Chapter 130
SOPHIA’S POV
I didn’t sleep that night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Ashley’s face twisted with hatred, heard her screaming that I was the worst person in the world, felt the impact of her small foot against my shin.
By the time my alarm went off at six a.m., I’d given up on sleep entirely. I dragged myself out of bed, showered, and got ready for work on autopilot.
My mother caught me in the kitchen, took one look at my face, and said, “You look terrible p>
I Sighed “Thanks, Mom. That’s exactly what I needed to hear p>
“I’m serious, Sophia. When was the last time you actually slept?” She pushed a cup of coffee toward me. “You can’t keep going like this. You’re going to make yourself sick p>
“I’m fine.” The lie came easily now. “Just a lot on my mind p>
I left before she could argue, ignoring the concerned look on her face.
The drive to Moonstone Hospital was a blur. I kept replaying last night’s scene – Tasha’s theatrical fall, Ashley’s rage, Damien dragging me out like I was some kind of criminal.
The bruises on my wrist had darkened overnight. I’d covered them with a long-sleeved shirt and makeup, but I could still feel Damien’s grip.
My first patient was a pregnant omega with gestational diabetes. Normally, this was my specialty – maternal health, pregnancy complications. I could do these consultations in my sleep.
But today, my mind kept wandering.
“Dr. Sophia?” The patient’s voice pulled me back. “You said you were prescribing insulin, but… didn’t you just say my blood sugar was normal p>
I looked down at the chart in my hands. I’d been about to prescribe medication she didn’t need. This was a mistake that could have had serious consequences.
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, crossing out what I’d written. “You’re right. Your levels are normal. We’ll continue monitoring and adjust your diet instead p>
The patient looked uncertain but nodded. After she left, I sat at my desk with my head in my hands. I felt my wolf whimpering with shame.
I was losing it, actually losing it.
“Dr. Sophia?” Dr. Nancy appeared in my doorway. Her expression was concerned. “Can I speak with you for a moment p>
My stomach dropped. “Of course p>
She closed the door behind her. “I’ve been noticing you seem… distracted lately. Is everything alright p>
“I’m fine p>
“You almost prescribed insulin to a patient who doesn’t need it.” Nancy’s voice was gentle but firm. “That’s not like you. You’re one of our best doctors, Sophia. But lately, you’ve been making small errors, missing details, zoning out during rounds p>
Shame burned through me. “I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just been dealing with some personal issues p>
“I understand” Nancy sat down across from me. “But you need to take care of yourself. Maybe take some time off? A few days to clear your head p>
“I can’t. I have patients who need me p>
“And those patients need you at your best. Not distracted and exhausted.” She gave me a sympathetic look. “I’m not trying to punish you. I’m trying to help. Focus, Sophia”
I swallowed “Yes ma’am”
The rest of the morning crawled by. I forced myself to focus, to be present, to do my job properly. But every quiet moment, my mind drifted back to last night.
At lunch, my phone rang. Lance’s name flashed on the screen.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Hey,” Lance’s voice was warm. “How are you doing today p>
“I’m… managing.” I rubbed my eyes tiredly. “What’s up p>
“I was wondering if you wanted to grab lunch? I’m off for the next hour, and I thought you might need a break from the hospital cafeteria p>
I should say no. I should tell him I was fine on my own.
But the truth was, I didn’t want to be alone right now.
“Sure,” I said. “Where did you have in mind p>
“There’s a little Italian place two blocks from the hospital. Meet you there in ten minutes p>
“I’ll be there p>
The restaurant was small and cozy, with checkered tablecloths and the smell of garlic and tomato sauce. Lance was already waiting when I arrived. He was sitting at a corner table away from the main crowd.
“You look tired,” he said as I sat down.
