Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 270 - 28: Always been waiting for you

Chapter 270: Chapter 28: Always been waiting for you

Shawn was astonished. He immediately called his uncle after not reaching Athan and Steve informed him.

"Young master Knox helped you."

His uncle’s words rang in his ears, and he felt extremely guilty after hearing the chairman’s condition. He tried to call Knox, but he was still unreachable. He couldn’t sleep that night. The image of Knox and his alpha united after the kidnapping was playing in his mind.

He couldn’t bear that he was the reason the two would be separated. His guilt was eating him away, so despite his discomfort with showing his face at the Horace Mansion, he decided to visit.

"You didn’t tell me you’d come," Athan said as soon as Shawn greeted him. He was informed about the omega’s arrival by one of their servants, and truthfully, he was a bit reluctant to welcome him.

Shawn’s heart sank at the coldness. He could feel the alpha’s indifference. He looked up, ready to ask why, but he stopped after seeing Athan looking at him... like he was no longer important. His heart clenched. What happened? What went wrong again?

"I..." Shawn exhaled deeply. He was going to say more, but Athan averted his gaze and walked away.

"You must be busy thinking about someone." A hint of anger was laced in Athan’s voice. "Knox isn’t allowed to see anyone. Knoa is in the playground. You can visit him if you want."

Athan continued walking away after that. Shawn visited to ask Knox about what happened, but if he couldn’t meet him, then he’d like to hear it from Athan. He sensed his anger, which was seemingly directed at him—another thing he wanted to ask.

"Sir Athan, wait. I have something to ask you," Shawn caught up behind him.

Athan stopped abruptly and Shawn almost bumped his head on his back. "So, now you’re calling me ’sir’..."

The alpha mumbled like he was in a daze, yet his tone was restrained with anger and resentment. Shawn was baffled. He couldn’t understand why Athan was acting that way. "We’re inside the chairman’s house. How am I supposed to call you if you don’t like ’young master’?"

"So, it’s like that. The two of us... are still in that kind of relationship," Athan replied without glancing back. Shawn could feel the atmosphere changing, and he smelled something sweet in the air, but it was so faint that he couldn’t recognize what it was.

Then, as if on cue, a maid appeared in the corner, carrying a tray of sweets.

"Ah... good day, Sir Shawn." The maid bowed at Shawn in a polite greeting, and Shawn returned it with a small smile and a nod. He turned to look at Athan, but the guy was already far from him.

"At—Sir Athan, wait just a moment!" Shawn shouted, but he was ignored.

Moreover, Athan’s steps hastened. It was as if he was running away from Shawn, and Shawn couldn’t help but feel his throat tightening. Did he do something wrong again? How was he supposed to know if Athan wouldn’t tell him?!

"Uncle Shun!"

Shawn’s attempt to follow Athan was interrupted by Knoa, jumping at the sight of his omega uncle. Shawn just sighed, feeling resigned. The maid called Know outside, and Shawn was invited to eat with the kid.

He played with Knoa to lift his mood. Once the servants watching them averted their eyes away from them, Shawn took the opportunity and slipped a brand new phone into Knoa’s clothes. He already asked Knoa to take a phone to his father before, so the kid looked up at him with a brightened expression.

"Are we going to play bring me again, Uncle Shun?"

Shawn nodded. Knoa beamed. He hugged his favorite teddy bear, so the bulge in his stomach was hidden.

"You should definitely give it to your Papa, okay?"

Knoa bobbed his head excitedly. He ran when the game started, and soon he was running back to Shawn.

"Did you give it?" He whispered; afraid someone might hear them.

Knoa leaned in and whispered back, "Yup!"

Shawn laughed in relief. He praised the kid and promised him a reward. The big white dog approached him, and Knoa played with Loki again. Shawn immediately texted the phone he gave to Knox.

The content was a long one; asking Knox how he was, about his decision, and the condition, and convincing him to take it back. He was flooded with guilt when instead of getting disappointed at him, Knox thanked him for saving him, and for giving him the phone.

