Chapter 61
SOPHIA’S POV
I drove through the night. The three-hour drive felt both too long and too short. Too long because every minute away from my family was another minute Damien could be hurting them. Too short because I had no idea what I was walking into.
It was almost midnight when I pulled up to Sky Manor. The lights were still on. My heart raced as I used my key and entered quietly.
Voices came from the living room. It sounded like my parents, Marco and Patricia. They were still awake and talking in hushed voices. Their hushed conversation stopped when they heard me.
“Sophia?” My mother appeared in the hallway. Her face was pale and her eyes were red like she’d been crying.. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in Millbrook Falls p>
“I came back. I needed to see you.” I moved into the living room where everyone looked at me with concerned expressions. The look on their faces made me panic.
“What’s going on?” I asked. “What happened p>
“Nothing happened. We’re fine.” My father’s voice was too quick.
But I could see it wasn’t fine. Marco’s jaw was tight. Patricia wouldn’t meet my eyes. My mother kept folding her hands – a nervous habit she only had when something was really wrong.
“Don’t lie to me, please. Damien was here, wasn’t he p>
The silence confirmed it.
“What did he do?” I asked.
“He showed up yesterday evening, right after you left. Then again tonight,” Marco said.
“He threatened you p>
“Not directly. He’s too smart for that.” My father’s voice was bitter. “He mentioned how his company has connections everywhere, how business deals can fall through, how our family business can lose clients p>
“Oh God.” I sank onto the couch. “He’s going after your businesses p>
“It’s already started.” Patricia finally spoke. “Marco’s firm lost three major clients tonight p>
“And the hospital where your mother volunteers?” My father continued. “They suddenly need to restructure their volunteer program. They’re letting go of several long-term volunteers, including her p>
My mother pressed her hand to her mouth. She made a sound like she was holding back tears. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. This was my fault. Damien was hurting innocent people because I’d dared to leave.
Tears spilled down my cheeks. “I’m so sorry p>
“No.” My mother took my hands. “Don’t be. This is all on Damien. He’s the one choosing to hurt people p>
“But I’m the reason p>
“You’re trying to build a better life for yourself. That’s not wrong.” Marco’s eyes were fierce. “Don’t you dare blame yourself for his actions p>
“But your firm. Mom’s volunteer position. Everything you’ve worked for p>
“Then we’ll rebuild.” Patricia moved to stand beside Marco. “We’re not going to let him bully us into forcing you back into that marriage p>
“We’re choosing this, Sophia.” My father’s voice was firm. “We’re choosing to stand with you. Whatever the cost p>
Their words should have made me feel better, but I just felt crushing guilt. These good people were being punished because Damien wanted to control me.
“I need to talk to him,” I said suddenly.
Marco snapped at me “Hell no p>
“I have to,” I sobbed “I don’t have a choice. Maybe if I agree to some kind of compromise p>
“This is what he wants, Sophia” Patricia said.
“He won’t negotiate. Men like Damien don’t negotiate.” Marco’s expression was hard. “They dominate or they destroy p>
“I still have to try.” I whispered.
I called Damien’s number. It rang and rang before going to voicemail. I tried again but it was the same result. He was ignoring my calls.
Great.
“He’s not going to talk to you,” Patricia said gently. “Not until he’s made his point. Not until you’re broken enough to come crawling back p>
I thought of how I could reach him. Then I remembered. Ashley. Damien had asked me to come this weekend to make her favorite soup. I could use that to see him.
“I’m going to Stone Villa,” I announced.
“Sophia, that’s a bad idea.” Marco stepped toward me. “Going to his territory puts you at a complete disadvantage p>
“I don’t have a choice. He won’t answer my calls. I have to try to fix this p>
Nobody argued further. This was the only option.
The next day, I left before anyone woke up. I drove to Stone Villa and entered through the side door to the kitchen.
Franca was there, chopping vegetables. Her eyes went wide when she saw me.
She bowed her head. “Luna Sophia! I didn’t know you were coming today p>
I forced a smile “It’s a surprise. I wanted to make Ashley’s favorite soup.” I pulled out ingredients. “Is she awake yet p>
“No, ma’am. She usually sleeps until seven.” Franca’s expression was strange. She looked uncomfortable. “Alpha Damien is still in bed too p>
Something in her tone made my wolf alert. It felt like there was something she wasn’t saying but I didn’t push. I just started cooking.
I was so focused on the food that I didn’t hear the footsteps on the stairs.
I turned around and my heart stopped. Ashley was there in her pajamas, holding Damien’s hand. But Tiffany was there too, on Damien’s other side. The three of them looked like a perfect family.
Tiffany was dressed casually, too casually. She looked like she’d just woken up.
The realization hit me hard. She’d stayed here overnight in my house with my husband and my daughter.
“Mommy!” Ashley ran over and hugged me tight. “You’re here! When did you come back p>
I couldn’t speak. My arms wrapped around Ashley automatically, but my eyes were fixed on Damien and Tiffany. There was a satisfied smile on her face.
“I came to make your soup,” I finally managed. “The dumpling soup you like p>
“Really? That’s my favorite!” Ashley bounced. “Can I help p>
“Of course, baby. Go wash your hands first p>
Ashley ran to the sink. Damien finally looked at me, his expression cold.
I took in a deep breath. “Damien. Can we talk? Please. It’s important p>
“I’m busy right now. Maybe later.” He said coldly.
“It’s about my family.” I glanced at Ashley and Tiffany. “Please. Just five minutes p>
“I said later.” His tone was final.
Tiffany smiled victoriously and moved closer to Damien. “We were just about to have breakfast together. As a family. You’re welcome to join us, Sophia. If you’d like to see what a real family looks like p>
The words cut deep. My wolf snarled, wanting to tear into her, wanting to remind her that this was MY family. MY husband. MY daughter.
“I need to finish the soup,” I said instead, my hands shaking as I turned back to the stove. “You all go ahead p>
“Are you sure, Mommy? Don’t you want to eat with us?” Ashley looked confused.
“I’ll eat later, sweetheart. I promise.” I forced a smile. “You go have breakfast with Daddy and Miss Tiffany p>
Ashley hesitated, then Damien took her hand again.
“Come on, princess. Let’s eat in the dining room. Mommy needs to concentrate on cooking p>
They left.
I stood at the stove while tears fell into the soup. My wolf was howling inside me.
“Luna.” Franca’s voice was soft. “I’m so sorry p>
“How long?” I didn’t turn around. “How long has she been staying here p>
Franca was quiet for a moment. “This is the third time this week. She comes for dinner, then stays late p>
My heart broke.