Chapter 276: Chapter 277 Thinking About Her
DAMIEN’S POV
The moment I walked into my office that morning, the article was waiting for me. Someone had printed it and placed it on my desk.
I stared at the headline for several long seconds before picking it up.
The words seemed to burn into my eyes. The article talked about Sophia’s miscarriage and questions about paternity. Sophia’s name was being dragged through the mud.
I read every line, then I read it again.
By the time I reached the end, my jaw was clenched so tightly that pain shot through my temples.
The article contained details that never should have been public - her hospital ward, the names of medical staff, the timeline of her admission, even portions of her medical records.
This wasn’t gossip. This was targeted. This was something deliberate.
My wolf paced restlessly inside my head. For once, neither of us was angry at Sophia. We were angry at whoever had done this.
I picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Simon” I said “My office. Now."
Less than five minutes later, Simon walked through the door.
The moment he saw my expression, his usual casual attitude disappeared.
I tossed the article onto the desk.
"Read it." I said.
Simon picked up the papers and read them. The longer he read, the more serious his face became.
When he finally finished, he slowly lowered the pages.
"This is bad." He said quietly.
"No," I said coldly "It’s worse than bad."
The office fell silent.
I leaned back in my chair and folded my arms.
"Find out who released it." I told him.
Simon frowned "You think it was intentional?"
I laughed humorlessly "Do you think a random reporter somehow obtained Sophia’s medical records?"
Simon didn’t answer. He knew I was right.
I rubbed my forehead "Find the source."
Simon nodded "I’m on it."
As soon as he left, the office became quiet again, too quiet.
I took my phone and opened it. Sophia’s contact appeared on the screen.
My chest tightened.
Her profile picture was years old, very old. It had been taken before everything fell apart. This was before Tiffany, before the divorce, before Ashley started pushing Sophia away.
Sophia was laughing in the photo. She wasn’t smiling. She was laughing.
Her head was tilted slightly back. Her eyes were bright. Someone had clearly said something funny because her expression was completely unguarded.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen her look like that.
My thumb hovered over the call button. Just one tap - that was all it would take.
I just had to tap on it once. Yet somehow I couldn’t do it. Because I didn’t know what I would say. Sorry?
For what exactly? For the article? For the miscarriage? For the years I failed her? The list was too long.
My wolf growled bitterly “Coward”
I locked the screen and tossed the phone aside.
The office suddenly felt suffocating.
I tried to focus on other things.
Hours passed. Meetings came and went. Documents piled up. I gave direct orders.
Even with everything I was busy with, my mind never left the article or Sophia. or that old photograph.
Around noon, Simon entered the office. This time his expression was very serious.
I sat up straighter "What did you find?"
Simon closed the door behind him, then he placed a folder on my desk.
"A lot." He said.
A cold feeling settled in my stomach.
Simon opened the folder "The leak came from the hospital."
I wasn’t surprised.
"Go on." I said.
"the details came from a junior nurse."
He slid a photograph across the desk. In the photo, a young woman stared back at me. She looked twenty-something at most. She looked innocent and ordinary, exactly the kind of person nobody would suspect.
Simon continued "She received a cash payment three days before the article was published."
My eyes narrowed "From who?"
"That’s where it gets interesting."
Simon handed me another document.
I scanned it quickly. This document contained details of a bank transfer from a shell company. It contained transfers to several intermediary accounts.
Someone had tried very hard to hide the trail. Unfortunately for them, Simon was very good at his job.
My wolf became alert.
"What does it lead to?" I asked.
Even I started to dread the answer. Something told me I wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Simon hesitated. That alone told me I wasn’t going to like the answer.
Finally, he spoke "The shell company is connected to a consultancy firm. The one frequently used by Stewart Monroe."
The room became silent.
I didn’t move. I didn’t blink. I simply stared at him.
Stewart Monroe was Tiffany’s father.
I couldn’t believe it.
Simon swallowed "I double-checked....three times."
I was stunned to my core.
I was so shocked that my wolf slowly stopped pacing.
My mind was racing with so much questions. Did Tiffany do this? Did she release that article?
Simon looked at me "What do you want to do?"
I leaned back in my chair.
For several seconds, I said nothing. I didn’t know what to say or what to do.
Part of me wanted to confront Tiffany immediately, to demand answers and demand the truth.
But another part of me wanted something else - proof. I wanted enough proof that nobody could lie their way out of it.
My wolf agreed.
“Watch” he said softly “Wait”
I closed the folder "Nothing."
Simon looked surprised "Nothing?"
"Not yet." I met his eyes "Keep digging."
Understanding flashed across his face.
He nodded, then he left. Once again, I was alone.
This time the silence felt different. Something inside me had shifted.
The certainty I had carried for years wasn’t as solid anymore and that realization disturbed me more than I wanted to admit.
-
That night, I didn’t go home immediately. Instead, I drove...without really thinking about where.
The city lights blurred past my windows as I moved.
Traffic moved around me. The radio played softly but I heard none of it.
Eventually, I found myself turning onto a familiar street.
My grip tightened around the steering wheel.
Sky Manor, Sophia’s house.
I shouldn’t be here. I knew that.
I should leave. I knew that. But I didn’t.
Instead, I parked across the street and turned off the engine.
For a moment, I just sat there....watching.
I watched the house. Warm lights glowed from several windows. One window in particular held my attention.
It was Sophia’s window. I knew it without needing anyone to tell me. My wolf recognized it too.
Minutes passed. Still, I remained there.
I had no idea what I was doing here or why I was here.
I noticed something. The light inside the room shifted. then, a shadow moved.
It was Sophia. Even from this distance, I knew it was her.
My chest tightened painfully. My wolf howled inside my chest at the sight of her.
Before I could even react, another figure came into view. This one was taller and bigger.
Zade.
My jaw clenched instantly. My wolf growled deeply inside me.
He moved through the room comfortably, like he belonged there. The sight made something ugly twist inside me.
My wolf stirred inside me and not in a good way.
A deep feeling moved through me - jealousy.
My wolf snarled.
I hated it. I knew I had no right to feel it, not anymore. Yet I couldn’t stop it.
Despite that, I couldn’t stop watching them.
I watched as Zade handed her something. It was a cup. Maybe medicine. Or tea.
I watched as Sophia accepted it. Then she smiled.
It was a small smile but it was there. Even from here, I could see it.
I stared at it. My chest stirred at the sight of it.
For years I had convinced myself that Sophia would always be waiting. I thought she would always be there. Now another man was standing in her room, taking care of her and making her smile.
And I hated how much it bothered me.
The light remained on for another twenty minutes, then eventually it went dark. The room disappeared into shadow.
Still, I didn’t leave.
I sat there for a long time, long enough for the neighborhood to become silent.
Finally, I started the engine and drove away.
The drive home felt longer than usual.
When I arrived at Alexander Villa, the house was quiet.
I walked through the front door.
The first thing I noticed was that the house was empty.
There was no Sophia, no laughter, no warm light waiting upstairs.
Nothing.
There was just silence. For the first time, the villa felt huge and empty....painfully empty.
I loosened my tie and walked toward the study.
My footsteps echoed as I walked. I hated that sound.
Without thinking, I opened the liquor cabinet and took out a bottle of whiskey.
I poured a glass andI carried the drink to the sofa.
The room remained dark. I didn’t turn on a single light. I simply sat there alone.
I drank yet somehow it didn’t help.
Across the room, my phone was on the table. For a moment, I considered calling Tiffany. That was what I usually did whenever something bothered me.
But tonight... I didn’t.
For the first time in years, I had no desire to hear her voice.
Instead, I sat there alone.....thinking about Sophia.
