Oops, I Married Your Buddy

Since Johan and I decided on a honeymoon, I booked the flight right away.

But first—I had to pack. No way was I crashing at my ex's place now that I was married.

I'd barely hit the road when my phone lit up.

Noah.

Usually, once he blocked me, I'd be groveling for weeks before he'd "forgive" me. Now he was calling the next day? Definitely about Freya.

Called it. The second I picked up, he snapped.

"Who told you to block Freya? She's sensitive, Adelyn. You triggered her! Get to the bar and apologize—now."

Even though I'd finally moved on, it still stung—how fast he'd go to war for her, how her tears meant more than anything I'd ever said.

"I didn't do anything wrong. I'm not apologizing. Besides, I'm already ma—"

He cut me off with a cold laugh.

"Not coming? Adelyn Astor, who do you think you are? Your grandma's still in our hospital. If you're not here in thirty minutes, she's out."

He always knew where to hit hardest.

I panicked.

"This is between us. Leave my grandma out of it!"

Click. He'd already hung up.

My hands shook as I spun the car around. Noah wasn't bluffing. He'd burn the world down for Freya.

Grandma was all I had. I couldn't risk it.

I slammed the gas. Barreled toward the bar.

Right as I was pulling in, a motorcycle cut me off. I swerved—hard—and slammed into a pillar.

Pain exploded in my chest. Might've cracked a rib.

Didn't matter.

I stumbled out, bleeding, and pushed through the doors.

The staff froze. One of them rushed over.

"Miss, you need a hospital—"

I grabbed his arm.

"Where's Noah Robisch? Take me to him!"

The door to the private room flew open. I stood there—bloodied, hair a mess. The room fell dead silent.

Noah's face shifted. He started to stand.

Freya gasped and flung herself into his arms, all trembling and wide-eyed. Noah melted, instantly shielding her with his hand like I was some kind of monster.

Then he turned to me—and just like that, the softness vanished.

"Adelyn, what are you doing? You look like a horror show. I told you to apologize, not freak Freya out!"

I didn't answer. Just walked over to Freya and, with Noah watching, dropped my head.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have blocked you."

I unblocked her. Checked the time—twenty-nine minutes since Noah called.

Blood trickled into my eyes, tinting everything red. I didn't wipe it. Just faced Noah.

"Happy now? Leave my grandma alone. I'll transfer her soon—"

He cut me off, furious.

"You did all this just for your grandma?"

What else did he think?

I gave a dry, bitter smile.

There was no way I still had any illusions left.

Noah looked like he had more to say—until Freya let out a dramatic gasp.

"Why is there blood on my shoes?"

She looked up at him, all doe-eyed and pitiful.

"Noah, these are the heels you bought me. They're ruined."

He threw an arm around her and snapped,

"Clean it off."

Next thing I knew, someone kicked me from behind. I nearly hit the floor right in front of her.

I caught myself on the bar, but sent a tray of drinks flying—straight onto Freya.

She shrieked.

"Adelyn! I get that you hate me, but did you really have to dump drinks on me?"

Her dress was already tissue-thin. Now soaked, she stood there sneezing over and over.

Noah threw his jacket over Freya like she was royalty and glared at me, pure ice.

"Didn't think you were this heartless. Bullying Freya right in front of me?"

"I didn't mean to—someone kicked me—"

He didn't care.

"Since you don't know your place, maybe it's time your grandma gets tossed out. You clearly need a wake-up call before you go tormenting Freya as a married woman."

Panic surged. I grabbed his sleeve.

"Punish me, do whatever—just leave my grandma out of it!"

He didn't even flinch. Just scooped Freya into his arms and kicked me aside like trash.

His foot slammed right into my injured ribs. The pain knocked the air clean out of me.

"Please, don't hurt her! I'll kneel, I'll beg Freya, I'll call off the marriage—just don't—"

But he was already walking away. Didn't even look back.

I couldn't move. Could barely breathe.

His crew circled me, grinning.

"Look at her. Just like a dog, huh?"

"Noah ditched her. Maybe it's our turn for some fun."

Their eyes were gross. I went cold and curled up in the corner.

"Don't—don't come near me!"

Right as their hands reached out, someone stepped in.

"Noah said hands off. He still plans to marry her, remember?"

Just like that, they backed off, already bored, already drifting toward the next bar.

I forced myself to stand. Every move felt like fire, but I got out of there.

All that mattered now—saving Grandma.