Chapter 163
SOPHIA’S POV
I had barely taken three steps toward the door when his hand closed around my arm.
His fingers locked around my right arm, directly over the injury. I winced in pain.
I stopped.
“Let go,” I said.
Damien didn’t let go. He turned me toward him. His eyes burned with anger.
“Why are you like this?” His voice was rough. “Why are you so cold? You were never like this. You were never cold – you were never this -” He stopped, jaw working. “What happened to you, Sophia? What did I do to you p>
The pain in my arm got even more intense. I kept my breathing even through it.
“You’re hurting my arm,” I said. “Let go p>
“Damien.” George’s voice echoed from behind us. He rushed over to Damien “Release her now p>
Damien’s grip didn’t loosen.
His eyes were still on my face. His eyes were still dark.
“I need to understand,” he said, lower now. “I need you to tell me when it changed. When did you stop p>
“Damien p>
Tiffany’s voice came from behind him.
She came here without either of us noticing. She moved quickly. Her eyes were still red and swollen.
She reached out and grabbed Damien’s free arm with both hands.
“Stop.” Her voice shook. “Damien, stop. Whatever is between us -whatever happened tonight – it has nothing to do with her. Let her go p>
Damien gripped my injured arm while Tiffany was gripping his. The air between all of us was filled with too much tension.
Then Damien moved.
His free arm swung and he shoved Tiffany off him with force.
Tiffany stumbled backward. Her heel caught the edge of the rug and she went down hard, landing on the floor. For one second she sat there, staring up at Damien with a shocked expression.
Then she started to cry.
“Damien Stone.” George growled.
Damien turned towards him. They were in an intense Alpha face off. My arm hurt terribly. I had to bite down my lip to stop myself from crying.
“Look at what you are doing,” George said. “This is not who I raised you to be p>
Damien’s grip on my arm went slack.
I stepped back the moment I felt it release. I brought my right arm in close to my body and pressed my left hand over it.
I looked at Damien.
He was staring at Tiffany on the floor. I could see the guilt in his expression.
I turned my eyes to him and waited until he looked at me.
“Don’t ever touch me like that again,” I said. “I came here because George asked me to. I don’t owe you anything beyond that. And if you put your hands on me like that again, I will not stand here quietly and warn you about it. Am I clear p>
Damien said nothing but something in his expression shifted. I could see the shame in his eyes.
I turned toward the door. All I wanted was to go home.
“Sophia.” George’s hand caught my elbow gently “Please, stay a little longer. Just stay a little longer. He needs p>
“George.” I stopped. I looked at him. His eyes were filled with worry. He looked at me with pleading eyes.
I wanted to go home. The drama was way more than I anticipated but I had always had a soft spot for George.
I felt my resolve pull in two directions and hated it.
“I’ll stay,” I said finally. “A little longer but I am not getting involved in whatever is between him and Tiffany. I came to calm things down. That’s all I’m here for. That’s all I will do p>
George let out a sight of relief.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you, my dear p>
I moved to the sofa and sat down.
The room was quiet except for Tiffany’s sobs.
The room was quiet for a moment. Then I heard Damien move.
I didn’t look. I kept my eyes forward on nothing in particular. But I heard him cross the floor, heard him crouch, heard his voice as he spoke.
“Tiffany.” A pause. “Give me your hand p>
I heard Tiffany being helped to her feet.
“I’m sorry.” Damien’s voice was quieter now. “I shouldn’t have done that. I lost control and I shouldn’t have p>
Tiffany’s breath was still unsteady. She sobbed.
“You pushed me,” she said.
“I know.” He sighed “I know. I’m sorry p>
She didn’t answer immediately. I heard her exhale then sniffle.
“Okay,” she said finally. “Okay p>
I stared at the wall across from me and felt the ache in my arm. I thought about how strange it was to be sitting in this room, in this house, watching my almost-ex-husband apologize to another woman for shoving her.
I sat quietly, waiting for the moment I could leave.