Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 60: The truth unfolds

Chapter 60: The truth unfolds

"Yes, I’m with them. Did Shawn call you before? I was surprised to bump into them here after my checkup. Luckily, Knoa spotted me," Knox answered as he watched an old woman push the door with difficulty. Since his left hand was carrying a plastic bag of two bottled water and a box of tissues, he used his shoulder to hold the phone instead and gently tapped the old woman by the shoulder, "Ma’am, you have to pull. Let me do it, please."

The old woman’s face brightened and she smiled at Knox, a bit embarrassed, "Oh, is that so?"

Knox pulled the door and let the old woman pass first. She thanked him and walked away. Before he let go, a woman went past him hurriedly and even bumped his shoulder, but continued on her way not even stopping to say sorry. Fortunately, he was quick enough to catch his phone.

He furrowed his brows as he recognized the rude woman and wondered what was the hurry for. ’Did something happen again? But why is she leaving instead?’ He asked himself.

It doesn’t seem concerning so he just shrugged his shoulders and moved on. He then walked back to the waiting area where Shawn and Knoa were as he spoke with Franz on his way.

"Shawn was on his way to pick Knoa up when he received the news. He couldn’t let Knoa be left alone until I arrived so he decided to bring him to the hospital. I guessed he forgot to call me after arriving since he was literally watching his father fight for his life," he sighed after recalling how pitiful Shawn was. For a moment, he was reminded of his young self, crying at the corner of a hospital where his mother was admitted, who was slowly losing her life from cancer.

Back then, he was in so much despair. Grieving the death of his omega father while trying to keep a smiling face for his beta mother who had no idea her husband died. Once she learned of it, her condition only worsened and as if Knox’s existence didn’t matter to her, she finally let go, leaving the poor boy all alone.

Franz on the other side answered, "So, are you going to take half of the day off? I can pick Knoa now if you want."

"Can you? I just took a leave of four days when Knoa was sick, so asking for a day off...might only arouse my coworkers’ suspicions. They were already thinking I’m having an implicit relationship with their boss," Knox replied, his voice sounded hopeful which made Franz chuckle. It was obvious that he was waiting for his friend to suggest that idea.

"Yikes. That’s disgusting. Just tell them you guys are siblings," the beta answered. Knox heard him talking with someone from the phone, and soon he heard a chair scratching the floor.

"Imagine the scandal it would bring though? If I did that, the next thing I knew, my face and private life would be on the news flashing ’the hidden illegitimate of Chairman Horace’. I don’t want Knoa to get involved in all that drama, "Knox responded as he turned to the corner. "Are you leaving already?"

Franz, "Yeah. I also have something to buy at the supermarket, will you be late if I buy them first?"

Knox, "No. You can pick him up at the café." He recited the name of the establishment a few blocks away from his company building. Franz agreed and the call ended. Another turn and to the corner and he would arrive.

However, his feet were frozen in the spot after seeing a white-cladded individual hugging Shawn and his son. He halted for a moment, and soon clenched his fists thinking someone was taking advantage of the two vulnerable people.

He hastened his quick to tear the man away from them. But after getting a bit closer and recognizing the face of that person, the plastic bag in his hand slipped and fell to the floor.

"Four years ago, at the Miri Hotel, you were there. You slept with me. Do you remember now?"

At the same time, Kayden’s voice echoed in the hallway. The sound of the bottled waters hitting the floor was drowned by his clear and loud voice. Knox swallowed his gasp. He was invested in the unfolding drama before him, but if Knoa noticed him, his son would surely shout ’Papa’ and the two would turn in his direction.

Kayden will see him. And as smart as he was, he’d eventually realize whose son Shawn was carrying. Knoa looked more like Azrael, especially his hair and the shape of his eyes and eyebrows. When Knoa frowned and grimaced, they were even more similar, as if the kid was the chibi version of his father, excluding the color of his eyes.

Knox abruptly crouched on the floor and picked up the plastic bag, then he turned his back away from them. His heart was beating like crazy. Kayden kept his word and didn’t tell his cousin about the incomplete bond Knox had, and he was grateful for that.

