Hudson: The Secret Doctor

1

Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, California

Hudson was finishing up some laundry when he received a text notification that the washing machine was about to stop. Quickly shaking the water off his hands, he grabbed his phone and sent a message to his wife, Freya.

"Hey babe, can you send me 500 bucks? I’m almost out of phone credit, hehe."

A few moments later, Freya replied with a voice message.

"Hudson, what happened to the 1,000 bucks I sent you just five days ago? How did that run out so fast?"

Hudson sighed. He hadn’t spent a single dollar on himself. The money went straight to covering the water bill—and also to quietly renewing his medical license. A secret he had kept even from Freya. Despite being mocked as a househusband, he had continued seeing a few patients privately on the side, quietly offering free consultations for undocumented immigrants and low-income workers in Koreatown. His old profession still called to him—but in this household, his dreams weren’t a priority.

Just as he was about to explain, another message from Freya came in:

"You know how hectic things are at work. Don’t bother me with these small things anymore, seriously. It’s annoying."

Her tone was cold and impatient. But a moment later, a notification popped up—she had transferred the money anyway.

Hudson smiled faintly. He didn’t take her tone personally. Freya always acted tough, but he knew she still cared in her own way.

Just as he finished topping up his phone, a loud voice echoed from downstairs.

"Hudson! Where are you?"

It was his mother-in-law, Faye.

He quickly went downstairs and found her sprawled on the sofa. Without even glancing at him, she said flatly, "I want to soak my feet."

"Sure, Mom."

Hudson went to the bathroom, filled a wooden bucket with warm water, and brought it to the living room.

As soon as Faye dipped her foot into the water, she shrieked.

"Ah! Are you trying to burn me?"

She kicked the bucket over, glaring at Hudson.

He looked confused. He had tested the water—it wasn’t that hot. Then he noticed the broken blister on her foot.

"Mom, the water’s not hot. It just stings because the blister on your foot broke. That’s why it hurts."

Faye sat up and snapped, "So now you’re saying it’s my fault?"

"No, no, of course not," Hudson said, shaking his head quickly.

She scoffed and pointed at the spilled water. "What are you standing there for? Clean it up!"

As he knelt to wipe the floor, she looked down at him with clear disdain.

Moments after he finished, she barked again, "I’m hungry. Make something to eat."

Soon, three simple dishes were set on the table. Faye took a bite and immediately spat it out.

"Ugh! Hudson, are you trying to poison me? Don’t you know I can't eat salty food right now?"

He didn’t argue. He had seasoned it lightly, but he knew this wasn’t about the food. She just needed someone to take her bitterness out on.

The doorbell rang. Hudson quickly opened the door and greeted three middle-aged women with a polite smile. They were Faye’s mahjong friends—frequent guests at the house.

As they walked in, each one gave Hudson a look of contempt, as though he were invisible.

Faye’s sour face instantly brightened.

"Ladies! You’re here! Let’s get started."

After clearing the dishes, Hudson headed for the stairs, but Faye called him back.

"Hudson, bring out some fruit."

He opened the fridge.

"Mom, we’re out of fruit."

"Useless! If it’s gone, why didn’t you buy more?" she snapped. "You’re a grown man—do I need to teach you how to do everything?"

She slammed her hand on the table.

Hudson scratched his head awkwardly. "Mom, I don’t have any cash on me right now. Could you give me some so I can buy..."

"No!" she snapped, cutting him off. "Can’t you see I’m playing? Do you have any idea how bad it is to hand over money while playing cards? It ruins my luck!"

Her voice turned shrill. "You're worthless. You can't even buy fruit on your own. What’s the point of your life? Just go disappear!"

Hudson gave a small, tight-lipped smile and quietly turned to leave.

One of the guests muttered under her breath, loud enough for Faye to hear.

"Faye, why are you keeping a guy like him around?"

Another added, "Freya’s beautiful and runs a whole company. Surely she could do way better."

Faye laughed bitterly. "You don’t understand."

Hudson heard the whispers and judgmental looks from the card table behind him, but he didn’t react.

In the five years since he married into the Wilson family, he had grown used to being mocked. None of them knew he had been a licensed doctor. That while they sneered at him, he was volunteering at a community clinic in the evenings, treating patients who couldn’t afford healthcare.

But he never boasted about it. He wasn’t trying to prove anything. His world revolved around Freya.

"Mom, how’s your luck today?" Hudson asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Faye grinned. "Oh, Freya! You’re back—and looking even more stunning than before!" she said suddenly, her tone flipping when her daughter walked through the door.

Hudson had just finished putting away the laundry when he heard Freya’s voice from downstairs.