Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever novel Chapter 110

Chapter 110: Chapter 110 Happy Birthday

SOPHIA’S POV

Before Samantha and I parted ways in the mall parking lot, she reached into her bag and pulled out a small wrapped box.

"I almost forgot," she said, giving it to me. "Happy early birthday."

I stared at the box, confused. "My birthday isn’t until-" I stopped, counting backwards in my head. "Oh my god. It’s next week."

"The fifteenth," Samantha confirmed. "You forgot your own birthday?"

"I’ve had a lot on my mind," I said weakly.

The truth was, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d properly celebrated my birthday. Last year, Damien had been out of town on business or so he’d said. The year before that, Ashley had been sick and I’d spent the day at the hospital with her. The year before that...

I couldn’t even remember.

"Open it," Samantha urged.

I unwrapped the box carefully to find a beautiful leather journal inside. It had thick cream-colored pages and a ribbon bookmark. On the first page, Samantha had written in her elegant handwriting: For the next Chapter of your life. Write it well. - Sam

Tears burned in my eyes. "Sam, this is beautiful."

"I figured you’d need somewhere to organize your thoughts. Study notes, research ideas, or just venting about your terrible husband." She smiled. "Whatever you need."

I hugged her tight. "Thank you. For this, for everything."

"That’s what friends are for." She pulled back. "Promise me you’ll actually celebrate this year, even if it’s just buying yourself a cupcake and lighting a candle. You deserve to feel special on your birthday."

I promised, though I wasn’t sure I’d keep it.

That night, I drove to Stone Villa around ten p.m. I’d spent the rest of the day at the hospital. Now, I just wanted to check on Ashley before going back to Sky Manor to sleep.

The house was dark except for a few lights on the first floor. I let myself in quietly and went upstairs to Ashley’s room.

The bed was empty.

My heart immediately started racing. I checked the bathroom - empty. Her closet - her overnight bag was gone.

"Franca!" I called out, trying not to panic.

She appeared from downstairs, looking tired. "Mrs. Stone, I didn’t hear you come in."

"Where’s Ashley? Her bed is empty."

"Oh, Alpha arranged for Will to pick her up around seven. He said he wanted to spend the evening with her since he has his business trip this weekend."

I was shocked. "Will picked her up? Not Damien?"

"Yes, ma’am. Alpha was already at the... location. Will just collected Miss Ashley and brought her there."

"What location?" But even as I asked, I already knew.

Franca looked uncomfortable. "I’m not sure, ma’am. He didn’t say."

I pulled out my phone and dialed Damien’s number. It rang four times before he answered.

"Sophia? What’s wrong?"

In the background, I could hear it clearly - Ashley’s laughter, followed by Tiffany’s voice saying something I couldn’t quite make out, then Ashley giggling again.

"Where are you?" I asked.

"I’m having dinner with Ashley. I told you, I wanted to spend time with her before my trip-"

"With Ashley. Just Ashley?"

There was a pause. "Sophia-"

"Is Tiffany there?"

Another pause "Yes. She got back from her hometown today, and Ashley wanted to see her. It-"

"Why are you doing this? The postgraduate program, I mean. Is it just to escape your marriage, or is there more to it?"

I thought about it for a long moment. "Both, I think. Part of me is running away from everything that’s broken. But another part..." I traced the edge of my textbook with my finger. "Another part remembers who I wanted to be before I got pregnant. I want that person back. I want to be the doctor I was meant to be."

Lance nodded. "That’s a good reason. The right reason."

We went back to studying, and for a few hours, I felt almost like myself again.

Around six p.m., Lance’s phone rang. He answered with a worried expression.

"I have to go," he said, already packing up his things. "Emergency surgery. One of my patients took a turn."

"Go," I urged. "Thank you for today. It really helped."

He squeezed my shoulder briefly. "We’ll do it again next week. And Sophia? You’re going to ace these exams."

After he left, I sat in the library for another hour, going over my notes. But eventually, the words started blurring together, and I knew I needed to go home.

I walked out to the parking lot. My bag was heavy with textbooks. The sun had set, and the lot was mostly empty except for a few scattered cars.

I unlocked my car with the remote and opened the driver’s side door.

That’s when I saw him.

Zade was sitting in my passenger seat, looking completely at ease, like he belonged there.

I froze, my hand on the door handle. "What the hell are you doing in my car?"

"We need to talk." His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.

"Get out of my car, Zade."

"Not until you tell me why you returned everything I gave you." He turned to face me fully. "The bracelet, the dress, the jewelry - all of it. Why?"