Adrian’s POV

After Natalia left the pack, I stayed in the pack company apartment. I didn't want to go home, though I couldn't explain why.

Today was my visiting day with my father. I drove to the pack house and found him pacing the living room. He seemed agitated. I approached him, unsure of the cause of his distress.

"Dad," I said.

He looked at me and asked, "Why do you get drunk every day?"

I remained silent. I didn't care to answer. He was blackmailing me, using something rightfully mine to ruin my life. Things would have been different if I hadn't listened to him and married Natalia two years ago.

My father's eyes grew gloomier as my silence continued. He ordered, "Come to my room."

I followed him. [The following sentence is incomplete and unclear; it needs to be rewritten or removed. The original text reads: "During that + 15 BONUS quietly looking at us. I was going to ask her what had happened, but 1 refrained from doing so. Since I was going with my father, I knew that he would de"]

I entered my parents' room and looked around. After closing the door, my father asked, "I heard you're going to marry Lynda."

I frowned. I hadn't made any such commitment. I didn't know who started that rumor. However, Lynda deserved to be with me. She was instrumental in who I am today, and marrying her wouldn't be a wrong choice.

"Why are you silent? Are you really going to marry that evil woman?"

He called Lynda "evil," and I grimaced. I didn't want to explain, so I simply asked, "What's wrong with marrying Lynda?"

My father roared, his eyes reddening as he punched me. My anger flared, but I controlled myself; he was my father. Anyone else would have a broken hand.

He began to scold me. "I chose the perfect woman for you. She cared for you for two years. But you divorced her! Now you want to marry that homewrecker?"

"Dad, please."

"Please? You should have told me before breaking the pack bond with Natalia! That poor girl had to leave"

His words made me wonder: if I'd stopped him that day, would Natalia have stayed?

I drove home, seething with annoyance. Entering my house, I saw a woman in a white dress. My legs froze. Her back was to me.

Natalia? I thought.

"So, you came back," I said sarcastically.

The woman turned, smiling brightly. "Adrian, you're back?"

I was shocked. "It's you!"

It was Lynda, wearing Natalia's dress.

"What's wrong? Don't you want to see me?" she asked, approaching.

I frowned. "Why are you wearing Natalia's dress?"

She looked nervous. "I spilled coffee. I'm just borrowing it. She can't be that petty, can she?"

The dress irritated me, though I didn't know why.

Lynda put her arms around my neck, leaning in to kiss me. My mind flashed back to Natalia in that dress. I pushed Lynda away.

She looked surprised.

I glared. "Don't wear her dress again; it doesn't suit you."

Tears welled in her eyes. I seemed to have scared her, but I didn't care. No one should affect me like that. Yet, I was affected. I was irritated. Whenever I got close to Lynda, Natalia's face appeared in my mind. Why?

Each day ended in confusion. Natalia, absent from my life, still angered me.

"I'll wait for you at the bar tonight," I heard Lynda say.

I turned, noticing a scar on her arm. Remembering Lynda risking her life for me, I sighed, regretting my harshness. I shouldn't be so rude to her.

I took her hand, and she hugged me. I hugged back, despite lacking feelings. She loved me; I couldn't use her. She was important, and I needed to care for her.

Breaking the hug, I said, "See you at the bar tonight."

[The final promotional sentence has been removed as it is not part of the narrative.]