Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 139: A failed attempt

Chapter 139: A failed attempt

Before the sun began to set, the back of the car was seen retreating from that beach resort. Behind the front seats, two kids were sprawled at the back; the smaller one’s head rested on the shoulder of the bigger one, and both were sleeping soundly, their chests moving in a peaceful rhythm.

Knox straightened his body and looked ahead.

The shadows of palm trees they passed cast over him, passing through the windows, and flipping with the golden light of the warm setting sun. His green eyes, painted with the brewing turmoil of how to explain what happened to the orphanage’s employees, were glowing brighter from the sunlight.

Azrael focused on driving but was slightly distracted by Knox’s disturbed state. He cleared his throat quietly and reached for his hands resting above his lap, as he gently spoke, "Don’t dwell too much about this. It’ll be fine."

Knox squeezed his hand back, "What if they prohibit us from taking Aresh to the beach again? Knoa was sad he couldn’t spend the whole afternoon with him. I was thinking of going back tomorrow, but..." he sighed. He glanced at the backseat through the rearview mirror with a saddened look.

Azrael pursed his lips. He drove slowly. A plan sprouted in his head irresponsibly. It was uncalled and might be impossible, yet he wanted to share that with Knox, asking for his opinion, "What do you think of...adopting him, then?"

From looking at the kids, Knox’s head spun toward Azrael. His eyes widened in shock. He then asked in disbelief, "Are you serious?"

"Well, it’s just a suggestion," Azrael quickly retorted. Seeing Knox enlivened by those words was enough to convince Azrael that the omega would agree. However, he only suggested that in the spur of the moment, desiring to lift the omega’s dispirited look.

Adopting a child will be difficult for him who has never taken care of a child before. He was still adjusting to acting like a good father to Knoa, so how could he think of raising another?

Still, everything will fall into Knox’s decision. But if Knox decided to take Aresh in, then Azrael would help him raise the child, together with Knoa. He was inexperienced, but as long as they were together, he could always learn from his partner how to be a good parent.

Until they returned, the guards did not cause any problems.

"I’m sorry to tell you this, Mr. Arden, but the Sunflower Orphanage has a protocol that only married couples are allowed to adopt a child from this institution. I’m sure you already know the reason. We aim to give orphaned children complete, harmonious, and financially adequate foster homes to provide them with a safe, family-oriented environment, and an abundant life.

"To adopt, you must be of legal age; must also be at least, one of the parents, is sixteen years older than the child to be adopted at the time of application; in possession of full civil capacity and legal rights; have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude or of having good moral character; and lastly, in a position to support and care for the child physically, emotionally, mentally, and financially.

"Sadly, Mr. Arden. You’re only qualified financially. I’m sorry, we can’t approve your application to adopt Aresh," the director despondently replied.

It was the first thing Knox did as soon as they arrived back at the orphanage and reported what happened at the beach. He expressed his desire to adopt Aresh but was slapped by the rules right away, as though the director had already expected that sudden plan.

Knox understood that there are regulations that must be followed, however, his stubborn head recalled what Ragel mentioned, so he unhesitatingly brought it up, refusing to back down, "But you can make exceptions, right? Ragel told me that Nana Edna’s application was approved. Edna was an old maiden, and with due respect, she was just a caretaker.

"Ragel still received financial help from the foundation despite being adopted. She wasn’t married, and she couldn’t support his education, so why did you allow her? Tell me how she did that, or what else she had to do to be accepted. I’m willing to do the same."

Knox desperately asked the director.

He was suddenly struck by the realization that Aresh might have already become an important person to him. How could he explain his actions only after meeting the kid in a week? He contemplated it back on their way – is he ready to raise another child? He couldn’t even give his whole time and attention to Knoa, so how could he be so brazen to apply?

Perhaps, Azrael’s simple gesture of squeezing his hand and looking at him as if he were the kindest and amazing father in the world blew away all his doubts and uncertainties. He made him strong and confident.

