Chapter 29

Serena pov

"Adrian, I'm so scared." He'd barely reached Helen's room when Elena threw herself into his arms, eyes red, trembling. "My mom just coughed up blood." He'd rushed over after her frantic call. Healers and nurses had arrived first and were examining Helen. Adrian held Elena, calming her. When the healer finished, he reassured them both. "Nothing to worry about. It wasn't true hemoptysis—just some blood in phlegm from ruptured capillaries during intense coughing. Minor issue—the body will heal itself." Elena exhaled in relief. After the healer left, she looked at Adrian sheepishly. "I panicked. I was terrified. You were the only one I could think of, so I called. I didn't interrupt your rest, did I?" "No. You can relax now." She smiled again, nodding vigorously. "Yes." "I'm glad you came." William arrived soon after. Once Elena explained, he relaxed too. "You've gone to a lot of trouble these past days," he told Adrian. "Elena's been exhausted caring for her mother. I'll take over now. You young ones should go out this weekend—relax." He added to Elena, "Take Adrian to dinner first, on behalf of your mother and me. When Helen's discharged, we'll formally invite him to the house." Elena couldn't hide her delight. "Okay!" Before leaving, she reminded William to pick up Helen's test results from the lab. He asked the caregiver to watch Helen, then headed to the lab. While sorting through reports, a familiar name caught his eye. He paused, flipped back. Grace Johnson. Gracie Johnson. Pronunciation close, spelling different. Age matched. Probably coincidence, he told himself. He set it aside and found Helen's report, thinking no more of it. Outside the hospital, Elena asked if Adrian had any restaurant in mind. He didn't. She suggested Tranquil Brook again. He had no objection. But midway to the car, he stopped abruptly. "What is it?" Elena asked. His gaze was fixed ahead. She followed it and immediately spotted Serena and Jack. She blinked in surprise. "Why are they together again?" The words sharpened the cold glint in Adrian's eyes. Elena didn't notice. She mused aloud, "Could Serena have hooked up with Jack that night at Westend Eternal?" The thought made her scoff. "Your secretary has some moves, Adrian." He offered no opinion, only withdrew his gaze. His voice was even cooler than before. "Let's go eat." Elena hurried to keep up, but glanced back at the pair with a meaningful look. I'd seen them too. As expected—Elena had summoned him. I'd told him clearly we were finished. He hadn't even responded—just taken her call and walked away. As if I wasn't worth another word. I never knew ending a relationship cleanly could be so impossible. The ending was always messier than the beginning. But it didn't matter anymore. I'd drawn the line myself. Whether he acknowledged it or not no longer mattered. Jack had come to take me to dinner. He'd decided how I could repay him. I hadn't expected Tranquil Brook. Life could be painfully ironic. The restaurant I'd dreamed of visiting with Adrian—he brought Elena. And I came with Jack. "Don't like it?" Jack asked, seeing me hesitate. He assumed I disliked the place. "We can go somewhere else." "No," I shook my head, smiling faintly. "I love it here." I'd loved the idea of coming here on a date with someone I loved. "I figured you would. It's hugely popular online—most she-wolves adore the vibe." He'd booked a private room, elegant and serene. The atmosphere lifted my lingering gloom. When he handed me the menu, he reminded me, "Nothing spicy—your stomach." I ordered everything I'd once craved, including a few spicy dishes. Before he could object, I admitted fault and promised just a taste. "Last time," he relented. Mid-meal his phone rang. He stepped out to take it. When he returned, someone was with him. Tyler. Tyler hadn't expected to find me dining with his cousin. Jack started, "Let me introduce—" "I know her," Tyler cut in. "Serena—Adrian's secretary. No introduction needed." Same as always—his look dripped mockery and disdain. For Jack's sake, I said nothing. "Jack, Adrian and Elena are here too," Tyler told him. "Come join." He said you, singular. The invitation clearly excluded me. Jack declined politely. "I have things to discuss with Serena. You go ahead." "Fine." Tyler looked put out—he hadn't expected Jack to choose me over them. He left. Elena had asked the server to add settings for Tyler. When he entered, his face was stormy. She smiled. "What's wrong?" He didn't want to sour the mood by mentioning me. He shook his head. "Nothing." Elena was exceptional—Serena couldn't compare. There was no comparison at all. So Jack and Serena were probably just having a normal meal. And after dating someone as outstanding as Elena, Jack wouldn't be interested in a she-wolf like Serena. That thought settled Tyler. Sitting with two top finance graduates, Tyler couldn't contribute. He listened quietly as they discussed projects, risks, prospects. It only reinforced his belief: Adrian and Elena were the perfect match. A she-wolf like Serena wasn't even fit to carry Elena's shoes.