Chapter 23
SOPHIA’S POV
It was already late when the knock came at my door. It wasn’t a soft knock. It was firm and expecting.
My body tensed before my mind caught up.
Even before I opened it, my senses picked up familiar scents – Damien and Ashely. Even from over here, I could tell that Ashley’s wolf was agitated.
I opened the door.
“George insisted,” Damien said immediately, like he didn’t want me to get the wrong idea or something. “He wants us together tonight. Just to keep the peace p>
Ashley didn’t look at me. Her jaw was tight. Her eyes were already hard.
I stepped aside because arguing in the hallway would only draw attention, and because a part of me was still trained to make space for them. Ashley was still my daughter. And no matter what went wrong between me and Damien, I would make an exception for George. He had always been kind to me.
The moment they entered, the room felt smaller. Too small. The air shifted and for some reason my heart raced even faster.
Damien moved like nothing had changed. He set Ashley’s bag near the bed, glanced around, and spoke like this was routine.
“She’ll need her things ready in the morning p>
He said it like I was still responsible for her, like it was my duty. That was when I stopped him.
“No,” I said calmly.
He turned, clearly not expecting resistance. “What p>
“That won’t be possible”
He looked confused. “What do you mean p>
“Things are different now,” I said. I did my best to keep my voice steady even as my chest got tighter “I won’t take care of you the way I used to. If Ashley’s things has to be ready in the morning then no need to tell me. Wake up and get them ready p>
The words felt a bit harsh but they were necessary. I had to create boundaries.
“Also I’ll be sleeping on the sofa,” I continued. “You and Ashley can take the bed p>
Silence followed. A silence so loud that you could hear it.
Damien stared at me like he was trying to place a stranger’s face over the woman he thought he knew. He looked at me in disbelief.
“You’re serious,” he said.
“I am p>
Ashley’s head snapped up. “What?” Her voice rose instantly. “You don’t even want to sleep near us? What’s wrong with you p>
I swallowed. “Nothing is wrong with me. I’m setting boundaries p>
She scoffed. “You’re just cold. You don’t care about me p>
“I do care,” I said softly. “That’s why I’m trying to do this calmly p>
I stepped closer to her. “I can still help you get ready for bed. I can run your bath p>
Before I could finish, she shoved me hard. I stumbled back, looking at her in disbelief. I was more shocked than hurt.
“I don’t want you!” she yelled. “I don’t need you anymore p>
She ran into the bathroom and slammed the door, locking it. I stood there, staring at the door. I felt my hands shaking slightly. I knocked once, then again.
“Ashley,” I said gently. “Open the door. We can talk p>
No answer.
Instead, I heard her voice rise again but not to me. It sounded like she was on a video call.
“Aunty Tiffany,” she cried loudly. “I miss you. When are you coming back p>
“Soon, love” I heard Tiffany answer, “What’s wrong, my angel p>
“It’s my mommy. She’s being mean. She doesn’t care about me. She told me to sleep alone. She doesn’t even want to help me do anything p>
Tiffany’s voice came through the door. She sounded soft and reassuring in the worst way.
“Oh, sweetheart. I’m so sorry. That must hurt so much. You don’t deserve that p>
I stepped back, my chest aching. I didn’t knock again. I didn’t interrupt. I turned away.
The night went by in silence.
Ashley eventually came out from the bathroom and climbed into bed beside Damien without looking at me. Damien didn’t speak. Neither did I. I lay on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, listening to their breathing, forcing myself not to get up and fix things like I always had.
I reminded myself that boundaries hurt before they healed.
Before dawn, I woke quietly. The manor was quiet. I went downstairs and prepared breakfast for George exactly the way he liked it.
When I was done, I left him a note explaining I had to rush to the hospital. I considered waking Damien or Ashley, but I didn’t.
I left without a sound.
THIRD PERSON’S POV
When Ashley woke later, the first thing she noticed was the empty sofa. As soon as she saw that it was empty, she started to panic.
She sat up.
“Mom left,” she whispered.
Her chest tightened as tears spilled over. In her mind, it was simple. Mom had left because she hated her. Because she didn’t want her anymore.
“Mom abandoned me,” Ashley sobbed.
She curled into herself, crying quietly beside her father.
She was convinced that this time, her mother was gone for good.