Chapter 68
Valencia’s POV
The garden’s chill traveled through the open door and into the hallway that we stood in, it bit at my skin, but I barely felt it.
All I could focus on was Dante’s expression–wide–eyed and laced with regret, as if my outburst had shaken him. His blue eyes darted over my face, his lips parting to speak, but no words came out.
I could see it, the apology. he wanted to give, lingering in the curve of his frown.
But I didn’t care.
Anger roared through me like wildfire, consuming every rational thought. How dare he take Castor without telling me? How dare he make me feel like this–frantic, lost, powerless?
I didn’t want to ever feel like that again.
Dante’s gaze dropped briefly, taking in my disheveled appearance. Only then did I realize I was still wearing my silk nightgown, the winter air biting at my exposed skin. Without a word, he shrugged off his button–down shirt, leaving his chest completely bare and stepped closer, draping it over my shoulders.
The fabric was warm, and his scent–smoke, lavender and forests–clung to it. For a split second, the comfort of h threatened to chip away at my anger, but I wouldn’t let it.
“Valencia,” Dante started, his voice calm and measured, “I only took him out because the sun is up. It’s good for him to take in natural sunlight. It’s healthy for him.”
At that moment, just when I felt his çalm tone soften my anger. A silent voice whispered in my head.
He could have woken you up.
1 scoffed, “You could have woken me up then! I shot back, my voice trembling with barely contained frustration. “Not just steal him away like a thief!”
Dante’s frown deepened, his jaw tightening. “Our child is not a thing that can be stolen, Valencia,” he said firmly. “And he’s just as much my son as he is yours.”
Maybe, just maybe, a day or two ago, I would’ve agreed. Maybe wouldn’t have reacted so badly,
But now, as I stood there clutching the fragile remnants of my trust in him, and almost everyone around think was how this was another mistake. Another wrong choice.
I had trusted the wrong person again.
“You’re breaking your promise to me, Dante!” I accused, my voice cracking.
all I could
His brows furrowed, frustration flashing in his eyes. “I promised you and Castor my–protection,” he said, his tone clipped. “All I did was take him out on a stroll. I didn’t break any promises”
“The problem here isn’t that you took him out!” I snapped, the words spilling out like a dam had burst. “It’s that you didn’t let me know! You didn’t tell me!”
Dante’s jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring as he took a deep breath I could see him trying to rein in his temper, but it didn’t
matter. The damage was already done.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Caius watching us, his gaze flicking between Dante and me. His expression was
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unreadable, but when he exchanged a pointed glance with Dante I knew exactly what he was thinking.
“Seel” his silent look seemed to say.
My stomach churned. The words Caius had spoken earlier came rushing back, stabbing into my chest like a blade, Valencia is a danger to your child.
The moment Dante turned his attention to Calus, I moved.
Without thinking. I lunged forward and grabbed Castor from Dante’s arms, clutching it tightly against my chest.
“Valencia, wait–Dante started, his voice sharp with alarm.
But I didn’t wait.
I turned on my heel and bolted, ignoring his calls as I ran back toward the mansion. The shirt Dante had draped over my shoulders slipped off, pooling on the ground behind me, but I didn’t stop.
I couldn’t stop.
I didn’t care about the cold or the stares from the guards and maids I passed. My heart was racing, my thoughts spiraling into a vortex of fear and desperation.
I didn’t trust them anymore:
I didn’t trust him anymore.
Not if he couldn’t understand how important this was to me.
By the time I reached my room, I was trembling. My hands shook as I fumbled to lock the door behind me, my breaths coming in shallow gasps. I pressed my back against the door, sliding down to sit on the floor with Castor’s egg cradled in my lap
The walls seemed to close in around me, and my mind wouldn’t stop racing.
I had signed the contract. I had agreed to this. Dante wouldn’t let me go now, even if I wanted to leave.
I was trapped.
In my past life, I had stayed with Jaxon, enduring six years of torment because I thought it was the only way to protect my
child.
The words of Jaxon from my dream echoed in my mind.
Would this life be the same? Would I have to endure for six years again?
No. No. No.
I shook my head violently, tears streaming down my face. Dante had promised to protect me and Castor, but if he and his family truly believed I was a danger….
He might not harm me, or Castor. And he might still protect us.
But he would take him away from me.
He would separate us.
I couldn’t let that happen
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I stood abruptly, my movements jerky and frantic. I needed to leave. I needed to get out of here before they had the chance to take Castor from me.
Rushing to the closet, I grabbed the same outfit I’d worn yesterday, the warm fabric a contrast to my cold, trembling hands. Once dressed. I scooped Castor’s egg back into my arms, holding him as tightly as I could without hurting him.
I grabbed my purse from the dresser, stufling it with the jewelry had set aside earlier. It wasn’t much, just a few pieces, but it would be enough to survive on for a while.
Since it was gifted to me, it wasn’t technically stealing.. right?
if I shook my head, dismissing the thought. It didn’t matter. Even it was stealing. I didn’t care. I might need it, and I’d take it.
Dante and his family wouldn’t miss a few jewels anyway.
I slung the purse over my shoulder, adjusting it so it wouldn’t slip. A rucksack would’ve been too suspicious, so this would have to do.
I placed Castor in his carrier, securing him as carefully as I could, My hands trembled as I turned to the door, my heart pounding in my chest.
This was it
I reached for the doorknob, steeling myself. But the moment I opened the door, I froze.
Dante stood on the other side, his tall frame blocking the doorway. His eyes locked onto mine, his frown deepening as he took in my appearance and the carrier in my hands.
“Valencia,” he said slowly, his voice low and steady.
My heart dropped.
