Page 105 of Abyss

“Wh-what are you doing, Hudson?”

The blood drains from my face at the broken whisper behind me. I turn, coming face to face with a woman who doesn’t just look confused or betrayed . . .

She looks downright shattered.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

HUDSON

My mouth opens and closes, my mind jumping from one chaotic thought to another as I struggle to process what I just read. But there’s no time for comprehension in the face of Kavi’s hurt and anger bearing down on my neck like a crushing weight.

So, I retreat to a familiar reaction, drawing upon my own anger and hurt to shield my fucking heart.

“Who the fuck is Nathan?” My expression hardens and the words escape through my tightened lips. It’s a defense mechanism I’ve honed over the years in the face of betrayal.

First Jett, then Kenna.

And now, Kavi.

Anger and remorse rise inside me as I take in Kavi’s pained expression.

I force myself not to stand to my full height because, even though I can’t quite read the look on her face—guilt, betrayal, hurt?—I hate the look of fear on her even more.

“Is he . . .” I swallow the bile threatening to rise within me as visions of her wrapped up in someone else’s arms literally has my breaths coming out ragged. “H-have you . . .” I take abreath and try again. “Have you been fucking someone else while we’ve been together?”

Her eyes well, bouncing against mine as she tries to wipe the look of astonishment from her face. I know my words are harsh, butfuck, I’m feeling like I’m being ripped apart right now.

Maybe I should have seen this coming. Maybe I should have known not to trust someone I’ve barely known for weeks.

But my soul didn’t seem to realize it had only been weeks.

My mind and heart are at war as intrusive thoughts cloud my brain.

She did accept all my offers rather quickly—the additional money, my credit card, the offer to move in with me.

Was I just a quick meal ticket while she was with someone else? Have I just become this joke where people think they can fuck their way into my life, only to fuck me and my company over and find something better?

Is this all my fault and I’m the idiot who refuses to learn? The idiot who keeps trusting the same kind of people?

But even the thought of her betraying me in such a despicable way has my heart ripping from its confines. It seems so unlike her; so unlike the caring and unapologetically genuine person she is.

And then another thought occurs to me.

She never asked for any of those things—not the money, the credit card, or the apartment. Not even the hospital or car bills I paid.

In fact, I don’t recall the last time I even had to pay off the credit card I gave her. She never made a single purchase on it. She argued with me at each step, never asked for a single cent, nor has she expected it. If anything, it was I who manipulated her into every part of it. It was I who concocted a reason to make her stay.

So maybe I’m the despicable one here for allowing such thoughts to even filter in and taint my mind, my goddamn feelings for her.

But I do need to know.

I need the truth so my brain doesn’t eat me alive from within.

I run a rough hand down my face, letting it settle over my heart, almost as if I’m shielding it from bolting out. “Kav—” I clear my throat, though it does nothing for the broken way her name plays on my lips. “Please, just . . .”

“He’s my dead best friend, Hudson.”

I take in a staggered breath at her resigned tone, her immovable jaw. Her words echo inside my ears. “Wh-what?”

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