Chapter 19
SOPHIA’S POV
After telling him everything, Lance took me to a restaurant.
When we got there, my breath hitched.
I recognized the place instantly.
It had once been my favorite. Damien used to bring me here after long board meetings. We would come here to hang out sometimes for date nights.
The restaurant was still the same. Nothing had changed. The gold lighting still glowed softly against the walls. The tables were arranged the same way. Even the piano music still sounded familiar. My wolf whimpered inside me.
She knew that this was territory that no longer belonged to us. I lifted my chin and kept walking. I refused to turn back. I refused to let my past stop me from having a good time.
Before the hostess could even greet us, my eyes landed on a table across the room. Damien sat there. Simon and Nate were with him, his business partners. Ashley sat close to Damien’s side. Tiffany sat across from them.
The sight punched the air out of my chest.
Of course they would be here.
My first instinct was to turn around and leave, to protect myself. I almost listened. Almost.
Instead, I reached for Lance’s sleeve.
“I’m fine,” I said quickly, before he could ask.
I knew he had already noticed my expression and the change in my breathing.
Lance looked at me closely. “Sophia,” he said quietly, “we can go if you want p>
“I know,” I replied. “But I’m not leaving p>
He hesitated. “Are you sure p>
“Yes,” I said. “I am sure p>
More than sure in fact.
I chose a table far enough from their table to pretend they weren’t there. Lance nodded and pulled out my chair. I sat, straightened my spine, and forced composure. Inside, my heart slammed hard against my ribs.
My wolf was restless inside me. She felt aware of Damien long before his eyes ever found me. I picked up the menu.
“You’re shaking,” Lance murmured.
“Habit,” I said. “It’ll pass p>
He didn’t push. “Tell me what you feel like eating p>
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Something nice. I like surprises p>
We talked, slowly at first. About work. About his latest project. About how long it had been since we last saw each other properly. I asked about his travels. He asked about mine.
We reminisced about moments from years ago that had nothing to do with Damien, and I held onto those memories.
Still, I felt him across the room. I wondered if he had noticed me yet, then immediately scolded myself.
I wasn’t his wife anymore. I wasn’t anything to him. I repeated that to myself until it almost felt true.
I could hear laughter coming from Damien’s table and I couldn’t help but look over.
Damien looked relaxed, confident, powerful. Ashley leaned against his arm. Tiffany sat there, looking graceful. Simon leaned back, lifting his wine glass.
“Tiffany’s achievements are impressive,” Simon said loudly. “I mean, she has a master’s degree, international piano competitions, modeling, acting. She’s everywhere p>
Ashley smiled, “my aunty deserves it,” she said proudly. “She’s really talented p>
The words burned. Everyone on that table kept praising Tiffany. I had never been spoken about like that. Not by Damien. Not by anyone there. I had cooked, planned, supported, endured. I had given everything. And still, I had never been praised.
My wolf growled softly, remembering every time we were dismissed, every cold look.
I nodded along to something Lance said, though I hadn’t heard a word.
My thoughts drifted back against my will.
I thought of those many nights I spent waiting for Damien. I thought of the careful ways I tried to please him, how small I had made myself beside him.
I took in a deep breath. That life was over. I had survived it. Still, it hurt.
Then Nate went silent.
I felt the shift before I saw it.
There was a sudden pause from their table.
Nate stared in my direction, narrowing his eyes at me.
“Sophia,” he called quietly and everything stopped.
My stomach dropped.
Damien turned first.
He looked at me.
I felt that damn connection to him again. My wolf stirred inside me. Ashley looked at me too.
Her face was filled with disgust.
She scoffed. “Ugh,” she said loudly. “Why do we keep running into that woman everywhere p>
That woman.
She was five years old, and the words still cut deep. I was her mom yet she referred to me as ’that woman p>
My chest tightened. My wolf curled inward. She was wounded but silent. I refused to react. I didn’t look at them. Calmly reaching for my bag I stood. I leaned toward Lance.
“I want to leave,” I said softly.
He stood immediately. “Of course p>
As I walked past Damien’s table, I felt his eyes burn into my back. He said nothing. I said nothing. There was no confrontation. There was only silence.
I didn’t look at him. I didn’t look at Ashley. I walked out with my head held high. Lance drove me home.
The drive was quiet at first.
Lance spoke gently. “Are you okay p>
“I will be,” I said. It was true, just incomplete.
My thoughts spiraled anyway, replaying Damien’s expression, Ashley’s words, how easily the past could reopen wounds. Lance didn’t press. He didn’t try to fix me. He stayed silent and that was enough.
When we reached my father’s house, I thanked him and stepped out. I let out a deep breath and went inside.
But the moment I opened the door, I felt it. The brewing storm.
“Sophia,” Father said, rising from the chair and approaching me, “we need to talk p>