Chapter 36
CHAPTER 36
EMMA
L eaving Hudson and Colby was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but I can do hard things. I've told myself over and over that it's just temporary. Hudson will come for me. I know, deep down in my heart, he will.
Throughout the day, I spent countless hours at various brokerage offices, signing stacks of paperwork to sell every piece of property I own in the city. The pungent smell of fresh ink and the sterile atmosphere left me feeling drained yet liberated as I detached myself from the familiar that's been ingrained in me since I was a kid.
As I walk into my high-rise that overlooks Central Park, an unsettling foreignness stops me. The space feels cold, void of warmth and life. Echoes of laughter and warmth that lived in Texas are nowhere to be found. Here, there's only a haunting silence.
This penthouse, once a sanctuary, will be placed on the market at the end of the month. As I look around, I feel a weight lifting off my chest; it feels good to let it go. It no longer serves me. If I ever need to visit the city, Claire and my father have homes for me to crash. I'm just over it. I want no ties to this place any longer.
A part of me thought I'd feel a tinge of sadness as I stand in the center of the living room, but all I feel is pure excitement. A new beginning is just on the horizon.
I still haven't returned to social media, and for once, I feel like I have real control over my life. The rumors swirling around me are just that—whispers in the wind—and I'm thankful that Hudson was the anchor in my storm. Now that the fog has cleared, I realize how right my sister was—I don't need the internet; it needs me.
As I take in the view, my phone buzzes, breaking the stillness of the apartment.
I don’t expect it to be Hudson; I know he's busy with after-season farm cleanup for the next four weeks. Yet, a flicker of hope ignites within me.
Unknown
Sorry for texting you from a different number. First, hi. Second, I have something of yours that I'd like to return.
Emma
Who is this?
Attached is a picture of Maddox—his carefree smile juxtaposed with a necklace of my mother’s. I’d lost it years ago. My heart drops, and a gasp escapes my lips as memories flood me.
Emma
When can I meet you?
Maddox
I'm downtown at The Monarch.
I glance at the time, quickly calculating how long it would take me to arrive. Dread of seeing him again runs through my veins.
Emma
I'll be there.
I turn and walk into my bedroom, where everything remains exactly as I left it two months ago. It feels like a time capsule from a different lifetime. Photos of laughter and carefree days with my friends are taped on the mirror, vibrant reminders of joy. My closet is filled with clothes in every color, garments that shift with the seasons.
I hurriedly change out of the business attire I've worn all day, trading it for something more comfortable.
Fifteen minutes later, as I climb into the car, I'm blinded by camera flashes. The chaos captures me, and I haven’t missed being tracked. If I could click my heels and be transported back to Texas, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
The car door closes behind me, soundproofing me from the world outside. I close my eyes, replaying the last two months with Hudson and his family. As my heart fills with warmth, it’s almost as if I’m back there again, surrounded by the love and laughter that had become like home.
As we sit in the slow crawl of traffic, the world outside blurs into a haze of red brake lights and muffled sounds. I pull my phone from my bag, fingers trembling slightly, and open my text messages, hoping to find a text from Hudson.
Emma
Thinking about you.
Hudson
You're always on my mind.
A lump forms in my throat because I never asked if he was meeting me. It’s a question I left unspoken. Now, uncertainty hangs heavy in the air around me.
After my initial meltdown over the rumors, I asked Billie and Harper not to tell me anything unless my safety was jeopardized. So far, there have been only short conversations here and there—nothing out of the ordinary.
As the car finally slows to a halt outside The Monarch, my heart starts to race. The dimly lit facade of the lounge beckons me inside, and I take a deep breath to steady myself to move forward. Photographers lounge outside, their cameras poised as I enter. The familiar scents of aged whiskey mix with the faint trace of cigar smoke, and memories flood me.
It feels like a lifetime has passed since I’ve walked these floors, a place once filled with laughter and unguarded moments. Maddox loved this hangout more than any other in the city, and I diligently avoided the places he frequented, priding myself on my resilience.
Once inside, my gaze lands on him. He sits at the bar alone, striking in a tailored navy blue suit and brown shoes that balance sophistication with casual flair. Our eyes meet, and I feel his gaze sweep over me, lingering, weighing, taking inventory of what he once held. But when I look back at him, I feel nothing—an echo of indifference washes over me. It’s as if I’m staring at one of the countless billionaires who have tried to win my affection, just another attractive man in a tailored suit.
