Wrong Bride, Real Goodbye Chapter 03

Wrong Bride, Real Goodbye Chapter 03

Ivy’s POV

I left the Pack hospital and dropped off some of my things in storage.

When I got back to the house, Adrian was already there.

Bella greeted me at the door like she owned the place.

She still had the Moon Temple’s blessing oil on her, and the way she carried herself made it clear she already thought of herself as Silvercrest’s Luna.

“Ivy, we’re out of house slippers. You’ll have to use the disposable ones.”

I looked down.

My slippers were on her feet.

The ones Adrian had bought me, with my initials embroidered on the toes.

Because my feet are small, they were the smallest size.

Bella’s heels hung off the back.

They didn’t fit her anywhere, and she was parading around in them in front of me on purpose.

Clearly just trying to get under my skin.

I looked past her into the living room.

Adrian was playing video games with his friends. Like he hadn’t seen a thing.

I didn’t say anything.

I bent down and put on the disposable slippers.

A cold draft hit me the moment I stepped inside.

My sinuses flared up immediately. I sneezed three times in a row.

Someone had cranked the AC down low.

It was freezing, cutting straight through to the bone.

That finally got Adrian’s attention.

He took the remote out of my hand.

“Bella’s wolf runs hot.”

“She can’t handle it warmer.”

“Bear with it for a bit.”

The words were polite. The action was non-negotiable.

He turned right back to his game without another word.

Bella shot me a light, dismissive glance, smirked, and went to join them.

Not one person looked at me. Not really.

I stood there like a stranger who didn’t belong.

A shiver ran through me.

Then I spoke.

“How long exactly?”

The game sounds cut out.

Adrian turned around, already looking impatient.

“Two hours, tops.”

“Put on more clothes.”

“I have sinus issues. I can’t handle cold air like this.”

“Then that’s your problem.”

Adrian twisted the controller hard enough to break it.

The room went awkward fast.

His friends exchanged glances and started trying to smooth things over.

“Ivy, why don’t you go hang out in the bedroom? You can control the temperature in there separately.”

“We’ll be gone soon.”

I said sure and walked in.

The second the door clicked shut, I heard snickering from the other side.

“Why are you even being nice to her? You see how Adrian can’t even be bothered with her?”

“Kind of pitiful, honestly.”

“Pitiful people usually deserve it.”

“I can’t stand she-wolves who pull this stuff. All that wounded dignity nonsense.”

“She acts so above it all, but you think she can actually walk away from Adrian?”

“That’s the thing. Nobody bends over backward like Ivy does.”

Ha.

They were openly mocking me.

Adrian didn’t say a single word.

Which meant he agreed with all of it.

I checked the time.

Monday was tomorrow.

I pulled out the last of my luggage and walked out the door.

The laughter died on their faces.

Adrian’s expression went cold.

“Really? You’re doing this over a thermostat?”

Bella stood up, eyes going glossy.

“This is my fault.”

“Ivy, you stay. I’ll leave.”

But before she could take a single step, Adrian was already on his feet.

“Don’t move.”

“She wants to go, she can go.”

His friends looked like they were finally done with me too.

Someone let out an annoyed scoff.

“It’s just a jacket. This is really what we’re doing?”

“What is her problem?”

“She acts like she owns this place.”

“Anyone actually on her side?”

“No wonder she’s got no Pack backing.”

“With that attitude, I’m surprised anyone tolerates her.”

My whole body went rigid.

I swallowed hard against the ache building in my chest and turned slowly to look at Adrian.

He just stared back at me, face blank, and said it slow and clear:

“Walk out that door and don’t come back.”

“The registration slot at Pack Hall won’t wait for you.”

Even now. Even at this moment.

His first instinct was to threaten me.

I wasn’t sure if what I felt was relief or release.

I smiled a little.

And walked out.

A crash exploded behind the door.

Adrian had just smashed his favorite game console to pieces.