Piss Off, Alpha! You Lost Me Forever-Chapter 97 A Complication

SOPHIA’S POV

I was eating breakfast at Sky Manor when the doorbell rang.

Marco went to answer it, and I heard him talking to a delivery person. A moment later, he walked back into the dining room with a black box.

"It’s for you," he said, setting it on the table in front of me.

I opened the box carefully. Inside was the most beautiful bracelet I’d ever seen. It was pale green jade with lovely patterns.

There was a card beside it. I picked it up.

For a woman who deserves beautiful things. - Z

"That’s Hetian jade," my father said from across the table. "That piece is worth... Sophia, that has to be at least thirty million dollars."

The room went silent.

"Thirty million?" I repeated weakly.

Marco’s face had turned dark. "That’s the bracelet from the auction. I read about it in the business section." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

I remembered it. It must be one of the bracelets Zade picked for me.

My wolf stirred inside me. This was too much.

"Sophia." Marco sat down beside me. "I know Zade helped you when you needed it and I’m grateful for that. But men like him don’t give gifts worth thirty million dollars without expecting something in return."

"He’s not like that," I said, even though I wasn’t entirely sure I believed it.

"Maybe he is, maybe he isn’t but you can’t afford to find out." Marco took my hand. "These powerful, wealthy Alphas - they’re used to getting what they want. They throw around money like it’s nothing, and before you know it, you’re in debt to them”

"Your brother is right," my mother added. "Zade Morrison is a powerful man. If you accept gifts like this from him, people will talk. They’ll say you’re his mistress, or that you traded one rich mate for another."

"I don’t care what people say," I said, but even as the words left my mouth, I knew they weren’t entirely true. My reputation was already damaged enough.

"You should care," Patricia said gently. She was feeding Klara but paused to look at me. "You’re trying to start over. That starts with making avoiding complicated situations."

I looked down at the bracelet. Part of me wanted to keep it - not because of its value, but because someone had thought I deserved something beautiful.

When was the last time Damien had given me something nice?

But Marco was right. This was too much. It was too complicated.

"I’ll return it today," I said.

My brother nodded. "Good”

After breakfast, I went up to my room and gathered all of Zade’s gifts - the emerald bracelet from the auction, the designer dress he’d had sent to my apartment and other things.

All of it went into a bag.

I drove to Zade’s penthouse building. Before I knocked on the door, I pulled out my phone and started recording a video. I needed evidence in case of anything in future.

"I’m returning all gifts received from Zade Morrison," I said clearly, showing the camera the bag of items. "Today’s date is November fifteenth. I’m doing this of my own free will. These items are being returned because I cannot accept such expensive gifts."

I stopped recording and knocked.

Zade opened the door almost immediately. He was wearing casual clothes - just jeans and a black t-shirt - but somehow still managed to look like he’d stepped out of a magazine.

"Sophia," he said with a smile. "What a pleasant surprise. Come in."

"I can’t." I held out the bag. "I’m here to return these."

His smile faded. "Return what?"

"Everything you’ve given me including the jade bracelet that arrived this morning. I appreciate them but I can’t accept these."

Zade didn’t take the bag. "They were gifts, Sophia. You don’t return gifts."

"I do when they’re worth more than most people make in a lifetime."

"The money doesn’t matter to me."

"It matters to me." I pushed the bag toward him again. "Please, Zade. Just take it. I have my reasons”

There was something in his eyes – maybe hurt?

"You think I’m gonna hurt you, huh?"

"I don’t know what to think," I sighed "But I need to protect myself."

Zade was quiet for a long moment. Finally, he sighed and took the bag.

"Fine. If that’s what you want." He looked inside, pulling out the jade bracelet. "But can I ask why?"

“I’m still married, Zade. I’m still trying to figure out how to divorce a man who won’t let me go. I’m still trying to rebuild my relationship with my daughter and start a doctoral program and just... survive. I don’t have room for complications."

"I’m a complication?" There was an edge to his voice now.

"Yes." I whispered.

Zade set the bag down inside his apartment, then stepped closer to me. My wolf tensed up. She didn’t know whether to submit to the alpha presence or stand our ground.

"What if I don’t want to be a complication?" he asked quietly. "What if I want to be someone who makes your life easier?"

"Then respect my boundaries," I said. "No more expensive gifts. No more... whatever this is between us."

He studied my face for a long moment, and I could see his wolf right behind his eyes. But then he stepped back, putting distance between us.

"Okay," he said. "I’ll respect your boundaries. But Sophia? When you’re free - really free, with no mate bond holding you back - I’m not giving up."

My heart skipped a beat. "Zade-"

"I’m not asking for anything now. I’m just telling you my intentions. When you’re ready, I’ll be here." He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. "Now go, before I do something stupid like beg you to keep the bracelet."

I left his building feeling lighter but also strangely sad. Zade had shown me kindness when I needed it most but Marco was right.

I was halfway home when my phone rang. George’s name flashed on the screen.

"Grandpa," I answered "How are you?"

"I’m well, dear but I need a favor." His voice was warm "Helena - Simon’s mother - has recovered enough to return home. I’d like to send her a gift to welcome her back”

My stomach sank. "That’s very kind of you."

"The thing is, I’m laid up with a bad knee. I have doctor’s orders to stay off it for a few days. Would you be willing to deliver the gift for me? I know it’s asking a lot, but-"

"Of course," I heard myself say. "I’d be happy to."

The words were automatic but inside, my wolf was snarling. The last thing I wanted was to visit Simon’s mother, to pretend everything was fine.

But this was George asking. George, who’d always been kind to me.

"Thank you, Sophia. You’re a good girl." George’s voice was full of happiness. "The gift is at my house. You can pick it up whenever you’re ready."

"No problem,"

We said our goodbyes, and I ended the call.

I sat in my parked car, staring at my phone, wondering how I’d gotten here. Returning expensive gifts from one powerful alpha, then agreeing to visit the mother of another alpha who’d tried to destroy my friend.

My life had become so complicated when all I wanted was simple.

But maybe, just maybe, I had to go through all this mess first before I could find peace on the other side.