Chapter 19

Serena pov

I pasted on another fake smile. "Nothing. Items delivered. I'll head back to the pack office." I just wanted to find food and shake off the bad taste in my mouth. Adrian was probably eager to get back to charming his future in-laws, so he let it go. I grabbed a quick meal at a nearby place. The food eased my stomach a little. Then I drove toward Royal Business. I'd barely reached the parking lot when the hospital called. After hearing the situation, my face changed. "I'm close—I'll be right there!" I sped over, parked, and ran inside. At the entrance I accidentally bumped into someone. A middle-aged wolf in a crisp suit, hair perfectly combed. His expression turned icy, brows knitting. I was in a rush, so I only managed a quick apology before hurrying on. I made sure he was unhurt first, of course. What I didn't know was that he kept staring after me, lost in thought. Until Elena appeared and called him. He snapped back. "Daddy, what were you looking at? I called you several times." She came over and looped her arm through his, pouting sweetly. William Lawson's face softened instantly for his daughter. "Nothing. Why are you down here alone?" "Mom sent me. She misses you, obviously." "I'm sorry I've been away on business so much. I've neglected her." Guilt colored his voice. Elena comforted him. "Mom understands. She's not upset. Come on—she's waiting." His assistant came in carrying flowers. Elena's eyes lit up. "Mom will love these. You always think of everything, Daddy." … When I reached oncology, Grace Johnson had already finished part of her tests. Results weren't back yet. Seeing me breathless, she gave me a reassuring smile. "Serena, you're here. I told Healer Leonard Price not to call you—it's just routine. She wouldn't listen. I didn't interrupt your work, did I?" My nose stung. Even now, she was worried about inconveniencing me. "No interruption. Mom, why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well?" "Just an old complaint. Nothing serious. I know my own body." She reached out and touched my newly gaunt cheek, eyes full of heartache. "You've lost weight again. Is work too much?" "No, I'm trying to slim down." I swallowed the lump in my throat. Grace frowned, torn between scolding and tenderness. "You're not even heavy. Why lose weight?" "So I can wear pretty gowns." I grasped at any excuse to ease her mind. She paused, then brightened. "Did Adrian ask to form a sacred bond with you?" The question hit like a blow to the chest. I nearly cracked. But Grace was still happy for me, joy clear in her voice. "I finally get to see this day. You don't know how long I've waited." "Sometimes I worried I wouldn't live to see it. Thank goodness I did." "Now I won't have to worry about you being alone." I couldn't hold it together. Afraid she'd see the tears threatening to spill, I turned away under the pretense of asking a nurse something. "Is Healer Leonard in his office?" The nurse said yes. I mumbled that I'd go ask about the results and fled the room. The moment the door closed, the tears I'd held back broke free. I didn't want Grace to know, so I kept walking until I found a quiet corner. Only then did I let them fall. I pressed a hand to my throat, swallowing every sound. In the adult world, collapse is always silent. Not far away, two voices passed by. "Adrian, thank you for coming to see my mother today. Her mood's so much better. The healer says good spirits help recovery." The she-wolf's voice was soft, coaxing. Adrian answered, "No need to thank me. I already spoke to Grant. He mentioned an other packs expert team visiting soon—I'll have him arrange for your mother." His care moved her further. "Adrian, you're so good to me. I don't know how to repay you." "Silly. Did I ever ask for repayment?" Strange. I was crying hard enough to fall apart, yet hearing this steadied me. Like a sedative. More accurately—like ice around my heart. A venture capitalist, a wolf who lived for profit, claiming he wanted nothing in return? Only because it was Elena. His hidden white moonlight, loved in silence for years. For her, he gave freely. Protected her career, tended to every detail of her life. Gave everything he had. … "Adrian, thank you truly—for being willing to donate bone marrow to my mother." At eighteen, I'd once thanked a wolf with the same sincerity. Adrian had been twenty-one then, just as cold as now. His gaze held no warmth. "Words are meaningless, Serena. I'm not the kind who acts without return. And I see no sincerity from you." Young, unscarred by the world, I'd puzzled over his meaning. In the end, face burning, I began unbuttoning my shirt, one button at a time. I had nothing then. The only thing I thought might interest him was my young body. When I reached the last button, he stopped me. He politely looked away, voice no longer quite so cold—almost flustered. "That's not what I meant." Humiliated, I turned, fumbling to redo the buttons, cheeks on fire. In the end, he offered repayment: come work for him at Royal Business. Back then, the pack office was barely surviving—just four wolves including Adrian. I joined as an intern, making five. We worked out of a cramped, converted warehouse atop an old residential building. Sweltering in summer, freezing in winter. That year Jendris pack suffered a once-in-fifty-years heatwave—over forty days above one hundred six degrees. The warehouse was an oven. I suffered heatstroke three times. Nearly died… By every measure, I'd struggled alongside him from the beginning. Just when Royal Business was finally thriving, when we could have shared the rewards— I was cast aside. It really was true, that old saying: Once you've made it to shore, the very first thing you do is cut down the partner who struggled alongside you through all the hardship.