson, it was a private matter. Do I have to report it to you as well?”

Lara frowned and was about to scold me when Hudson suddenly grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the HR department. His grip was so tight that my wrist turned red, and I could feel him trembling. Only when I hissed in pain did he abruptly let go.

He placed the resignation letter back into my palm, and for once, his tone softened.