Chapter 48

Serena’s POV

I shook my head, not wanting to overthink anything. It's not worth it.

“I shouldn’t listen to him,” I muttered, staring at the phone screen. “He can’t just ask me to do something and I do it.”

My wolf, Anna, was unusually quiet this time, but her smug amusement was palpable.

I sighed, shoved my phone under the pillow, and forced myself to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up to sunlight streaming through the window. I hurriedly showered and got dressed, already running late for work. As I rifled through my closet, I spotted a purple blouse—soft, silky, and impossible to ignore.

“Forget it,” I muttered, grabbing a white blouse and black skirt. I started to close the closet but paused. Aeson’s messages flashed in my head. My hand faltered, and I yanked the closet door open again.

“There’s no big deal in wearing it,” I said to no one in particular, shrugging. I grabbed the purple blouse and swapped it with the white one.

The blouse felt unnervingly comfortable, almost like it belonged because I never wore it. I didn't like it and it was Everly who made me buy it some time back. I didn’t have time to question it further—I was already late. I rushed to board a taxi, narrowly avoiding a major traffic jam.

I reached the company just in time. The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped onto my office floor. My steps faltered when I saw Caiden pacing outside my office door. His usual confidence was missing, replaced by a restless energy. He stopped pacing when he saw me and blinked. His expression was neutral, but something was off.

“Caiden,” I said cautiously.

Without a word, he closed the distance and pulled me into a hug. His arms were strong, almost suffocating, and I squirmed until he finally let go, his hands still resting on my shoulders.

“I missed you, Serena. I was worried about you all night,” he said. His eyes searched mine. “You didn’t wait for me in your office. You just left.”

“Oh, but I sent a message…”

“I saw it,” he cut in. “You said something urgent came up, but I got more worried when you didn’t answer my calls.”

His worry tugged at my guilt. I avoided his calls because I didn’t know how to explain last night without digging a deeper hole.

“I’m sorry,” I said, avoiding his gaze.

“Sorry? You don’t need to be sorry,” he said softly. “But you should’ve told me if everything was fine when you got home.”

“Um, yeah. It was,” I stammered.

He nodded, his smile softening. That smile only made me feel worse. He trusted me without hesitation. And I was lying.

“So, what came up last night that made you leave?” he asked.

“Well… I…” I started, fumbling for an excuse.

“You should know it all, Caiden,” Aeson’s voice cut in. He walked up to us, his timing far too perfect. My shoulders tensed.

Caiden ignored him, but Aeson wasn’t done.

“You should be preparing for the board meeting instead of bothering Serena first thing in the morning,” Aeson scolded softly.

Caiden hissed. “Why don’t you mind your own business?”

“I’m just saying,” Aeson replied with an infuriating calmness.

Hades’s voice sliced in, siding with Aeson. “He has have a point, Caiden.”

Caiden scowled. “You’re both a pain in my ass, but I don’t care.” His eyes flicked back to me, narrowing as he looked at my blouse. “Why are you wearing this today?”

I froze. My gaze shifted to Aeson, who was watching me closely. His eyes gleamed with barely concealed satisfaction.

“It looks awful on you,” Caiden scoffed.

“No. It looks fabulous,” Hades countered, his gaze warm. “I think your eyes aren’t working right this morning, Caiden.”

“They are. The color doesn’t suit her,” Caiden muttered.

“Well, I asked her to wear it,” Aeson revealed, his tone smug.

I squeezed my eyes shut. Why did he have to say that?

Aeson’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he tilted his head slightly. “I love purple,” he added, almost proudly.

Caiden snorted. “Of course, you do. Only an uninteresting person like you would have such a damn obsession with dull colors. It doesn’t suit Serena. It makes her look… oblivious.”

My hands drummed on my slides, but before I could say anything, Hades stepped forward.

“Oblivious?” he repeated with a cold edge. “I think Serena would look good in anything, regardless of the color.”

Something about Hades’s words stirred something in me. They were catchy, almost too smooth, but undeniably flattering. I hated to admit it, but I felt a tiny flicker of pride.

Caiden’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, so now you’re her fashion expert?”

“I don’t need to be,” Hades replied smoothly. “It’s called having eyes, Caiden. You should try using them.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Caiden shot back, his voice rising. “Purple isn’t her color, no matter what you say.”

“I think you’re just bitter because you didn’t notice her blouse first,” Aeson chimed in, his smirk widening.

They were all raising their voices now, and I could feel my skin heating up. A few curious glances were being thrown in our direction from staff passing by. The last thing I wanted was to be the subject of office gossip.

“Enough!” I snapped, stepping between them. Their eyes snapped to me. I lowered my voice, cautiously. “It’s okay for you all to have your opinions, but I don’t have a problem with what I’m wearing.”

Aeson opened his mouth, but I cut him off with a look.

Without waiting for another word, I turned and walked away. My heart thudded in my chest as I hurried down the hallway, every step feeling heavier than the last. The weight of their stares followed me all the way to my office.

Later in the day, I went to Aeson’s office to hand him the project file he needed to review. His head lifted as I placed the file on his desk. Just as I turned to leave, his voice stopped me.

“Thank you for wearing that blouse.”

I froze. Counting silently to three, I forced a neutral expression and turned to meet his gaze. His eyes held a strange intensity.

“I just wore it. Nothing much,” I replied flatly. “You’re welcome anyway.”

He nodded, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table. The repetitive sound made my heart beat faster. His gaze remained on me, steady and probing.

I felt the weight of it, and before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “I’m sorry I missed your message yesterday. It wasn’t like I was avoiding you.”

Why was I explaining myself? I owed him nothing. Yet under that gaze, I felt compelled.

“It’s alright,” he said quietly.

I nodded and walked out. As I reached my office door, I heard my name.

“Serena.”

I turned to see Caiden striding toward me. His usual charming smile was gone, replaced with an unreadable expression.

When he reached me, his eyes burned with a barely controlled frustration. Grabbing my hand firmly, he said, “I want to talk to you. In private.”

“Caiden—” I began, but he didn’t wait. He started walking, dragging me along.

Before we made it three steps, Hades appeared, blocking our path. His presence was sudden and commanding.

“I’m not letting you take her away in this manner,” Hades declared, his voice firm.

Caiden groaned in frustration and shoved Hades back with surprising force. I gasped as Hades slid back a few steps, his eyes flashing red.

A low growl rumbled from Hades’s chest as he stepped forward to retaliate.

“Stop, Hades!” I lifted my hands, stepping between them. “I’ll go with Caiden.”

Both men froze, tension crackling in the air.