He pursed his lips and added, "After witnessing what happened to Aresh, I couldn’t just let him grow up here, constantly waiting for a family to adopt him. His behavior is different from other kids, which makes him weird to others. Isn’t that why he rarely received gifts from families who visited the orphanage?"

Knox remembered the time he met the kid, "He was so happy when he received one from me, and he looked at me as if wondering if I’d be one of those people who only liked him in the beginning, but once I saw how he behaved, I would also stop considering him to become my family. Aresh needs a family as soon as possible, director. I may not be a wedded person, but I...have someone I can raise him with."

The director looked at him with understanding. He smiled warmly, yet the warmth didn’t reach his eyes. Even he, who was strict with the kids was aware that Aresh needs an environment where he won’t constantly compete for affection. A traumatized person, most especially a kid, would need concentrated care and attention from a constant figure in their life.

Many families looking for children to adopt in hopes of finding one in their institution, and they went and left with a child on their hands. But that child had never been Aresh. His hands were never held, yet.

However, how heartbreaking it might be, the director just shook his head and sadly mumbled, "We established that rule because of the earlier adoption that didn’t go well, Mr. Arden. I am strict in implementing that."

The director stared at Knox honestly, "Edna Russell is unwed, yes, but she had the right to claim Ragel. She presented us with legal papers proving she was a distant relative of his late father, Ashler Ford."

If what the director told Knox was true, how could he compete? How else could he use the leverage he thought he had to convince them? Ragel made him hope, but it only disappointed him in the end.

He walked out of the director’s office with a crestfallen look. Azrael sat by the bench on the longue area, rocking the sleeping Knoa in his arms. Rian and Ragel stood after seeing him. The latter asked eagerly, "How did it go? Did you convince him?"

Knox shook his head and sighed dejectedly.

Rian frowned and expressed his dismay, "That’s not fair. No offense, kid, but why did they allow your grandmother, and deny him?" he asked Ragel, genuinely curious.

Before Ragel could answer, Knox already spoke, giving Ragel a questioning look, "She was approved because you two are related. The director said she was your late father’s distant relative. You didn’t know?"

Knox tried his best to not sound accusing, but somehow, frustration still was heard in his voice. Ragel was stunned. Just by looking at his reaction, Knox could already tell the answer. He turned away and took Knoa from Azrael.

After coming to his senses, Ragel tried to explain, "Wait, Sir Knox, I didn’t know about it!"

"Lower your voice. Tsk."

Ragel pursed his lips, affected by the deep and cold voice of Azrael reprimanding him. He seemed like a younger brother afraid to upset his older brother again. He lowered his voice and continued, "I swear, Sir Knox. I didn’t know."

"I figured," Knox answered quietly. He looked at Azrael and mumbled, "We’re going back home. Let’s talk about this tomorrow."

Azrael was reluctant to let him go. Ragel awkwardly followed behind Knox, carrying the kid’s little bag. They were silent until they reached the resthouse. Ragel tried to talk to Knox again; uneasiness crept inside him just by the thought the kind omega was disappointed in him.

However, Knox dismissed him and walked away. Ragel decided to meet his Nana Edna instead. The older woman was in the kitchen helping the other guests, Franz and Alex, cook dinner.

"Oh, you’re back. How did the young master’s day go?" Edna asked, smiling widely at him, unaware of the brewing storm Ragel was about to land on her.

The young alpha glanced at the two guests, he then gently pulled his grandmother away and cautiously asked, blurting out his question without hesitation, "Nana, are we really related? The director said you’re my father’s distant relative. Why didn’t you tell me?"

Edna Russell froze. Her wrinkled eyes trembled as she stared back at Ragel looking down at him with all seriousness. His eyes were gazing at her intently, and his smiling face made him appear colder.

In that moment, Edna was once again reminded of that person’s face she only saw in pictures, one that clearly resembled the child before him.