Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 231 - 17: Geraldine’s suspicion

Chapter 231: Chapter 17: Geraldine’s suspicion

What happened between Killian and Ingrid’s ex-boyfriend had become the topic in the office for a few days. The other alpha had to answer to a disciplinary meeting while Nathaniel processed the paid leave of Killian Arden without a problem.

"Do you think it’s true though? I mean, I noticed Ingrid became more attentive when it comes to Killian."

"Killian is an omega...right? So, why would she choose him over an alpha? I mean, if they both get into heat, who’s going to help them?"

"Maybe Ingrid didn’t know he’s an omega so she tried to hook him. Haha."

"Well, it’s true that Killian doesn’t look like an omega at all. He looked like a beta, but he had the aura of an alpha too. Quiet, strict, smart, and hardworking. Isn’t this the first time he took a leave that long?"

Nathaniel passed by the group of employees chattering in the lobby as they walked. He looked at the time on his wrist and quickened his steps. He said he’d eat dinner with Killian, but his meeting finished up late.

"Ch—Director Williams!"

Nathaniel looked back and saw Steve. He raised his brows, wondering why he was called. Steve whispered when he came closer, "Sir, let me drive you."

"No. I still have somewhere I need to go, so you can go back first." Nathaniel bowed slightly as some of the employees were watching them before he turned away and got to his car.

He drove to Killian’s apartment, carrying a box of chicken he bought outside.

"You’re here," Killian welcomed him with a warm smile. He tiptoed and planted a kiss on the alpha’s cheek before guiding him inside.

For the past few days after their confession, this had become their routine. Killian couldn’t cook properly yet, so most of the time, he would just order food and eat alone. He got visits from Emily and some of their colleagues, but he always refused their invitation to eat outside.

It was because he was waiting for his boss every night to have dinner with him. It was the alpha’s suggestion, and Killian couldn’t be happier to oblige. Most of the time, after eating in that cramped space, they’d talk about their days; their conversation changing from random discussion to whispering sweet nothings.

It was fulfilling, and it made Killian so happy.

During weekends, despite Nathaniel’s schedule even on days like that, he would take Killian out for lunch and walk in the park nearby, making simple memories together.

Days passed and the season gradually changed from fall to winter. They spent the first snowfall together, and Killian’s arm had recovered.

It was his first day back in the office when Nathaniel called him as soon as he checked in.

"You called for me, sir? Is there something you want me to do?" Killian inquired merrily. His eyes sparkled with delight after meeting his boss again, as if they didn’t see each other yesterday.

However, Nathaniel was a bit disoriented. He shook his head and stared straight at Killian. "I... will be gone for a week at least, Killian."

Killian paused. "...are you going somewhere?"

Nathaniel nodded. "I have to go back to the main to check on something. It will at least take a week." He looked away and pretended to busy himself. There were minor issues in his company, but he lied, it might only take two days at most. He just couldn’t go back immediately because it had been a few months since he last saw his children.

"When are you going to leave, sir?" Killian asked with a saddened look.

Nathaniel sighed. He stood and approached Killian. He pulled him in his embrace as he answered, "Tonight."

That night, Killian ate dinner alone.

On the other hand, Nathaniel’s return to the main headquarters came with a flood of mixed emotions. He carried the weight of his recent choices, particularly the affair with Killian, but tried to bury the guilt beneath layers of work.

As soon as he stepped out of his car, his children rushed out, their laughter filling the air. Allan, the eldest at 11, reached him first, followed by Anton, then Althea, and little Athan bringing up the rear, his chubby legs struggling to keep up.

"Dad!" Allan exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Nathaniel’s waist. "Finally, you’re back! What took you so long, Dad?"

Nathaniel ruffled his son’s hair. "Yeah, work let me go for a bit."

"But aren’t you the boss, Dad?" Anton asked next.

Nathaniel ruffled his hair too. "That doesn’t mean I can just lounge whenever I feel like it. If you’re the leader, then the more you should work harder, Anton."

