Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 281 - 39: Kayden’s Ending

Chapter 281: Chapter 39: Kayden’s Ending

Shawn expected that Kayla would not contact him anymore, so he convinced Athan to let him help.

"It’s too dangerous, Shawn." Athan firmly refused.

Shawn explained that he would not be involved in a dangerous situation, just sitting in front of his monitor and helping them move without getting discovered. After several minutes of their argument, Athan finally caved in after Shawn received a call from Kayla, to both of their surprise.

When asked, Kayla replied, "We don’t have time to search for someone we can trust to do the job. Besides, your job is to stay inside the van. You won’t bump into Kayden, don’t worry."

Athan had to talk with her to confirm his safety, and after Kayla patiently explained the plan to them, Athan finally put his trust in them.

The big day finally arrived.

Athan, despite his own role in that operation, refused to let Shawn walk alone to meet the team. He accompanied Shawn to the meeting place, and there he met Azrael’s team, including Kayden.

Athan’s brow raised after meeting the doctor’s eyes. "I thought you wouldn’t be here."

Kayden joked, "Afraid I’ll snatch him once you’re gone?"

Athan smirked triumphantly. "No more chances, Montgomery."

Shawn shrank behind Athan. Kayden’s companion teased him, but instead of getting annoyed, the alpha only laughed it off. He walked to Athan and tapped his shoulder once.

"Don’t worry. I’m not someone who forces themselves into someone else’s heart." His eyes briefly glanced at his cousin.

Azrael mouthed, "Fuck you."

Sandro and Luis laughed, lifting the awkward tension in the air.

Athan returned a friendly smile to Kayden. "Glad to hear that." He turned to Shawn and planted a soft kiss on his temple, whispering, "Call me as soon as everything’s done."

After a few exchanges, the group finally left. It was a tough mission, but everything went smoothly until an unexpected event happened. Fortunately, the group easily resolved it, and everything went back to normal.

The ledger was sent to Chairman Horace, and from then on, he was expected to take the lead in destroying Chairman Del Valle.

"I should ask for a paid month-long vacation after this," Luis mumbled as they wrapped up everything. "I feel like I aged ten years working for my devil boss."

"I’m going to focus on finding my ’the one’ after this," Sandro commented with a sigh.

Shawn was simply listening from the corner until Kayden remarked, "I’m going to heal my broken heart."

Sandro and Luis’s heads turned to him, and then they briefly glanced at Shawn, who was now frozen, before tapping Kayden’s shoulder simultaneously, expressing their pity for the alpha.

"How many love slips in your grasp already, doc? You should learn from my boss."

"Hell, no." Kayden flatly replied. His eyes shifted to Shawn, whose head was lowered, while silently rolling a wire. He had a look on his face that he wanted to leave already, but because there was only this van, there was nothing he could use.

Sighing, Kayden pushed the two away and opened the door. He went out and called someone. He stayed outside until a black car rolled next to the van. Then, he knocked on the van’s window and called Shawn, "Come on, I’ll drive you home."

Shawn hesitated.

Kayden sighed and showed the car key to Shawn. "Or if you can drive yourself, then you can take the car."

Taking the car for himself would be too shameless. So, despite his hesitation, he agreed to let Kayden drive. It was a silent ride until they entered the main city. Kayden seemed relaxed, and because of it, Shawn eased up around him.

The exhaustion finally dawned on him, and he couldn’t help but yawn. He texted Athan before leaning his head on the window and letting himself rest while watching the passing buildings.

What Shawn thought would be a silent ride until the end was broken by Kayden’s voice. He blinked. The alpha’s voice barely registered in his mind because he was almost drifting to sleep.

Kayden briefly glanced at him. "I said you can sleep and rest. I’ll wake you up once we arrive at the Horace mansion."

"The Horace mansion?"

"Where else should I drop you? Athan’s apartment?"

Shawn wet his dry lips. "...no. To Horace Mansion, please."

