Chapter 139

Ana’s POV

Charlie had Colby make several copies of what happened. We knew the police would never believe our statements. Colby put one of the copies in our safe and one in the safe at Charlie’s company. Rodney obtained a copy, as he was going to be the one to prosecute Tiffany on our behalf. The police received the fourth copy. Colby made sure to hand-deliver each one and personally handed the USB to the police chief.

We were taken to the police station and were separated to be interrogated. Tiffany and Gretchen were rushed to the emergency room for treatment. Gretchen’s injuries were nowhere near as severe as the ones Tiffany sustained. Our stories were the same, and the higher-ups at the police station watched it play out in real time.

His words hung heavy in the air. “That’s what you really want?”

I forced my chin higher, even as my insides twisted painfully. “Yes,” I said flatly, my throat tight. “That’s what I want.”

The lie stung. My wolf whimpered inside me, calling me a coward, but I couldn’t let Damien see it. I couldn’t let him think he still had that power over me… until I know the truth about Rebecca’s death, I have to stay away from him.

Damien’s jaw tightened, the muscle there flexing as his hands curled into fists at his sides. He looked as if he wanted to break something—anything—but instead, he just stood there, staring at me with those burning eyes filled with so much pain.

“I don’t believe you,” he said finally, his voice low, rough, almost trembling. “You love me, Sofia. You always have. You can spit your nonsense, you can push me away, but I know what’s inside you.”

His words hit me. For a second, I wanted to scream that he was right, that he still lived in every scar on my heart. But I bit it back, burying it under my hardened heart.

“Believe what you want,” I whispered harshly. “But I don’t want anything to do with you….” I frowned and continued. “And what happened here should never happen again. From now on, it’s about our son. Nothing more.”

His eyes darkened, rage and hurt colliding in them. He stepped close enough that I could feel the heat of his body again, but he didn’t touch me. His voice broke as he rasped, “Then I pity you. Because you’ll spend the rest of your life lying to yourself.”

I flinched. My heart lurched. But I stood my ground.

When he finally turned away, raking a hand through his hair, the silence that followed was suffocating. My knees trembled, but I forced myself to walk past him, to leave the office without looking back.

Because if I looked back—I wasn’t sure I’d have the strength to leave.

The moment the door shut behind me, I pressed my back against it, my chest heaving. A single tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it. I wiped it away quickly, angry at myself for even letting it fall.

Why did it still hurt this much? Why did his words cut so deep?

I clenched my fists, staring down at the floor as memories replayed in my mind. His arms around me, his voice saying he loved me, his eyes burning with a pain that mirrored my own. For a heartbeat, I wanted to believe him. I wanted to run back in and let him hold me until all of this madness disappeared.

But then Rebecca’s face flashed before me, and the sharp suspicion that Damien’s hands were not clean. My body stiffened all over again.

“No,” I whispered to myself, shaking my head hard. “I can’t. Not until I know the truth.”

My wolf whined inside me, torn between loyalty and desire for Damien, but I pushed her down. I couldn’t afford to be weak. Not when my heart wanted to betray me so badly.

I straightened up from the door, forcing myself to stay calm. I wiped my face, forcing the tears away, and made my way down the hall. My heart still ached, but I told myself I needed to see Olivia. She had been broken too, and she needed me just as much as I needed her.

When I stepped into her room, she was sitting on the bed, hugging her knees, her eyes red like she had been crying. The moment she saw me, she looked guilty.

“I’m sorry,” Olivia whispered, her voice trembling. “For earlier… hugging Damien. I wasn’t in my right mind. I didn’t mean for you to think anything was happening between us.”

Her words came fast, like she was scared I had judged her. My chest softened, and I gave her a small smile.

“Olivia,” I said gently, walking to sit beside her. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me. You’re my sister. I know you. I trust you. And nothing—nothing—will ever change that.”

She stared at me, relief flashing across her face, but the pain in her eyes didn’t fade. “I’m just… worried,” she admitted, her voice breaking. “About Lennox. I keep dreaming something bad will happen to him. But at the same time, I’m angry. Angry at him. Angry at them.” Original content can be found at FindN()vel.net

I reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “It’s okay to be angry, Liv. It’s okay to feel torn. But don’t let it eat you alive. Follow your heart.”

Her lips trembled, but she nodded. I stood, giving her hand one last squeeze. “Rest now. We’ll get through this together.”

Then I left her room. But instead of going to my own chamber, my feet carried me elsewhere.

I found myself heading toward the old storehouse—a dusty room at the far end of the hall where old belongings were kept. I hadn’t gone there in years, but tonight something pulled me toward it.

When I opened the creaking door, the air smelled of old wood and abandoned things. Cobwebs hung in the corners, and boxes, and trunks were stacked high like little towers of the past. I began digging, searching for something I couldn’t even name.

