Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 252 - 10: What could be Athan’s reason?

Chapter 252: Chapter 10: What could be Athan’s reason?

"I... don’t think It’s proper to talk about that in the presence of a child!" Shawn bellowed, trying to erase the images of two naked bodies intertwined together in his head.

"I know. But I can’t help it. You’re going to disappear again if I don’t bring that up now. We need to talk. You have to explain everything to me if you don’t want me to think that this child is mine!" Kayden turned to Knoa and asked gently, "Kid, how old are you?"

"Three..."

"I knew it!" Kayden’s eyes widened.

Shawn shook his head in disbelief. "What part of this child resembles us?!"

Kayden eyed the kid. True to the omega’s words, his golden hair and bluish eyes, and Shawn’s platinum blonde hair and honey-colored eyes, were completely the opposite of the kid’s features.

"Quit thinking he’s your son! I never got pregnant! I don’t even remember doing it with you!" Shawn exclaimed. He averted his eyes and tried to shrug off the guy.

But the doctor’s face darkened even more and he spat angrily, "You’re lying. I want us to talk. No. You’re going to talk with me right now."

Kayden grabbed his arm and Shawn panicked. Why is this happening now, of all times?!

"I don’t think it’s the right time for that. The guy is going through something right now, Dr. Kayden. At least, be considerate."

The three turned to look at the owner’s voice. Shawn sighed in relief after seeing Knox, while Knoa’s face brightened and he shouted, "Papa!"

Shawn glanced at the doctor’s expression, wondering why he was more surprised to hear that Knoa was someone’s child. On top of that, Knox and he seemed to know each other.

Oh, shit... there’s no way, right? He... doesn’t look like Knoa at all! But what should he do if the doctor was really Knoa’s father? Did that mean... he slept with Knox’s alpha?! What if heard them talking?!

Knox took Knoa from him and said with a smile, "You should go and check on your father again. I saw your sister walk out of the building. Steve must be the only one waiting there."

"R—Right...!" Shawn quickly snatched his arm from the stunned doctor and ran away. He met his uncle sitting properly on the bench with his eyes closed. He looked tired, and Shawn felt guilty.

"Uncle..." he quietly mumbled after approaching slowly.

Steve opened his eyes and briefly glanced at his nephew. "Take a seat. Let’s talk properly."

Shawn obeyed. He left a vacant seat between them. The silence felt heavy, and the guilt gnawing in Shawn’s system as it prolonged.

Steve sat with his hands folded in his lap, his eyes were tired yet unrelenting as he looked over at his nephew. "Shawn," he began, his tone was firm but gentle. "This is not your fault. Disregard what your sister said. However, I want to know what are you planning to do now."

Shawn looked down, feeling the pressure and guilt on him. The image of his father lying in that hospital bed, frail and weakened, weighed heavily on his mind. "I..." he swallowed.

He still hesitated. At the back of his head, he was wishing for his omega father, and his siblings, to say it wasn’t his fault either, like his uncle. But his reality was harsher than it seems. They looked at him with accusing eyes, and it haunted him. "I’m going back home, uncle."

Steve nodded. He looked away from his nephew and sighed. "And you are planning to go along with everything he’s set up for you."

It was a statement, not a question. Because Shawn knew that once he gave in, there would be no turning back. Part of him resent his family and wished that he was someone else’s son, but his family still remained his weakness.

If something happens to his father because of him, he will never forgive himself.

Shawn looked ahead. His future was clear and already paved, yet his eyes were bleak. "If that’s what he wants. If it’ll help him get better, then yes. I’ll do whatever he asks. Including marrying young master Athan."

A moment of silence stretched between them, and Shawn could feel conflicting emotions churning within him—resentment at being pushed into a life he hadn’t chosen, mixed with a genuine sense of responsibility for his father’s wellbeing.

"You’re a lot like him."

Shawn was pulled from his thoughts. He asked, "Father? I doubt it."

Steve shook his head. "Not Stuart. Young master Athan."

Shawn blinked in surprise, "Athan?"

Steve nodded. "He’s got the same stubbornness as you do. He does whatever he wants, even when it’s hard. And his not afraid to speak his mind, no matter who he’s dealing with. He’s an alpha, it’s given, yes, but he’s just as headstrong, determined, and sometimes reckless and immature. But one thing charming about him is, he always knows the right thing to do. He was torn between his mother and young master Knox, but he couldn’t let his innocent, pregnant, younger brother leave alone, so he followed. And if there’s something that he doesn’t like, he’ll say it."

Shawn was quiet for a moment, mulling over his uncle’s words. He couldn’t help but wonder. If Athan was as outspoken as Steve described, why he had agreed to this engagement in the first place?

"Then why..." he murmured, mostly to himself, "Why would he go along with this...?"

Steve leaned back; his gaze was thoughtful. "Maybe for the same reasons you’re willing to. Family obligations, expectations... Sometimes, even people like you and Athan have to bend a little. It’s not always as simple as just saying ’no’."

Shawn frowned, still not convinced. "What would his family get in this marriage in the first place? We’re the ones who will just benefit from it."

Steve stood, pulling the lapel of his jacket as he answered. "That’s the mystery in it. But knowing the young master, I doubt he’d go through with this unless he had his own reasons for doing so." He patted his nephew’s shoulders and added, "Don’t assume that this is all set in stone. Sometimes, we’re surprised by the people we least expect. And remember, just because you’re going back doesn’t mean you have to lose yourself. You’re smarter than I thought you were. I just know that soon, you’ll be doing whatever you want again, without stressing your father."

Steve turned and walked away, leaving Shawn lost in thought. A way to compromise without stressing father...

There’s only one thing he thinks of that his father would leap upon hearing the news. And it also makes him wonder if Athan will go along with it.

He leaned on his seat, rested his head on the edge of the backrest, and straightened his legs out while crossing his arms on his chest. He closed his eyes, only thinking of getting a short rest without napping, but his weariness got the best of him.

Unbeknownst to him, someone came, looked down at him, and sighed. Then, he carefully fixed his posture and lay him on the bench properly. He left for a few minutes, and when he came back, he tucked a pillow underneath the omega’s head and draped his body with a blanket.