Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever-Chapter 71 That Was Too Much

SOPHIA’S POV

I pushed through the crowd toward the exit. My face burned with embarrassment. Zade caught up with me in the hallway outside the main gallery.

"Sophia, wait. Please." He said

I stopped but didn’t turn around. My heart was beating way too fast.

"That was too much, Zade. Way too much."

"I know. I got carried away." He moved to stand in front of me. "But seeing him bid against me, seeing him try to prove he could outspend me, I just... I couldn’t let him win."

"This isn’t about winning! This is my life, not some game between you and Damien." My voice shook with frustration. "Do you have any idea what this looks like? What people are going to say?"

"I don’t care what people say."

"Well I do! I have to live here. I have a daughter who goes to school in this city. I can’t just throw money around and make scenes and not care about the consequences." I pressed my hand to my forehead. "Forty million dollars, Zade. For a bracelet? Just to prove a point?"

"To show you that you’re worth it. That you deserve beautiful things." His eyes were sincere. "That you deserve someone who fights for you."

My anger faded a bit at his words. My wolf stirred inside me. He sounded genuine. I could tell he meant well. I knew that. But good intentions didn’t erase the fact that everyone in that room now thought I was caught between two powerful men. Everyone would think I was the cause of their rivalry.

Before I could respond, a bell rang again. That meant the auction was over. People started moving out of the gallery toward the banquet hall where the reception was being held. I took a breath, trying to compose myself.

"Let’s just get through the rest of this evening," I said quietly. "Please, no more scenes."

"I promise." Zade offered his arm. "Shall we?"

We entered the banquet hall together. It was beautiful. The tables were filled with food and champagne flowing freely. Soft music played in the background. People talked in small groups. It felt like the drama from earlier was being forgotten.

I was happy about that.

A man approached us almost immediately. He looked tall and powerful. He had some white hair, probably in his fifties. "Alpha Zade! That was quite a show you put on."

"Marcus. Good to see you." Zade shook his hand. "Let me introduce my girlfriend, Sophia."

I froze in shock. Girlfriend? We weren’t dating. We hadn’t even gotten dinner together. He was Damien’s enemy.

What the hell was he doing? But before I could correct him, Marcus was shaking my hand and others were gathering around.

"Your girlfriend? Well, well. I didn’t know you were seeing anyone." A woman in a blue gown smiled at me. "You must be special to make Zade settle down."

"I’m not-" I started.

"She’s very special," Zade interrupted smoothly. "Sophia’s a doctor. A brilliant surgeon actually. She’s just been accepted into a doctoral program for advanced surgical research."

I stared at him. The pride in his voice was genuine. It sounded real. He wasn’t just saying it to maintain the girlfriend charade. He actually sounded impressed by my accomplishments.

Why was he -?

"A doctor! How wonderful." Marcus looked at me with a smile. "What’s your specialty?"

"Cardiac surgery," I managed to say "I work primarily with not too serious cases anway."

"She’s being modest," Zade said. "She’s one of the best in her field. The hospital she worked at before tried everything to keep her."

The group engaged me in conversation about medicine and research. Zade stayed beside me. His hand would occasionally touch my back. Even though I was angry before, I found myself relaxing a little.

These people seemed genuinely interested in my work. Damien had never talked about my work to other people.

Then the background music stopped. A spotlight came on, shining on a grand piano at the far end of the hall. Tiffany sat at the bench. Her silver dress shimmered under the light. She smiled at the crowd.

"I’d like to play something for you all," she announced "A piece that’s very special to me."

Of course, she was about to play. She couldn’t help not being the center of attention.

Her fingers touched the keys and music filled the hall. She played a beautiful, piece that showcased her talent. Everyone stopped talking to listen. I watched as people’s faces were filled with awe.

Even I couldn’t help but enjoy the music. She was good, really good.

My eyes found Damien in the crowd. He stood near the piano. His attention was completely focused on Tiffany. His expression was soft in a way I hadn’t seen in years. He looked proud of her.

I’d never seen him look at me like that in public.

My wolf whimpered. That look used to be for us, when I sang lullabies to Ashley. When I did anything that made Damien proud to call me his Luna.

Now that look belonged to Tiffany. She had his attention, his affection, his pride. All the things I’d lost without even realizing it.

"She’s talented," Zade murmured beside me. "But not as talented as you. Not where it counts."

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. I was too caught up in watching Damien watch Tiffany. I was too caught up in the realization that he’d truly moved on. This wasn’t just physical attraction. He looked at her the way a man looks at someone he’s falling for.

Tiffany’s performance was flawless. When she finished, everyone clapped. Damien was the first to reach her. She leaned into him, smiling up at his face.

They looked perfect together.

My heart felt like it was breaking all over again and the worst part was knowing I had no right to feel this way.

I’d left him. I was the one who filed for divorce. I was here with another man. I should be happy Damien found someone else.

But watching them together hurt more than I’d expected. More than I wanted to admit.