At first, I thought I was looking for one of my old keepsakes—a necklace, a book, or maybe an old journal. Something I remembered but hadn’t seen in years. But as my hands moved through the dusty boxes, my eyes caught something else. Something that made my brow furrow instantly.

There, tucked at the bottom of a wooden chest, wrapped in faded cloth, was something that didn’t belong to me. My breath caught as I pulled it free.

It was Rebecca’s.

Her scent clung faintly to the fabric, her initials stitched carefully into the edge. My hands shook as I unwrapped it fully.

“What is this doing here?” I whispered, my wolf growling low inside me.

The night stretched endlessly as I tossed and turned, my mind replaying our interaction over and over. After what felt like hours of this torment, I finally gave up and slipped out of bed.

Moving with careful, silent steps, I made my way to the door and eased it open.

The living area was dim, lit only by the faint glow from outside.

Alexander lay on the black leather sofa, his back toward me. The thin blanket only covered him to his waist, revealing his powerful upper body.

Despite the generous size of the sofa, his tall frame forced him to bend his long legs just to fit. My wolf would have whimpered at the sight if she were still with me.

I stood there, watching his sleeping form, my heart filled with mixed emotions. Eventually, I approached him and gently pulled the blanket up to cover his chest. Afraid of waking him, I tiptoed away from the living room.

The moment I opened the door to the deck, the harsh light made me uncomfortable, causing me to involuntarily squint. After a few seconds to adjust, I closed the door behind me and walked toward the deck.

The deck was dimly lit, with a strong sea breeze carrying a slight coolness that invigorated me.

It was empty, with only me there. I greedily breathed in the sea air, stretched lazily, then sat cross–legged on the floor, fully enjoying this rare moment of coolness and tranquility.

Before long, the edge of the sky began to show a faint brightness, light gradually seeping into the place where sea met sky.

I opened my arms, tilted my head slightly upward, feeling the morning sea breeze and anticipating the chance to see a complete sunrise from the yacht.

Just then, a low, husky male voice mixed with the sound of waves came from behind-

“What are you looking at?”

Without thinking, I blurted out, “The sunrise.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I suddenly realized who it was and quickly turned around. “Alexander!!”

When had he arrived?

I couldn’t help asking, “What are you doing here?”

He didn’t respond.

I didn’t mind though, smiling at him, “Alexander, the sunrise at sea is really beautiful. Would you like to watch it with me?”

He glanced at me without a word, but sat down beside me, cross–legged.

He hadn’t rejected me.

My heart leaped with an inexplicable joy, and I said softly, “You actually didn’t refuse me. I feel… a little happy about that.”

He turned his head to look at me, the sea breeze dispersing the smoke from his lips, his eyes narrowed, his tone flat: “Is that so?”

The air thrummed with excitement and sensuality.

Champagne flowed freely, inhibitions lowered with each glass. I felt conspicuously understated in my simple black gown and angel mask, but I didn’t care.

I wasn’t here to impress the crowd; I was looking for one man only.

“A dance, beautiful angel?” A tall figure in a demon mask approached, extending his hand.

“No, thank you,” I declined politely, scanning the crowd.

“Just one dance,” he persisted, stepping closer. His cologne was overpowering, making me step back.

“I’m waiting for someone,” I said firmly.

He reluctantly retreated, only to be replaced by another suitor, then another.

I politely refused them all, moving through the crowd with purpose, searching for Alexander’s distinctive broad shoulders and that commanding presence impossible to mistake.

Suddenly, the crystal chandeliers went dark, replaced by pulsing laser lights that sliced through the air.

A single cylindrical beam lit up the stage, revealing the host dressed dramatically as the Grim Reaper.

“Ladies and gentlemen, good evening!” His voice boomed through the speakers, full of flair and excitement.

The crowd erupted into cheers, the atmosphere instantly electrified.

“Tonight, we finally welcome our long–awaited masquerade ball! Are you excited?”

“YES!” the crowd roared back.

“Then let’s gather here to dance, to connect, to interact!”

“Let’s get crazy! Party night–say goodbye to loneliness!”

As the host’s voice faded, bass–heavy music blasted through the hall. Under the kaleidoscope of lights, seven or eight stunning women took to the stage, beginning the opening dance.

The crowd went wild, waves of cheers and whistles crashing over each other.

Light and color spun in dizzying patterns across the room. Masks turned faces into mysteries. Laughter spilled freely. Bodies swayed to the beat, strangers moving together like old lovers.

But I wasn’t really here. Not with them.

I kept looking, scanning the crowd again and again, hoping for that one familiar figure to break through the blur of movement.

He still wasn’t here.

The minutes stretched into an hour, then two.

There was no sign of him. Had he received my message?

Did he simply choose not to come? The thought deflated me.

Perhaps I was foolish to think he might want to spend time with me, especially after our encounter this morning.