The call ended, with Shawn achieving nothing. Even if Knox explained that it wasn’t his fault, his excitement about working with a team in the MSA, putting his trust in strangers, was his choice.

"You won’t be able to convince Athan, Shawn. He was even determined to send me abroad. I think he was shocked seeing Azrael that time, so he didn’t want to hear anything I’d say."

Knox’s words rang in his ear again. Athan was acting strangely. He always spoiled Knox, so Shawn was surprised to hear that. Maybe Knox was right. Even Shawn thought that Azrael was dangerous, but Knox wanted him, and Knoa needed him.

With that in mind, Shawn promised to help the two together.

The next day, when Shawn heard that Knox and Knoa were going on a trip, he volunteered to come. Athan gave him a knowing look.

"Shawn, Madame Geraldine will be coming here tomorrow. She wants to meet you," Steve said.

Shawn bit his lip. He was too young back then, but he still remembered that the chairman’s wife didn’t like him playing with her sons. Shawn knew that if he stayed, he’d only be subjected to her scrutiny.

He already heard that she wanted Athan to marry one of her friends’ daughters—an aristocrat like them. Thinking about that, Shawn suddenly felt stuffy. He inhaled deeply, ready to give an answer.

"He doesn’t need to meet her."

Until Athan’s voice made him stiffened. Slowly, he turned to look at the young master whose gaze wasn’t on him, but on the tea before him. He was watching the water as if the tea sits there not to be sipped, but to be admired.

Or was it simply because he did not want to look at Shawn at all?

"Young master Athan—

Steve’s words were cut when Athan stood and spoke. "Shawn is not obliged to meet my mother. He and I aren’t yet officially engaged. He can do what he wants. And it’s better to have him stay with Knox, so someone will watch over him while he’s away."

With that, he walked out of the room, leaving Steve astounded. He turned to look at his nephew, and asked, "Did something happen between the two of you?"

Shawn shook his head. He didn’t know. He wanted to know.

"Excuse me, uncle," he said and quickly followed his young master. He didn’t bother to call anymore since he was certain Athan would ignore him again.

Once he caught up to him, he grabbed Athan’s arm. Athan halted. He turned to look at Shawn, who panted for air for a bit. "Can we... haa... talk now?"

Athan was just silent. Shawn’s frown deepened. He gave Athan a resentful look and barked, "Why are you ignoring and avoiding me? I told you that if I did something wrong, tell me straight so I will know!"

He wasn’t considering the place anymore. Who cares if someone hears them? He was frustrated to the bone. He felt like walking on eggshells around Athan, afraid to break a piece and make a sound that might anger him more.

Now, he was stomping on them.

Athan dropped his cold gaze at the omega. "And I told you that if there’s someone you wanted to be with, you’ll tell me."

Shawn looked bewildered. "What about it? I don’t get you! I’ll tell you, if there is, sure. But why are you avoiding me?"

"..." Athan remained speechless. After a few moments, he parted his lips and looked at Shawn suspiciously. "Are you sure you still don’t have anyone?"

Shawn’s heart thumped. He averted his eyes, thus, failing to see Athan’s eyes flickered with anger and hurt from that action. He turned his back to Shawn again and was about to step away when Shawn spoke.

"I’m still not sure..." He gave Athan a look filled with uncertainty. "I don’t know yet. But if that’s what you want, then once I’m certain, I’ll tell you."

Athan stared at him with unreadable eyes. Shawn dared not to look away this time. He gave him an honest answer and judging by the deep sigh Athan let out, he received it. Athan frustratedly ran his hand on his face and then looked up while his palm settled on his forehead.

Of all the four Horace siblings, Athan was the one who acted differently—not graceful, not noble-like, not refined. He curses, glares, and engages in fistfights. But he was the most righteous and kind.

"I’m sorry I kept acting like a jerk whenever I’m jealous."

Shawn froze.

Athan gazed at him sadly. "You pretended to sleep when I cooked for you, but you answered someone’s call, yet did not think of coming down to the dining table."

Shawn’s eyes shook with astonishment.

"I waited until your call was done," Athan smiled bitterly. "I’ve always been waiting."