Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever novel Chapter 61

Chapter 61: Chapter 61 Favorite Soup

SOPHIA’S POV

I drove through the night. The three-hour drive felt both too long and too short. Too long because every minute away from my family was another minute Damien could be hurting them. Too short because I had no idea what I was walking into.

It was almost midnight when I pulled up to Sky Manor. The lights were still on. My heart raced as I used my key and entered quietly.

Voices came from the living room. It sounded like my parents, Marco and Patricia. They were still awake and talking in hushed voices. Their hushed conversation stopped when they heard me.

"Sophia?" My mother appeared in the hallway. Her face was pale and her eyes were red like she’d been crying.. "What are you doing here? I thought you were in Millbrook Falls."

"I came back. I needed to see you." I moved into the living room where everyone looked at me with concerned expressions. The look on their faces made me panic.

"What’s going on?" I asked. “What happened?’ 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Nothing happened. We’re fine." My father’s voice was too quick.

But I could see it wasn’t fine. Marco’s jaw was tight. Patricia wouldn’t meet my eyes. My mother kept folding her hands - a nervous habit she only had when something was really wrong.

"Don’t lie to me, please. Damien was here, wasn’t he?"

The silence confirmed it.

"What did he do?" I asked.

"He showed up yesterday evening, right after you left. Then again tonight," Marco said.

"He threatened you?”

"Not directly. He’s too smart for that." My father’s voice was bitter. "He mentioned how his company has connections everywhere, how business deals can fall through, how our family business can lose clients."

"Oh God." I sank onto the couch. "He’s going after your businesses."

"It’s already started." Patricia finally spoke. "Marco’s firm lost three major clients tonight."

"And the hospital where your mother volunteers?" My father continued. "They suddenly need to restructure their volunteer program. They’re letting go of several long-term volunteers, including her."

My mother pressed her hand to her mouth. She made a sound like she was holding back tears. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. This was my fault. Damien was hurting innocent people because I’d dared to leave.

Tears spilled down my cheeks. "I’m so sorry.”

"No." My mother took my hands. "Don’t be. This is all on Damien. He’s the one choosing to hurt people."

"But I’m the reason—"

"You’re trying to build a better life for yourself. That’s not wrong." Marco’s eyes were fierce. "Don’t you dare blame yourself for his actions."

"But your firm. Mom’s volunteer position. Everything you’ve worked for."

"Then we’ll rebuild." Patricia moved to stand beside Marco. "We’re not going to let him bully us into forcing you back into that marriage."

"We’re choosing this, Sophia." My father’s voice was firm. "We’re choosing to stand with you. Whatever the cost."

Their words should have made me feel better, but I just felt crushing guilt. These good people were being punished because Damien wanted to control me.

"I need to talk to him," I said suddenly.

Marco snapped at me “Hell no.”

“I have to,” I sobbed "I don’t have a choice. Maybe if I agree to some kind of compromise."

“This is what he wants, Sophia” Patricia said.

"He won’t negotiate. Men like Damien don’t negotiate." Marco’s expression was hard. "They dominate or they destroy."

"I still have to try." I whispered.

I called Damien’s number. It rang and rang before going to voicemail. I tried again but it was the same result. He was ignoring my calls.

Great.

"He’s not going to talk to you," Patricia said gently. "Not until he’s made his point. Not until you’re broken enough to come crawling back."

I thought of how I could reach him. Then I remembered. Ashley. Damien had asked me to come this weekend to make her favorite soup. I could use that to see him.

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