Chapter 65
Valencia’s POV
The words echoed in my mind, sharp and cutting like a blade sliding through me.
“We have to separate those two before she ends up killing your childr”
Killing our child? Castor? How? How could I-
I felt the blood drain from my face as I glanced down at the egg cradled in my arms, its faint turquoise glow pulsing rhythmically. My heart raced, a frantic beat that seemed to synchronize with my rising panic.
My breathing turned shallow, my chest tightening with every second I stood there frozen outside Dante’s office.
“How are you so sure?”
Dante’s voice was calm, too calm. I pressed closer to the door, straining to hear every word. His emotions–usually a steady hum in the back of my mind–were completely blocked off, leaving me with nothing but a suffocating void.
“Me, sure?” Caius’s voice snapped, a sharp contrast to Dante’s composure. There was frustration in his tone, layered with something else… urgency? You asked me to help you find out what the problem was, brother! Now that I’m giving you a solution to prevent things from going bad, you’re asking how I’m sure?”
I flinched at the sound of paper being thrown, the slap of a file of book landing hard on a surface.
“See for yourself,” Caius continuell, his voice lowering but still heated. “You need to separate those two. Valencia is a danger To your child.
My knees felt weak, and for a moment, I thought I might collapse. My head spun as their words sank in deeper, intertwining with the fear clawing at my chest. I’m a danger to Castor?
I wanted to barge in, to demand an explanation, but fear held me back, paralyzing me. What if Caius was right? What if Dante believed him?
Dante’s next words hit me like a punch to the gut.
“I see.”
That’s it? That’s all he had to say? He believed him? My heart twisted painfully in my chest, the fragile trust I’d been building in Dante cracking under the weight of those two words.
I backed away from the door, my movements clumsy as I tried to stay quiet. Tears blurred my vision, and I bit down hard on my lip to stifle the sob threatening to escape. I couldn’t let them know I’d overheard.
I turned and bolted, my feet carrying me down the hallway as fast as they could. The polished floors blurred beneath me, and I barely registered the muted sounds of the mansion–distant voices, the soft hum of the elevators.
They’ll take Castor from me.
The thought struck me like lightning, and I clutched the egg tighter against my chest.
No. No, no, no. I won’t let that happen
“Valencia?”
1 skidded to a halt, my breath hitching as I came face to face with Raiden. He stood at the intersection of two hallways, his
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Chapter 65
eyes narrowing as they scanned my shivering form.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his tone low but piercing.
1 forced a smile, though my lips trembled under the strain. “Nothing,” I lied, my voice brittle. “I’m fine. Just… tired.”
Raiden’s frown deepened, his gaze lingering on me like he was peeling back my layers to see the truth. “You don’t look fine.” he said after a moment.
“I’m fine.” I insisted, the words coming out harsher than I intended. I quickly softened my tone, adding. “Thank you for asking
I walked past him before he could probe further, my footsteps quick and uneven as I made my way back to my room.
The door clicked shut behind me, and I collapsed onto the bed, the egg cradled protectively in my arms. The silence of the room felt deafening, broken only by the shallow gasps of my own breathing.
Had signing that contract been a mistake? I thought it would protect Castor, give him a safe life, but now.. now I didn’t know if I could trust anyone in this hou,
I reached for my phone with trembling fingers, dialing Marcelene’s number. It rang and rang, but there was no answer.
“Marcy,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Please pick up.”
The tears came then, hot and silent, as I stared down at the egg. My thumb gently traced the smooth, glowing surface. ” won’t let them take you,” I murmured. “I promise, Castor. I won’t let anyone take you away from me.”
An hour passed before my phone,buzzed with an incoming call. I snapped out of my daze, blinking as I realized how much time had slipped by Hadn’t I just dosed my eyes for a second?
Marcy’s name flashed on the screen, and I quickly answered.
“Marcy?”
“Hey,” her voice came, light and cheerful. “Sorry I missed your call I was moving Mom into the new hospital. Then I had to get settled into the apartment I’ll be staying in.”
I froze. “Apartment? Why can’t you stay here?”
Marcy laughed softly. “Valencia, darling, as much as I love seeing you all day every day, I need to keep some distance from the Steele siblings. Besides, your husband is already my boss. Wouldn’t it be weird for me to stay in his house?”
I wanted to protest, to beg her to stay, but the contentment in her voice stopped me. She sounded happy. Peaceful. After so long. Who was I to disrupt that?
Instead, I forced a smile she couldn’t see. “You’re right, I said. “Its probably for the best.”
Marcy paused. “Was there a reason you called? Are you okay?”
“I was just bored,” I lied. “Wanted to chat.”
“Well, I’m here now,” she said warmly. “But I’ll call you later tonight, okay? Once I’m fully settled.”
We said our goodbyes, and I set the phone down with a sigh. The guilt gnawed at me. Marcy had her own life, her own
mess family to think about I couldn’t keep dragging her into i
I flopped back on the bed. My mind, a complete mess. I curled around Castor in a fetal position and once again closed my eyes. What else am I supposed to do?
Chapter 65
I don’t know how long passed but as soon as I heard the bedroom door open I jumped to sit up.
My heart dropped as Dante stepped inside. His blue eyes immediately locked onto me, sharp and searching.
1 froze, my hands clutching Castor closer to my chest..
Dante’s brows furrowed, a scowl tugging at his lips. “What’s wrong?”
I forced a fake smile, my voice overly bright. “Nothing. I’m fine. What would be wrong?”
His gaze hardened, skepticism written all over his face as he stepped closer. “Raiden said you didn’t seem well. That you looked… off.
“I’m fine.” I repeated, shifting away from him. The panic bubbling in my chest must’ve slipped through the bond because Dante’s expression faltered.
“Valencia,” he said softly, his voice laced with concern. “Talk to me.”
I couldn’t. I couldn’t let him know what I’d overheard, couldn’t let him see the fear clawing at my insides.
The bond between us snapped closed as I blocked him out completely.
Dante’s face fell, a flicker of hurt flashing in his eyes before he masked it.
“Fine,” he said after a long pause, his tone clipped. “Don’t tell me
The silence that followed was unbearable, heavy with unspoken words.
“Come and eat lunch at least,” Dante finally said, breaking the tension. “It’s already past noon.”
I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”
Dante’s jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with frustration. I felt a shiver of fear run up my spine as I looked at his eyes.
His anger was a palpable heat in the room, and I stiffened, memories of Jaxon’s rages flooding my mind. I bit my lips and looked away.
Would Dante hit me too?
Was this it? Was this the moment destiny finally took its course?
