Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 249 - 7: Shawn’s determination and Athan’s predicament

Chapter 249: Chapter 7: Shawn’s determination and Athan’s predicament

The next day, Athan couldn’t accompany Shawn to pack some clothes for Knox and Knoa, so he went by himself. He couldn’t sleep properly because of their last conversation. He was bothered by it.

What if Athan thinks that he’s taking advantage of him? Thinking that way left a bitter taste in his mouth. He wanted to fix it, but Athan did not return home that day. The following day too.

"He’s in the estate. I think the chairman called for him," Knox explained when Shawn finally asked the reason.

He was holding his phone, but couldn’t bring himself to call the alpha.

On the third day, an unexpected visitor appeared on Athan’s unit.

"Uncle Steve..." Shawn greeted the older alpha with a polite bow. He remembered what Athan said before, and couldn’t help but smile. "What are you doing here?"

Steve stared at his nephew, wondering the same. When Shawn realized what he might be thinking, he immediately raised his hands up and waved them dismissively. "No, uncle. I came here with Knox and Knoa. I’m... employed...currently as a babysitter to Knoa, so..."

"A child taking care of a child?" Steve remarked. Shawn pouted. He moved out the door and guided his uncle inside.

"What child? I’m old enough to carry him... though I make mistakes sometimes. Nevertheless, I’m helpful to the young masters, no?" Shawn wriggled his eyebrows, fishing for some praise.

"You are. Though you’re a headache to your parents." Steve nonchalantly replied.

Shawn pouted. "Uncle..."

Steve glanced around and asked, "Where is young master Knox? I have something to tell him."

"He’s still asleep. Is it urgent? If it is, I can wake him up now."

"It is."

"Then, I’ll get him." Shawn went to Knox’s room and knocked on the door. He stopped when he realized that he might wake the child too. Thankfully, the door opened and Knox’s head peeked out. "Uncle’s here."

"Can you tell him to wait?"

"Sure," Shawn replied. He went back to the living room where Steve was. "He just woke up. Give him a few minutes." His uncle nodded. "Do you want something to drink, uncle?"

Steve shook his head. "When are you planning to go back home?"

Shawn paused. Is he even planning? He likes the way he lives right now. So, going back home never crossed his mind. Besides, he’s already twenty-three, and most of his peers are living by themselves now.

Since he didn’t have money yet, he was working a stay-in job. But after he saves up, he’ll find a place of his own and live independently.

Steve sighed, looking as though he read his nephew’s mind. "Living independently isn’t bad, Shawn. But I don’t want this family feud to continue until it’s too late. If you’ve gathered your thoughts already and determined what path to take, go back and make your parents understand again."

Shawn lowered his head. "But how, uncle? I haven’t achieved anything yet. I want to prove to them I’m more than just what they see my worth."

"Then, at least answer their calls. Stuart is too strict and ambitious, but he worries for you in his own way. And you’d better think properly what you want to prove to them, because from what I see, you have no plans yet. Are you just going to work, save, get a house, and live alone? Is that your way of proving to them that you can live just fine without their support?"

Shawn was rendered speechless. To him, getting his freedom, making his own choices, and taking responsibility for the consequences, were an achievement. But in the eyes of his family, it was nothing but pettiness and nonsense display of short-lived rebellion.

Just what is his worth?

Steve checked his watch, which brought Shawn back to the present. He excused himself and went to get Knox again.

"Oh, he’s awake already," he said upon seeing Knoa.

"Papa said I can go to school now!" Knoa exclaimed merrily.

Shawn smiled and looked excited as well. "That’s great, Knoa! I heard that your playmates are asking for you already. I asked the teacher about your activities and she said they already started drawing flowers. Should we draw them together after breakfast?"

"Yeah! I want to draw flowers and bees!"

Knox gave Knoa to him, and he helped the kid wash up first, before feeding him breakfast. Knox had to meet with the chairman, so Shawn was left to take care of Knoa. Somehow, being around the kid helped him forget some of his problems.

The whole day, they played and napped, and when Knox arrived, Shawn hoped that Athan would appear too. But he didn’t show up. Until Knox informed him that they were going to move out soon, he kept hoping.

"Can you go ahead first? I’d like to take Knoa to visit my parents."

