Chapter 26

Serena pov

All the grievances I'd endured in recent days crashed over me in that moment, like a tidal wave breaking against a dam. Even the strongest defenses I'd built crumbled in an instant. Emotion overpowered reason. In a rush of impulse, I wanted to confront Adrian and demand answers. By the time my head cleared a little, I was already standing below his building. The cold wind whipped relentlessly. I'd come in such a hurry I hadn't even grabbed a coat. Icy chills burrowed into my neck. Since I was here anyway, I decided to have an honest talk with Adrian. But just as I pulled out my phone, I saw his car pulling in from outside. The headlights blinded me. When my eyes adjusted, the car had already parked smoothly in his private spot. I opened my mouth to call out, but then Elena stepped out of the passenger side, eyes curved in a happy smile. The sound lodged in my throat. I couldn't make a single noise. Adrian got out, went to the trunk, and pulled out a small, delicate pink suitcase. Clearly a she-wolf's. Then the two of them walked inside, talking and laughing. The moment the door closed, another piece of my heart seemed to flake away. For a long, long time, I couldn't move. So soon… they'd already started living together? Of course. After loving each other for years, finally able to be open about it—why wait? Only someone who doesn't love, who doesn't care, would drag things out. What marathon romance? In the end, it's just indifference. In that instant, everything became clear. The cold ashes settled in my chest. I stood in the tree shadows, watching the lights come on inside the apartment. Pain stabbed through my already numb heart. I faced it squarely, without turning away. Once, I'd entrusted half of myself to Adrian. To pull away, I had to kill the half of me that lived in him. Then stitch together the bloody, mangled half that remained… I numbly accepted that love could end just like that—forcing myself to leave in the most painful way possible. That night, I truly stood in the cold wind for a very, very long time… I watched the lights inside go from on to off. In that long, agonizing stretch, so many things I hadn't understood finally made sense. … Unable to secure the consultation slot, I prepared to transfer Grace to the best oncology hospital in Delmora Pack. But before I could complete the paperwork, Jack called. He told me he'd arranged for the top expert in the pack to come to the hospital and perform the surgery on Grace. Leonard also advised against transferring. Grace's condition wasn't stable—moving her could cause psychological and physical stress, hindering recovery. The best option now was to wait for the expert to operate here. I accepted the advice. The massive weight that had been crushing my chest finally lightened a little. I told Jack I didn't know how to thank him—I owed him an enormous favor. He'd even flown overnight to Delmora Pack to bring the expert back. I had to repay this debt. "Keep it on the tab. I'll let you know when I think of something," Jack said. He was still waiting at the airport. "What time do you land?" I figured that after such a huge favor, the least I could do was treat him to dinner. "What—you coming to pick me up?" "Do you want me to?" "Of course!" Jack wasn't the type to stand on ceremony. I answered just as quickly. "Fine. Send me the flight details. I'll be there on time." That afternoon Chloe messaged that there was a delivery for me at the office. I swung by Blackwood business. When I opened it, I found the gown I'd ordered earlier. For the celebration banquet. When I'd ordered it, I'd been full of anticipation—imagining I'd already successfully proposed to Adrian. The whole pack office would know who I was, so I'd openly chosen matching couple outfits. I'd wanted the world to witness our love. Just as Adrian now wanted the world to see his devotion to Elena. Only I would never wear that gown. I'd just finished steaming it when Adrian called, telling me to pick up formalwear from Evermode Studio. Confusion filled me on the drive. I'd always handled Adrian's suits for banquets and events. Why was he suddenly ordering his own? When I collected it, I realized how naive I'd been. It was a women's gown. But not my size. I didn't need to check—I knew it had been custom-made for Elena. The order date was even earlier than mine. So while I'd been daydreaming about proposing, he'd already been designing a gown for Elena. What a laughable truth. Despite all the desensitization I'd been forcing on myself lately, this discovery still sent sharp, prickling pain through my chest. Even breathing hurt. I told myself: It will get better. Everything will get better. Once I leave Adrian, everything will be okay. I hung the gown neatly, printed another resignation letter, placed it in Adrian's office, and left right on time. Once again, punctual. Chloe seemed used to it now—no longer surprised like before. Seeing me touch up my lipstick before leaving, she grew curious. "Serena, got a date tonight?" "Something like that." I packed up, said goodbye to Chloe, and clocked out. Chloe still had work, so she stayed late. Halfway through overtime, Adrian called on the intercom. "Where's Serena?" "She's gone for the day." Adrian sounded puzzled. "Gone again?" "Yeah." Chloe caught the surprise in his voice. He should be surprised. The old Serena rarely left on time. If Adrian was in the office, she'd never leave early. After a pause, Adrian hung up. Chloe didn't know what his expression was, but from his tone, he clearly wasn't used to it. The old Serena had answered his every call, responded to his every need. But the recent me—my distance—was making him inexplicably irritable. When Elena came looking for him, she pushed the door open with a smile. "Adrian, how much longer until you're off?" "Soon. Just a few more documents to sign." "Then I'll wait. We can have dinner together." Adrian focused on the files. When he reached the last one, his hand paused. Resignation letter. Another resignation letter. The second one this month. Was she still throwing a tantrum?