SOPHIA’S POV

By the time I left Ashley’s ward, my chest felt completely hollow.

The hospital hallway blurred slightly as I walked away, though I wasn’t sure if it was because of exhaustion or because I was trying hard not to cry again. My wolf stayed quiet inside me too. She wasn’t growling anymore.

She just felt...sad. And honestly, so did I.

The argument in Ashley’s room kept replaying painfully inside my head while I walked slowly through the corridor. I remembered Tasha’s offended face, Ashley siding with her, Mr. Stewart looking disappointed in me like I was some uncontrollable problem.

None of them even tried understanding me. Not one person.

I still ended up becoming the villain again.

My wolf whimpered softly.

By the time I returned to my ward, Patricia immediately noticed my expression.

“Oh no,” she muttered while standing up from the couch. “What happened now?”

I stayed silent for a few seconds before slowly sitting on the bed.

“I want to leave.”

Patricia frowned “Leave where?”

“The hospital.”

“Sophia...”

“I’m serious,” I interrupted quietly. “I can’t stay here anymore.”

The hospital suddenly felt emotionally suffocating now. Everywhere I looked reminded me of arguments, heartbreak, disappointment, or Zade.

My wolf reacted immediately at the thought of him.

-

The discharge process took several hours.

Doctors kept insisting I needed more rest while Patricia argued with nearly everyone until they finally approved it. By afternoon, I was officially allowed to leave under strict conditions – Rest, medication, no stress.

Honestly, the last instruction already sounded impossible.

My wolf remained emotionally exhausted during the entire process too. She stayed uiet while Patricia packed my things carefully around the ward.

But the moment we finally stepped outside the hospital entrance...something inside me relaxed slightly.

I inhaled the fresh air. It felt like freedom.

The drive back to Sky Manor felt peaceful.

Patricia drove while soft music played quietly through the car speakers. For several minutes, neither of us spoke much.

I leaned against the seat while staring absentmindedly outside the window.

The farther we moved away from the hospital, the lighter my chest gradually felt.

When we finally arrived at Sky Manor, I was exhausted.

But the second the gates opened fully, I smiled.

Home.

The car stopped near the front entrance. Before I could even fully step out, the front door suddenly burst open.

“Aunt Sophia!”

A tiny blur rushed toward me immediately. I barely had time to react before Klara threw herself directly into my arms.

I laughed weakly while catching her.

Klara held me while pouting dramatically. “You disappeared forever!”

My chest instantly melted.

“I was only gone for a few days,” I murmured softly.

“That’s forever.”

Patricia snorted behind me immediately. “Drama queen.”

I saw a familiar figure at the door. It was Lance. There were gift bags on the floor beside him.

I was surprised to see him.

“Hey” I said to him.

Lance smiled softly. “You’re finally home.”

He looked genuinely concerned too.

“You came?” I asked quietly.

“Obviously.”

Klara immediately tugged my sleeve excitedly. “He brought SO many gifts.”

I blinked. “For who?”

“For everyone,” Lance answered casually.

That explained the mountain of colorful gift bags sitting near the entrance.

My eyes widened slightly. “Lance...”

“What?” he asked innocently. “I couldn’t visit empty-handed.”

Patricia leaned closer toward me while whispering dramatically, “He brought imported chocolates. I already approve of him.”

I elbowed her lightly. Lance laughed softly after noticing our interaction.

Honestly, his presence felt calming after everything lately.

Klara tugged my hand again impatiently. “Come inside already! I want to show you my presents.”

Before I could answer, she immediately dragged me toward the manor entrance herself.

“Slow down,” I laughed.

“No.”

Patricia sighed dramatically behind us. “That child definitely inherited Marco’s stubbornness.”

Inside the manor, the atmosphere felt warm.

Servants greeted me politely while my mom hugged me. Dinner was ready too.

For the first time in days... I genuinely relaxed.

Klara proudly displayed every single gift Lance brought her while sitting beside me in the living room afterward. There were dolls, dresses and toys.

“He’s my favorite person now,” she announced seriously.

Marco walked into the room just in time to hear that.

“Excuse me?” he said in mock offence.

Klara looked at him calmly. “Second favorite.”

Lance looked deeply entertained.

Marco narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the mountain of gifts nearby before finally looking toward Lance. “You’re bribing my daughter.”

“Successfully too,” Lance added.

The evening gradually became surprisingly comfortable afterward.

Eventually, my dad arrived home too. The moment he saw Lance, he smiled.

The questioning began as soon as my dad saw him.

Normally, I would’ve felt awkward watching someone undergo my father’s interrogation sessions. But strangely, Lance handled everything calmly.

My dad asked him where he studied, about his business background, his research projects, his family history.

Every answer only seemed to impress everyone more. Even Marco looked slightly surprised eventually.

Patricia leaned toward me quietly during dinner. “Okay, I officially understand the Lance fan club now.”

I nearly choked on my drink.

Across the table, Lance looked up at me with concern. “Are you alright?”

“Fine,” I coughed weakly.

Klara patted my arm dramatically. “Don’t die.”

The entire table burst into laughter afterward.

And honestly... I needed this badly - Normal conversation, warm family energy and something peaceful.

For several precious hours, I almost forgot everything else.

But every now and then...my wolf still became restless.

Because despite the warmth around me...she still missed him.

-

After dinner finally ended, it was time for Lance to leave.

Lance politely thanked everyone for dinner. Klara stubbornly refused letting Lance leave at first.

“You should live here now,” she announced seriously.

Marco looked horrified “Absolutely not.”

Lance laughed “Maybe another time.”

Eventually, after several dramatic complaints from Klara, he finally prepared to leave properly.

Marco looked at me. “Walk him out.”

I blinked slightly. “Me?”

“Yes,” Marco answered calmly while sipping wine. “He brought gifts, survived father’s questioning, and entertained my child for hours. It’s basic politeness.”

Patricia smirked knowingly from nearby.

Traitor.

I sighed softly before standing up anyway. “Fine.”

Outside, Lance and I walked.

The manor gardens glowed softly beneath golden outdoor lights. Lance walked beside me calmly down the stone pathway toward the front gate.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” he said quietly.

I smiled “Still recovering.”

“You scared everyone.”

“I scared myself too honestly.”

He stopped walking briefly before turning fully toward me. “Sophia...”

Something about his tone immediately made my heartbeat shift slightly. He sounded serious and nervous at the same time.

My wolf lifted her head curiously inside me.

Lance rubbed the back of his neck once before laughing softly at himself. “I actually rehearsed this conversation several times earlier.”

I blinked in surprise.

“You did?”

“Yes,” he sighed. “Unfortunately I’m suddenly forgetting all of it now.”

I was a bit confused.

“Sophia, I know your situation is complicated right now,” he said carefully. “But I still wanted you to know-”

Before he could finish, headlights flashed brightly across the driveway.

Both of us turned immediately.

A familiar black car stopped sharply near the manor entrance.

My wolf reacted instantly when the scent reached me.

The car door opened and Damien stepped out. Slowly, he walked toward us.

I blinked in shock “What are you doing here”

Damien stopped in front of me “Grandpa wants you to come for dinner”