Chapter 13 The words hit Hudson like a thunderclap , and he felt a ringing in his ears . For a moment , he lost all sense of logic . After a brief silence , he collected himself and coldly responded , " It's just soup . Come inside . " Samantha watched his retreating back , the corners of her mouth lifting ever so slightly . She thought to herself , ' Hudson , do you still fear me dying ? " A thought of revenge flickered in her mind . ' What would his expression be if he ever heard about my death ? Would he be happy ? Or would he be sad ? ' The fruit in the fridge was from last season . Hudson was efficiently preparing it to thaw . As she watched him work in the kitchen , Samantha was overwhelmed with a sense of bitterness . This would probably be the last time he cooked for her . She thought , ' Maybe that's for the best . At least I'd have one last memory of him . ' Samantha sat by the fireplace , roasting sweet potatoes . The sweet scent filled the air . Every winter , she would sit by the fire roasting sweet potatoes , and Hannah , Hudson's grandma , would always come running over , drawn by the smell . Hannah had always been so kind to Samantha , treating her like a granddaughter . 10 170 Chapter 13 PER VOLTEK But two years ago , Hannah passed away . Her husband , unwilling to keep grieving , had moved overseas . The once warm house now felt cold and lonely . The sweet potatoes still smelled just as sweet , but without Hannah to share them with , it felt pointless . After she finished the sweet potatoes and drank a cup of warm water , the pain in her stomach eased a little . As the scent of the soup wafted over , Samantha got up to head to the kitchen . But when she arrived , she found that Hudson had already put the soup into a thermos before ladling it into a bowl . Once upon a time , she had been the apple of his eye . But now , she was no longer the only one . She had clung to the past , too afraid to face the truth . " The soup's ready , " Hudson said , not noticing her emotional state . " Thank you . " She stared down at the soup in the bowl , the familiar aroma , the same delicious colors . But her appetite was gone . " It's getting late . Let's go to the civil affairs office , " Hudson said , his handsome face holding a touch of irritation . " Aren't you going to drink it ? " he asked . " I don't want it . " She had been so willful in the past , and he had always patiently indulged her . Now , he merely glanced at her , his gaze cold , and poured the soup into the sink . With no expression , he walked past her , saying , " Let's go . " Hudson handed the thermos to Matthew . " Take it to Chaltine Chateau . " 10:17 Chapter 13 " Yes , Mr. Ashley , " Matthew replied . 1 Voters It was then that Samantha realized there was turning back between no them anymore . Her year of persistence had been nothing more than a joke . She hurried to the car , walking past the ginkgo tree . A gust of cold wind blew , and the last stubborn leaves that clung to the tree finally fell . Samantha opened her hand to catch one of the lifeless leaves , whispering softly , " What's the point of holding on ? " She tossed it aside and crushed it underfoot . The car door shut , and even though the heater was on , the space between the two of them felt like the end of the world . A cold aura radiated from them , filling the air . The ride to the civil affairs office went smoothly - no traffic , all green lights - as if fate was clearing a path for their divorce . As they turned into the next intersection , Hudson's phone rang . Jennifer's anxious voice came through . " Hudson , Layton's fever won't break . I didn't want to bother you , but it's up to 102 ° F . I'm so scared . Please come quickly ... " " I'll be right back , " Hudson replied . He hung up and looked straight at Samantha , her eyes red and filled with hatred . She spoke , each word dripping with bitterness : " What's that child's name ? " The car was eerily quiet , and Jennifer's frantic voice filled the air , loud and desperate . Samantha clearly heard the name " Layton . " She remembered the day she had received the pregnancy test results , her heart soaring as she ran straight into Hudson's arms , exclaiming , 10.170 Chapter 13 289 Vouchers " Hudson , you're going to be a father ! We're having a baby . I already have a name for him . If it's a girl , I'll call her Belen , and if it's a boy , he'll be Layton Ashley . What do you think ? " She had hoped so desperately that she had misunderstood , but Hudson , without hesitation , looked her in the eye and said , " He's called Layton Ashley . " " Asshole ! " Samantha slapped him without warning , her hand connecting with his face , and this time , he didn't dodge . She struck him squarely . "You actually let her name the child after ours ? "