Chapter 2

Serena's POV

"Back then, you held a knife to your own throat just to stop me from picking Ivy up. Why didn't you mention having a husband then?"

Adrian shouted through the car window.

"And now you suddenly claim you're married? Do you really expect me to believe such a pathetic lie?"

He let out a mocking laugh.

"You're just trying to make me jealous. Serena, that's an incredibly childish trick."

Childish?

Looking at his self-important expression, I realized I couldn't even bring myself to feel angry anymore.

All I felt was exhausted.

Three years.

And he still thought I'd lie just to get his attention.

I lowered the window and looked at him calmly.

"Mr. Rockwood, whether I have a husband or not has nothing to do with you."

"You—"

"And I'd appreciate it if you stopped bothering me from now on."

I rolled the window back up and pressed the accelerator.

Adrian stumbled backward as my car suddenly pulled away.

In the rearview mirror, I saw him standing motionless, his expression frighteningly dark.

By the time I got home, it was nearly midnight.

I lay in bed, but sleep wouldn't come.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the white walls of the psychiatric facility and the cold, indifferent faces of the staff.

Sometime in the early hours of the morning, a warm arm gently wrapped around me.

"Another nightmare?"

Noah Johnson's voice sounded beside my ear.

I turned and nestled against his chest.

He didn't ask any questions. He simply took my hand and gently placed it over my lower abdomen.

Our two babies were growing there.

"Don't be afraid, sweetheart."

He kissed my forehead.

"I'm right here. So are our babies. You're safe now."

At last, the tension that had gripped me all night began to ease.

The next day, I had no choice but to attend the project's review meeting at work.

As the lead person in charge, I couldn't afford to miss it.

After organizing my documents, I walked into the conference room.

Adrian was seated at the head of the table.

He looked as though he hadn't slept all night. Dark circles shadowed his bloodshot eyes.

The moment he saw me enter, he tapped his fingers against the table.

"Ms. Mercer."

His voice was as cold as ice.

"You're late."

I glanced at my watch.

"The meeting was scheduled for nine. It's nine-oh-one."

"Rockwood Group takes this project very seriously."

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze openly challenging me.

"If you can't even manage basic punctuality, it's difficult for me to trust you with the rest of the project."

I didn't argue.

Instead, I took a medical report from my folder and placed it on the table.

"Since Mr. Rockwood takes this partnership so seriously, there's something personal I'd like to bring up."

I slid the report toward him.

"I'm thirty-six weeks pregnant with twins. My doctor has advised me to reduce my workload. I'd like to handle the rest of the project remotely or have my deputy take over."

The conference room fell silent.

Adrian picked up the report.

His eyes landed on the number of weeks, and his fingers slowly tightened around the paper.

Thirty-six weeks.

That meant I'd already been pregnant before we'd even crossed paths again.

"That's impossible."

His voice came out hoarse.

"Serena, you're lying to me."

He raised his head, the gold in his eyes burning almost fiercely enough to catch fire.

"How could you make a mate bond with another wolf? How could you have his children?"