Chapter 28: Meaningless apologies

Hudson, feeling a mix of regret and frustration, couldn't shake the image of Annette's tear-filled eyes and the stinging slap she had given him that echoed in his memory. He knew he had crossed the line with his hurtful words, and he thought of ways to apologize to her again so their contract would keep on going; not because he loved her, but because he couldn't allow Samuel or another man to have her, since he he had a deal with her.

So, he couldn't sleep the night as he waited by the door of his hotel room listening to see if she had come back or not. He waited and waited until he heard the familiar voices of Annette and Samuel speaking through the door.

There was no way he could go out now because he couldn't talk to Annette and ask for her forgiveness with Samuel there, so he still waited for him to leave.

"Are you going to be okay?" Hudson heard Samuel ask through the door of his room.

"Yeah, I guess it's not like I have a choice in the matter," Annette answered, with a sigh.

"He