Christina’s POV

Though Ysolde’s apartment felt familiar and comfortable, I couldn’t sleep. Without Hudson’s strong arms wrapped around me, I felt strangely incomplete. I’d grown accustomed to his warmth, his presence, the way his body curled protectively around mine each night.

Goddess, I missed him. Which was ridiculous considering how angry I was.

"This is pathetic," I muttered to myself, punching the pillow.

"Just call him," Akira suggested inside my head.

"Not happening."

When morning finally arrived, my head was throbbing from lack of sleep, but I dragged myself out of bed anyway. Work would be a welcome distraction.

"You look like absolute hell," Ysolde commented when I stumbled into her kitchen, eyeing me over her coffee cup. "Why not just take the day off? You’re the boss, for crying out loud."

I forced a smile and shook my head. "No way. I need to keep busy."

Work was better. Sitting around with nothing to do would just leave me spiraling into more paranoid thoughts about Hudson and Genevieve.

"Fine, then I’m coming to Sugar & Whim with you. It’s right across from your studio, so I’ll be nearby if you need me," Ysolde declared.

I raised an eyebrow. "You actually remember you own a coffee shop?" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

It was honestly miraculous her place was still profitable given how rarely she bothered to show up there.

"Of course I do." She rolled her eyes. "But I’ve got Benny managing the day-to-day operations. I don’t need to micromanage." She grinned. "Consider this a special appearance, just for you."

I hugged her. "Thanks."

She patted my back. "What else are best friends for? Or have you replaced me with this new Naomi person?"

I laughed softly. "Don’t be jealous. She’s great. I’ll introduce you sometime."

Ysolde sniffed. "Well, since she helped you investigate your husband’s betrayal, I suppose I can tolerate her existence."

Then she flopped back onto her couch.

I stared at her. "I thought you were coming with me?"

She yawned and stretched like a cat. "I am. But I didn’t say right now. It’s barely morning. I need more sleep."

I checked my phone. "It’s almost nine."

"That’s midnight for me."

I shook my head. "Fine. I’m heading to the studio. See you whenever you decide to join the living."

At my studio, I made myself the strongest coffee possible. No sugar, no cream. The bitter jolt was exactly what I needed to wake up my foggy brain.

"Christina, are you okay? You look like you haven’t slept in days," Priya asked.

She’d insisted on coming back to work, even though I’d given her time off after the database incident.

"Can’t let you be the only one getting yelled at by clients, can I?" she’d said with a smile.

She’d even offered to take a temporary pay cut, insisting she should share responsibility for what happened. I refused, of course.

I attempted a smile. "Yeah, rough night. I’ve been thinking about our security protocols. From now on, we need triple backups for everything—digital, cloud, and physical."

She nodded. "Smart move."

"Could you check if there are any new inquiries on the website?" I asked, though we both knew it was unlikely after everything that had happened.

While Priya returned to her desk, I buried myself in work. I sent follow-up emails to clients, checked in with manufacturers about production timelines, and sketched new designs even though the likelihood of landing new clients anytime soon was slim to none.

I had to keep my mind completely occupied. It was the only way to stop thinking about Hudson and Genevieve.

By late morning, my head was throbbing. Sleep deprivation was catching up to me.

"Lunch time!" Priya announced cheerfully, stopping by my desk. "Let’s go eat something."

"Good idea." I was starting to feel light-headed, probably because I’d skipped breakfast.

As we stepped outside the studio, I froze. Genevieve was climbing out of a car, walking straight toward us.

She smiled. "Let’s have lunch together, Christina. We need to talk."

"Not interested," I said coldly. "I already have plans with my colleague."

"I have something important to tell you. Something you’ll definitely want to hear."

"I have nothing to say to you." I turned to Priya. "Let’s go."

"Then I’ll come find you tonight," Genevieve said, stepping directly into my path. "If you’re busy then, I’ll try again tomorrow. And the day after that. I’ll keep trying until you make time."

"What do you actually want?" I asked through gritted teeth.

"Just a friendly chat." Her eyes glinted. "Don’t you agree it’s overdue?"

Priya leaned in and whispered, "Maybe just hear her out? She doesn’t look like she’s giving up. I’ll stay with you if you want."

I exhaled slowly, staring at Genevieve’s triumphant expression. "Fine. Let’s talk."

She glanced pointedly at Priya. "Are you sure you want an audience for this conversation?"

I turned to Priya. "You should go ahead without me."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded. "I’ll be fine."

"Okay, but I’ll be nearby. Just call if you need backup." She reluctantly headed off.

Genevieve’s smile widened as she followed me to a nearby restaurant. I chose a table by the window.

I fixed her with an icy stare. "Start talking."

"Let’s order first," she said breezily, picking up the menu. She selected several expensive dishes.

After she finished ordering, she looked at me expectantly. "Aren’t you going to eat anything?"

"Just get on with it. I don’t want to waste any more of my time on you than absolutely necessary."

She gave a mocking laugh. "Christina, don’t you find your life... disappointing these days? Marrying Hudson hasn’t brought you happiness, has it?"

A cold knot formed in my stomach.

"Let’s be honest. He only married you out of some misplaced sense of duty to the mate bond. What he feels for you isn’t love." She leaned forward, eyes glittering. "My advice? Divorce him while you still have some dignity left."