Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 246 - 4: Running away from home

Chapter 246: Chapter 4: Running away from home

Four years had passed since then.

After Athan smiled and told Shawn he was glad to see him again, he left England and followed Knox to Australia despite the disapproval they made no effort to hide. Shawn had to go back home, but from time to time, Athan would send a picture of him and Knox, and later with a newborn baby, to him.

Knox remained his friend, and Athan contacted him as often as he could. He declared that he had no intention of marrying him just because of their families’ arrangement, so Shawn was at peace. If Athan doesn’t want to marry him, then, there is nothing he should worry about. As long as the engagement remained vague, his father would not search for another prospective son-in-law and Shawn gets to do what he wants in the meantime.

Not until that day.

"What are these?" Stuart slammed the papers on the table, right in front of his son, Shawn, who flinched at the noise and the angry voice. "Certificates of enrollment? Why are you trying to get to college with this course when you already graduated, Shawn Williams? Forget this, and prepare yourself to work in our company instead!" Stuart turned away, snatching the papers and mumbling, "Ungrateful kid. Everything you have had been spoon-fed since your birth and now you’re trying to spit at those who fed you."

He ripped the papers as he walked away, and Shawn couldn’t keep his emotions in check any longer. The tension with his father had been simmering for years, quietly lurking beneath his polite smiles and half-hearted nods whenever his father spoke of his plans. But as the conversation twisted once more toward the path his life was meant to follow, he found himself unable to stay silent anymore.

His patience he thought would never snap out to his family, did snap. "Ripping it won’t do anything, Dad. Like you said, I’ve graduated with flying colors with the degree you chose for me. Now, I want to pursue what I want—

"What nonsense! Once you have experience working in a corporate setting, you will be wed to young master Athan and will support him as his husband. You have to give birth to dominant al—

"Am I a f*cking horse?!" Shawn shouted.

"Watch your language, Shawn Williams!" Heidi yelled from the other seat. "He’s still your father!"

However, Shawn ignored him. "Am I nothing more to you than a breeding animal? You’re practically saying my only worth is in who I marry and what I can bring back to this family! Am I supposed to stand around, do whatever you say, and bring you prize-winning heirs carrying noble bloodlines like some—some prize stallion in a stable?! Just your precious bargaining chip to trade off to the highest bidder? Doesn’t it bother you that your son’s dreams mean nothing to you...nothing at all?"

Stuart’s eyes flared with anger, but he remained still in his spot and just scolded Shawn. "You’ve gone far enough, Shawn. Did I put you in an auction and make those omega-craze alphas bid on you? I did not. I arranged a good kid for you, someone who had been supporting our family, someone whom we must continue to—

"I won’t do it. I won’t marry." Shawn’s jaw clenched as he took in the unsparing look of authority on his father’s face. Heidi gasped at his audacity, while Shawn and his alpha older brother, Stephen shook their heads at him. But all of that was ignored by Shawn. Knox taught him to live solely for his sake, and Athan encouraged him to follow his dreams.

"I’m not going to join the company either. I’ve done everything you asked, all through school, even majored in finance because you forced me to, but I want something else for my future. I have other plans. Accept it."

Stuart’s expression darkened, a vein pulsing at his temple. "Other plans?" he repeated with a voice laced with disdain. "Plans to waste your time with computers instead of taking up the responsibilities that have been laid out for you since the day you were born?"

"Why is it so hard to understand?" Shawn’s voice wavered, but he held his ground. "Stephen and Shana—they got to choose what they wanted! But me? I’ve had no choice from the beginning. Not with my education, not with who I’m supposed to marry, and not even with my career. Just because I’m the only omega child you have doesn’t mean you get to dictate my life!"

Heidi stirred at his son’s words, but instead of stepping forward to support him, his expression softened with disappointment. "Shawn, honey, we’ve been over this. Your father only wants what’s best for you. We’re strict on you because you’re an omega, you’re vulnerable towards alphas. What if someone takes advantage of you, not only you will dishonor your family, but will also be miserable—

"Are you?" Shawn whispered. It was already too late when he realized what he asked. He was slapped by his father, hard and painful, but he closed his eyes when he caught sight of his mother’s hurt expression. He deserved to be slapped. But he couldn’t help but think that his male omega mother deserved to be reminded.

Heidi and Stuart were just projecting their trauma to him.

Stuart’s subdued voice echoed once again. "This conversation won’t go anywhere. Stephen, go take your brother to his room and let him reflect on his mistakes."

"I won’t change just because I got locked up," Shawn muttered.

Stephen walked to him and spat, "Can you just shut up?"

"I’ve been silent for so long, but Dad’s taking it too far—

"You’re just making this bigger than it has to be, Shawn." Shana rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. "Dad’s right. You can’t just do whatever you want without thinking of the family."

Shawn turned to his sister, feeling the sting of her dismissal. "You don’t understand, Shana. You’ve never had to sacrifice what you want for the family. You chose your career; you get to date whoever you want—no one dictated those things to you. Why should it be any different for me?"

Shana scoffed. "You’re being dramatic. Just because Dad has a plan for you doesn’t mean he’s taking away your freedom."

"Then, swap places with me. Break up with your boyfriend and marry Athan, shift to finance instead of pursuing mass communication!" Shawn yelled. He was annoyed. His arm was grabbed aggressively by his older brother, which made him look up and find his face cold and disdainful.

"Dad’s done a lot for you, Shawn. It wouldn’t hurt to be a little grateful. You have opportunities most people would dream of, and you’re acting like it’s the end of the world."

"Oh, is that right?" Shawn shot back. "Grateful for what? For depriving me of my own life? My whole life has been about what he needs, what he wants, who he thinks I should be! But did he, did all of you! Ever think what I wanted?"

He snatched his arm back from his brother, but Stephen did not let go. Shawn winced because he tightened his grip even more.

Stuart spoke again with finality. "You’re acting like a spoiled child, Shawn. I have done everything to ensure that you have a secure and respectable future. I am not about to let you throw it all away because of some childish whims. Drag him back to his room."

Stephen yanked him forcibly. To avoid getting hurt even more, he reluctantly walked with him. On his way out, he even heard his mother say, "Shawn, your father knows what’s best. You might not understand it now, but one day you’ll appreciate his decisions."

Shawn opened his mouth to retort, but he knew his voice would break if he said another word again. Keeping all his grievances to himself again, he decided to ignore what they all said, what they all felt.

Their minds had been close to him from the beginning. They wouldn’t hear him; they wouldn’t even sympathize with his feelings. In that big house, he was alone.

So, with that in mind, he already knew what to do.

As soon as the door was locked, he made his way to the balcony, measured the distance from the ground to him, and started making his rope to escape at night.

He packed a small bag of his clothes and a bigger one for all his gadgets. Then, he searched online for a place to stay.

When the clock struck midnight, and everyone in the house was fast asleep, Shawn put his plans into action. He ran away, never looking back to the place that never considered him.

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