"Daddy, do you have any presents for me?" Athan waddled and hugged his father’s leg. He looked up, his brown eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Nathaniel chuckled and picked up his youngest. "I have."

Servants began unloading his gifts for his children. He smiled at Althea who was standing a meter away from him. Behind her stood Geraldine, sporting that sophisticated and graceful look on her face.

As he approached her, he felt the sudden feeling of aversion with his pheromones, but Geraldine seemed unbothered. It wasn’t new to her, since both of them were alphas, and that feeling was common.

However, Nathaniel was certain it wasn’t only because of their same sub-gender. It was because of his instincts, telling him to stay away from her. Why? He wasn’t bonded with anyone, but that strong feeling was like gripping his heart, holding him captive.

Like it didn’t want him to be intimate with anyone. Nathaniel was lost in thought. There was something more to it. He made a mental note to schedule a check-up once he’s back.

Geraldine waited; she was smiling but there was hurt in her eyes. The guilt gnawed at Nathaniel, while the kids were watching them, so he kissed her cheek briefly and turned back to his children.

That evening, after dinner, Nathaniel buried himself in his office at home, drowning in reports and numbers from Horizon Corporation. His mind, however, couldn’t shake the image of Killian, nor the guilt of leaving him behind without any clear answers.

Geraldine knocked on the door. "Nathaniel, can we talk?"

He barely looked up from his laptop. "Not now, Geraldine. I’m swamped with work."

She stepped in anyway, shutting the door behind her. "Nathaniel, this isn’t just about work. You’ve been gone for how many months? Six? Yet, when you came back, you barely spoke to me, and now you’re sleeping in another room? Have you come to hate me so much now?"

Nathaniel’s chest tightened. "Geraldine, I don’t hate you. How many times will I say that to you? I just have been so busy because of the issues on the company’s subsidiaries."

Geraldine ignored the business-related topic. "But you don’t like me either, do you?"

"Geraldine... not this again."

"We’ve been married for twelve years, and got four daughters, but you still can’t learn to love me. How long do I have to hope for that to happen? I might have been your wife and the mother of your kids, yet I still feel so... little." She approached Nathaniel behind his desk and wrapped her slim arms around his neck. She then whispered demandingly, "When will you love me, Nate?"

Nathaniel met her gaze briefly before looking away. He couldn’t answer, and Geraldine’s heart ached because of that.

A deafening silence settled between them. After a while, Nathaniel pushed Geraldine away. "Go back and sleep. I have to finish this—

"You never pushed me away even if you don’t like me," Geraldine furrowed her brows. She narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. "What’s going on, Nathaniel? Is there someone else?"

Her question hit harder than he expected. His throat tightened, but he forced his expression to remain the same. "You’re overthinking this."

"Am I?" Her voice wavered, clearly hurt. "You’ve never been this cold before, and I can feel that something’s changed. Am I really overthinking this, or is it that you finally acted on your instincts and touched an omega—!"

Slam!

Geraldine was silenced by Nathaniel slamming his palm on the desk. He pushed back his chair and stood, avoiding her piercing stare. "Let’s stop this conversation already. I’m sleeping in the other room because I need space. It’s work, Geraldine, nothing else. Stop reading into things."

She remained silent for a moment, her eyes searching his face, but he walked past her and left the room. That night, Nathaniel, moved to the guest room, hoping that the distance would help him figure out his tangled emotions, but despite his exhaustion from the journey and work, he found it difficult to sleep.

He realized how he hadn’t yet heard Killian’s voice for the day, and knew it was the reason for that. He was with his family, but his mind and heart kept wandering toward him—toward Killian Arden.

Meanwhile, Geraldine walked back into the master bedroom. Her graceful composure was now gone, and all that was left was a distraught wife wondering if her husband was cheating. Her gut feeling told her Nathaniel was hiding something from her, and she was determined to find out the truth.