Christina’s POV
"What are you talking about?"
"He told the police I instructed him to do it. I don’t even know his na. Yet sohow he claid I was behind everything. What a coincidence."
Rowan laughed awkwardly. "He must have been confused. I had nothing to do with any of this.
I could almost picture Gwendolyn glaring at Rowan with those beautiful yet cruel eyes of hers. "I took the fall for you. That’s why Hudson canceled my credit cards and abandoned his father in that bloodbath in Africa. You ca here just to yell at ?"
"I didn’t—" Rowan stopped abruptly, lowering her voice. "I just overreacted. I’m sorry. But that wasn’t my intention."
She paused before softening her tone, trying to sound helpful. "So what’s your plan now? Are you just going to stay here forever?"
Gwendolyn’s voice suddenly sounded exhausted. "It’s quiet here. Nobody asks questions. Hudson said if I cause any more trouble, his father will be stuck in Africa permanently. So for now, I’m backing off."
The room fell silent for a full minute.
Hudson held my hand, playing with my fingers, clearly finding this more entertaining than the conversation next door.
Rowan spoke in a coaxing tone. "Rember our agreent? I’d separate Hudson from Christina, and you’d help marry him. Once he fell into our hands, the entire Sabreridge Pack would follow your lead. Now—"
Gwendolyn cut her off. "I don’t need you reminding of our arrangent."
I glanced at Hudson, raising an eyebrow, pointing at the wall separating us from the next room, and mouthed "your admirer."
He shook his head solemnly, as if denying such a serious accusation.
Next door, Rowan continued. "I know. Let finish. He’s angry now, you’re broke, and everyone’s dancing to his tune. When Alpha Edouard dies, do you really think you’ll see a penny?"
"So what’s your plan?" Gwendolyn reluctantly asked.
"I don’t have one."
"What?"
Rowan sounded equally surprised. "You’re the one who dragged here like you had so brilliant idea. I wouldn’t have co if you hadn’t insisted. I hate hospitals with their nosy staff and ringing phones. But all I’ve heard from you so far are complaints, endless complaints. Don’t you have anything figured out?"
"What are you talking about? You texted wanting to et. I thought sothing had happened."
"? You requested this eting. I only ca because I thought it was urgent."
After a suffocating silence, Rowan said, "Look, this is a new number. Yours. You said your phone was being tapped, so you changed numbers. You even gave the room number."
I imagined Rowan shoving her phone in Gwendolyn’s face.
Gwendolyn. "What? ? No way! You said it was urgent, that we needed to et. Then I sent you the room number. You texted first. Let see... Wait. It’s the sa number." She read aloud. "New number, can’t talk, let’s et."
Rowan cursed, "Fuck, soone’s playing us."
The doorknob turned.
Both won’s heads snapped toward it.
Hudson spoke first. "Well, well. You two know each other?"
I followed behind him as we entered the room.
Rowan forced a smile. "Hudson! What a surprise."
"Perhaps for you," he said coldly. "You didn’t answer my question."
"Um... your mother was my sponsor in college, she helped a lot. I heard she wasn’t well, so I ca to check on her." Rowan quickly added, "I just found out she’s your stepmother. What a coincidence."
"Yes, she ca to see ," Gwendolyn hurried to add. "I just discovered you two were classmates. What are the odds? Small world."
Hudson gave a aningful look at the empty bedside table. "You ca to visit a patient empty-handed?"
Rowan hesitated. "I left in such a hurry, I forgot."
"We’re close enough that gifts aren’t necessary," Gwendolyn said softly.
"Cut the bullshit," Hudson interrupted her.
He held up his phone and pressed play.
The sound poured out, scratchy but clear.
Their voices filled the room, every word of their earlier argunt perfectly audible.
Gwendolyn froze.
Rowan stared at the floor.
Hudson let the recording play for a few more seconds before stopping it. "Still sticking to your hospital visit story?"
Rowan recovered first. "It wasn’t , Hudson. Your mother forced to do it. She paid my tuition; I owed her. She made co here. She said I had to ss with you two. She planned everything! Gwendolyn ca up with those photos. I just... did what she told . She instructed on what to do."
"You lying bitch!" Gwendolyn ripped off her blanket, climbed out of bed, and slapped Rowan hard across the face. "You begged to help you. This was all your idea. Don’t you dare put this on !"
Rowan clutched her reddening cheek as tears stread down involuntarily. "That’s not true! You used —"
"Bullshit!"
Their voices clashed in argunt.
I stood by the doorway, wishing I had popcorn.
Hudson’s voice cut through the tangle of accusations. "It seems my father will be extending his hunting trip. You’ll have plenty of ti to explain all this when he returns."
Gwendolyn stopped shout and turned to look at him. "It wasn’t ! You heard what I said. I told her to stop. I didn’t want this. I’ve been trying to fix things so your father could co ho—"
"That’s not how it happened at all!" Rowan sobbed, "She told what to do—"
They kept interrupting each other, each voice louder than the last.
My thoughts bounced between them, barely able to tell who was accusing whom of what.
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