After another round of pleasure, they shared a warm bath and continued to cuddle in bed.
"You played the violin so beautifully today," Callum said, breaking the silence. "By the way, I didn't know you were this good. You could be a great musician if you wanted to.
Your musicality is impressive. But I understand that's not what you desire for your life. Are you happy with your work at the gallery? Have you ever thought about a change?"
Aster replied with a playful smile, "Actually, at first, I wanted to be a musician, but later, I aspired to become a detective and roam the world, thwarting criminals and their grand schemes. That was also my big dream."
Listening to Callum's warm laughter, he felt his heart beat faster, realizing how much he enjoyed Callum's company.
Before continuing, Callum locked eyes with Aster and asked with a hint of curiosity, "Was that the first time you did it?"
Aster observed Callum with seriousness and said, "It's about the car, isn't it? Look, I don't think I should answer that question."
Callum, with a stubborn expression, insisted, "Why not? You owe me that much!"
Aster sighed and explained, "It's not because you're my alpha that I have such personal obligations to you. I'm your omega, and it's okay. The past is the past, and what matters is the present and the future."
Callum knew that an alpha needed to maintain a consistent flow of emotions to help balance their omega's emotions. However, he wasn't satisfied with Aster's response."
"I didn't like your answer," Callum admitted, his jaw tense. "Your lack of sincerity is irritating."
Aster, always ready to tease Callum, let out a laugh. "If the answer is yes, are you going to kill someone?" His laughter echoed in the room, a characteristic sign that he was about to tease.
Callum, maintaining his serious demeanor, responded unwaveringly, "Yes." He spoke with a sinister expression, and his teeth gleamed dangerously under the dim bedroom light. Would he really follow through on his promise?
Aster, sharpening his senses, watched Callum closely, but he soon realized there was no real danger and decided to respond lightly. "You're kind of wicked." He chuckled softly. "Don't forget, my dream was to catch villains, so I hope you're not one."
At breakfast, the weather was pleasant and sunny.
Lord Mallet, despite appearing to be nearly ninety years old, maintained excellent physical condition due to his status as an Alpha Prime. His image resembled that of a philanthropist.
With a slight bald spot, a protruding forehead, and a smile that revealed impeccable teeth, his appearance conveyed a benevolent personality. The only feature that deviated from this impression was his eyes, deep, insightful, and cunning, something befitting a tycoon.
Lord Mallet initiated the conversation at the table. "Last night, while the two of you were playing, I witnessed a phenomenon I rarely see," he said enthusiastically. "The conversation was very friendly."
Polite protests came from both sides.
It was only during the tasting of the delicate, creamy cheese that Lord Malcolm allowed the conversation to deviate from topics related to music or cuisine. He was at that stage of the meal when people start to philosophize.
"Ah," he sighed. "I wish I had recorded this scene." He gestured with his hands.
Elizabeth asked, "Are you suggesting we take a photo? It seems like the whole scene has a romantic touch."
After a few photographic flashes...
"I think..." Sarah Campbell began to talk about her own motivation.
"Let's get straight to the point. For traditional reasons, I would like Aster to live with us at the Campbell house. The traditions and customs of the Campbell family need to be passed down to the next generation." Aster's eyebrows raised when he realized the maneuver.
Lord Mallet was already of advanced age, despite his good health. Callum needed to get married soon.
"Now, of course, I understand. And I'll repeat it with a gentle and persuasive voice: Aster doesn't want to leave his friend Damian living alone, but... I understand your concern for him.
"Nevertheless, I don't see anything wrong with my proposal, and I would like to insist on this idea."
Damián listened attentively to the unfolding events. He already knew what Lady Sarah was trying to do with her seemingly gentle words. His desire was to be frank with her.
"Forgive me for being so direct; I don't have a good impression of you." (His thoughts were intense).
Lady Elizabeth interrupted Lady Sarah, who appeared very convinced of her good intentions, saying:
"Please, accept Aster, my dear, it's the best decision."
Damián felt a terrible shiver.
It was a risk to be indiscreet, but they were all in the Vale of Galway. So they would still be together, just in different residences. Aster should go to the Campbell house, and Damián, to our Kadman house.
A chorus of concerns echoed in Damián, and his sadness seemed endless.
Elizabeth understood that it was also her duty, having her commitment to Adam confirmed, to pass on to Damián all the traditions of the Kadman family, as Damián was now a member of the family.
Lord Malcolm did not want to be inappropriate with Taylor, nor did he want to abandon her in a difficult time. However, for Lady Elizabeth, who nurtured affection and protective feelings for Taylor, after all, that alpha woman had followed her son throughout his life.
