Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Chapter 73 Losing Her

SOPHIA’S POV

I was so worried that I left the venue immediately. I didn’t bring my car so I needed to get a ride....fast.

I was standing outside, waiting for a taxi when Damien’s car pulled up. The window rolled down and he looked at me.

"Get in. I’m going home anyway. No point waiting for a taxi."

Tiffany sat in the passenger seat.

"Come on, Sophia. Ashley needs you," Damien said. "Don’t waste time."

He was right. Ashley was sick and waiting for me. I pushed down my pride and opened the back door. I climbed in, keeping as much distance between myself and the front seat as possible.

The drive started in silence, then Tiffany shivered. It was a small movement that was barely noticeable but Damien noticed immediately. His hand moved to the temperature controls without taking his eyes off the road.

"Better?" he asked her softly.

"Mmm. Thank you, darling." Tiffany leaned her head against his shoulder. Damien turned his head slightly and kissed her hair.

My wolf whimpered inside me.

That tenderness. That quiet care. I remembered what it felt like to be on the receiving end of it. Damien showed me care before everything died between us. Damien had been like that once, gentle with me, giving me attention and making sure I was comfortable and warm and safe.

Now that care belonged to someone else.

We reached Stone Villa in fifteen minutes. Damien parked and got out first. He came around to Tiffany’s door and helped her out. She looked up at him with adoring eyes.

I climbed out of the back seat, feeling invisible.

"Go inside. She’s in her room." Damien said.

I walked past him without another word. I walked in and moved toward Ashley’s bedroom. I was still in the red dress with all the glamorous makeup.

I knocked softly on her door. "Ashley? It’s Mommy. Can I come in?"

"Come in," came a weak voice.

I opened the door and stepped inside. Ashley was propped up in bed against a mountain of pillows. Her face was red. She looked like she had a fever. Her hair was messy and damp with sweat. There was a tissue box and a glass of water on her nightstand. She looked up at me and her eyes went wide.

She stared, just stared at me without blinking. Her mouth fell open.

"Ashley? Baby, are you okay?" I moved closer. I was worried the fever was worse than Damien had said. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Mommy?" Her voice was tiny. "Is that... is that really you?"

I realized then how different I looked. I looked like a completely different person from the tired mom she was used to seeing.

"It’s me, sweetheart. I was at an event tonight. I came as soon as Daddy told me you were sick." I sat on the edge of her bed and touched her forehead.

"I can see that." I kept my voice calm. "Why are they here, sweetheart?"

Ashley pulled the blanket up to her chin. "Sometimes auntTiffany stays over. She sleeps in my room because... because I have nightmares sometimes. And she helps me when I have them. She makes me feel better."

I studied my daughter’s face. I noticed the way she wouldn’t meet my eyes. My wolf recognized the signs immediately. Ashley was lying. She was trying to protect Tiffany.

I knew the real reason. Tiffany stayed here regularly, probably most nights. She probably spent a lot of time in Ashley’s room. Ashley knew this was wrong somehow. She knew it would hurt me, so she was covering for Tiffany, creating a story that made it seem okay.

I could call out the lie but looking at her worried face, I couldn’t do it. Not tonight. Not when she was sick and vulnerable and already trying so hard to keep everyone happy.

So, I just smiled. I walked towards her and smoothed her hair back from her forehead. "That’s very sweet of Tiffany to help you with nightmares, baby."

Ashley looked relieved "You’re not mad?"

"No. I’m not mad." I tried to compose myself even though tears burned behind my eyes. "I just want you to be comfortable and feel safe. That’s all that matters to me."

Ashley nodded. Her body relaxed against the pillows. I turned back to the closet and carefully grabbed a fresh set of Ashley’s own pajamas.

I helped Ashley change then gave her the medicine. I sat with her until the fever started to get better and she fell asleep. When she finally slept off, I stayed there on the edge of her bed, watching her breathe. I held her small hand in mine.

I thought of Tiffany’s pajamas again. There were three sets which meant she was here three nights a week, at least. My daughter lied to protect another woman’s place in her life. The thought of it made me sad.

I was losing Ashley, not all at once. It felt like I was losing her piece by piece.