Chapter 143
SOPHIA’S POV
I woke to the sound of raised voices echoing through Stone Manor. For a moment, I was disoriented.
Where was I?
Then the events of last night came rushing back. I remembered everything slowly – the party, the attack, Damien choosing Tiffany, Ashley being sick.
All of it.
I dragged myself off the sofa. My back ached from the uncomfortable sleeping position.
Slowly, I made my way to the bathroom. My reflection in the mirror was terrible. I had dark circles under my eyes, my hair was a mess, my expression was totally exhausted.
I looked like I felt – broken, drained, done.
But I couldn’t afford to fall apart. I had work in a few hours. There were patients who needed me.
So I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and tried to make myself presentable with the limited supplies I kept at Stone Manor.
The shouting downstairs continued, growing louder. I could make out two female voices.
I pulled out my phone and called Amaya, George’s housekeeper.
“Mrs. Stone,” she answered on the first ring. “I was just about to come check on you p>
“What’s going on downstairs?” I asked. “Who’s fighting p>
“Miss Dahlia and Mrs. Helen,” Amaya said with a sigh. “Miss Dahlia came back late last night, and this morning Mrs. Helen started in on her about the medical school situation again. It’s been going on for twenty minutes now p>
“Where’s grandpa George p>
“Out for his morning walk. He left about an hour ago.” Amaya’s voice dropped lower. “Mrs. Helen always waits until Mr. George is gone before she starts these arguments. She knows he won’t tolerate her treating Miss Dahlia this way p>
Of course. Helen was a bully who only showed her true colors when there was no one around to call her on it.
“Thank you for letting me know,” I said. “I’ll be leaving for work soon anyway p>
“Would you like me to bring you some breakfast? Or coffee at least p>
“No, thank you. I’ll grab something on the way.” I hung up and finished getting dressed in yesterday’s clothes.
I just needed to get out of here, et to my car, get to work, get through another day without falling apart.
The argument was still getting louder as I made my way down the stairs. I could see Helen sitting on the living room sofa. Her face was red with anger.
Dahlia stood near the doorway to the dining room was Dahlia with her arms crossed.
“-throwing your life away!” Helen was saying. “All for some ridiculous fantasy about being a doctor! You’re a Stone! You have responsibilities, a legacy to uphold p>
“My responsibility is to myself!” Dahlia shot back. “My legacy is what I make it, not what you decide for me p>
I tried to slip past unnoticed, heading for the front door. But Helen’s eyes caught my movement.
Her expression, already cold with anger, turned to ice when she saw me.
I kept walking toward the door. My car keys were already in my hand.
“How dare you ignore me!” Helen screamed. “Sophia! I’m speaking to you! Stop right now p>
I paused with my hand on the doorknob. What the hell?
She had no right to talk to me like that. I had the urge to face her and give her a piece of my mind but p>
Out of the respect I have for George, I wouldn’t.
I turned the knob and kept walking.
“Sophia!” Helen shrieked. “You will stop this instant”
I stepped into the foyer, so close to freedom I could taste it.
But then a figure came out from the shadows near the coat closet, blocking my path to the front door.
Declan.
He must have been lurking there the whole time, listening to his mother’s argument with Dahlia. Waiting for… what? An opportunity to cause trouble?
“Going somewhere?” he asked.
“Work.” I kept my tone neutral. “Please move p>
“Not until you tell me what you said to my sister.” Declan’s eyes flashed gold. His wolf was right at the surface. “Last night at that party, what did you say to Dahlia to put these ideas in her head p>
“I have no idea what you’re talking about p>
“Don’t play dumb.” Declan stepped closer, using his height to try to intimidate me. “Dahlia came home last night all fired up about medical school again, about defying Mother and pursuing her ’dreams.’” He said the last word with heavy sarcasm. “I know she talked to you at that party. So what did you say to her p>
I looked up at him – this spoiled, entitled man who’d never worked a day in his life, who lived off his family’s wealth and influence while contributing nothing of value.
“That’s between me and Dahlia,” I said calmly. “It’s none of your business. Now move p>
“Make me.” Declan’s smile was cruel. “Oh wait, you can’t. Because you’re not actually pack anymore, are you? Just some human doctor playing at being a Luna p>