Revenge Novel 126

? Views, Released on February 18, 2025

Chapter 126

Valencia’s POV:

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Dante’s pupils blew wide, his grip tightening around my waist as he exhaled sharply. “Fuck… you’re making it really hard for me to hold back, princess.”

A chuckle escaped me as I looked up at him, already knowing the effort it took for him to restrain himself. His pheromones alone betrayed him, swirling around us in a thick, intoxicating haze. I could feel the warmth of his emotions pressing against mine, almost overwhelming.

Still, we had just arrived at the mall, and with Castor securely nestled in his carrier, we had no choice but to step out.

The mall was bustling with life–couples walking hand in hand, children dragging their parents toward toy stores, the faint chatter of groups filtering through the vast open space. Bright lights reflected off the polished marble floors, and the crisp scent of fresh linen mixed with the enticing aroma of coffee wafting from a nearby café.

I had barely taken a few steps when something popped into my mind.

“Oh, by the way, I wanted to buy some clothes for Seven. He’s been wearing Caius’s hand–me–downs, and they’re a little big on him.”

Dante slid his hand into mine, linking our fingers together as we walked. “Sure, let’s go to the top floor. You can get whatever you want.”

I frowned slightly. “Aren’t those the expensive stores?”

Dante tilted his head slightly, as if considering the question. “Are they?”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “How much do you usually buy your clothes for?”

He smirked. I’m not sure. Tanaka usually buys them.”

I sighed. Of course, he had someone else picking out his wardrobe.

“But I think around a couple hundred?” he added casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

I nearly choked. A couple hundred for a single shirt? I wasn’t from a poor family, but my monthly allowance had been around two hundred dollars–when Father was in a good mood. Some months, I got nothing at all. But I knew as the bastard daughter my allowance was significantly lower than all my other siblings.

If I spent that much on one piece of clothing, I’d be left with nothing to wear for the rest of the month.

“Oh wait,” I muttered, shaking my head. “The butler’s name is Tanaka? I can’t believe I never asked.”

Dante chuckled. “You were busy focusing on other things.”

I rolled my eyes. Yeah, busy napping like a cat.

But quickly changed the subject. “Anyway, what’s the budget?”

Dante looked amused. “There’s a budget?”

1 scoffed. “Of course, there’s a budget! We’re not here to buy an entire store. And besides, you just spent almost two hundred

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Chapter 126

thousand on Seven. You should’ve seen his face when Aiden told him.”

Dante leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “That barely made a dent in our accounts, princess.”

1 froze. “Two–wait. Two hundred thousand didn’t make a dent?

Dante smirked at my reaction. “How about ten thousand as a budget?”

I exhaled sharply, glaring at him. “I swear-

Dante raised a brow, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Too low? How about twenty thousand?”

I groaned. “Just stick to ten, you menace. Let’s go before I lose my mind.”

I tugged him along, trying to ignore the way he was clearly enjoying my exasperation.

We made our way up, past gleaming shop windows filled with designer suits, elegant evening gowns, and mannequins dressed in clothing that looked far too luxurious for casual wear

At first, I was in high spirits, scanning the stores for something that would suit Seven.

But as we walked, an odd feeling crept up on me–something deep, something I hadn’t expected to hit me so suddenly.

Dante noticed right away.

His grip on my hand tightened as he glanced down at me. “Something wrong?”

I hesitated.

Would it be silly to bring it up?

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No. I had already told him I loved him. If I was going to trust him now, I was going all in. Even if I couldn’t tell him about my rebirth, which was a decision I made after seeing Marcelene’s reaction to my revelation. Because at the end of the day, I knew that her ‘knowing‘ may have helped me in ways, but it did make things mentally rough for her.

Considering the ending of Dante’s family in my past life, I was sure he would be happy when learning that specific truth either, nor would it benefit him in any way. So if I couldn’t share this with him. I wanted to at least share as much as I could

I took a breath and forced myself to speak. “You already know Lethia isn’t my mother… My real mom’s name was Blair, and according to what I know, she died giving birth to me.”

Dante’s expression softened, though his jaw tightened slightly. His hold on me didn’t waver, grounding me, as if he knew I needed it.

“I’m not saying I’m the only one who’s been through something like this,” I continued, “but… with a father like Drogo, it sometimes felt like I never really had parents.”

Dante remained silent, letting me speak, and I was grateful for it

I gestured toward a nearby children’s store, where bright pastel dresses hung in neat rows, tiny shoes lined up beneath them. “You know how most parents pick out fun, colorful clothes for their kids? Pink, blue, yellow, things that look alive?”

Dante nodded.

I swallowed hard. “Lethia always ordered my clothes. And she always picked beige, brown, black–neutral colors. Don’t get

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me wrong, I like them, but… I always wanted to wear something right.”

Dante exhaled slowly, his fingers brushing gentle circles on my palm.

“The first time I ever wore a bright color, the first time I had felt myself alive,” I murmured, “was on my birthday. The night I first met you.”

Dante’s lips twitched slightly. “The red dress that had a drink spilled on it?”

I flushed. “You still remember?”

He chuckled. “Of course”

I sighed. “Anastasia ‘accidentally‘ knocked it over.”

Dante’s expression darkened slightly, but he didn’t comment.

“But you know the funny part?” I continued, smiling despite myself.

He raised a brow. “What?”

I reached up, touching the small crystal hairpin nestled in my hair. “That dress was actually gifted to me by the Steele pack. On my sixteenth birthday. And this pin was part of the gift, too it’s my favorite now.”

Dante suddenly stopped walking.

I turned to face him, confused by the way he was staring at me. His gaze locked onto my hairpin, his expression almost surprised, something flickering in his eyes that I couldn’t quite place.

“Can I see it?” he asked, his voice oddly careful.

Surprised, I nodded and unclipped it, letting my bangs fall loose as I handed him the pin.

He turned it over in his palm, tracing the edges with his fingers. His lips parted slightly, a look of realization dawning over his face.

“This…” he murmured, voice quiet. “This was made by my mom

My breath hitched. “Your mom made jewelry?”

Dante nodded, still staring at the pin. “She loved making jewelry. She had always had an obsession with shiny stuff.” Dante huffed a laugh, “She didn’t have much time for it, but… I think….this was the only hair accessory she ever made. I have the rest of her collection. See, her signature is carved into it here.”