“So I’ve been told.” I smiled “Apparently, I also look terrible. So that’s fun p>
“I didn’t say terrible. I said tired. There’s a difference.” Lance smiled gently. “Bad night p>
“You could say that.” I set down the menu. “Can we not talk about it? I just… I need to think about something else for a while p>
“Of course.” Lance didn’t push. Instead, he started telling me about a ridiculous patient complaint he’d received that morning – someone who’d demanded he apologize for making them wait five minutes, despite the fact that he’d been in emergency surgery.
“So I apologized,” Lance said. “Very sincerely. And then they demanded to speak to my supervisor to complain that my apology wasn’t sincere enough p>
Despite everything, I laughed. “You’re kidding p>
“I wish I was. Dr. Nancy ended up having to mediate. The patient left happy after getting a coupon for free parking.” He shook his head. “Medicine is weird sometimes p>
“That’s an understatement p>
We ordered food and continued talking about work, about ridiculous hospital politics, about anything except my personal life. And slowly, I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders.
This was nice.
For an hour, I could pretend my life wasn’t falling apart.
After lunch, Lance drove me back to the hospital. His car smelled like coffee and that clean, woodsy scent I’d come to associate with him. Safe. Comfortable.
“Thank you,” I said as we pulled into the parking lot. “For lunch. For the distraction. For… everything p>
“Anytime.” Lance smiled. “I mean it, Sophia. Whenever you need p>
He stopped talking abruptly. His eyes seemed fixed on something ahead of us.
I followed his gaze and felt my stomach drop.
Tiffany was walking toward us. Her perfectly styled hair bounced with each step. Her designer dress somehow managed to look both professional and seductive.
“Oh god,” I muttered. “Not now p>
“Do you want me to p>
“No. It’s fine.” I unbuckled my seatbelt. “I can handle her p>
But I wasn’t sure that was true.
Tiffany reached us just as I was getting out of the car. Her smile was bright and fake.
“Sophia! What a surprise seeing you here.” Her eyes moved to Lance. “And Dr. Lance. How… cozy p>
“Tiffany.” I kept my voice neutral. “What are you doing at the hospital p>
“Oh, I’m here visiting a colleague. Professional networking, you know.” She tilted her head, studying me. “You look tired. Are you feeling alright p>
“I’m fine p>
“Are you sure? Because Damien mentioned you were quite upset last night. Making a scene at Stone Villa, attacking my mother Tiffany’s voice dripped false concern. “He’s worried about your mental state p>
My wolf snarled, but I kept my expression blank. “Is that what he told you p>
“Well, what else would he say? My mother was terrified, Sophia. She’s recovering from cancer surgery, and you attacked her over some toys.” Tiffany shook her head sadly. “Damien feels terrible about it. He’s been so attentive to my mother, making sure she feels safe. He even stayed up late last night comforting her p>
The image she was painting – Damien staying late at Stone Villa with Tiffany and her mother, playing the protective alpha while I was cast as the unstable villain – made my chest tight.
“How nice for you all,” I said flatly.
“It is, actually. Damien is so wonderful. Do you know he’s been hand-washing my panties? Says he doesn’t trust the cleaning service not to ruin them.” Tiffany’s smile widened. “And he’s teaching Ashley to call my mother ’Grandma Tasha.’ Isn’t that sweet p>
Each word was calculated to hurt and they did.
But I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break.
“If you’re done gloating about my husband’s domestic skills,” I said coldly, “I have work to do p>
“Oh, Sophia.” Tiffany’s voice turned pitying. “He’s not really your husband anymore, is he? You’ve been thrown out of Stone Villa. Forbidden from seeing your own daughter. you’re now living back with your parents like some kind of failure.” She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Face it. You’ve already lost. The only thing left is the paperwork p>
“Tiffany.” Lance’s voice cut through the air “That’s enough p>
Tiffany turned to him. Her expression shifted to innocent surprise. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset anyone. I was just stating facts p>
“You were being cruel. There’s a difference.” Lance moved to stand beside me. “And I suggest you leave before I file a complaint about your harassment”