Chapter 129: Chapter 129 No Longer Welco
SOPHIA’S POV
Damien pulled
roughly toward the side of the house, away from the windows where Ashley and the others could see us. His grip on my wrist was tight enough that I knew there would be bruises.
"Let go of ," I said coldly.
He released
but didn’t step back. "What the hell were you thinking, coming here and starting a fight with Tasha?"
"Starting a fight?" I stared at him in disbelief. “You believe that?”
"She said you barged in, refused to leave when she asked politely, and then got violent when she ntioned the divorce." Damien’s eyes flashed gold. "She’s recovering from cancer surgery, Sophia. What kind of person attacks a sick woman?"
"The kind who’s defending herself from being called pathetic and told she’s clinging to a man who doesn’t want her." My voice was cold "Or did that part not make it into her version of events?"
"Tasha wouldn’t-"
"Tasha insulted
first. She even said I was the only one who hadn’t moved on." I crossed my arms. "I told her this is still legally my house until the divorce is final. She lost her temper and threw Ashley’s castle at my head."
"You’re saying she threw it at you? Not that you tried to hit her with it?"
"Why would I destroy sothing Ashley and I built together? That castle was one of the few good mories I have with my daughter. The last ti she actually smiled at
like she loved . Why would I break it?"
Damien was quiet for a mont. I could tell that his wolf’s presence was agitated. I could see him trying to reconcile the two stories, trying to decide who to believe.
And I saw the exact mont he chose.
It wasn’t . Never .
"Even if what you’re saying is true," he said slowly, "you shouldn’t have engaged with her. You should have left as soon as things got heated. You know Tasha is fragile right now-"
"And I’m not?" The words burst out of . "I’m not fragile? I don’t deserve consideration or protection? My feelings don’t matter at all?"
"That’s not what I’m saying-"
"Isn’t it?" I laughed bitterly. "You’ve made it very clear where your loyalties lie, Damien. It’s with them. Everyone gets your support and protection except ."
"Because you keep making it impossible!" His voice rose. "You co here uninvited, you upset everyone, you cause scenes-"
"I ca here to get you to sign the divorce papers you’ve been avoiding for weeks!" I shouted back. "That’s it! That was my only goal!”
"You’re not allowed back here," Damien said. His voice dropped to alpha command. "Not until Ashley and Tasha have both fully recovered. You’re not welco at Stone Villa anymore."
The words should have hurt. They should have cut deep.
But I felt nothing except cold relief.
"Fine," I said "I don’t want to be here anyway. Just sign the papers and send them to my lawyer. That’s all I’m asking."
"I said I would-"
"When, Damien? When will you actually do it?" I stepped closer, forcing him to et my eyes. "Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re stalling, like you want to keep
tied to you while you build your new life. Like you want it both ways."
"That’s not-"
"Just sign them." My voice was tired now. "Please. Let
go. Let
move on with my life. Whatever we had is dead. All that’s left is paperwork. So finish it."
Damien’s jaw clenched. For a mont, I thought he might actually say sothing real, sothing honest.
Instead, he just nodded. "Fine. I’ll sign them this week."
"Good." I turned toward my car. "Goodbye, Damien."
I walked away. I got in my car, started the engine, and drove off without looking back.
My hands were shaking on the steering wheel. My wolf was whimpering in pain and confusion. The mate bond was pulling at , trying to make
turn around, go back, fix things.
But I kept driving.
I made it three blocks before I had to pull over because my vision was blurring with tears. I sat there in my parked car, trying to breathe through the pain in my chest, when soone knocked on my window.
I looked up to see Lance standing there. He had concern written all over his face.
I was shocked. What was he doing here?
We always t coincidentally at the most unexpected places.
I rolled down the window. "Lance? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the sa thing." His eyes scanned my face, taking in the tears. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"Nothing. I’m fine." I wiped at my face. "Just... dealing with divorce stuff."
"You’re crying in your car on a random street. That’s not fine." Lance frowned. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not really." I tried to smile and failed. "I just want to go ho and forget this day ever happened."
"Okay." Lance didn’t push. He didn’t demand explanations. "Do you feel steady enough to drive ho? Or I can call you a cab-"
"I can drive."
“No. I insist. Let’s go”
Before I could say anything, Lance got into my car. Honestly, I was glad about the company.
We drove in silence but it felt good, having soone here. I didn’t feel lonely any more.
When we got to my house, Lance told
goodbye and booked a cab back ho. He didn’t say much and I appreciated it. He just made sure he was there for
quietly.
As I got out the car, I thought of everything that happened this evening – Tasha’s lies, Ashley’s hatred, Damien’s betrayal.
When I got to the driveway, Marco was outside working on his truck. He looked up as I got out of the car, and his expression imdiately shifted to concern.
"Sophia? What happened to your arm?" he asked.
I looked down and saw the bruises forming where Damien had grabbed . There were dark purple marks in the shape of fingers.
"Nothing," I said quickly. "I just... I tripped then I caught myself on a railing."
Marco’s eyes narrowed. "That looks like soone grabbed you."
"It’s nothing, Marco. Really. I’m just clumsy." I pulled my sleeve down to cover the bruises. "I’m tired. I’m going to bed."
"Sophia-"
"Please." I looked at him, pleading. "I just want to forget about today. Can we do that? Just... pretend none of this happened?"
Marco studied my face for a long mont. Then he nodded slowly. "Okay. But if you need to talk, I’m here. You know that, right?"
"I know." I hugged him quickly. "Thank you."
I went inside and straight to my room, avoiding my mother and Klara who were watching TV in the living room. I locked my door, stripped off my clothes, and stood in front of the mirror.
Bruises on my wrist where Damien had grabbed . I had a small bruise on my shin where Ashley had kicked . And inside, in places no one could see, wounds that went so much deeper.
I was breaking apart.....piece by piece.
Day by day.
And I didn’t know how much longer I could hold myself together.
But I had to try.
Because if I fell apart now, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to put myself back together again.
So I took a shower, put on pajamas, and climbed into bed.
And I told myself that tomorrow would be better.
Even though I knew it was a lie.
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