Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Chapter 78 Declan Is Missing

SOPHIA’S POV

After dessert, George said to me and Damien. "It’s getting late. Why don’t you both stay the night? The manor has plenty of rooms. It would mean a lot to have family here on my birthday."

I opened my mouth to politely decline. The thought of staying under the same roof as Damien and Tiffany made my wolf uncomfortable.

But before I could speak, George added, "Please, Sophia. I don’t get to see you much anymore. Humor an old man on his birthday."

The tone he used was so soft, like he was pleading. His voice made it impossible to refuse. I looked at Damien. He was watching me with a neutral expression.

"It’s up to you," Damien said quietly. "I’ll respect whatever you decide."

My wolf whimpered inside me. This felt like a test somehow, like refusing would prove something to everyone watching - that I was petty, that I couldn’t handle being around Damien for one night. So, I nodded.

"Alright. I’ll stay. Thank you, George." I said. His face lit up. "Wonderful! Helen, please have the guest rooms prepared."

Helen looked like she wanted to argue but she just nodded.

Tiffany stood up then. "I should probably head home. I have an early morning tomorrow." She smiled at George. "Happy birthday again. The dinner was lovely."

"Thank you for coming, dear." George was polite but he wasn’t as enthusiastic with her as he was with me.

Tiffany noticed. Everyone noticed.

Damien walked Tiffany to the door. I heard their voices in the hallway then the sound of a goodbye kiss. My wolf whined softly but I pushed the feeling down. It didn’t matter anymore. It shouldn’t matter.

“Has he been treating you badly?" I’d forgotten George was still here until he asked that.

I wasn’t expecting him to ask but he must have seen how I felt watching Tiffany and Damien. His question made my throat close up. So many images came into my mind.

I remembered everything - the affairs, how cold he was to me, the public humiliation, Damien sabotaging my career, Damien forcing me away from Ashley and replacing me with Tiffany.

I looked at George’s worried face and thought about what the truth would do to him. He was eighty years old. He’d just had a beautiful birthday. He loved Damien. Telling him everything would hurt him. It would force him to choose sides between his family members.

"Things have been complicated," I said. "The divorce is hard on everyone but Damien and I are trying to do what’s best for Ashley."

"That’s not what I asked." George leaned forward. "Has he treated you badly?.

Tears burned behind my eyes but I blinked them back. "George, please. I don’t want to-"

"You’re protecting him." George’s voice was gentle. "Even now, after everything, you’re protecting my grandson from facing what he’s done."

"I’m protecting you," I corrected softly. "You don’t need this stress on your birthday."

"I’m an old wolf, Sophia. I can handle the truth."

"Maybe but not tonight." I reached over and squeezed his hand. "Please, George. Just let it be. Let me enjoy this evening with you without dragging all the pain into it."

He studied my face for a long moment. Then he sighed deeply. "You’re too kind for your own good. You always have been." He squeezed back. "But I want you to know something. Whatever happened between you and Damien, you will always be welcome in this family. You’re Ashley’s mother. That makes you one of us....always.”

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