Chapter 48 Valmere, Cain, and D'Arden
The night air outside the Amalfi villa was cool, wrapping around the cliffside like a silk veil. But the Valmere brothers, standing rigidly by the balcony overlooking the dark sea, felt anything but calm.
Caelum stood at the forefront, arms crossed tight over his chest, jaw locked with the kind of fury only an older brother could possess. Knight leaned against the stone railing, his expression unreadable but observant. Lucio, hands in his pockets, paced slowly across the terrace. Casper stood near the steps, poised and watchful, as if danger might spring from the shadows.
Every one of them carried the same energy, a storm barely contained.
And then the villa door opened.
Ylmaz stepped out slowly.
All four Valmere brothers turned their heads toward him at once. It was impressive he didn’t flinch.
Caelum exhaled sharply. “Finally.”
But Ylmaz didn’t raise his voice or match their tension. He simply walked toward Caelum with calm, steady steps.
“You’re upset,” Ylmaz said quietly. “All of you.”
Lucio barked a dry laugh. “You think?”
Knight lifted a brow. “You brought our sister halfway across the world.”
“And she lied,” Casper added, his voice low and dangerously calm. “She never lies. Which means something pushed her to.”
Caelum stepped closer. “And you… you conveniently helped her escape?”
Ylmaz met his gaze head-on. “I didn’t help her escape. I helped her breathe, and it's her choice to go without you all knowing. I asked her how many times if she is sure about this and she said yes.”
Caelum froze.
The other brothers exchanged looks, momentarily thrown.
Ylmaz continued, voice solid but gentle. “You all love her. I know that. Anyone can see that. But you watch her like she’s glass.”
Knight frowned slightly.
Lucio scoffed. “She is glass. Breakable.”
“No,” Ylmaz said firmly. “She’s not. She’s strong. Stronger than any of you know, because you never let her show it.”
Caelum bristled. “Watch your words.”
“I am,” Ylmaz replied calmly. “Very carefully.”
The tension deepened, but his voice remained steady.
“She needed space. She needed time. She needed a decision that belonged only to her. Not a business decision. Not a Valmere decision. Her decision.”
Casper’s eyes narrowed. “And you think we deny her that?”
“I think you love her so much that you trap her without realizing it.”
Lucio looked ready to argue, but Ylmaz raised a hand, not rudely, just firmly. “Caelum, listen. You’re her eldest brother. You protect her the most. But protection isn’t punishment. She doesn’t need shouting. She doesn’t need scolding. She needs understanding.”
Caelum’s brows lowered. His anger flickered with conflict. Even Knight, usually stoic, shifted slightly, considering the words.
Ylmaz sighed softly. “I’m not your enemy. I’m not trying to take her from you. I just want to see her happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. She's my best friend."
For the first time since the confrontation started, Caelum’s expression wavered.
Just the tiniest bit.
And that moment, that single softening lasted exactly two seconds.
Because.....
BAAAAAAM!
A fist flew across the terrace and smashed into Ylmaz’s jaw with brutal force.
The impact echoed like a slap of thunder. Ylmaz stumbled back, hand flying to his face.
Lucio cursed loudly. Knight straightened in shock. Casper grabbed Caelum’s arm out of instinct.
Caelum looked around sharply. “What the hell—?!”
A shadow stepped forward from the darkness near the gates. And there he was.
Luther Cain.
His chest heaved. His eyes were filled with fury and betrayal. His knuckles were already reddening from the impact.
Ylmaz wiped blood from his lip, glaring. “You punch like a jealous teenager.”
Luther ignored him. He took another step forward, voice quivering with rage. “How dare you take her out of the country? How dare you bring her here without telling anyone without telling me?!”
Knight blinked at that. “You???”
Lucio muttered, “What the hell does he have to do with this?”
Casper stared sharply at Luther. “Mr. Cain. This is our concern. Why are you even here?”
Luther snapped his head toward Casper, eyes burning. “Because she should’ve told me before any of you!”
Four Valmere brothers froze.
“Pardon me?” Caelum hissed.
Luther clenched his fists. “Deborah always talks to me. Always. And this time, she didn’t. She left. She disappeared. She didn’t answer my calls. And when I checked the airports...she was gone.”
Knight murmured under his breath, “Why does he sound personally offended?”
Lucio replied, “Because he is.”
Ylmaz stepped in again, wiping the corner of his mouth. “Luther, this isn’t the time.”
“No?” Luther growled. “She told her father. She told you. But she didn’t tell me. Not once.”
The brothers looked between Luther and Ylmaz, their expressions sharpening. Casper crossed his arms. “Why exactly would she need to tell you anything?”
Luther opened his mouth but the villa’s front door opened again.
Deborah stepped out.
Dressed in a loose cardigan, hair slightly messy from stress, phone still in her hand. Her eyes widened.
“Luther?”
His anger cracked, showing a wound underneath. “You didn’t tell me.”
Deborah froze.
Behind her, the Valmere brothers slowly turned their gazes on her.
Knight raised a brow. Lucio leaned forward slightly.
Casper’s eyes narrowed. Caelum stood tall, expression unreadable.
Luther took a shaky step toward her. “Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?”
Deborah swallowed hard.
Caelum’s voice was cold. “Deborah. Why does he sound like he had more right to know than us? If i'm not mistaken he's a rival.”
Lucio added, “Or more right than your own brothers.”
Knight tilted his head. “Or more right than the man standing next to you right now.”
Casper’s tone sharpened. “What exactly is going on?”
Deborah opened her mouth.... But Caelum cut through the air with a voice that shook the terrace.
He took one step forward, eyes locked onto his sister.
“Care to explain, Deborah? are you hiding secrets and lying again?”