Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 226 - 12: First Priority

Chapter 226: Chapter 12: First Priority

What Killian dreaded the most finally came. So, Emily did not forget. He looked down at his half-empty glass of wine, letting Emily’s words sink in.

Perhaps, Emily already knew what her best friend’s answer would be. She stared at the dishes half-eaten before them.

"Ian..." Emily said softly, her voice wavering as she stared at her hands. "I remember what I said. Gosh, this is nerve-wracking. Confessing to my best friend of many years, I meant." Emily tried to lighten the mood by laughing lightly, but it only sounded forced.

She cleared her throat afterward. "So, you see, I’ve...liked you for a long time now. I just never had the courage to tell you before. I thought maybe... just maybe, you felt the same way."

Killian sighed, putting down his glass. He hated that he had to hurt her, especially after everything they had been through together. But he knew he couldn’t lie to her, not about this matter, not when it comes to her feelings.

However, no matter how much he opened his mouth to speak, words won’t just come out. It frustrated him. The situation scared him.

Emily might have noticed his hesitation, so she tapped the table and frowned. "Killian Arden. I know you have an answer for me already. So, if you’re going to reject me, say it already. That way I can move on."

Killian stared straight at Emily. He was in awe at her bravery and bluntness. A small smile tugged on his lips after he inhaled deeply and broke his best friend’s heart.

"Emily, I don’t want to hurt you. I...only see you as a sister. You’ve always been there for me, and I care about you deeply, but... not in a romantic way." He met her eyes, his expression sincere yet pained. "I’m sorry."

Emily’s face remained calm, but her eyes betrayed the pain she was trying to hide. She forced a smile, even as her heart clenched. "I understand, Ian. Really, I do." She glanced down at her lap, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just needed to hear it, I guess. Well, that’s it. This way, I can finally stop hoping that you’d fall for me one day."

An awkward silence settled over the table.

Killian felt an overwhelming sense of guilt and sadness, even though he knew he had done the right thing by being honest with her. He reached across the table, placing his hand gently on hers. "You’re still my best friend, Emily. Nothing will change that. But if...if you’re uncomfortable with that...I...won’t force you..."

Emily nodded, biting her lip to keep the tears from spilling. "I’ll always be your friend, Ian. No matter what." She pulled her hand away, wiping her eyes quickly before giving him another forced smile. "Let’s just forget about it, okay? We’re good. Really."

Killian returned her smile, though the mood between them had noticeably shifted.

The remainder of their meal was filled with strained conversation as they both tried to navigate through the weight of what had been revealed. They ate in silence, neither having much of an appetite and finished quickly, eager to leave behind the awkwardness.

However, what neither of them realized was that two pairs of eyes had been watching them ever since they arrived.

Nathaniel sat at his corner table, his expression darkening as he observed Killian and Emily. His mood had soured the moment he saw them walk in together, laughing and chatting like they didn’t have a care in the world.

And now, watching them interact—seeing Killian’s hand on Emily’s—Nathaniel felt something unfamiliar twist inside him.

Jealousy. That’s right. He already admitted it.

He hadn’t expected to feel this way, especially after the conversation he and Killian had shared over the phone. He thought they were building something, something beyond the rigid structure of their professional relationship. But now, seeing Killian with someone else—so comfortable, so intimate—it bothered him more than he wanted to admit.

The woman sitting across from Nathaniel raised an eyebrow at his sudden change in demeanor. "You’ve been staring at that table for a while," she noted, her tone casual but curious. "Do you know them?"

Nathaniel’s gaze flickered to her briefly before returning to Killian and Emily. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to answer. "The man works for me. He’s... my assistant."

The woman smirked, clearly intrigued by his reaction. "Is that all he is? Because from the way you’re glaring at them, it looks like there’s more to the story." She clicked his tongue and shook her head. "Something that shouldn’t be, because it was wrong. Very wrong, Mr. Horace."

Nathaniel shot her a cold look, not in the mood to entertain her teasing. "It’s none of your concern," he replied curtly.

She shrugged, taking a sip of her champagne. "Alright. But I’d be careful if I were you. You seem awfully invested in that assistant of yours. I seem to recall your wife is a tigress in disguise. Once she learns you’re harboring those feelings you can’t do for her, she’ll bite you."

She set her glass down and stood, smoothing out her dress. "I’ll be taking my leave now. Business calls, you know? Oh, and since, we’re business partners, I’ll keep my mouth shut." She winked at Nathaniel playfully. "Alphas are allowed to play however they want."

Nathaniel grimaced, barely acknowledging her departure. His eyes were still locked on Killian. He didn’t want to admit it, but she was right. He was more invested than he had any right to be. And seeing Killian with someone else—someone who clearly cared about him—only intensified the emotions he had been trying to suppress.