Shawn hesitated. He felt anxious leaving the two alone by themselves. "Sir Athan has a spare car in the parking lot. Should we use it? Let me drive you."

When he heard that Knox planned to stay out of town for two days, Shawn was even more adamant. Perhaps it wasn’t just because he wanted to protect the two, but also because of personal reasons. His habit of running away was kicking in, and he wanted to unwind somewhere far away.

Shawn then remembered the club he usually goes to. It’s been years since he last visited that place, and he was certain everything would look unfamiliar to him now. So, he never visited again.

He accompanied the two to visit Knox’s parents. He parked underneath a large acacia tree and sat on the concrete bench while waiting for them.

It was late in the afternoon when they arrived at the cemetery. The sun cast a warm glow, seeping through the leaves that swayed from the cool breeze. The birds had grown quieter, their songs softening as the day prepared to surrender to evening. The silence brought peace to Shawn’s mind.

He closed his eyes and leaned back, his chin pointed upward as he basked his face under the setting sun, while his arms supported his weight behind him.

Suddenly, the tranquility was broken when his phone rang, and checking the caller, he couldn’t help but frown. He sighed heavily as he expressed his reluctance to answer.

It was Shana, nagging him to come back home and guilt-tripping him for breaking their mother’s heart.

"Why should I rush back just to get lectured again? I’m living my life, Shana, and honestly, I’ve been happy without all that constant scrutiny," he shot back.

Shana clicked his tongue and Shawn could picture her rolling her eyes. "I’m passing the phone to Daddy," she said, her tone laced with annoyance.

A second later, his omega father’s voice echoed softly through the line. "Shawn..." Heidi’s voice was gentle, filled with that quiet concern only a parent could have. In times like this, Shawn believed that his father was on his side. "Are you alright? I’ve been so worried about you."

He could see his father in the kitchen, probably sitting at the table with his hands clasped together in that nervous way of his. Despite his frustration, guilt gnawed at him, even if he wished it wouldn’t.

"I’m alright. I’m doing fine," Shawn replied, hoping his words would reassure him, even though he knew they wouldn’t completely.

"Sweetheart," Heidi said, her tone gentle but tinged with a plea. "Running away isn’t going to fix what happened. You know how your father is... but he does care, even if he has a hard way of showing it."

He clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "It’s not about that. He’s never supported any of my decisions. All he sees is an omega who needs to be controlled and directed. It’s not fair!"

"Shawn," his father’s voice grew firmer, a slight strain showing through, "Your father has always had high expectations of you because he believes you’re capable. He doesn’t want you to waste your potential."

"Dad, wanting a life outside of his plans isn’t wasting my potential. It’s called having my own choices," he said with a shaking voice filled with years of suppressed resentment that seeped into each word.

A faint sound of a sigh sounded from the other line. "Son, there’s nothing wrong with wanting freedom. But the way you’re handling this... this distancing yourself entirely, not even picking up our calls... it’s hurtful. And running away is not going to prove anything to him. Blaming us won’t either."

A harsh laugh escaped Shawn, more bitter than he’d intended. "Is that what you think I’m doing, Dad? Blaming everyone? I just want to live without constant judgment. I want a life that I choose. Is that so impossible to understand?"

He ended the call abruptly, fearing that he might spout another hurtful word to his omega father again. Deep inside him, he was hoping that he, who was also an omega, would understand and stand by his side, but just like most omegas, he was compliant to his alpha, afraid to break his word or do anything to anger him.

Shawn didn’t want to be like that. He promised himself, despite being weak to an alpha’s pheromones, that he won’t let one order him around.

His family kept calling him after that, but he was insistent on dismissing them. They only stopped after the three of them went back home.

Shawn was tired to the bones, but his plan of resting the whole day was interrupted when Knox came back, grabbing the keys to him and pleading, "Can you stay with Knoa for now? I have somewhere I need to go immediately. I’ll be back soon!" He kissed Knoa and drove away.

Shawn was baffled. Not until he opened the television to entertain Knoa and saw the news, did he finally understand why. Maybe Knox tried to go to the estate to check on Athan. They’re brothers after all.

But the news of Athan getting sued kept resurfacing in his head, and he got more worried every time. In the end, he took his phone and sent a supporting message.