Christina’s POV

"Genevieve, of course. Who else?" Niall answered without hesitation.

"So, Genevieve gave you all this?" I stared at him, my eyebrows knitted together in disbelief. "She’s the one who gave it to you?"

"Yes, she did. She wants to drive a wedge between you and Hudson. But that doesn’t change the fact that it’s all true." He seemed past caring about hiding it anymore. "I guess she was testing Hudson, too. She wanted to see who he would choose to protect—her or you. And she won."

She won. Those two simple words tasted like acid on my tongue.

"At least in this, Hudson was completely on her side. He shielded her, and even found a scapegoat to take the fall. She gave me this because she wanted to taunt you. She’s basically telling you to bow out."

Every word felt like claws raking across my heart. Akira whined painfully inside me.

"Stop it!" I slammed my hand on the table, drawing curious glances from nearby diners.

"Denial doesn’t help. This is how it is." Niall sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Christina, don’t be naive."

"What’s in this for you? What did Genevieve promise you?" I watched him closely, my eyes narrowed to slits. "I don’t believe you’d just tell me all this out of the goodness of your heart."

"Nothing. Genevieve didn’t offer me anything. I just didn’t want you to be lied to, that’s all. I didn’t want you to be kept in the dark. There’s no other motive." His eyes bore into mine, seemingly sincere.

"You really expect me to believe that?" I scoffed. "You’re here to ruin things between me and Hudson, too, aren’t you? If you truly had my best interests at heart, you would never have told me."

"Christina, stop deluding yourself. Wake up!" Niall leaned forward, his voice dropping to an urgent whisper. "What good does it do you, lying to yourself? He was willing to lie to you for Genevieve. He could betray you for her, too."

Hearing that felt like another sharp stab to my chest. Akira growled defensively, but even she couldn’t deny the evidence in front of us.

"Christina, leave him. I’ll marry you." Niall reached across the table and gripped my hand tightly. "I love you. I know what I did was wrong, and I know I hurt you. I promise I’ll never do it again. I’ll treat you right; I’ll make up for everything."

I looked at him with pure disgust and yanked my hand away. "You think telling me all this will make me divorce Hudson? Dream on. I could never be with you, even if my marriage fell apart." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Is this guy for real?" Akira snarled.

"Christina, I’m the one who told you the truth. Why does it seem like you’re angry with ME? Shouldn’t you be mad at Hudson? He’s the one who betrayed your trust." Niall looked genuinely confused, and a little hurt.

"Go tell Genevieve that no matter what she does, it’s useless. I will never leave Hudson. As long as I live and breathe, she will never have him, and she will never become Luna of the Sabreridge pack." I stood up, grabbing my bag to leave.

"Christina!" Niall quickly caught my arm. "Can’t you see how naive you’re being? What good does it do to live in denial? Hudson doesn’t love you. If he did, he wouldn’t treat you like a fool, lying to you and being unfaithful. Why would you want to be with someone like that? You’re only making yourself miserable. And Genevieve is no pushover. If she’s tried to hurt you once, she’ll do it again and again. You’re no match for her."

My face went blank. "Let go of me."

"Alright, alright, I’m letting go." He released my arm but continued, "I know you’re upset. Just go home and think this over. If you need my help with anything, you know where to find me." He gathered the scattered papers from the table and pressed the folder into my hand. "Stop being so foolish; please, just listen to me. And I’ll always be here waiting for you. I love you. No one could love you more than I do."

"Thank you." I didn’t look back as I walked away.

I wasn’t thanking him for his declaration of love; I’d learned long ago that Niall’s words were about as reliable as a chocolate teapot.

I was thanking him for giving me the truth, however manipulative his motives might have been.

"What if it’s all just lies?" Akira whispered inside my head.

"But what if it isn’t?" I shot back.

I walked out of the restaurant in a daze. The spring air felt too cold suddenly, and the sunshine too bright. What was I supposed to do now? The person I trusted most had lied to me.

"No. This might not even be true. I need to get some real answers." I wiped my eyes fiercely with the back of my hand.

I pulled out my phone to call Hudson, but hesitated, my thumb hovering over his contact.

"Even if I asked him, he’d probably just lie to me again. He’d just come up with another story."

Then I remembered what Niall had said about Ryan Fenty.

The problem was, I didn’t know Ryan well. I’d only met him once, at that party where Hudson had introduced us briefly.

But I did know his wife, Naomi Fenty, and I had her number from when we’d exchanged contact information at the gala.

"Maybe I could reach out to her?"

"Do it," Akira urged. "We need answers."

I made the call before I could talk myself out of it.

"Hello? Christina!" Naomi sounded genuinely pleased to hear from me. "This is a pleasant surprise."

"Naomi, are you free?" I asked, carefully keeping my voice light and steady while walking to my car.

"Free? I’m stuck at home every day; of course I’m free! What’s up?" Then she complained, "Ever since I got pregnant, I’ve been cooped up here. I’m practically growing mold. The last time I managed to get out, I almost... well, let’s just say Ryan has me on house arrest now."

"Well, how about dinner tonight?" I slid into my car, tossing the folder onto the passenger seat. "There’s something I need your help with. But could you please not mention anything to your husband?"