“Emma,” he says, a smile stretching across his face as he pulls out the stool beside him.
“I'm not joining you,” I state decisively, my voice cold, even harsh.
“Please. I need to talk to you,” he pleads, his tone softening, laced with desperation. “Just give me ten minutes of your time, and I'll never contact you again. I need closure, Em.”
I cross my arms over my chest, and a bitter laugh escapes me. “You need closure? It’s been two years. That's plenty of time.”
“Please?” His brows knit together, and I feel a fleeting twinge of sympathy.
I huff softly and slide onto the stool next to him. His familiar scent is strangely foreign now. I pull out my phone and set a timer so he can watch every second tick by.
“Ten minutes,” I say, my voice firm.
“I know how I treated you in the past was wrong,” he begins, his tone shifting as he looks me straight in the eyes. “I didn’t realize what I had until it was too late. I owe you an apology for being selfish when we were together. In my mind, I thought you'd always be there, waiting for me, for when I was ready for you. But I realize now how much of a mistake that was. You're the only person who ever loved me with your entire heart, and I’m so in love with you, Emma. I know you don’t give second chances, and I also recognize you’ve moved on; I’m not trying to win you back.”
“You couldn't even if you tried,” I say, the words slipping out easier than I expected.
“I know. I've seen the pictures. What is it about him?” he asks, curiosity etched across his face.
A sweet smile creeps onto my lips. “He’s not afraid to show his heart, and he loves me so fiercely—the way I've always deserved. Hudson treats me like a queen.”
His Cookie Queen.
Maddox nods, a look of resigned understanding washing over him. “I respect that. You'll always be the one who got away, Em.”
“I know,” I reply simply, an edge of finality in my voice.
Standing up, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out my mother’s old necklace. The silver glints softly under the dim bar lights as he slides it around my neck. I glance down at the sterling silver heart charm, its weight familiar yet distant.
“I can tell you're in love with him,” he continues, his voice tinged with sadness. “I thought, maybe, everything I've said would have you running back to me.”
“I’m in love with him. Also, I don't know what you've been saying. I'm on hiatus from the internet indefinitely. It doesn't control me anymore. And a tip for the future: only desperate girls drop their lives to run back, Maddox. I know my worth.”
“You always have,” he tells me, the weight of his words heavy in the air between us. “Losing you will always be my biggest regret.”
“I was all in with you, and you took that for granted,” I confess, my voice trembling with emotion. “And I can't thank you enough for making me realize I deserved so much better. Without you, I wouldn't be this happy.”
The shrill sound of my phone alarm breaks the charged moment we share.
He glances down at it, the reality of the situation creeping back in, and I stand. I place my hand on his shoulder, feeling the warmth radiate from him. “Good luck. I wish you the best.”
“Will I see you again?” he asks, his eyes searching mine.
“No,” I say, the finality of the word echoes in my ears. “I'm leaving New York. I hope you got the closure you were searching for and you find someone who makes you happy.”
As I walk away, I hold the heart charm in my grasp, feeling it's reassuring weight. It almost feels like a sign from my mom, a gentle reminder of her love, a sign.
Cameras flash in my face, mercilessly capturing the bittersweet moment as happy tears stream down my cheeks. I'm ready for a new beginning, filled with the promise of love. I'm excited to live with Hudson and Colby and the magic of Merryville.
As I walk inside my penthouse, my phone buzzes insistently in my pocket.
Billie
Emma! You did not meet up with Maddox!
Harper
The pictures. Why did he give you jewelry? They're saying you're cheating on Hudson with your ex. Already.
My mouth falls open in disbelief. The truth was spun so quickly.
Emma
That's ridiculous. It’s my mother's necklace that I thought I lost. He was returning it to me!
I feel a knot of unease tightening in my stomach as I immediately text Hudson.
Emma
Many things are being said right now, and it's not what it looks like, I swear.
He doesn't reply immediately, and an anxious flutter starts in my chest.
I call him, and it goes straight to voicemail. The monotone beep feels like a finality I’m not ready to accept. Instead of spiraling into panic, I take a deep breath, reminding myself everything will be okay. Because it will, won't it?
