Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever novel Chapter 135

Chapter 135: Chapter 135 Celebrating Birthday

SOPHIA’S POV

After leaving Damien’s office, I sat in my car for a long time, staring at the signed divorce papers in my hands. It was done. Really, truly done.

I should have felt relieved, free.

Instead, I just felt empty.

My phone buzzed with a text from my lawyer: Got your copies. Will file immediately. Congratulations on taking this step.

Congratulations. Like I’d accomplished something worth celebrating.

I started the car and drove, not really thinking about where I was going until I found myself pulling up to Stone Manor. George’s estate was separate from Stone Villa. This was his own territory where he’d retired after passing the alpha position to Damien.

I hadn’t planned to come here. But suddenly, I needed to see Ashley, even if she hated me.

She was still my daughter.

I hadn’t seen her since at the hospital. I remembered Franca telling me she was at Stone Manor for now.

When I parked, I let myself in with the key George had given me years ago.

The manor was quieter than usual. I found several people in the living room. Will was sitting stiffly on one end of the couch. Helen, Damien’s mother, sat at the dining table picking at her food. Declan, Damien’s brother, sat in an armchair scrolling through his phone.

I noticed that Dahlia wasn’t here.

Helen looked up when I entered. Her mouth opened as if to say something sharp but then she closed it again and returned to her meal without a word.

That was... odd. Helen had never passed up an opportunity to criticize me before.

"Sophia?" Will stood, looking uncomfortable. "We didn’t know you were coming."

"I’m here to see Ashley. Is she upstairs?"

"In her room, I think. She was tired after playing in the garden." Will gestured toward the stairs. "Go ahead."

I climbed the stairs to Ashley’s room. This was a space George had created specifically for his great-granddaughter, filled with toys and books and all the things that made a six-year-old happy.

Ashley was curled up on her bed, fast asleep, clutching the stuffed rabbit George had given her for her last birthday. Her face was peaceful.

My chest ached. This was my baby, my little girl. And I’d lost her to circumstances I couldn’t control.

I kicked off my shoes and carefully lay down beside her, being careful not to wake her. Just for a moment, I wanted to be close to my daughter without the wall of hatred between us.

Ashley shifted in her sleep, curling toward my warmth. Her small hand found mine, and she held it. In sleep, she still sought her mother’s comfort.

The thought made tears slide down my cheeks silently.

I closed my eyes, just planning to rest for a moment.

When I woke up, the room was dark. I’d slept for hours.

Ashley had rolled away from me at some point, taking the rabbit with her. I carefully got up from the bed and tiptoed out of the room, closing the door softly behind me.

Downstairs, I could hear voices. Dinner must be starting.

I should leave, sneak out before anyone noticed I was here. But then I heard George’s warm laugh, and my feet carried me toward the dining room instead.

George was at the head of the table. His face lit up when he saw me. "Sophia! There you are. I was wondering where you’d disappeared to."

"I fell asleep with Ashley," I said "I didn’t mean to intrude on your dinner."

"Intrude? Nonsense! You’re family. Sit, sit." George gestured to the empty chair. "We’re just getting started."

The others were already seated. Helen was still oddly quiet. Declan looked bored. Will maintained his stiff posture. And at George’s right hand, Damien.

My stomach clenched. I hadn’t expected him to be here.

Damien looked up and our eyes met across the table. He looked surprised.

"Sophia should sit," George said firmly. "Damien, serve her some food. Don’t just sit there."

Damien’s jaw tightened, but he complied. He reached for the serving dishes and placed chicken and ribs on a plate, then set it in front of the empty seat beside George.

I moved to sit, acutely aware of everyone’s eyes on me.

"Thank you," I said quietly as Damien returned to his seat.

Across the table, Declan snorted. "How touching. What a lovely show you two are putting on, very convincing."

I ignored him, focusing on my plate. I wasn’t here to fight. I was here for George and for whatever connection I still had to Ashley.

Helen, surprisingly, said nothing. She continued eating in silence.

What had happened to make her so quiet?

"You’re a good girl, Sophia. Too good for this family." George said it loud enough that everyone heard. "Now blow out your candles and make a wish."

I closed my eyes and blew. The candles went out, and the lights came back on.

What had I wished for? Freedom? Happiness? Ashley’s love?

In the end, I’d wished for George to stay healthy, for this kind old wolf to have more years ahead of him.

Because he was the only one in this family who’d ever made me feel like I belonged.

George moved to cut the cake, and I gently took the knife from him. "Let me. You shouldn’t strain yourself."

I cut a generous piece and placed it on a plate for George. Then I cut a smaller piece for myself.

I didn’t offer any to the others. If they wanted cake, they could get it themselves.

Damien finally set down his phone.

"Happy birthday, Sophia," he said quietly.

The words felt hollow, but I nodded. "Thank you."

George took a bite of the cake. It was sweet chocolate that I knew he normally avoided due to his health restrictions.

He groaned in pleasure. "Delicious! Thank you for sharing your birthday cake with an old man."

"Thank you for celebrating with me," I replied. "It means more than you know."

After we finished the cake, George pushed back from the table. "Sophia, could I speak with you privately? In my study?"

"Of course."

I stood and offered my arm. George took it and I helped him navigate out of the dining room and down the hallway to his study.

Behind us, I could hear Declan muttering something sarcastic, Helen finally snapping at Will about something, and Damien’s phone buzzing with what I assumed were messages from Tiffany.

But I didn’t care about any of them.

I was here for George.

And whatever he needed to tell me in private was clearly important.