Chapter 180: Chapter 180 The Banquet
SOPHIA’S POV
The morning after George told us about the banquet, I woke up with a headache. My body had rested, but my mind hadn’t. The thought of standing beside Damien in front of a room full of strangers made
uneasy.
My wolf kept pacing inside , as if she could already sense trouble.
My chest felt tight. I’d spent too many years being used as decoration in Damien’s life. The thought of doing it again, even for George, made
tired.
As if that wasn’t enough, Klara ambushed
at breakfast.
I was still in my robe with my hair undone, halfway through my first cup of tea when she appeared in the kitchen doorway with her school bag already on her shoulder.
“Aunt Sophia!” she shouted happily. “I need a favor!”
I laughed softly despite my headache
“Good morning to you too,” I said. “What kind of ergency requires this much energy?”
“It’s serious,” she said with complete confidence. “School is having a countryside outing next week. Teachers said family mbers can co, and I want you to co with .”
Her face was full of hope, and that alone softened sothing inside . Klara always asked for things with her whole heart.
“You want ?” I asked, pretending to think hard. “Not your parents? Not soone younger and cooler?”
“No,” she said seriously “I want you.”
I narrowed my eyes playfully at her “Why ?”
She frowned like the answer was obvious. “Because you’re my favourite aunt and you listen to
and you sll nice”
I burst into laughter at the last reason. My wolf, who had been restless all morning, howled with laughter too.
I crouched to her height and touched her cheek gently. “I’ll need to move so things around,” I said. “But yes. I’ll adjust my schedule and co with you.”
Her mouth dropped open dramatically. “Really?”
“Really.”
She scread with joy and wrapped her arms around my neck so tightly I nearly lost balance. I hugged her back, smiling into her hair.
“You’re the best!” she squealed.
“I know,”
She laughed and ran out of the room to announce the news to the entire house. I stayed kneeling there for a second longer, smiling to myself. Then reality slowly returned.
My mind went back to the banquet. I thought of Damien and the performance.
My smile faded.
-
Around noon, my phone rang. I didn’t need to look at the screen to know who it was. My wolf recognized the timing all the ti.
Damien.
I answered. “What?”
“I’m outside,” he said calmly. “Co down.”
I was confused. We didn’t make any plans today.
“For what?” I asked.
“Styling for tonight.”
I closed my eyes, trying to breathe properly. I sighed in frustration.
Of course, the banquet was tonight. Of course, Damien would take
for my styling. How great.
“I can get ready on my own.” I said.
“No,” he said. “You’re attending as George’s representative. That ans you need proper styling.”
“I’m not one of your business projects.”
“You’re also delaying ,” he replied. “Five minutes.”
Then he hung up.
I stared at the phone in disbelief. Even after everything, he still had the audacity to speak like the world naturally obeyed him. My wolf snarled low in my chest.
Still, I knew refusing would only create more problems with George later. I changed clothes and went downstairs.
Damien’s car waited outside. I got in and as soon as I did, a strong scent hit . It was the scent of strong floral perfu.
Tiffany.
It filled the space so much that it felt like she was still sitting there. My wolf reacted instantly. I kept my face blank and closed the door.
Damien glanced at . “Seatbelt.”
I put it on without answering. Then my eyes moved to his suit jacket.
There, near the collar, were pale beige smudges. I wore enough make up to know what those stains were - foundation. The stain looked fresh.
I knew imdiately whose it was - Tiffany.
To my surprise, I felt....calm. There had been a ti I would have felt sick, jealous, heartbroken, humiliated. There had been a ti I would have spent the entire day wondering what happened, where they were, how close they stood.
Now, I felt only disgust, not because he touched another woman, but because he still expected
to sit beside him afterward.
“You’re staring,” Damien said.
“I was observing poor hygiene,” I replied.
His brows pulled together. “What?”
“Nothing.”
He looked irritated, but he didn’t say anything. The car moved through traffic in silence.
-
The stylist Damien had arranged worked out of a private studio in town. It was an elite luxurious studio. I didn’t expect any less.
Everything was soft lighting. The place was filled with people who smiled professionally. The staff greeted Damien with respect.
“This way, madam,” a woman said.
I followed her to a private rom.
For the next two hours, strangers handled my hair, skin, nails, and dress choices. I stayed quiet through most of it. My wolf disliked being touched so much, but she tolerated it because there was no threat.
Damien ca and went while taking calls. Every now and then, I caught his reflection in the mirrors. He kept looking at
when he thought I wouldn’t notice.
When they were finally done, I stood in front of the largest mirror. For a second, I forgot to breathe.
The gown was an elegant blue dress, fitted through the waist and flowing downward. My hair was curled to perfection in waves. My make up fitted
perfectly. It looked flawless.
I looked like soone powerful. I was in awe of myself
The stylist stepped back and smiled. "Perfect," she said simply.
I heard movent behind
and glanced in the mirror.
Damien had co in. As soon as he saw , he went completely still.
His eyes were fixed on
with an expression I hadn’t seen in years. His eyes went wide with what looked like wonder.
“Well?” I asked coldly.
He swallowed once before answering. “You look stunning.”
I almost smiled.
“Interesting,” I said. “I looked invisible for years.”
His jaw tightened. “Sophia-”
“Relax,” I cut in. “I’m dressed. That was the goal.”
I walked past him before he could answer. My wolf lifted her head proudly.
-
The Stone family banquet was held at the private dining room of a hotel the family had used for formal gatherings for thirty years.
I had attended events here before as Damien’s wife. I knew the layout. I knew the faces.
Tonight felt different. Tonight
and Damien were faking our marriage for George.
We arrived together. As soon as we got in, the room was already filled. All of Damien’s families were here as well as other people in the Stones’ family inner circle..
I recognized most of them. A lot of them recognized
too. Damien and I walked around, talking to people.
One of Damien’s far uncles looked between Damien and
with the confusion.
"Damien," he said. "Who is your companion this evening?"
The table near us went quiet in. I waited.
Damien looked at his uncle. For a mont, he thought of what to say.
"She’s-" He paused. "She works with . she’s a professional associate."
I looked at Damien for one mont, at the side of his face. He couldn’t even claim
as his wife when that was still technically and legally what I was.
I turned to the man with a smile.
"Sophia," I said. "His secretary, apparently."
The man blinked. A few faces around the table exchanged glances. Soone made a small sound that might have been a laugh.
Damien’s jaw tightened. He looked at . I looked back at him with a neutral expression.
The air in the room had just beco very interesting. Then it changed.
There was a different kind of shift now. This was the kind of change that was caused by a dominant wolf.
Several heads turned. Conversations paused mid-sentence.
I turned.
Zade was standing in the entrance of the dining room.
Reviews
All reviews (0)