"Suddenly being polite..." Kayden grumbled. Shawn gave him a confused look, and he shortly chuckled. "Don’t act cute. It’ll be hard for me to forget you."

Shawn gaped. Then, he exclaimed after composing himself, "Wait, I’m not acting cute at all! What are you saying?!"

Kayden only laughed at his outburst. He stopped at a red light, stared at Shawn for a moment, and solemnly replied, "The SmilEarth Foundation had reached out to my hospital, seeking doctors willing to volunteer abroad in indigenous, remote areas to provide free healthcare. I’ve signed the application form. So, I probably will be gone for a year or more."

Shawn was rendered speechless. There was a part of him that kept poking his conscience, blaming him for that. However, Kayden reassured him.

"I’ve actually been planning to do it before I even met you again. It just got delayed because I wanted to stay with you. Now that I don’t have a reason to stay, I should go, right?"

Shawn swallowed. "You...should do what you want now, Kay..."

Kayden’s eyes gleamed. He quickly looked away and sped the car after the green light appeared. He chuckled, "There’s another thing I wanted to do right now, but it’s not right. So, I’ll just keep it to myself."

Shawn pressed his lips tightly. He shouldn’t have said that. Now, the awkward atmosphere was back. Thankfully, Kayden focused on driving, to Shawn’s relief.

Not long after, they arrived at the gates of the Horace mansion. Kayden unlocked the door on Shawn’s side.

"Thank you," Shawn mumbled as he grabbed the handle and was about to push the door when Kayden stopped him.

"Is...hugging you for the last time, wrong?"

Shawn stiffened. From outside the gates, he could see a figure standing under the shed, waiting for him diligently. Athan was looking at them, even though he couldn’t see the interior since the car was heavily tinted. There was no malice or distrust in his eyes. He was waiting, like he used to, with patience and confidence.

Shawn turned his body to Kayden, and without saying anything, he opened his arms and brought Kayden to his shoulders.

He whispered in his ear, "I wish for the right love and happiness to find you, Kay. Thank you for everything."

Kayden only buried his face on the omega’s shoulder for a minute longer before finally letting go. Shawn left after that, and he watched him run to Athan’s open arms, with a contented, yet sad smile.

He was ready to move on, determined to start anew.

However, fate had other plans. An accident happened. And the moment he opened his eyes again, he forgot who his heart was beating for. It lasted for a few days, but soon, memories slowly came back.

It was torture. Just as he was determined to move on, fate had made him relive the memories he spent with Shawn. Some brief and shallow, some intimate and deep. The love he had forgotten was carved in his empty heart once more, along with the pain, grief, and regret.

It did not help that Shawn remained by his side, taking care of him while everyone was busy saving Azrael from the claws of his father, including Knox and Athan. He wanted to confront him. Why did he need to come and treat him like he did not just break his heart?

But Kayden knew it was because of their last parting. Shawn probably felt sad, pity, and worry. Because they had cleared everything and parted with light hearts, Shawn must have thought they could still be friends.

Kayden thought so too, but that was after he had moved on. How the hell was he going to move on if he kept seeing him?!

Therefore, out of spite and childishness, he continued to pretend like he did not remember. At last, once he was fully recovered, Shawn finally let go of his unsolicited guilt and pity. But he did not expect himself to miss the omega’s presence.

Azrael’s wedding happened.

"Aren’t these photos taken by Elise Chen when you were drugged that time, cousin?" His tongue slipped. "Oops."

And so, everyone realized his memories had returned already. Amidst the faces of his friends crowding him, grumbling for deceiving them, he caught sight of Shawn and Athan looking over their chaotic squad.

Athan shook his head, but an amused smile danced on his face, while Shawn, who was holding his hand, was watching them with a contented, happy smile.

A year later, while Kayden was playing with young cancer patients in a small hospital sponsored by SmilEarth, Rian handed him a newspaper.

’Wedding of the Century’

An MIT top student and the CEO of the top luxurious fashion brand.

"Best wishes," Kayden mumbled. He folded the newspaper and waved back at the young kid calling his name.

—

The End.