“Countdown is in five minutes!” Billie calls out, her voice cutting through the crowd as I stand by the large windows overlooking Times Square. The vibrant lights of the city glitter like a sea of stars, pulsing with life, and every face in the crowd glows with excitement. The world is celebrating, engulfed in a joyous atmosphere.
But he's not here.
I thought we were on the same page...
It felt like destiny...
I told him I loved him and meant it with every fiber of my being.
Harper glides toward me in her silver poofy dress, which looks like it was plucked straight from an ’80s prom photo, all shimmering sequins and satin fabric. She holds two glasses of champagne and offers me one with a determined look as if trying to instill hope. I crave the cold bubbles fizzing against my lips.
“He should be here by now.” As the glass touches my hand, I take two big gulps, hoping it will ease the anxiety tightening in my chest.
I pull my phone from my pocket, my heart pounding as I read the last text I sent him again. Still no reply.
I scan for notifications that aren't there, a pit of dread opening up inside me.
“I don't understand, Harp.”
“Don't get upset yet,” she replies softly, wrapping her arm around me in a comforting embrace. The warmth of her presence seeps into my skin, momentarily pushing back the chill of disappointment. She pushes away, meeting my eyes with a soft gaze. “The night isn't over.”
“I didn't expect the internet to take a lie and run with it.” My voice cracks, the weight of my disappointment crashing down like a heavy wave. I shake my head and drink more champagne as the crystal glass shimmers in the dim light.
“That's what the internet does. Rumors aren't truths. It means nothing. And Hudson doesn't seem like the type of man to care about anything other than you,” Harper insists, giving me a small, encouraging smile. Her eyes drift toward the door, and so does mine, but it's not him who enters. “Also, being single isn't so bad. You make it seem like a curse.”
“Pfft. You have no idea what I experienced, Harp. I'll never be the same after Hudson.” I take a deep breath, swallowing hard against the rising tide of emotion that threatens to overflow. “I'll search for that feeling for the rest of my life.”
She nods, determination glimmering in her eyes. “I know that it's all going to work out. It always does.”
“I think I need some fresh air,” I tell her, finishing the glass of champagne, the bubbles dancing on my tongue before evaporating into the void of my thoughts. I crave solitude, and a moment to wallow in my sorrows.
Maybe I’ll adopt a cat. The thought has me thinking about Tinsel, and a knot tightens in my chest. I texted Claire earlier, asking if Hudson was still in Texas, but she told me she wasn't sure—a truth that gnaws at me.
When I step onto the balcony, the cold wind swirls around me like a brisk embrace, invigorating yet painfully reminiscent of what I’ve lost. The icy chills are the only thing that makes me feel alive right now, cutting through my despair.
I glance over at several couples wrapped in their own worlds, sharing whispered secrets and passionate kisses. I can't help but roll my eyes, the bitterness takes hold.
That should be me.
No matter what decision Hudson made, I promised I’d respect it. I wouldn’t ask questions, and I won’t. Maybe he changed his mind, realizing I might be a bit too much—too loud, too fiery, too complicated.
The seconds pass too quickly, ticking away my hope and resolve.
A tight knot forms in my chest as the reality sinks in. The very thing I feared has come to life. Maybe Hudson Jolly was my karma, a reckoning for my past mistakes. The thought spirals me deeper into despair.
Nothing will erase the memories we made together; they are etched in my mind—vivid, beautiful, and painfully bittersweet. He's burned into the very essence of who I am.
Before I upset myself further, I try to focus on the crowd of people below, many of whom have waited in the biting cold all day to witness one of the most iconic moments in the world—the Times Square ball drop.
He made me believe he’d come for me.
I breathe in the crisp New York air, wishing it could soothe my soul in the same way Merryville did. The air in Texas was tinged with sweet nostalgia, familiar warmth, and most of all, love. For the first time in my thirty years, I understood what home felt like, a feeling I desperately miss.
The gigantic clock strikes one minute, and time slips between my fingers like it has since Halloween. It’s elusive and mocking.
I slam my eyes shut, trying to hold back tears, knowing this isn’t how I wished I’d ring in the New Year. I'd imagined he’d be right here with me, together—our laughter mingling with our desperate kisses, our dreams interwoven with the promise of what could have been.
