Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 255 - 13: Stolen heart

Chapter 255: Chapter 13: Stolen heart

True to Kayden’s words, the food was really great and not too expensive. And the place was just a few minutes’ walk from the hospital. Shawn stood outside the restaurant, watching the cars pass by with nothing in mind.

He was waiting for Kayden, who was talking with someone inside. He could have left already, but the guy tossed his doctor’s coat on him when he shivered from the early morning breeze. Now, he couldn’t just toss the white coat over the chair and ask someone to watch it over until Kayden took it.

He looked ahead again. Now that he was alone, he started to think of what Athan said. Part of him agreed, but another part was upset that he got scolded over. What made him mad? He wondered with a frown.

He tried to recall what happened to find out...

After Athan brought him clothes and food, Shawn insisted on walking him out. They talked as they walked, and naturally, their conversation led to their engagement.

"About our engagement..." Shawn began, taking a deep breath to gather his thoughts before speaking again. "I’ve decided to go along with it, just enough to put my father at ease." He glanced away. "But only on the surface. My plan is to act like we’re in a good relationship, that I’m considering marriage seriously, to keep up appearances."

Athan’s brows furrowed as he listened, his expression was unreadable. Shawn continued, unaware of the conflicted look forming on Athan’s face.

"If... if you’re okay with it, I’d like your help. I’m still not comfortable at home, but once my father wakes up and recovers, I’ll tell him that I want to live with you, so I can evade going back home. It’s that’s okay with you, of course. But I promise! I won’t interfere with your personal life. If there’s an omega you want to marry or you want to take home, just tell me and I’ll bolt out!" Shawn nervously glanced at Athan, but he froze upon seeing his expression.

Athan’s expression hardened and he obviously looked mad. Shawn was at a loss for words. A long silence fell between them.

After a moment, Athan’s voice broke the silence, laced with irritation. "You’re telling me to pretend with you and lie to the elders. We’re going to act like we’re close, that we’re together, meanwhile, your parents will be overjoyed and plan our wedding. And then what, Shawn? When everything’s done, we pull the rug from under them and announce the play is finished, and the curtain’s closing now?"

Shawn opened his mouth to respond but found himself stunned, watching as Athan’s restraint crumbled. Anger flashed across Athan’s face, and Shawn did not know what to make of it.

"Do you have any idea of what you’re suggesting? Don’t just think about yourself, think about what the outcome will be. Your plan is to push your parents up only to pull them again, much harder." Athan sighed heavily. He frustratedly swept his hair back and tried to calm himself.

"I didn’t mean to make you angry..." Shawn said quietly, unsettled by the intensity of Athan’s gaze. "I just thought this would make things easier for everyone. My father doesn’t need to worry about me anymore, and you don’t have to feel obligated to be involved with—

"Easier? For whom, exactly? For you?" Athan looked at him again, eyes narrowed, then exhaled harshly. "Think about it. If we go along with this and your father believes in us, what happens when he finds out it was all a lie? You’re setting him up for heartbreak. If you don’t want to go back home, then, you can live with me. You don’t have to weave a lie and just tell them that you’re taking chances, and that’s the only thing you can promise them yet."

"...taking chances with you?" Shawn blinked, taken aback by Athan’s suggestion.

Athan stared straight at him. His eyes were unreadable so Shawn couldn’t tell if he was serious or not. "Is it that hard to do?"

Shawn stiffened. Why did Athan sound upset and resentful? Shawn’s lips parted. He was about to answer when Athan spoke again.

"It’s easier to convince them that this relationship won’t go anywhere if you show them that you’re trying your best but it still crumbles. I’m sure that no matter how advantageous this agreement to your family is, if they see their son miserable, they’ll think twice about it."

In short, Athan’s plan is for them to show that they are a wrong match for each other until his parents realize their mistakes and just see how miserable he is with Athan. But how could he pull off being miserable when Athan was too nice for him?

"Shawn."

His thoughts snapped back into the present when he felt Kayden’s presence and heard his voice. He stood behind him, too close, in fact.

"I’ve been calling your name but you weren’t responding. What are you thinking?"

Shawn shuddered at the feeling of the alpha’s breath hitting his ear. He stepped away immediately, afraid that his pounding heart would be discovered. He looked away as he answered, "Nothing. Here’s your coat."

"Why don’t you wear it until we’re inside?" Kayden pushed his hand holding the white coat back to him.

Shawn shook his head. "What if someone mistakes me as a doctor and asks for help or a difficult question? Take it back or else I’ll throw it here."

Kayden looked at him amusingly. He took his coat but draped it only on his arm, and then he pulled Shawn, who flinched at his touch, to the other side of the sidewalk.

Shawn wasn’t thinking of bringing up the past at all. But he had a feeling that Kayden would continue to pester him if he didn’t clear the misunderstanding.

So, hesitantly, he began speaking. "I... was not on heat that time... I was just drunk."

Kayden halted, meanwhile, Shawn continued walking. From behind, he heard the doctor reply, "You’re dangerous when you’re drunk then. Who strips naked and offers their bloom when they’re just drunk?"

Shawn didn’t look back. He continued walking as if he were just sharing a trivial story. "I admit I was not in the right mind back then. That time, I sneaked out of home because I didn’t want to listen to my father’s announcement of my upcoming engagement. I was annoyed and upset that he was planning my marriage without asking about what I thought. So, out of spite, I drank and did that. Don’t take it seriously."

Kayden’s face darkened. His steps hastened and he grabbed Shawn abruptly. They’re not living in a conservative era where one marries another just because they had direct physical contact. And he was aware that what happened between them was just a simple one-night stand, yet Kayden couldn’t just erase him in his mind, for all those years, he was like a lovestruck fool dreaming of that passionate night as if it was his first time.

The intoxicating smell seeped deeply into his system, and he kept going back to that club in hopes of meeting the omega that captured his interest again.

Shawn looked up at him, confused. He began feeling nervous seeing the doctor’s serious hardened expression. Did he say something wrong? Or could it be...?

"You... don’t tell me you..." Shawn couldn’t continue. There was no way, right? How could someone develop feelings in that short time? Is it even possible?! I’m sure I was just mistaken! He hoped, but Kayden bumped his head on his shoulder all of a sudden, followed by a regretful sigh.

"Why did you run away that time? If only you stayed... after that night, I keep having you in my dreams. It’s absurd. It’s not like you’re the only omega I spent nights like that before, yet you refused to leave my head. So, yes. I’m telling you right now. It’s true. I kept going back to that place to find you, but you just disappeared."

Shawn was speechless. He should have pushed Kayden away, but he was too stunned to move.

"I thought I had forgotten about you, but even from afar, when I saw you at the hospital, I quickly recognized you. It’s ridiculous. I don’t even know where this obsession to meet you again stems, but now that you’re here. I get it now." Kayden pushed himself up and looked straight at Shawn’s eyes. "You have stolen my heart that night."