Christina’s POV
Niall let out a low, smug chuckle that made my skin crawl. I knew another stupid comnt was coming.
"You don’t need to play gas. If you want money, just tell . Whatever your plan is, I’ll give you what you need."
I stared straight into his eyes, not blinking. "Even if you got down on your knees and begged, I wouldn’t take a penny from you."
I moved around the broken table and started circling him, looking for an exit.
He blocked my way, arms hanging stiffly at his sides.
"I’m not finished," he said quickly. "I ca to apologize. I shouldn’t have gone after Dan like that. He provoked and I just... lost control. Things got out of hand. I didn’t an to wreck your studio. That’s on ."
"Thirty seconds ago you were yelling about justice. You sounded ready to burn the whole building down."
"That was anger talking," he said. "You’ve seen lose my temper before. I thought you’d understand. He’s been lying to everyone. That bastard lied to you too—"
"Stop calling him that," I cut him off. "Every ti you say ’that bastard,’ you sound more like one yourself."
Between the two of them, only Dan actually showed up on ti, did his job properly, and didn’t smash furniture or bleed all over my floor.
A sulking man-child versus a quiet employee (even if he was hard to get rid of) – I knew which one gave fewer headaches.
"You stord in looking for a fight, and now you’re blaming Dan for your tantrum? That just shows how unstable you are. Go back to your hospital bed."
Niall’s already swollen eyes bulged like copper bells. "You’re defending him?"
"I’m not defending anyone. I’m telling you this isn’t your territory. Get out."
His face darkened.
He put on a hurt expression. "I ca to apologize."
"Don’t bother. Just pay for what you broke."
"I will." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a checkbook. "I’ve got it right here. I’ll cover everything."
I didn’t take the check he offered. "Go through proper channels. Not now."
I didn’t want anyone thinking we’d reached a private settlent.
I didn’t want anyone thinking there was anything "private" between Niall and at all.
His hand hung in the air for a second before dropping.
I waited for him to leave.
He completely missed the hint.
"Christina, this is hell. Beatrice refuses to sign the divorce papers, keeps stalling. My dad suddenly shows up with this secret son, wants to make him part of the pack, put him in the company like I’m not the current Alpha. My mom had a heart attack, she’s in the hospital. I never ant to start anything with Daniel, I—"
"How’s Aunt Louisa?" I interrupted his sudden outpouring.
Niall’s head snapped up, hope flickering in his eyes. "You still care about , don’t you?"
"I care about Aunt Louisa. This has nothing to do with you."
"Fine." His shoulders slumped again. "She’s okay. Nothing major. She’s always had health issues. This ti it was stress."
I said nothing.
Niall rubbed his eye with the heel of one hand, then said, "Christina... I made a mistake. I’ve filed for divorce. Once it goes through... would you—"
"Are you insane?" I felt physically sick. "I’m married and happy. My husband doesn’t cheat or cry like a child." I shoved my ring-adorned hand in front of his face. "You and Beatrice deserve each other. You two should never divorce. Keep your drama in your own house."
He grabbed my hand. "You’re my fated mate. It was my fault for rejecting you. Can’t we start over?"
Fated mate? I froze for a mont.
The ntion made realize I felt absolutely nothing for him.
Hudson and I might have frequent sex lately, but he still hasn’t marked . When werewolves are rejected by their fated mate, if they haven’t been marked by soone else, they should still feel sothing for their fated mate.
But right now, I felt nothing for Niall.
When did that change?
Akira sensed my thoughts and grew restless too.
"Hudson doesn’t even love you! I saw a post about him getting cozy with so actress outside a hotel. You must have seen it too. You think that guy is faithful? You think he’ll stick around?"
Niall’s words snapped back to reality.
I yanked my hand from his grip. "Don’t touch ! You’re lying."
"I’m not—"
"Yes, you are. You saw sothing on so gossip site and decided it was true because it makes you feel better about your pathetic situation."
He opened his mouth again.
"Are you leaving, or am I calling the police?"
His face twisted. "You really don’t feel anything for anymore?"
He sounded close to tears.
His eyes were not just swollen but red-rimd.
He looked like he hadn’t slept or showered in days.
Seeing Niall in such a miserable state stirred nothing in . Yet if Hudson were standing before looking like this, I wouldn’t be so unmoved.
"Priya, call the police!" I shouted.
Niall suddenly doubled over, clutching his stomach. "Don’t do this."
He crouched down, sweat beading on his forehead.
A thick vein bulged near his temple.
His mouth hung open, motionless.
Priya and I exchanged glances.
"My stomach," Niall gasped. "The fight with Daniel, it’s acting up again."
He slid closer, reaching for my ankle. "Hurts like hell."
Before he could touch , I stepped aside.
My heel barely grazed the edge of his palm.
"If you start convulsing, that’s not my problem. You have a phone. Call an ambulance."
"No, no hospital. I just need sowhere to lie down... could you go to the pharmacy for sothing...?"
"No."
I glared at Priya, sending a clear ssage.[Get him out. Gently.]
She flinched. [Really?]
[Seriously.]
I would have done it myself, but I didn’t want to touch Niall.
Priya shifted her position, crouched down, and slipped an arm under him.
He let out a weak groan.
She pulled him along like dragging a dead body.
Limping and gasping, he still let her guide him to the door.
Halfway there, he suddenly straightened up, steady enough to walk.
He looked back at . "I knew you still cared."
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