"No." I threw the word over my shoulder. "I know you staged your staff so I'd feed you a kiwi dessert."
His footsteps slowed behind me. "They probably heard something online and ran with it. I didn't stage anyone, Miley."
"I don't believe you.You're probably acting right now."
Pain flickered in his voice. "I have no reason to lie about this."
I glanced back despite myself. For a second, he looked devastated. It wasn’t the frustration I’d braced for, not some practiced defense. He held my eyes and didn’t reach for a single word, like he couldn't understand why I wouldn't believe him.
Maybe he was telling the truth. But even if he was, it didn't change what had happened. It didn't undo the damage.
"Miley—” he called again.
I spun around. "What?"
Christopher stopped a few feet away. He didn't reach for me this time. He just stood there, hands loose at his sides, looking strangely lost.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then his gaze dropped to my wrist.
"I'm sorry."
I blinked. "What?"
His shoulder tensed, like the apology physically cost him something. "For earlier. I shouldn't have grabbed your wrist like that."
His apology knocked the wind out of my anger, enough to make me hesitate, even if I was nowhere near ready to forgivehim. Christopher Vale apologizing felt about as common as a solar eclipse.
"I was angry," he continued, rubbing his thumb against his palm once, like he was trying to erase the moment. "That's not an excuse. I shouldn't have taken it out on you.”
I stared. He looked uncomfortable. Genuinely uncomfortable.
Good. He deserved to be uncomfortable.
"So that's it?" I asked, folding my arms. "You apologize and everything's magically fixed?”
"No."
"Good answer."
A corner of his mouth twitched. I hated that I noticed.
"Why?" I asked, narrowing my eyes slightly.
His expression sobered instantly. "Why what?"
"Why did seeing me with Dominic make you lose your mind?"
His gaze shifted away. For the first time since I'd met him, Christopher looked like a man who genuinely didn't have an answer.
"I don't know."
"That's ridiculous."
"I know."
"You dragged me out of a hospital because you don't know?"
"I know."