With each passing second, my heart hardens like stone.
Twenty seconds.
I want to disappear; the ache in my body is almost unbearable. My eyes unfocus as I stare into the bustling street, a blur of faces and voices. My thoughts continually drift back to Hudson, the warmth of his smile and the softness of his laugh.
If given the chance, I would turn back time and live it all over again with him.
The energy pulsates through the street, laughter and cheers washing over me like waves, but I can’t bear to engage. The thought of enduring the year ahead without him would be my own personal hell.
Before I completely drown in my sorrow, strong arms snake around me—a lifeline when I least expect it. I breathe in deeply, and the familiar scent of him takes hold of me, igniting a flicker of warmth amidst my despair.
“You’re way too damn pretty to look so fucking sad,” he says, his voice warm and rich as his lips brush against my neck.
I turn to face him, and my breath catches in my throat.
He stands before me in a tuxedo that fits him perfectly, exactly as I’d always imagined. He's rugged and effortlessly handsome with dark hair that's a wild mess, lending him an air of untamed charm. Hudson's green eyes sparkle like emeralds catching the sunlight. He breathes me in, and I laugh, nearly crying simultaneously.
“You’re here,” my voice cracks, and tears well in my eyes.
He gently kisses them away, wrapping me in an embrace that feels like home. “You didn’t warn me about the checkpoints. It took me nine hours to navigate the city alone,” he says, urgency threading his tone. “I’m so sorry for worrying you.”
“I texted and called you,” I remind him, my heart pounding.
“I left my phone on the plane,” he admits, regret shadowing his features. “I'm so fucking sorry.”
As I glance around, I realize the people surrounding us are beginning the ten-second countdown. I lock eyes with him, and the chaotic world around us blurs into insignificance.
Ten. Nine. Eight.
“I love you, Emma. I choose you. I'll always choose you, no matter what,” he whispers, sincerity coating his voice.
“I love you,” I say, my voice barely more than a whisper.
Five. Four. Three.
In a moment that catches me entirely off guard, Hudson drops to one knee, pulling a ring from his pocket. My heart races wildly as he looks up at me, vulnerability etched across his handsome face. “Emma. Will you do me the honor and spend forever with me?”
Two. One.
As “Auld Lang Syne” plays, the music fills the air around us, wrapping us in its sweet melody. Overcome with emotion, I nearly knock him over as I throw my arms around him, the words catching in my throat as tears stream down my cheeks—joy and disbelief washes over me.
“Yes, a million times over,” I confess, my heart bursting with love. “You were my Christmas wish, Hudson. You, this, us.”
“You and me. I’m so in love with you, Emma. You’re my other half, my everything. You saved me, and I’ll always save you,” he whispers fiercely, his eyes burning with intensity. “You've had me since the moment we met. And for the first time, my life feels complete. I’ll protect you, love you, care for you. I'm deeply, madly, obsessively in love with you, Cookie Queen. My heart is yours if you want it.”
“Yes, please. I want all of you. I love you so much, Hudson. I'm so stupidly in love with you. And I love Colby with every inch of my heart too,” I say, tears streaming down my face. He wipes them away gently, his touch electric against my skin, and I can’t kiss him enough.
Each swipe of his lips against mine is a promise, a testament to the connection that bound us together from the first time we kissed in July. When I finally pull away, I’m so happy I feel drunk, completely high on life, on him, my future husband.
He slides the ring onto my finger, and my eyes widen in disbelief. “Hudson. This is…”
“Your mother’s ring. One of them, at least,” he replies, his voice steady.
I study him. “My dad knew.”
“Asking him was the Southern thing to do. Em, the entire family knows what I came here to do,” Hudson responds, his hands reaching out to hold mine. “Will you dance with me?”
A smile flutters across my lips, widening.
“You know how to dance?” I question, and suddenly I’m transported back to Halloween, the memories swirling like snow flurries in the wind.
“Only with you,” he replies, his hands resting confidently at my waist, warmth radiating from his touch. His eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that makes my heart race. “You’re so fucking beautiful.”
“You're a dream come true,” I breathe, my face hurting from the overwhelming happiness surging through me, each moment amplifying the joy until it feels almost unbearable.
