Chapter 136
SOPHIA’S POV
George took a seat in front of me in his study. I sat, waiting for what he had to say.
George cleared his throat, shifting in his chair. “There’s a reason I wanted to speak with you privately. It’s about Dahlia p>
I was surprised. “Dahlia? I noticed she wasn’t at dinner. Is everything alright p>
“No, it’s not.” George sighed. “She and Helen had a terrible argument a few days ago. That’s why Helen’s been so quiet. She’s furious but trying not to cause a scene in front of me p>
“What were they arguing about p>
“Dahlia wants to pursue medicine, like you did. She’s applied to several programs and gotten accepted to a very prestigious one.” George smiled “The girl’s brilliant, just like you. But Helen refuses to support her decision p>
My wolf perked up with interest. I’d always thought Dahlia had potential beyond the superficial pack politics she usually engaged in. “Why does Helen object p>
“The usual old-fashioned nonsense. Helen thinks Dahlia should focus on finding a suitable mate, settling down, producing heirs. She sees medical school as a waste of time that will only delay Dahlia’s ’real purpose.’” George said the last part with obvious irritation “They’ve been fighting about it for weeks. It’s gotten so bad that Dahlia moved out of the family home p>
I could sympathize with that struggle. I’d faced similar things when I’d wanted to continue my education after Ashley was born.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said “But George, I’m not sure what this has to do with me p>
“I was hoping you could talk to her.” George leaned forward “You’ve been through the same thing. You pursued medicine despite the pressure to be a traditional Luna. You balanced career and family or tried to, at least. Maybe if you talked to Dahlia, shared your experience, it might help her p>
I sook my head. “George, I don’t think I’m the right person for this p>
“Why not p>
“Because Dahlia hates me. She’s made that very clear over the years. She’s not going to listen to anything I have to say, especially not about something as personal as her career p>
“She doesn’t hate you,” George protested. “She’s just… complicated. And Helen has filled her head with ideas about you being a bad influence p>
“Which is exactly why she won’t listen to me.” I stood, preparing to leave. “I appreciate that you thought of me, but Dahlia needs someone she actually respects. Maybe Will could talk to her? Or even Damien p>
“Damien?” George snorted. “Damien who’s currently neglecting his own brilliant wife in favor of a pianist who can’t even finish her own research? That Damien p>
I flinched at his words but didn’t correct him.
George stood as well. He caught my hand. “Please, Sophia. I’m not asking you to fix everything. I’m just asking you to try, to talk to her, woman to woman, doctor to future doctor. Share your truth with her. Let her know it’s possible to pursue medicine without sacrificing who you are p>
“But I did sacrifice who I was,” I said quietly. “I gave up so much for a marriage that fell apart anyway. I’m not exactly a success story p>
“You’re more of a success than you realize.” George squeezed my hand. “You’re brilliant, you’re strong, you survived things that would have broken weaker wolves. And you’re finally choosing yourself. That’s the story Dahlia needs to hear p>
I looked into his kind face and felt my resistance crumbling. George had been nothing but good to me since the day I’d married into this family.
If he was asking for this favor, how could I refuse?
“Where is she?” I asked with a sigh.
George’s face lit up. “She’s at a cocktail party. Some charity event for the Moonstone Medical Foundation. I have the address.” He pulled out his phone with shaking fingers and showed me the location. “It’s at the Riverside Hotel. Started about an hour ago p>
“A cocktail party.” I looked down at my professional suit. “I’m not exactly dressed for that p>
“You look beautiful. You always look beautiful.” George smiled. “Just go. Find her. Try. That’s all I’m asking p>
“Alright,” I said, already regretting this decision. “But George, if she tells me to leave or refuses to talk, I’m not going to push. Okay p>
“Fair enough.” He pulled me into a gentle hug. “Thank you, my dear. You’re a good girl p>
I hugged him back. “I’ll let you know how it goes p>
I left his study and headed toward the front door, pulling out my phone to call a cab. But as I rounded the corner of the hallway, I nearly collided with Damien.
“Sophia.” He steadied me with a hand on my elbow, then immediately dropped it. “I was just coming to find you. What were you and grandfather talking about p>
“Family business,” I said coldly “Nothing that concerns you p>
His eyes narrowed. “Everything about my grandfather concerns me p>
“He asked me to do something for him. That’s all you need to know.” I stepped around him. “I need to go p>
“Go where? It’s late p>
“Out. I have somewhere to be p>
“Let me drive you. It’s dark, and p>
“I don’t need you to drive me.” My voice came out sharper than I wanted it to. “I’ve been taking care of myself just fine without your help p>
“Sophia p>
“Damien?” Declan’s voice interrupted from behind us. “Can I ask you something about Tiffany p>
Damien paused, looking between me and Declan with clear frustration.
“What about Tiffany?” he asked.
“I was wondering if she has any upcoming piano performances.” Declan leaned against the wall. “I have some friends in the music industry who might be interested in attending. Could be good for her career p>
I could see Damien torn between continuing our conversation and engaging with Declan’s question.
“Tiffany’s been too focused on her research to schedule any concerts lately,” Damien said, turning more fully toward Declan. “But I can ask her p>
I didn’t wait to hear the rest. While Damien was distracted, I slipped past both of them and headed for the front door.
The mate bond pulled at me as I left, trying to make me go back to Damien.
But I ignored it.
Because George needed me to talk to Dahlia.
I started mentally preparing myself for whatever reception Dahlia would give me.
Best case scenario: she’d listen politely and consider my advice.
Worst case scenario: she’d tell me to go to hell and make a scene.
Most likely scenario: somewhere in between.
Either way, I’d promised George I’d try and I always kept my promises.
Even when they terrified me.