“I said, apologize,” he repeated, his gaze cold. “Don’t make me say it twice.”
“What if I don’t?” My voice shook, but I still asked.
His expression didn’t change. “Then maybe the cooperation between your family and mine… needs to be reconsidered. You understand what I mean, right?”
My heart dropped. So this was it? He was using my family now. Everything they worked for… he could crush it with one word.
The room went silent.
For a few seconds, I couldn’t hear anything.
Then slowly, I lowered my head.
“…I’m sorry,” I said, my voice hoarse.
Amber covered her cheek, looking at me through tears. “Ms. Hereford… are you really apologizing? Or is this just how people like you say sorry? It doesn’t feel real…”
My fists clenched.
My nails dug into my palms.
Then I bent down.
Deep.
“I’m sorry,” I said again, my voice breaking but clear. “I shouldn’t have hit you. It was my fault. Please forgive me.”
Hudson didn’t say anything.
Amber sniffed softly. “I still… don’t feel sincerity…”
“Mikayla,” Hudson said, his voice colder now. “Don’t even think about leaving until you apologize properly.”
My lips trembled.
“I’m sorry,” I said again, biting down hard so I wouldn’t cry. “It won’t happen again. I swear.”