“I wished on stars for love like this. All it took was finding you,” he says with absolute certainty. We sway together to the pulsating rhythm of the music as colorful confetti cascades down from the heavens, transforming the city around us into a whimsical scene from a fairytale. My world becomes a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of vibrant colors, and everything sparkles with newfound hope.
I think about our future and Colby and the radiant happiness of us being a family.
This is everything I've ever wanted and more. I never thought I’d get this chance, a golden opportunity to embrace a life full of love and laughter.
“You really didn't think I’d show?” His brow lifts, a playful challenge glinting in his eyes, lighting up his handsome face.
“I—“
“Never doubt my love for you, Emma. It's unwavering. I’d travel to fucking space if that’s what you wanted,” he declares, spinning me around in a whirl of laughter and adrenaline. “And I don't give a fuck about the necklace. Claire told me it was your mother's. Explanation not needed. The more they try to tear us apart, the harder I'm hanging on. I'll only let you go if you stop loving me.”
“Never. As long as I can breathe, I'll love you. I can't imagine my life without you or Colby in it. Trying to return to who I was before you is impossible. The old Emma no longer exists,” I confess breathlessly.
I need him as desperately as I need air itself, an essential lifeline that I cannot live without.
Our lips collide with intensity, and butterflies erupt in my stomach, a dizzying wave of emotion that fans out to every inch of me. Our tongues intertwine, and I moan softly against him, the sound mingling with the distant throb of music from the party surrounding us.
“I've missed you. The last two days have been torture.”
I haven’t been myself since I left Texas; every second away felt excruciating, as if a part of my soul was missing.
“Do you want to get out of here?” Hudson asks, his hand resting possessively on my waist, fingers brushing against my skin, sending electric shivers coursing through me.
I reach inside the pocket of my dress, feeling the familiar crinkle of bills—the comforting weight of them bringing me a sense of purpose.
“What’s this?” he asks, glancing down at the stack of O-bills I place in his hand.
His eyes widen in surprise before he bursts into laughter—a sound that warms my heart and makes me feel light as air.
“That smile looks good on you,” I say. He leans over and playfully nibbles on my neck, setting my body on fire with each teasing bite.
His eyes roam over my face, then slide down my body, taking in every curve with a gaze that feels both appreciative and possessive. I grab his hand, and we rush out of the party without saying goodbye.
As soon as we enter the elevator, my mouth crashes against his, a rush of passion that feels as though it could ignite the walls around us. The air is thick with a forever promise and unspoken desires.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, as we step out into the chaotic lobby. People are bustling in and out, each one trying to return to their homes in the city now that the celebration is over.
His bow tie is crooked—a charming imperfection that makes my heart flutter—and I turn to adjust it with tender care. I brush my finger against his cheek and smile.
“You. Us. Being your wife,” I confess, interlocking my fingers with his. “No more hiding.”
We walk out of the building, and flashing cameras momentarily blind us, a shimmering haze of light and noise. Hudson holds me tight against him, his body a shield, protecting me from the onslaught of paparazzi.
“Back the fuck off,” he warns, protectiveness lacing his tone. His fierce and possessive growl sends a thrill through me.
“Emma!” one photographer calls out as we hurry toward my car, parked in the valet. The driver has been waiting since he dropped me off two hours ago, and my stomach flips at the sight of the sleek vehicle waiting for us.
“Is that an engagement ring on your finger?” a guy shouts, snapping a thousand photos per second.
Hudson allows me to climb inside first, then follows me, the door clicking shut behind him, sealing us away from the chaos outside.
As soon as we’re alone, I turn to him, searching his eyes for reassurance. “You sure you’re okay with this?”
“Absolutely. And no one is ever going to rush you like that again.” His voice is full of determination.
“God, I missed you,” I admit, moving closer, my lips grazing against his, the world outside fading away as I lose myself in him.
He cradles my face in his hands, his eyes searching mine, filled with admiration and devotion that makes me feel cherished. “My fiancée is gorgeous.”
“Thank you for being my Mr. Forever, Hudson. I love you,” I murmur, my eyes fluttering closed as we get lost in the beauty of the moment, one that feels timeless and electric. One that we will one day share with our children and grandchildren.
“I love you more.” Hudson swipes loose hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear. “I love you so fucking much.”