Chapter 35: Sins That Echo Quietly

The silence in the vault stretched long after the final page was turned.

Luna's heart still thudded in her chest as she stared at the payment slip bearing the Obsidian Holdings seal—right beside a familiar signature.

William Blackwell.

Killian's father.

The air inside the vault suddenly felt thinner, colder. Luna turned her head to glance at Killian, expecting a storm—some outburst, a flare of anger, anything.

But none came.

He stood still, staring at the document, the sharp lines of his face unreadable. His jaw was tight, but his hands didn't shake. His voice, when it finally came, was quiet.

"…He should've told me."

Margaret let out a breath behind them, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't know. I swear to you, Killian—I had no idea."

Killian didn't respond right away. He was too focused on the signature, as though trying to extract an explanation from the ink itself.

Luna stepped closer. "You're not surprised."

"No," he said softly. "But I hoped I was wrong."

He closed the file slowly and slid it back into the envelope, keeping it pressed flat in his palm. "This complicates things."

Margaret reached out gently, her brow furrowed with concern. "Darling… he must've had his reasons."

Killian gave a faint, almost imperceptible nod. "That's exactly what worries me."

Luna stepped in, watching his expression closely. "You're not angry?"

"I don't have the luxury of being angry," Killian said quietly. "But I'm… disappointed. And frankly, I'm tired of being the last to know things I should've been informed about from the start."

He glanced at Margaret, then at Luna. "Secrets are fine when you're not running the company. But I am. Every piece of information kept from me is another weapon I can't counter."

His voice was still calm, still cool—but the edge was unmistakable.

Luna felt her chest ache for him. He didn't lash out or lose control. He never did. But this—this quiet betrayal—cut deeper than shouting ever could.

Margaret looked down, visibly affected. "I'm sorry, Killian. I should've questioned your father more when I saw things that didn't sit right."

He gave her a brief nod. "It's not just on you."

Luna watched him tuck the envelope into his coat. "What now?"

"I talk to him," Killian said.

"And if he won't tell you everything?" she asked gently.

"Then I'll find someone who will."

They found William Blackwell in the conservatory—a beautiful glass structure filled with curated orchids and imported flora, untouched by the outside chaos. The former CEO sat in a high-backed armchair, reading a collection of business journals, a teacup balanced on the table beside him.

He looked up as they entered, a subtle smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You two look troubled. Or did Richard assign you another family trial to endure?"

Killian didn't smile back. "We found the vault."

William's expression didn't shift. "Ah. So you've met the skeletons."

"You signed off on a transaction to Obsidian Holdings," Killian said plainly, not accusing, not confrontational—just factual.

There was a pause. Then, William nodded once. "I did."

Luna glanced between them, half-expecting the air to explode with confrontation.

But Killian remained still, his tone level. "I would've appreciated knowing about it sooner."

William tilted his head. "Would it have changed anything?"

"Yes," Killian replied. "I would've known where the storm was coming from before it hit."

William sighed, setting his reading aside. "Killian, there are things in this business that exist outside boardrooms and spreadsheets. Alliances that keep competitors at bay. Agreements that protect the bloodline—not just the balance sheet."

"Agreements with the Obsidian Circle?" Killian asked softly.

"They were never meant to interfere with the family," William said, choosing his words carefully. "They offered control in exchange for silence. At the time, it made sense."

"And Celeste?" Killian asked, voice quieter now. "What was her role in all this?"

"She was a liaison," William said. "Introduced through a mutual associate. She was… capable. Strategic. I thought she could keep the Circle in check."

Luna's heart sank. "But she turned on you."

William's expression hardened slightly. "Yes. Clearly."

Killian's eyes didn't leave his father's. "You gave her access to the vault."

"She asked for insight into the legacy plan. I thought she was preparing to support your leadership, not sabotage it."

"You trusted the wrong person," Killian said evenly. "And now she's aligned with Cameron."

William let out a sigh, rubbing his temple. "That wasn't part of the deal."

Luna folded her arms. "Did Richard know about this?"

William hesitated. "He didn't object. But he didn't sign anything directly. It was my decision."

Killian nodded slowly. "I understand your reasoning. But that's not the issue."

William looked up. "Then what is?"

"That you didn't tell me," Killian said. "Not once. Not even after I took over."

His voice wasn't angry, but it carried weight—an almost imperceptible disappointment.

"If I'm going to defend this empire," he continued, "I need to know what's buried beneath it. All of it. No more closed doors. No more quiet deals."

William studied him for a moment, then leaned back slightly. "You sound more like Richard every day."

"I'm not him," Killian said softly. "I just don't like being blindsided."

For a long moment, neither spoke.

Then William gave a slow nod. "You're right."

Luna blinked in surprise.

"I thought I was protecting you from the uglier truths," William said. "But I see now… I was just keeping you in the dark."

Killian didn't respond.

But Luna saw the smallest flicker of something in his eyes—recognition, maybe. Or resignation.

"I'll give you access to everything," William said at last. "All my old files. The side agreements. The backdoor policies. I'll have them sent to your office."

Killian nodded once. "Thank you."

"And Luna," William added, turning to her. "I'm sorry you were caught in the crossfire."

"I can handle more than people think," she said quietly.

William's smile was faint but respectful. "I'm starting to see that."

That night, Killian stood by the estate window, staring out at the vast dark sky, arms crossed over his chest. Luna watched him from the doorway, then quietly approached.

"You handled that better than I thought you would," she said softly.

Killian's eyes didn't move from the skyline. "It's not the first time my family's history tried to swallow me whole."

"But this time, you pushed back."

He exhaled slowly. "I just wish they trusted me enough to tell me earlier. That's what bothers me the most."

"You're not your father," she said. "And that's exactly why you're the right person to fix this."

He glanced at her, something unreadable in his gaze.

Then, unexpectedly, he said, "You keep me grounded."

Luna blinked. That was the closest thing to an emotional admission she'd ever heard from him.

"I mean," he added quickly, turning away again, "you keep things… rational. Clear."

Luna smiled. "Sure. We'll pretend you didn't sound sentimental."

He shot her a side glance but didn't argue.

But for the first time in days, something in him relaxed—just slightly.

And Luna knew: this wasn't over.

But Killian Blackwell had just taken control of the battlefield.