Free Web NovelChapter 302: Chapter 302 Shattered News
Christina’s POV
"Hudson Laurent and Lea Lopez at Business Dinner. Romance Confirmed?" Akira whimpered, as stunned as I was.
I stared at my phone screen, at the photo mocking me with its perfect composition: Hudson in an impeccable dark suit, his expression unreadable as always, with Lea seated intimately close. Her hand rested on his arm with casual ownership, her smile radiantly victorious.
The article described them as the power couple everyone had anticipated: the ruthless Alpha of the Sabreridge Pack finally settling down with his longtime associate. A perfect match of power and ambition.
A caption below twisted the knife: "CEO Hudson Laurent appears to have moved on following his high-profile separation from his estranged wife, jewelry designer Christina Vance, who currently resides in Paris."
"This can’t be happening," I whispered, my fingers trembling as I scrolled through the article.
Geoffrey set down the tea tray and glanced at my phone. His usually composed face tightened with concern.
"Luna Christina, those tabloids are notorious for fabricating stories," he said gently. "I wouldn’t put much stock in them."
But my mind was racing beyond control. Hudson controlled everything in his life. A story like this wouldn’t circulate without his approval. He managed his public image with the same iron grip he applied to his business empire.
"If this is public," I said slowly, "it’s because he allowed it to be."
Geoffrey frowned. "That doesn’t sound like Alpha Hudson’s typical approach."
"Doesn’t it?" I laughed bitterly. "He always does what benefits him most. If he’s planning to marry her, announcing our separation publicly is the logical first step."
"He hasn’t announced anything official," Geoffrey insisted. "And he certainly hasn’t mentioned your divorce to me." frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
I stared into my untouched tea. "He doesn’t need to tell you everything."
My chest felt hollow, like something vital had been scooped out. I’d raced back to Highrise City, ready to fight for what we had, but what if there was nothing left to fight for?
"Thank you for the tea, Geoffrey," I said, rising from my seat. The warm, familiar room suddenly felt suffocating. "I think I need to go to my apartment."
Geoffrey looked pained. "Please stay, Luna Christina. Alpha Hudson would want—"
"Don’t," I cut him off sharply. "Don’t tell me what he would want. If he wanted me here, he wouldn’t be out with Lea, letting the world think they’re together."
Geoffrey sighed. "At least let me call a driver for you."
"I’ll take a cab," I insisted, already heading for the door.
The cold night air hit me as I stepped outside. Akira whined softly in my mind.
"We should have stayed," she urged. "This is our home, our territory."
"It’s his house," I corrected her silently. "And he’s made his choice pretty clear."
"You don’t know that," Akira argued. "Pictures lie. Articles lie. You need to talk to him directly."
I flagged down a passing cab and slid into the backseat.
"Oakwood Apartments," I told the driver, my voice trembling.
As the cab pulled away from the mansion, I couldn’t help looking back. The grand house glowed with warm light, looking exactly as it had when I’d called it home. When I’d thought I belonged there.
The drive to my apartment was quick. I paid the driver and trudged up to my unit, feeling the weight of exhaustion in every step.
My apartment felt foreign after so long away. Dust covered most surfaces, and the air was stale. I dropped my bag by the door and collapsed onto the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling.
"What am I even doing here?" I asked. "If he’s moved on with Lea, what was the point of coming back?" fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
"You know why," Akira growled. "Hudson is your second chance mate. That bond isn’t easily broken."
I pressed my palms against my eyes. "Yeah, well, apparently he’s doing just fine without me."
"That’s bullshit and you know it," Akira snapped.
My phone buzzed. Another notification. People were reacting fast. Some dismissed the story, but plenty were already offering their congratulations.
My chest ached, yet I could not stop. I scrolled on, punishing myself with every swipe of my thumb. Hoping.
Hoping for what? For Hudson to release a statement denying it all? To declare that there was nothing between him and Lea?
The photo might have been staged, or it could have been nothing more than a business dinner, but I had seen them together on that cruise ship with my own eyes. No headline could erase that.
And yet he had come after me when I went on that reckless diving trip. He had risked his life. On that island, when everything else had failed, he had been my anchor.
That had to mean something, didn’t it?
I flung my phone aside and buried my face in a pillow with a groan.
My phone buzzed with another notification. I picked it up reluctantly, bracing for more photos of Hudson and Lea.
Instead, it was a text from Ysolde:
[Just landed. Where are you? Still at Hudson’s?]
I quickly replied: [At my apartment. Saw news about H and L. Think I made a mistake coming back.]
Her response was immediate: [Don’t you dare run again. You know what Lea did. Fight for your mate!]
I tossed the phone aside and buried my face in a throw pillow. She made it sound so simple. Just march up to Hudson and what? Demand he choose me? Beg him to give us another chance?
"She’s right," Akira insisted. "At least you should fight for him."
I sat up slowly, determination gradually replacing my despair. Whatever game Lea was playing, I couldn’t let her win without a fight. If Hudson had truly moved on, I needed to hear it from him directly, not from some sleazy tabloid.
"Fine," I muttered. "We’re going to find him and talk to him. Face to face."
"That’s my girl," Akira said, pleased.
I had to see Hudson, to talk to him. Even if it was the last time, I needed to know.
To know if there was still a chance for us.
