Christina’s POV
"What’s the catch?"
Niall smirked. "First, have a proper al with . Then... I’ll need a favor from you later. After that, I’ll tell you everything. Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to get back together with ."
He picked up the nu and began ordering without waiting for my response.
When the food arrived, the table was covered with all my favorites.
Seeing them left with mixed feelings.
"Seriously?" Akira growled inside . "Now he rembers what you like?"
I didn’t understand it either.
Why was it only after we’d broken up that Niall started showing thoughtfulness he’d never once displayed during our four years together?
It wasn’t that he hadn’t known what I liked; he just hadn’t cared enough to rember.
He hurt first, tortured with rejection, and now he was trying to make it up to ? Please.
anwhile, Hudson was the complete opposite. He’d worn down my defenses with his overbearing Alpha care and by forcefully inserting himself into my life. Just when I’d fallen for him, he started doing things that hurt in ways I couldn’t comprehend.
I didn’t understand n at all. I had no idea what went on in their thick skulls.
Why did relationships have to be so ssy, so utterly devoid of logic?
Maybe being single was the way to go.
"Let’s eat," Niall said.
"Christina."
I looked up at the sound of Hudson’s voice.
He stood beside our table. His jaw was tight, eyes narrowed as he surveyed the intimate setting Niall had arranged.
Seeing him didn’t surprise . Ever since I’d agreed to marry him after we returned from that island, he’d beco incredibly possessive, always finding ways to keep tabs on .
At least, that was the case until Genevieve showed up...
I felt no panic, no guilt. There was nothing between Niall and anymore, so I had nothing to hide.
I looked at Hudson calmly. "What are you doing here?"
"I ca to check on you. Your fever hasn’t completely gone. This isn’t the right kind of food for soone recovering."
Niall raised an eyebrow at him. "Don’t worry, Alpha Hudson. Everything I ordered is light and suitable for Christina. After all, I know her tastes better than you do."
Sothing dangerous flashed in Hudson’s eyes. "You took my mate to your house without her consent. That’s unlawful detention. Expect a call from my lawyer."
Niall looked utterly unbothered. "It was an ergency. Taking her to my place was the most practical thing to do, especially since my neighbor is a doctor. And you..." He gave Hudson a mocking look. "Where exactly were you while all this was happening, oh devoted Alpha?"
Hudson’s fists clenched.
I really didn’t want to see two Alphas get into a public brawl in downtown Highrise City. What a nightmare this was.
I cut in before Hudson could respond. "Alright, I’ve had enough." I stood up and said to Hudson, "Let’s go."
"Fine. Next ti, then," Niall said with a smile directed at , before turning a look of provocation toward Hudson.
I simply took Hudson’s arm and led him out before either of them could escalate things further.
I didn’t offer any explanation once we were outside. If he trusted , he wouldn’t need one. If he didn’t, anything I said would be pointless.
Besides, wasn’t this exactly how he treated when it ca to Genevieve? I was just giving him a taste of his own dicine.
"I’m going back to the studio," I said flatly.
"You barely touched anything. Are you sure you’ve eaten enough?" Hudson caught my arm as I turned to leave.
"I’m full."
"Well, I haven’t eaten. I’m starving. Keep company?" The look in his eyes was so pleading that, in the end, my resolve softened.
"Fine."
He took to another restaurant. Whether it was to spite Niall or for so other reason, he ordered almost exactly the sa dishes Niall had chosen.
Looking at all my favorite foods laid out like that just made tired. Was this his idea of making it up to ?
After a silent al, Hudson said, "Go for a walk?"
I shook my head. "I don’t have ti. I need to get back to work."
Hudson didn’t push it. "Okay. I’ll drive you."
Over the next few days, my fever cleared up completely and business at the studio slowly picked up again.
Everything seed to be getting back on track, but things between Hudson and remained lukewarm. We were less like a newly mated pair and more like two polite strangers sharing territory.
One night, as we were getting into bed, Hudson said, "There’s a function tomorrow evening. Co with ."
"No, I’m busy." I turned over, putting my back to him. I didn’t want to discuss it.
The last ti I’d gone to a function with him, I’d run into Genevieve. That woman was still haunting my life like a vengeful ghost.
The night was very quiet. I could hear the sound of our breathing in the dark, but neither of us spoke. The silence between us felt heavier than any argunt.
I have no idea how much ti passed before I finally drifted into a fitful sleep.
The next day, since Hudson was attending his function, I made plans to have dinner with Ysolde.
Just as I was leaving the studio, Niall appeared again. "Christina. You rember you promised to do a favor."
"If I don’t, you won’t give the recording?" I crossed my arms.
"I know it’s a rotten thing to do, but I couldn’t think of any other way to get you to spend a bit more ti with ." He had the decency to look slightly ashad.
"I could always ask Louisa, or Clive Granger. Even Daniel," I said coldly.
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