The evening wore on, and Killian and Emily stood up to leave. Nathaniel watched as they made their way to the exit. He should have gone to work today and should have confronted Killian after their phone call. If only he wasn’t occupied with outside meetings for the whole day.

On the other hand, Killian stood outside the restaurant, hailing a cab for Emily when his arm was tugged. He looked back at Emily with a confused expression.

Emily subtly smiled. "I just received a message from my female friends, inviting me for a sleepover. So, I won’t be going home with you tonight."

Killian paused. He wondered if Emily was telling the truth or simply making excuses to distance herself from him. But who was he to complain? It’s only natural that she’d want to spend her time alone after he rejected her.

Nodding slowly, Killian spoke, "Are they going to pick you up, or you’re going on your own?"

"I’m going on my own. Their house is not far from here, so I’ll just walk. I also...need to breathe fresh air to soothe my aching heart, you know?" Emily said jokingly.

Killian forced a smile and let the female beta go. He waved at her when Emily did. He watched her figure shrink, selfishly wishing that by tomorrow, they’d be back to normal.

Like Emily, Killian decided to walk to the next bust stop. The cool night air hit his face as he walked down that sidewalk. His eyes sparkled from the dazzling lights of the bustling streets, but they soon died down when he remembered his boss, now that the issue with Emily was done.

He stopped by the end of the pedestrian lane, waiting for the red light to turn green. Even if he didn’t want to, without doing anything, his mind would automatically wander to the earlier event.

The woman he was with didn’t seem like an omega. Is she an alpha? Does he like alphas more than omegas? Was he out on a date...or was that woman his girlfriend?

These thoughts occupied his head that, when a shadow went past in his peripheral vision, he stepped forward, thinking that the light had changed.

Hoooooonk!

The screech of the horn reverberated in Killian’s ears, and his heartbeat thundered in his chest. His mind went blank, frozen by the shock, as the blinding headlights bore down on him. The world around him seemed to slow as his body stiffened and he lost the ability to move.

Just as the sound of the car surged closer, Killian felt a sharp pull on his arm, yanking him backward with force. The sudden jolt sent him stumbling, but it wasn’t the ground that greeted him—it was the firm grip of someone holding him upright and saving him from the brink of death.

"Killian!" A voice, deep and laced with panic and anger, cut through the haze of the omega’s shock.

Killian blinked rapidly, trying to catch his breath as his vision cleared. His legs trembled beneath him and his heart still hammering in his chest. He turned his head slowly, registering the familiar floral scent in his muddled head before his eyes met his boss’ green ones.

The alpha’s face was filled with anger, his eyes sharp and blazing, and something Killian did not expect from him—fear.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Nathaniel’s voice was low but trembling, his grip on Killian’s arm was firm, as though afraid he might slip away again. "You almost got killed!"

Killian opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. His throat was dry and his breath shaky. The adrenaline still coursing through his veins left him dazed and disconnected from reality. He glanced back toward the street, watching as the car sped away, the near accident playing over and over in his mind.

"I..." Killian finally managed, his voice barely above a whisper. His knees felt weak, and he swayed slightly, the weight of what had almost happened settling in. "I didn’t see..."

Nathaniel’s hand, still gripping Killian’s arm, tightened slightly before he pulled Killian closer, his breath heavy. "Of course you didn’t. You weren’t paying attention!" His voice wavered, and Killian could feel the tremor of anger mixed with fear in his words. "You could’ve been hit... or worse."

Killian’s head was spinning. The honk of the car still echoed in his ears, and the world felt distant, muffled like he was standing underwater. His chest heaved, and he stared at his boss, barely able to comprehend how close he had come to being run over.

Nathaniel’s anger was still there, his brows furrowed in frustration, but his fear was unmistakable. He had watched it all unfold—had seen Killian almost step right into the path of a speeding car—and it terrified him.

For a moment, Nathaniel’s fingers loosened, and he shifted his grip from Killian’s arm to his shoulders, shaking him gently. "Are you okay now?" His voice softened, but the tremor remained. When Killian barely nodded, Nathaniel added, "Let’s get you home."

Killian stared at him, still too shaken to form a coherent response. He wasn’t sure if it was the near accident or his boss’ panicked reaction that was making his heart race faster. His mind was a fog, and all he could do was shake his head slowly, unsure of how to explain the disorientation that had led to this.

The shaking of the head made Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. "You don’t want me to take you home? Why? Is someone waiting for you at home? Are you living with someone?"

Killian looked up. "N—No! I...I...just don’t want to bother—

"You’re not a bother. At least, right now, you’re not. Right now...you’re my priority," Nathaniel said, his voice lowered at the last part, but Killian still heard it.

Before Killian could ask what the alpha meant, he was pulled again. His boss’ right hand was now on his left, dragging him across the street as if keeping him from the dangers of it.

Killian swallowed hard. His body sagged with exhaustion, but despite what happened, all he cared for was their hands joined together. For the first time.