Chapter 13

Christina's POV A pang of guilt hit me. Louisa Granger had been the only person in his family who'd ever shown me genuine kindness.She used to call me "baby girl," and she really meant it. She remembered my birthdays. She bought me books that I actually read. She once said I had fire inside me, and that it was beautiful. Meanwhile, my mother thought my jewelry design was just a hobby I'd grow out of, and that fire belonged in a fireplace or hell. "Come to dinner," Niall continued, his tone crisp. "Just don't tell her about... you know, our rejection." Of course he wanted me to lie for him again. "Just tell her the truth," I said. "That her son is sleeping with my sister and decided I wasn't worth keeping around." "I can't tell her that!" "So what exactly are you suggesting? That I pretend we're still together? Play happy couples for your mommy's sake?" "Where's all that masculine bravado you were flaunting with Beatrice? If you're so infatuated with her, why don't you take her to dinne