To ruin an Omega novel Chapter 396

Chapter 396: Your Power 1

HAZEL

My phone felt heavier than it should have when Laslo finally handed it back.

I turned it over in my hands. The screen was dark. Clean. Like it had been wiped down while they kept it from me.

"Thank you," I said.

Laslo nodded once and turned to leave.

There was no point waiting since he trailed right behind me before I unlocked the screen

Thirty-two missed messages.

My eyes widened, and I felt something in my stomach drop.

I opened the thread from Aldric first.

The earliest message was the one from yesterday. The one I had seen before they took my phone. The one I had not answered because I did not know what to say.

I saved your life, and now you owe me. Bagging the Lily of the Valley Alpha is no small feat. Since you know nothing about your half-sister Fia, a nice alternative would be spying on your grandmother for me. I want two things. How did she bend Lily of the Valley to her advantage, and what exactly did she use to try to kill Fia? If you do disappoint me or prove to not be worth your keep, you find out quite quickly how your new fairytale life can go poof in your face. I would ask you to be selfish like your grandmother and pick yourself in everything you do. It’s good policy.

I had read it a dozen times when it first came in—had stared at it until the words stopped making sense.

Spy on my grandmother.

Report back to him.

Betray Pauline to keep myself safe.

He was not wrong. Even if I had not answered.

I had told myself I would figure it out later. That I would find a way to navigate this without burning every bridge I had left.

But now there were more messages.

Eleven more.

Each one sharper than the last.

I need an answer, Hazel.

Do not make me remind you what happens when people ignore me.

You are not in a position to play games.

Your silence is noted.

Time is running out.

The last one had come in seven hours ago.

This is your final warning. Answer me, or I will assume you have chosen your side.

My hands started shaking.

I scrolled back up through the thread and read them again and then again.

He was going to retaliate.

He was going to come after me.

Or worse. He was going to tell Wenzel I was working with him. That I was a spy. That I could not be trusted.

Anything that would send that man into deciding I was not worth my keep.

And Wenzel would not hesitate to get rid of me.

The betrothal had saved me from one execution. But it would not save me from that man.

And Silvercreek or even Nocturne were not strong enough to protect me from that fire.

I looked up when I entered the room.

Laslo was still standing near the door. He had not left yet. He was watching me with that same blank expression he always wore.

"It is quite hot in here," I said.

My voice came out steadier than I felt.

Laslo frowned slightly.

"The temperature has not changed."

"I know. But I... feel hot. I want to shower again."

He looked at me like I had said something absurd.

"You showered not too long ago."

"I know. But I feel gross. Please. Just give me some privacy."

Laslo did not move.

I set the phone down on the bed and started pulling off my gown. I knew how shit worked around here.

His eyes widened when I made the move.

"What are you doing?"

"Preparing to shower. Like I said."

I pulled the gown over my head and dropped it on the floor. Then I reached for the hook of my bra.

Laslo turned immediately and walked toward the door.

"I will be outside," he said stiffly.

The door closed behind him.

I scrolled to Aldric’s contact under the name Gabriel and pressed call. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

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