To ruin an Omega novel Chapter 138

Chapter 138: The Illusion of Welcome

FIA

The car rolled to a stop, and I turned my head toward the window. The Knight Estate stretched out before us like something pulled from a dream someone had too much money to abandon. Towers rose at careful intervals, their stone faces catching the afternoon light. Gardens sprawled in neat, deliberate patterns, every hedge trimmed to perfection, every fountain positioned just so. The driveway curved through it all, smooth and wide, lined with sculptures that probably cost more than most homes.

It was grand. I couldn’t deny that. Maybe even grander than Cian’s home, though his felt lived in, earned. This felt different. Like someone had built it to be admired from a distance, to make visitors stop and stare and feel small. It felt big for the sake of being big. Empty despite all the beauty.

We passed through the iron gates, and the car slowed as we approached the front of the estate. Other vehicles lined the drive, sleek and polished, sentinels moving between them with practiced efficiency.

The car stopped. Cian opened his door first, stepped out, then came around to mine. He offered his hand, and I took it, letting him help me out. The dress pooled around my legs as I stood, the fabric catching the breeze. The necklace settled cold against my collarbone.

"It’s been a while since I’ve been here," Cian said, his eyes scanning the estate. "It seems nicer. Like it has the touch of a woman now."

I glanced at him. There was something softer in his expression, something thoughtful.

"Perhaps Alpha Julius Knight did fall in love," he continued. "Maybe this is actually a union of love and not some political game he is playing like I initially thought."

His voice carried a weight I felt through the bond before I even fully understood it. Quiet guilt. Regret wrapped in hope for someone else’s happiness.

"You wished our wedding had been bigger," I said.

He looked at me, and for a moment, the careful control he usually wore slipped. "I thought I was bigger than the program. I guess the goddess showed me after all."

A small smile tugged at his mouth, self deprecating and honest.

"I apologize," he said.

"I never imagined a grand wedding for myself," I replied. The words came easier than I expected. "And you must remember the circumstances behind our meeting."

He studied me, something unreadable passing through his eyes. Before he could respond, the sound of another car pulling up cut through the moment. I turned to see Aldric and Elara stepping out of their car. Aldric’s movements was smooth and practiced, while Elara’s was stiffer, more uncertain.

Aldric seemed at ease. I didn’t like it. It was either that or he was damn good at hiding it.

He didn’t look like he had any ulterior motives at the moment and that bothered me.

Cian straightened, preparing to suggest we head inside, when a voice boomed across the drive.

"Goodness, Alpha Cian, is that you?"

I turned. A man approached, older, with a round belly that pressed against his vest and a smile that stretched too wide. His hair was thinning, combed back carefully, and his eyes moved over Cian with something like delight.

"Alpha Mason," Cian said, his tone polite but flat.

"We really didn’t think you would come," Mason said, stopping just short of us. "We discussed it extensively. But golly, you sure are full of surprises, my boy."

Then his eyes landed on me. They widened slightly, his smile growing.

"Who is this beauty?"

I opened my mouth, but he didn’t wait.

"Who am I kidding?" He laughed, waving a hand like he’d answered his own question. "You must be the original bride."

My stomach tightened.

"We heard the horrid things your half sister put you through," he went on, his voice loud enough to carry. "It’s so nice that he actually kicked that bitch to the curb and got married to the original as intended."

He turned back to Cian and winked. "She’s pretty."

"See you inside," he added, already moving past us.

Cian stepped into his path, his posture rigid. "I think you should apologize to my wife, Alpha Mason."

Mason stopped, looked at him with something between confusion and amusement, then turned back to me.

"Oh, is she still traumatized by that moment?" He tilted his head. "Forgive my potty mouth then. I usually just say it as it is."

"Well..." Cian started, his voice tight.

"Just let him go, Cian," I said.

He turned to me, surprise flickering across his face.

I managed a curt smile and looked at Mason. "I apologize. My mate is very protective."

Mason’s grin returned. "Oh, we know how Cian can be when he’s in love."

What did he mean by that? Despite being bothered by that statement, I kept my face neutral.

Mason bowed slightly, then walked away, his laughter trailing behind him.

Cian stopped. He turned toward me, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Fia," he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear.

I couldn’t respond. My throat felt tight, my chest too small for the air I was trying to pull in. The whispers kept coming, layering over each other until I couldn’t pick out individual words anymore. Just sound. Just attention I didn’t want and couldn’t escape.

His hand moved to the small of my back, steady and warm.

"Look at me," he said.

I did. His eyes held mine, dark and certain.

"They’re going to stare," he said. "They’re going to talk. Let them."

"I don’t..."

"I know." His thumb brushed against my back, a small, grounding movement. "But you’re not alone. And you don’t owe them anything."

I swallowed hard and nodded once.

"Can you walk?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Then let’s sit."

He moved first, his hand still at my back, guiding me forward. I forced my feet to follow, one step, then another. The whispers didn’t stop, but they started to fade into the background as I focused on the feeling of his hand, the sound of his breathing beside me.

We reached the pew. He waited until I sat, then settled beside me, close enough that our shoulders touched. Aldric and Elara took seats behind us.

Cian leaned in slightly. "You’re doing fine."

"I don’t feel fine."

"You look it," he said. "That’s what matters here."

I wanted to argue, but I didn’t have the energy. So I sat there, hands folded in my lap, the aquamarine stones cool against my skin, and tried to remember how to breathe like a person who belonged.