Chapter 97
Chapter 97
Valencia’s POV
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4 stood frozen in place, my thoughts swirling into a tangled mess as I considered the deeper implications of the engagement. Everything that had gone wrong in my marriage with Jaxon had begun after my first miscarriage.
And Celeste… Celeste had revealed in my past life that she was the one who caused it. She had poisoned me.
If Celeste married Jaxon, then maybe–no, truly- Aiden was correct. I was probably overthinking everything. The things that happened to me wouldn’t happen to her, right?
At the end of the day, Celeste was the princess. She was cherished, believed, and prized. No one would poison her. She would have Jaxon’s children, maybe even sons, and then Jaxon wouldn’t turn abusive or cheat on her. He wouldn’t have a reason to. The path to their relationship–and my entangled, poisonous destiny with it—would change entirely
I could feel Caiqs still staring at me, his expression a mixture of disbelief and irritation, like he couldn’t believe how stupid I was for worrying about Celeste. Maybe he was right. But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he was correct.
I turned to him, glaring. “Stop making fun of me. The only reason you’re getting laid is exactly because of my ‘overflowing compassion. Otherwise, Marcy wouldn’t even glance at you twice.”
Caius raised an eyebrow, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Oh? How thoughtful of you. By all means then, please be more compassionate.”
I rolled my eyes and scoffed, though I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped me. Okay, maybe I was laying it on a little thick But a part of me hoped that my pep talks about the Steele brothers not being bad people had been enough to soften Marcy’s perspective on Caius, enough for her to give him a chance.
As I walked past Caius, heading toward the elevator, I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He seemed so relaxed, so completely smitten. All previous misunderstandings aside.
A part of me really hoped Marcy wouldn’t break his heart.
To my surprise, both Caius and Aiden followed me into the corridor. “Where are we going now?” Aiden asked, his tone half- annoyed, half–curious.
I had expected Aiden to still be angry with me, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
“To the elevator,” I replied dryly, pushing the button.
When the elevator doors slid open, I stepped inside, Castor cradled in my arms, but Caius and Aiden joined me.
As the doors closed, Caius leaned against the mirrored wall, his arms crossed. “By the way, about Sir Joseph,” I asked, keeping my tone casual.
I bit my lip, glancing at him. “You guys trust him a lot, don’t you? Has he been working here for a long time?*
Caius didn’t seem put off by my question, though I’ffoticed a flicker of surprise in Aiden’s eyes before he quickly masked it.
“Yeah, pretty much,” Caius replied with a shrug. “He’s been here as long as I can remember
My curiosity piqued, but before I could ask more, Caius added, Funny coincidence, though. I heard a rumor that he used to be part of the Wolfe pack around thirty years ago. Might’ve even had a kid or two.”
My eyes widened as Caius’s grin spread knowingly. He looked Aiden up and down, and I could see the gears turning in his head.
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11:00 Sat, Jan 25 GT·
Chapter 97
Aiden, however, maintained an unperturbed front. “Really? How interesting. I wonder why he left.”
Caius just shrugged, his smirk still firmly in place. “Who knows? wasn’t even born back then.”
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I glanced between the two of them, my mind racing. Judging by Caius’s demeanor, he definitely suspected something. Or maybe he already knew. Could he really be the only one sharp enough to see the resemblance between Aiden and Joseph?
If Caius knew–or suspected–was the rest of the Steele family hiding it on purpose? Did they know that Aiden was related to Joseph? Could Joseph even be Aiden’s father?
The elevator chimed softly as we reached the ground floor, and my thoughts were cut short. When the doors slid open, Dante stood waiting, his tall frame imposing in his black office attire.
His teal eyes landed on mine first, softening for a brief moment, before narrowing as they flickered to Aiden.
To my surprise, I noticed a faint tremor in Aiden’s clenched fists. He was completely overpowered here, surrounded by Steele Alphas in a territory that wasn’t his. For a brief moment, I felt bad for him.
I tried sending a soothing signal to Dante through our bond, and his attention shifted back to me instantly.
“Father mentioned you’ll be joining us for lunch,” Dante said, his voice calm but firm. “How convenient. Iwas hoping to discuss a few matters. Just us two.”
“Three Caius interjected smoothly, stepping forward.
I frowned. “Why can’t I join?”
Dante’s expression softened slightly, and he leaned down to press a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Isn’t it time for your nap?”
The moment he said it, I felt an inexplicable wave of exhaustion wash over me. My eyelids grew heavy, and I stifled a yawn. Damn it. Why did I suddenly feel so sleepy?
“Fine,” I muttered, turning back toward the elevator.
As the doors closed behind me, I rolled my eyes and scoffed under my breath. But as the elevator began its ascent, I felt my curiosity spark. What were they going to discuss?
After placing Castor carefully in his cot and covering him with the protective dome, I changed my plans. Instead of napping, like a part of me wanted to, I slipped out of my room and used the stairs to make my way back to the ground floor.
I wasn’t supposed to be interested. In the Wolfe pack, I had always obeyed when Alphas commanded me to leave. But this wasn’t the Wolfe pack. And besides, I was bored.
More than that, though, something about the way Dante and Caius had dismissed me felt… suspicious.
I padded quietly down the hall, my steps muffled by the thick carpeting. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting to hear, but whatever it was, I had a feeling it would be worth eavesdropping
ling it
