chapter 13

serena pov

After the chaos, a crowd rushed to free them. I was pushed aside by the surge. My body swayed uncontrollably until I hit the wall to steady myself.

Through the throng, I clearly saw Adrian pinning Elena safely beneath him.

Pain flared from my injured arm.

I looked at the wound and gave a faint, self-mocking smile.

The panic, fear, and worry that had surged moments ago faded quickly from my heart.

I slowly came to my senses.

Habits are terrifying.

In that critical second, I had still instinctively tried to protect Adrian.

Like three years ago, when I accompanied him to inspect a real estate project out of town.

A dispute arose between the developer and locals. Someone threw things at Adrian.

I blocked for him without thinking. When they readied a second round of rotten eggs, I slapped the attacker hard.

That fierce slap sent blackwood Business's stock soaring against the market.

But the wolf I had once protected with my life now shielded another without hesitation.

Ryan confirmed Adrian wasn't badly hurt and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Elena was terrified—eyes red, voice tearful. "Adrian, does it hurt?"

"Minor. Doesn't hurt. Don't worry."

He soothed her gently.

"You're bleeding—how can it not hurt?"

Elena choked up, gently blowing on his wounds. "I'll go to the healer with you."

"No need." Adrian didn't mind.

But Elena insisted. "We have to. Adrian! Listen to me, okay?"

Under her soft and firm coaxing, Adrian nodded.

Since it happened at SkyBlade, Ryan naturally accompanied them.

He quickly arranged a car and escorted Adrian personally.

Only after everyone was in did Ryan remember me. "Where's Serena? How did she not come? It was so chaotic—I don't know if she got hurt."

Elena said, "She was pretty far back. Should be fine. And she's not a pup—if hurt, she'd say."

The scene had been too hectic. Ryan hadn't noticed my side.

Adrian spoke. "Don't bother with her."

Ryan told the driver to head to the healer.

I was actually nearby—so I clearly heard Adrian's words.

Don't bother with her.

Simple words—emotionless, cold.

As chilling as Galathia Pack's rain—bone-deep.

I looked at my injured arm and smiled mockingly.

Ten years of feelings—in the end, utterly meaningless.

Long roads ahead—I was the first piece of luggage he discarded.

…

I returned to Jendris pack that night. Before boarding, I messaged Adrian's work number, informing him I was heading back.

Unsurprisingly, no reply.

Perhaps he didn't see it. Or he was busy.

That's what I thought on the plane.

After landing and turning on my phone—still nothing.

But a notification: Adrian had just posted an update.

Unexpected.

Adrian never posted.

Curious, I clicked to see what the perpetual non-poster had shared.

"Being cared for feels doubly warm."

With a photo attached.

Just an ordinary food picture.

But it was a moving gif—clicking played audio.

Elena cooing to Adrian: "Adrian, you're hurt—you need to eat more to heal fast. I specially got this fish soup for you. It helps wounds recover."

The gif timed out, so Adrian's reply wasn't audible.

But the answer was obvious.

He had posted it, after all.

Yet I clearly remembered: Adrian hated fish.

Even loathed it.

But for Elena, he would eat what he despised.

And risk his alcohol allergy to drink for her.

That must be true love.

Before exiting, two comments popped up under the post.

From Damon—a mutual friend of Adrian and mine.

I only had Damon as a contact because of Adrian.

Their circle often gathered. Once, late at night, Damon called me saying Adrian had drunk and felt unwell—asked me to rush allergy medicine.

Adrian's phone was dead. To get the location, I added Damon.

I kept him after. Whenever Adrian joined their gatherings, I messaged Damon, begging him to watch Adrian and keep him from drinking.

Damon never replied.

I knew—he disdained responding to me.

Like the rest of Adrian's circle friends—they all looked down on me.

Before, I didn't care. Love was between two—it didn't concern others.

So their opinions never mattered.

Now, Damon excitedly commented on Adrian's post.

"Never thought I'd see Adrian flaunt love on his feed in my lifetime! True love indeed!"

The second seemed a reply to someone.

"Isn't true love meant to be shown? Not showing it means it's not love!"

Yes—not showing means not loving.

I seemed to learn this lesson late.

In those long ten years, I never appeared on Adrian's feed.

Even our relationship—only a few knew.

And I had loved him namelessly for a decade.

Sincerity exhausted—the final lesson is letting go.

Over the weekend, I packed all of Adrian's things and had the moving pack office take them to the pack office warehouse.

The once-stuffed room finally cleared.

It looked much better.

Scanning around, my eyes landed on the brocade box with the rings.

I still hadn't decided what to do with them.

Monday, as soon as Adrian arrived, he buzzed my extension for the weekly meeting prep.

But Chloe answered.

Adrian frowned. "Where's Serena?"

"Serena's on sick leave."

"She's sick?" Adrian sounded puzzled.

Chloe was more puzzled. "You didn't know? Serena was on the trip with you. She got hit by falling items at SkyBlade's factory—that's why the leave!"

Silence on the other end, then: "Got it."

Right after the morning meeting, Adrian got a call from his friend Joe Whitaker.

"Adrian, Serena's resigning from blackwood Business?"

Adrian frowned. "Why do you say that?"

Joe explained. "Playing golf today, I heard from Leon Quinn at Unity Reach Business—Ethan set up a meeting with Serena for him. I was shocked—thought no way Serena would leave blackwood Business, leave you. Must be Ethan bluffing! But Leon sounded convinced, so I'm checking with you."

"False." Adrian denied flatly.

Joe laughed. "Knew it!"

Everyone was certain Serena wouldn't leave blackwood Business.

Leave Adrian.

Including Adrian himself.