To ruin an Omega novel Chapter 357

Chapter 357: Paternal Bond 3

FIA

Cian’s expression didn’t change. "What are you getting at?"

Valentine’s smile widened.

"The villain in your story has always been Gabriel. But that has been a lie peddled by Aldric. Gabriel has been trapped and imprisoned under Aldric’s own estate for Hekate knows how long. But thanks to me, he is about to see the light again."

My heart stopped.

Gabriel.

Cian’s other uncle?

The one everyone said had tried to hurt them and committed several sins. The one who had practically exiled himself because of the evil he had done. The one whose name was spoken like a curse.

"You can have the greatest testimony against Aldric," Valentine continued. "By having Gabriel here. But he’ll only be here on time and today if you break the soul kiss."

The room went silent.

Cian stared at Valentine. His face was unreadable. I couldn’t tell if he was shocked or angry or something else entirely.

Madeline had turned back toward the room. Her eyes were wide.

"Father, what are you doing?" She asked.

I stood frozen near the door. My mind raced.

Gabriel was not a villain? He had been imprisoned under Aldric’s estate this whole time? Surely Cian was not buying this lie.

But one look at Cian and that thought extinguished. Cian did look like he was buying it.

Cian straightened slowly. He uncrossed his arms and placed both hands flat on the desk behind him.

"You’re telling me my uncle, Gabriel was imprisoned by Aldric."

It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. The way it came out was flat and a testament of how shocked Cian seemed to be.

Valentine nodded. "Very much so. And I’m sure he is very eager to tell the truth about what happened all those years ago."

Cian’s jaw tightened. I could see the muscles working under his skin. He was thinking. Calculating. Weighing the offer against whatever the soul kiss bound Valentine to.

"Where is he?" Cian asked.

"Safe," Valentine said. "For now. But I need assurances. I need to know that once this is over, I will be truly free. Completely free."

Cian pushed off the desk. He walked around it and stopped a few feet from Valentine.

"If you’re lying to me," Cian said quietly, "there is no place you could hide that I wouldn’t find you."

Valentine didn’t flinch. "I’m not lying."

They stared at each other. The air between them felt charged. Dangerous.

"I promised that already, did I not?"

"Well," Valentine replied. "I don’t quite believe you. One more soul kiss won’t hurt, will it now?"

No. I had to step in.

"Cian," I couldn’t help myself. "This man is not to be trusted. There is something off about—"

"Miss." Valentine cut in smoothly, turning his attention to me. "That is an incredibly vile thing to say to someone."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Cian’s head turned slowly toward him.

The calm on his face did not reach his eyes.

"Careful," he said, his voice low and tight. "Watch how you speak to my Luna."

Silence followed. But I noticed something in Valentine shifted.

His brows lifted a little, surprise flashing across his face before he raised both hands in a mild gesture of surrender.

"My apologies," he said quickly, the sharpness gone from his voice. "No disrespect was intended. I spoke out of turn."

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