SOPHIA’S POV
"I did it because I can’t accept things from you” I said.
Zade looked at me “Why?”
I sighed “I’m still married. And even if I wasn’t..." I trailed off.
"Even if you weren’t, what?"
"I need to figure out who I am without a man defining me." I looked at him directly. "I need is to learn how to take care of myself."
Zade was quiet for a long moment "I’m not trying to control you, Sophia. I like you”
"Maybe not intentionally but every gift, every grand gesture, every time you swoop in to save me - it reinforces that I can’t handle things on my own. I need to prove to myself that I can." I took a shaky breath. "That’s why I had to return everything. So please, give me some space”
"And if I can’t?" His voice was rough with emotion. "If my wolf has already decided you’re meant to be mine?"
"Then you’ll have to learn to control him." I opened my car door wider "Please get out of my car, Zade."
He studied my face for another moment, then slowly unbuckled and climbed out. But before closing the passenger door, he leaned back in.
"I’ll give you space," he said quietly. "But I’m not giving up”
He closed the door and walked away.
I sat there for several minutes, trying to calm my racing heart. My wolf was agitated but my human side knew I’d made the right choice.
I started the car then I realized I’d left one of my textbooks at Stone Villa from earlier in the week. I needed it for tomorrow’s study session.
I got out and went back to the mansion.
When I got out, I noticed Damien’s car in the driveway with an unfamiliar sedan beside him. My wolf caught the scent of vanilla perfume.
Tiffany was here.
I should have turned around and left. I should have gotten that textbook another day but something made me walk to the door.
I slipped inside quietly. My wolf’s enhanced hearing picked up voices coming from the living room.
I moved closer, staying in the hallway shadows where I couldn’t be seen.
"-really appreciate you coming to check on her," Tiffany was saying. "My mother has been so worried about the medical bills."
"It’s not a problem," Damien replied. His voice was warm in a way it never was with me anymore. "I’ve already contacted the best oncologist at Moonstone Medical. They’re expecting her next week."
My heart stopped. Tiffany’s mother had cancer?
"I don’t know how to thank you," Tiffany sniffled "You’ve done so much for us already."
"You’re family, Tiffany. Of course, I’m going to help."
Family. The word hit me hard. He considered Tiffany and her mother family.
"I was thinking," Damien continued, "after the treatment starts, your mother will need somewhere to recover. You could both stay here for a few month."
"Oh, Damien, I couldn’t ask you to-"
"You’re not asking. I’m offering." There was a pause, and I imagined him taking her hand, looking at her with those gentle eyes he used to give me. "I want to take care of you both."
My vision blurred with tears. He was inviting them to live here in our home.
I couldn’t listen anymore. I turned to leave, but my foot caught the edge of a side table. A vase wobbled.
"Who’s there?" Damien’s voice was filled with alpha command.
I froze. For a second, I considered running but my wolf was too wounded, too tired to flee.
Damien appeared in the hallway. When he saw me, his expression went from alert to angry.
I straightened my shoulders, fighting back tears. "You’re right”
I turned and walked toward the door.
"Sophia-" Damien started.
"Save it," I said without looking back. "I hope you and your new family are very happy together."
I walked out of Stone Villa and got in my car with shaking hands. I made it three blocks before I had to pull over because I couldn’t see through the tears.
I sat there in my parked car and cried - for my broken marriage, for my daughter who preferred another woman, for the life I’d tried so hard to build that had crumbled around me.
My wolf was whimpering. The mate bond pulled at me, trying to drag me back to Damien, but I ignored it. That bond was just a biological connection now. It didn’t mean love. It didn’t mean loyalty. It didn’t mean anything except pain.
When I finally made it back to Sky Manor, I tried to compose myself before going inside. I wiped my face, fixed my hair, took deep breaths.
But Klara took one look at me and she pouted.
"Aunt Sophia? Why are your eyes red?" she asked.
"I’m just tired, sweetheart," I said, forcing a smile. "It’s been a long day."
"You look sad." She grabbed my hand. "Did someone make you cry?"
"No, baby. I’m fine"
But she didn’t look convinced. And when my mother appeared in the hallway, I saw the same concern in her eyes.
I escaped to my room before anyone could ask more questions, closed the door, and finally let myself fall apart.
Tomorrow, I would be strong again.
I hoped so.

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