Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever-Chapter 75 Grandpa Birthday

SOPHIA’S POV

I couldn’t sleep. The image of Damien and Tiffany kissing burned behind my eyes every time I closed them.

Around three in the morning, I gave up trying. I got out of bed and went downstairs to the kitchen.

The liquor cabinet in the kitchen was well stocked. Damien had always kept it that way. I pulled out a bottle of whiskey and poured myself a glass, then another. I needed it.

My wolf didn’t like the alcohol. She pushed against it but I pushed back. It was just for tonight. I needed to stop feeling so much.

I was halfway through my third glass when my phone buzzed on the counter. I looked at it and saw Marco’s name. I stared at it for a moment before answering.

"Hey. It’s late. Everything okay?" he spoke.

"Everything’s fine. I’m at Stone Villa with Ashley. She’s sick." My words were slightly slurred. I hoped he couldn’t tell I was a bit intoxicated.

"Are you drinking?" he asked. He knew me too well.

"A little."

"Sophia." His voice was gentle m. "Talk to me. What happened?"

So, I told him. Not everything, but enough. I told him about Ashley and Tiffany, about the pajamas in the closet, about seeing my daughter prefer another woman’s comfort over mine. I also told him about the auction, the bracelet, and Zade and Damien’s power play.

Marco listened without interrupting. When I finished, he was quiet for a moment. "I’m sorry, Soph. That must have hurt like hell."

"It did." I took another sip. "I feel like I’m losing her, Marco." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"You’re not losing her. You’re her mother. That bond doesn’t break just because someone else is around more often." He paused. "Listen, I have something that might cheer you up a little or at least remind you that people care about you."

"What?"

"A package arrived at the house tonight. It’s from Zade. It’s the bracelet from the auction. He sent it anyway, even though you told him you didn’t want it." Marco said "Patricia and Mom were looking at it. It’s beautiful, Sophia. Really beautiful."

I was shocked. I’d told Zade to keep it yet he’d sent it anyway.

"I’ll deal with it tomorrow," I said quietly.

"Mom wants you to know she’s proud of you for being there for Ashley tonight." Marco spoke gently. "We’re all proud of you. You know that, right?"

"I know." Tears burned in my eyes but I blinked them away. "Thank you, Marco. For everything."

We talked for a few more minutes. Marco told me about Klara’s latest school project and how Patricia was handling the firm’s challenges. It was just normal family talk. When we hung up, I felt a bit better.

I finished the whiskey and washed the glass then put the bottle back where it belonged.

By the time I climbed back upstairs, the alcohol had made my body heavy. I was finally able to sleep.

-

The next morning I woke up with a pounding headache. Sunlight came in through the guest room curtains. I groaned and pressed my pillow over my face.

After a long hot shower that helped me feel a bit better, I wore a robe and headed toward the kitchen to make coffee. I almost walked straight into Damien coming out of his office.

He was freshly showered too. His hair was still wet. He wore a casual shirt and dark pants. He stopped when he saw me. For a moment we just stood there awkwardly in the hallway, looking at each other.

"Morning," he said finally.

"Morning." I pulled the robe tighter around myself.

My wolf stirred uncomfortably. She was still raw from last night from seeing him with Tiffany, from everything.

"Listen," Damien started "My grandfather’s birthday is this weekend. He’s turning eighty."

"I remember." I said. I loved George. I’d never forget his birthday "How is he doing?"

"Stubborn as ever. We’re having dinner at Stone Manor on Saturday. The family will be there."

"Okay?”

I wasn’t sure where this was going.

"He specifically asked about you. He wants you there." Damien sighed "And he wants your cooking. You know how much he loves your pot roast."

My heart squeezed. George had always loved my cooking. He had told me once that I was the best cook in the family.

"I can make something for him," I said. "I’ll prepare his pot roast and bring it Saturday."

"Good. That would mean a lot to him." Damien paused. "We should probably coordinate on gifts too. Like we used to-"

"I think we should keep it simple." I cut him off before he could suggest something that felt too intimate. "I’ll get my own gift for George. You get yours. No need to plan it together."

Something passed in Damien’s eyes. Hurt, maybe? I wasn’t sure. I doubted it.

He nodded "Fine. Separate gifts. That works."

"Good. If you’ll excuse me, I need to start on Ashley’s breakfast."

I moved past him toward the kitchen. The conversation had been short and really awkward.

It was weird. Because we used to flow together, finish each other’s sentences, plan everything as a team. Now we couldn’t even stand in a hallway and hold a simple talk.

-

Saturday came faster than I wanted. I spent the morning at the hospital finishing a shift, then rushed to prepare George’s pot roast at Sky Manor.

My mother helped me pack it carefully for transport.

Damien sent a car to pick me up at five. I wore an elegant dark blue dress.

When the car arrived, I grabbed the packed pot roast and my gift for George and walked outside. The driver opened the back door for me. I hesitated for just a second, looking at the front passenger seat. For years, that had been my place. Every time Damien drove somewhere, I sat beside him.

I climbed into the back seat.

The driver closed the door without comment. He probably didn’t notice the significance of my choice but I did. And my wolf did.

We were drawing the line. The front seat belonged to Tiffany now. I would sit in the back where I belonged in this new arrangement of Damien’s life.

The car pulled away from Sky Manor and I watched my family’s house disappear in the rearview mirror. My wolf was quiet. We were done grieving the front seat.

We had a birthday dinner to get through.