Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever-Chapter 74 More Heartbreak

SOPHIA’S POV

I stayed at Stone Villa that night. Ashley was too sick to be left alone and I refused to let Franca handle everything by herself. I changed out of the red dress in Ashley’s bathroom, washing off the makeup.

Ashley had fallen asleep but woke up an hour later. She was restless with fever. I got her more water and adjusted her pillows. She smiled sleepily at me.

"Mommy, can I have some warm milk? The kind with honey?" she asked me.

"Of course, baby. I’ll make it right now." I smoothed her hair back. "Stay in bed. I’ll be right back."

"Okay." Ashley nodded. Then she paused. "Please, can I come with you? I want to walk a little."

Something about her tone made my wolf’s ears perk up. My wolf felt a subtle shift in her energy. My wolf felt like Ashley was planning something but she was sick and it made sense that she’d want to move around. So, I helped her out of bed and we walked toward the door together.

"I think I can make it to the kitchen by myself," Ashley said suddenly. "My legs feel better now. You stay here and rest, Mommy. You look tired."

"Are you sure? I don’t want you falling-"

"I’m fine. I promise." She smiled that sweet smile, the one that always made it impossible to say no.

My wolf stirred. Something felt off but Ashley was already shuffling out the door, wrapping her blanket around her shoulders. I watched her disappear down the hallway.

My wolf pushed hard.

“Follow her. Now” my wolf hissed.

The instinct was so strong I couldn’t ignore it. I moved quietly out of the room and followed at a distance. Ashley walked down the hallway but she wasn’t heading toward the kitchen at all. She turned toward the living room instead.

I stopped at the top of the stairs and watched. My wolf’s hearing got sharper. I heard the voices down below.

"Aunt Tiffany?" Ashley’s small voice said. "Are you still here?"

"Ashley!" Tiffany’s voice was surprised but warm :Sweetheart, what are you doing up? You should be resting."

"I couldn’t sleep." Ashley’s voice dropped to something soft "I’m sorry about tonight. Mommy found your pajamas. I tried to cover for you but I think she knows."

There was silence. Then Tiffany’s voice came again "You don’t have to apologize, baby. "

"But I don’t want you to be upset. You’re my favorite." Ashley’s words came out in a rush. "Mommy loves me but she’s always gone. You’re always here. You make me feel better when I’m scared."

I pressed my hand against my mouth to keep from making a sound. My wolf was howling inside me in pain. My daughter. My seven-year-old was standing downstairs telling another woman she was her favorite.

Oh goddess.

"Come here, sweetheart." I heard the sound of Tiffany pulling Ashley close. "I’m not upset. I love spending time with you but you need to be careful not to get caught up in the middle of what’s happening between your parents."

"I know but I don’t want anyone to be sad, especially not you." Ashley’s voice was smaller now. "You’re so nice to me. You always are."

I couldn’t listen anymore. I turned and walked back to Ashley’s room as quietly as I came. My hands were shaking. My wolf was in pain and so was I. Seeing Ashley reach for comfort from another woman made my heart ache.

I felt bitterness in my heart. I’d been fighting so hard to stay in Ashley’s life yet my daughter was already more attached to the woman who was there every night.

I sat on the edge of Ashley’s bed and stared at the wall. My wolf was quiet now. She was exhausted from the pain. I thought about everything I’d seen tonight - The pajamas in the closet. Ashley’s lie. Now this. My daughter apologizing to Tiffany on her behalf.

Tiffany was winning through her presence, through simply being there when I couldn’t be. And that hurt worst of all, because I couldn’t blame anyone but the circumstances that kept me away from my own child.

After a while, Ashley came back upstairs. I pretended to be dozing when she climbed back into bed. She settled against her pillows. Within minutes, she was asleep again.

I waited until her breathing was deep. Then I got up and went to the guest room down the hall. The red dress hung on the back of the door where I’d kept it earlier. I looked at it for a long time.

The dress was beautiful and expensive. It was a gift from Zade.

I took it off the hanger and folded it. I would return it tomorrow. I needed to draw a line. I would stop accepting gifts from powerful men. I didn’t want to let myself get pulled into their games and rivalries. None of it was making me happier. None of it was helping me be the mother Ashley needed.

I changed into an old pair of pajamas I kept in the guest room.

I couldn’t sleep. My mind wouldn’t quiet down. The image of Ashley in Tiffany’s arms kept replaying. I could still hear the sound of my daughter saying "you’re my favorite".

Around two in the morning, my throat was dry and raw from holding back tears all night. I got up and walked downstairs toward the kitchen. The house was dark and silent. Everyone should have been asleep by now.

I was crossing the hallway when I noticed light from under Damien’s office door. The door was slightly open. I should have walked past and minded my own business.

But my wolf stopped me. She made me look.

I stepped closer to the door and looked through the crack.

Damien and Tiffany were inside. He was leaning against his desk. She stood in front of him. His hands were on her waist. Her arms were wrapped around his neck.

They were kissing. The kiss was deep and slow. It looked so passionate....so intimate.

Tiffany’s fingers moved through Damien’s hair. He pulled her closer, his hands tightening on her waist. She made a soft sound against his mouth. He responded by tilting her head back then deepening the kiss.

I stood there watching my husband kiss another woman, watching him hold her the way he used to hold me.

My wolf didn’t make a sound. She just went completely silent, like something inside her had finally given up.

I stepped back from the door quietly. I moved without making a sound. Neither of them noticed me.

I walked back upstairs on numb legs. I didn’t even bother again to go to the kitchen for water. I didn’t need it anymore. The thirst had been replaced by something else.

I climbed into the guest bed and pulled the covers up. Tears came silently from my eyes.

It was really over. Completely and utterly over. There was nothing left of my marriage to save. Nothing left to hope for. Damien had moved on entirely, and I needed to accept that.

My wolf curled up inside me. We had each other. We had Ashley. We had the doctoral program and the fight ahead.