But in five years, Taylor had not been able to win Adam's heart. And for Elizabeth Kadman, it was understandable that Adam would be attracted to someone like Damian: passionate, spontaneous, lively, and vibrant.
However, she wanted Taylor to be happy and needed to keep Taylor away from Damian and Adam without hurting her.
In the cheerful and relaxed atmosphere, various thoughts flowed in opposite directions. Damián stopped but couldn't find the words. It was time for him to take on this role, to position himself between Taylor and Adam. Perhaps that's what would remove him from this romantic story.
All eyes were on him, waiting for what he would say. But on that day, his old demons haunted him, and all he could manage was a simple nod of agreement. He would do whatever it took to find the hacker Astra.
His affirmative nod was met with enthusiasm from those around him.
Except for Mia, Ava, Henry, and Penny. A monumental hatred consumed them. Aster stared intensely at his friend, his eyes gleaming with fierce intensity. Then he directed his gaze toward Lady Sarah, the same fox who had planned the whole scenario from the beginning.
It was clear to him that everything had been premeditated. His message was unequivocal: he had been invited to enter through the front door of the Campbell family, and there was no room for refusal.
Lady Sarah was satisfied with the outcome of her plans. She understood that some people could feign nobility, but true nature always emerged.
That's why disguises and artifices were eventually revealed by circumstances and time.
Away from the guests, Damian felt determined to put an end to it all. His fingers ran over the handle of a ring that glistened on his hand, the polished and cold surface against his skin. Offense burned in his chest as he contemplated that symbol.
Damian turned to Aster, his brows furrowed in confusion and discontent. "Was this in the books? Did these two idiots really manage to enter the Campbell and Kadman families?"
Aster shook his head, his eyes showing traces of bewilderment. "Yes, it was in the books, but I don't remember reading anything about rings."
Damian let out a frustrated sigh, his hands gesturing emphatically as he spoke. "I talked to you; we discussed our roles and obligations, don't you see?
We're challenging fate, changing the course of this world. The more we resist the roles assigned to us, the more chaotic it all becomes. Don't you realize that we're rewriting the history of this world?"
Aster turned to him with an intense look, his eyes seeking Damian's. "You said the book didn't matter, Damian. So turn the page and start writing your own story."
Aster furrowed his brow, his eyes reflecting internal conflict. "This is the story both of us are shaping, Damian. Do you want to leave?"
Aster stared at Damian, his gaze steady and determined. "We must follow the plot, find that deranged hacker, and reach the conclusion of this story. And then, maybe, disappear. Why can't you understand that?"
With 200 guests present, it was inevitable that the photos would leak.
For the media, the news was as juicy as a gourmet dish. Adam Kadman, the most coveted single in the ABO world, was going off the market. The rumor spread like wildfire, and every detail of the ceremony was being scrutinized and analyzed.
However, what really stirred the media waters was the end of the dream relationship of the ABO world. It was a fairy tale that was now coming to an end, leaving a void in the narrative that everyone believed they knew. Clarice Phillips and Callum Campbell, with whom she shared a love story that had enchanted the world, were now separated.
And the man at the center of this emotional twist? Callum Campbell, the Prime Alpha who had decided to embark on a new path with an unknown Omega. Headlines were already being prepared, and when they were released, the teasers were as dramatic as a soap opera scene.
While the media was consumed with the turn of events, on Velorum Island, everyone was preparing to return to Markarian.
In the opulent mansion of the Phillips Family, the silence of the lavish living room was broken by the intermittent sound of Clarice Phillips' restrained sobs. Her hands trembled almost imperceptibly as she held the cellphone. The illuminated screencast a pale light on her face, highlighting the trail of tears she could barely contain. Her voice was controlled, but there was an undeniable tension in her words as she spoke to Taylor, her best friend and confidante.
"Taylor," Clarice began, her voice soft but laden with restrained emotion, "you need to understand that there's a limit to how noble I can be. The Campbell family shouldn't have exposed us like this."
As Clarice shared her distress, the cellphone nearly slipped from her trembling hands, but she struggled to keep it steady. The room was filled with luxury artifacts and impeccable furniture, but at that moment, everything seemed distant, as if the perfect world she had built was crumbling around her.
With her voice altered by a mix of anger and frustration, Beatrice began to speak, her words flowing incoherently and furiously. She cursed repeatedly, as if each swear word were a stab aimed at those who had humiliated her daughter. In every curse, there was a silent promise of revenge.