Chapter 26
SOPHIA’S POV
Tiffany crouched down in front of Ashley right there on the pavement outside the kindergarten. She moved smoothly, confidently, like this was something she had done many times before.
Her voice softened in a way that immediately caught Ashley’s attention.
Ashley smiled when she saw her. Ashley hugged her tightly. “Hi, Aunt Tiffany”
“Hey,” Tiffany said gently, smiling. “How are you p>
“I’m fine. You p>
“I’m fine too p>
“Are you here to take me home p>
“No baby. But Tiffany paused and looked at me. “How about this? Why not go with Sophia tonight? I’ll take you away this weekend. Just you and me. If you say yes. We’ll go somewhere fun. Maybe the amusement park. And ice cream. As much as you want p>
Her words definitely caught Ashley’s attention. Her eyes widened. She studied Tiffany’s face closely, like she was weighing the promise.
“Really?” She asked after.
“Really,” Tiffany replied without hesitation. “I promise p>
Ashley hesitated only a second longer, then nodded. “Okay p>
That was it. No argument. No resistance. Just agreement.
It was so easy. The fact that Tiffany was able to convince Ashley so easily cut deeper than any insult ever could. My wolf whimpered softly inside me. She was wounded but she didn’t say anything.
“Thank you,” I said quietly to Tiffany. I kept my tone polite even though my throat burned. “I appreciate it p>
She smiled at me. She looked satisfied, like she had just solved a minor inconvenience.
Ashley walked ahead toward the car without looking back at me. Her steps were light now. She look pleased by the promise she’d been given.
I followed, reminding myself over and over that at least she was coming with me. That had to count for something.
Once we were in the car, I buckled Ashley in carefully. She didn’t look at me. I closed the door and got into the driver’s seat.
“How was school?” I asked softly as I started the engine. “Did you like your classes today p>
“Fine,” she said flatly, staring out the window “I like all my classes p>
“Anything fun happen?” I tried again. I started driving.
“No p>
I nodded, keeping my eyes on the road. “Did anyone bother you today p>
She scoffed. “No one would dare p>
I glanced at her in the mirror. “Why do you say that p>
“Because my dad and Tiffany are powerful,” she said simply.
The words landed hard. I felt them hit my chest with pain. I didn’t respond right away. I focused on driving, on breathing.
“Has anyone ever been unkind to you?” I asked carefully.
She shrugged. “People are scared of making me angry p>
Silence filled the car. The silence was thick and heavy. I tried to break it. I loved my daughter to much. I just wanted her to talk to me.
“We can get your favorite snacks tonight,” I said gently. “And maybe watch that cartoon you like. The one with the wolves p>
She crossed her arms tightly. “I don’t want to p>
I watched her reflection in the rearview mirror, fighting the sting behind my eyes.
“Your grandparents are really excited to meet you,” I said after a moment. “They’ve been cooking all day. They made special food just for you p>
She frowned. “Who p>
“My parents,” I explained. “Your grandparents p>
She shook her head immediately. “I don’t know them. I don’t want to meet strangers p>
When Sky Manor came into view, she got even more resistant.
“I’m not going inside,” she said. “Turn the car around p>
I parked, but I didn’t turn off the engine. I turned toward her instead.
“Please,” I said softly. “Just meet them once. We don’t have to stay long. No one will force you to do anything p>
She looked away. Her jaw got tighter.
My voice shook despite my effort to stay calm.
“Don’t do this, Ashley. Please don’t embarrass me. Don’t hurt them. They’re good people p>
She didn’t answer.
The silence between us was painful. The engine was still on and humming.
In that moment, my heart ached. Why?
Because it felt like loving Ashley was beginning to feel like losing her.