Chapter 59
SOPHIA’S POV
I stood there in my tiny apartment.
Damien and Simon had broken into my home. Lance was standing beside me in nothing but a towel. This whole situation had spiraled completely out of control.
Simon was staring at me like I’d committed the worst crime in the world. His expression was full of disgust and judgment. It made my wolf snarl inside me.
Who was he to judge me?
“You’re unbelievable,” Simon said, shaking his head. “You’re standing here defending this man while your husband is right in front of you. While your daughter is at home waiting for her mother. How can you live with yourself p>
Something inside me snapped. My wolf pushed forward, lending me strength.
“How can I live with myself? How can you live with yourself, Simon p>
“What’s that supposed to mean p>
“It means you’re standing here acting morally superior when you’ve been helping Damien destroy lives for years.” My voice rose. “You helped him cover up his affairs. You lied to me about where he was and who he was with. You destroyed Lance’s career p>
“I was protecting the pack, Protecting your marriage p>
“By sabotaging Lance’s job? You weren’t protecting anything. You were controlling me, just like Damien controls everyone around him p>
Simon’s jaw clenched. “You were getting too close to him.” He pointed at Lance. “You were putting yourself in a compromising position. I had to step in p>
“No, you didn’t. What I do and who I spend time with is none of your business. It’s none of Damien’s business either. We’re separated. I don’t owe either of you explanations about my life p>
Tears burned in my eyes but I refused to let them fall.
“I gave everything to Damien. Everything. I gave up my career that I loved. My dreams got pushed aside for his ambitions. I stood by him through scandals and affairs and public humiliation. And you know what I got in return p>
Simon didn’t answer. Neither did Damien.
“I got coldness. I got betrayal. So don’t you dare stand in my apartment and judge me p>
The silence that followed was heavy.
Finally, Damien stepped forward. “Enough. This isn’t getting us anywhere p>
“You’re right. It’s not.” I crossed my arms. “So leave, both of you. Get out of my apartment p>
“We need to talk privately.” Damien’s eyes moved to Lance. “Without him here p>
“No. I have nothing to say to you p>
“Sophia, be reasonable p>
“I am being reasonable. You’re the ones who broke into my home.” My wolf was still growling. She was still ready to fight if necessary. “If anyone’s being unreasonable, it’s you p>
Damien opened his mouth to respond when there was a knock on the door. Everyone froze. The door was still open from when Damien had broken the chain. A figure appeared in the doorway.
Zade Harrington.
My stomach dropped. What was he doing here?
How did he even know where I lived?
Zade looked around the apartment, taking in the scene.
“Well, isn’t this cozy?” Zade stepped inside without invitation. “Damien. Simon. I see you’re harassing Sophia in her own home. How very Alpha of you p>
“What are you doing here?” Damien’s voice was ice.
His wolf was visible in his eyes, recognizing a rival Alpha.
“I came to check on Sophia. She called me for help yesterday. I wanted to make sure she was alright p>
Zade moved to stand beside me. His presence was overwhelming. His Alpha energy pushed against Damien’s.
“Good thing I did. Looks like she needs protection from her own husband p>
“She doesn’t need protection from me. I’m here to talk to my wife p>
“Your wife who clearly doesn’t want to talk to you” Zade’s smile was cold. “This is harassment, Damien p>
Simon stepped forward. “You have no right to be here either. This is pack business p>
“Is it? Because from where I’m standing, this looks like bullying. Two grown men intimidating a woman in her home.” Zade looked at Simon with a smirk. “Though I suppose that’s your specialty, isn’t it, Simon? Doing Damien’s dirty work p>
“Watch your mouth p>
“Or what p>
Simon’s face went red “You arrogant piece of p>
“Careful. Sophia’s watching.” Zade’s tone was teasing.
I didn’t know what to say. Part of me wanted Zade gone. He was making everything worse. But another part was grateful for his presence, for someone powerful enough to stand up to Damien without fear.
Zade walked closer Damien. “So here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to walk out that door and not come back unless Sophia invites you which I doubt she will p>
Damien narrowed his eyes “How dare you? You don’t give me orders p>
“No, but she did. I heard when she told you to leave.” Zade stepped closer to Damien. I could feel the Alpha waves coming from him. “Leave now or I’ll make you l…and I promise you won’t like my methods p>