Like a teenager sneaking out of the house from his parents, Knox walked on his toes, hunched and covering his face.

’I’m not sure if he’ll keep this secret from him if he ever finds out,’ Knox thought as he glided next to the wall. A child is a different matter. Kayden won’t surely agree about keeping Knoa a secret to Azrael. If that happens...

"I...don’t think it’s proper to talk about that in the presence of a child!" Shawn’s voice bellowed next, cutting Knox’s train of thought.

Kayden followed, "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 me to think that this child is mine!" the doctor turned to Knoa and asked hurriedly, "Kid, how old are you?"

Knoa pouted. He sided-eyed the stranger and leaned away from him, before he decided to answer quietly, "Three..."

Kayden eyes widened, "I knew it!"

Shawn shook his head in disbelief. He glared at Kayden incredulously and yelled, "What part of this child resembles us?!"

True to his words, Kayden’s distinct golden hair and bluish eyes, and Shawn’s platinum blonde hair and hazel eyes, were completely the opposite of Knoa’s features. How could the man even think that he was their child? Even if he claimed that the kid might have taken after his grandparents, a single gene from both of them surely would have appeared!

"Quit thinking he’s your son! I never got pregnant! I don’t even remember doing it with you!" Shawn added.

Kayden halted. His face darkened and he spat angrily, "You’re lying."

Shawn’s hazel orbs shook. He lied indeed. The first time he saw Kayden, he couldn’t recognize him at all, but he was left thinking that the doctor looked familiar. Now that Kayden had reminded him of that night; as if the mist that clouded the face of the man he was with that time was lifted, his breathtaking view came to his sight.

"I want us to talk. No. You’re going to talk with me right now," Kayden declared demandingly and grabbed Shawn’s arm. However, before he could pull him away, someone grabbed his arm tightly. He looked behind him and saw his patient, Knox Arden, with a gloomy face.

"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."

Knox’s cold voice reached Shawn and Knoa’s ears. Shawn looked relieved upon seeing him, while the kid’s face brightened. Even if Knox prayed that his son wouldn’t shout that word, he had already given up hiding the truth, knowing that if he ignored the two adults, his son might end up becoming another alpha’s potential child.

"Papa!"

’There’s no going back now,’ Knox bit his lower lip as he met Kayden’s widened eyes. His pupils dilated in shock, and if eyes could bulge out of their sockets a finger away from the face, Kayden would have his dangling in his cheeks.

Knoa extended his hand out with a wide smile, and Knox swooped him up from Shawn. He gave the plastic bag to the latter and said, "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 Kayden and ran away. He pondered why the doctor would react that way, and how the two looked acquainted. Still, he took that opportunity to get away and organized his thoughts.

On the other hand, after a few minutes passed and Kayden still hadn’t recovered, Knox carefully and slowly walked on his toes as he decided to sneak for now.

"Where do you think you’re going? You’re thinking of running away after dropping this bomb on me?"

Knox paused. He sighed and looked at Kayden. He could see the barrage of questions peering out his glowering eyes, and he could tell the convincing wouldn’t be easy. He wet his lips by pressing them together, then he pointed at the line of metal chairs next to the wall. He then proclaimed, "Let’s talk then. I have a favor to ask you anyway."

Kayden scoffed, "Like keeping it a secret, again?"

Knox glared at him. "Like letting me break the news to someone who’s about to get married and involve a kid in the complicated life of a conglomerate king whose every move and word is jotted down by hungry people fishing for scandals and gossip."

Kayden was speechless. He couldn’t refute the male omega. He felt conflicted.

Knox clenched his fist and turned his son away from Kayden. He pressed his head gently on his shoulder as if that act would cover his ears. Knoa might only be a toddler yet, but he was perceptive and smart.

If he learned that even men can get pregnant and give birth, then he’d start to wonder if his father gave birth to him, or he’d think another man did. When that happens, he’ll start to think about where his other parent is, and being unable to answer properly and honestly to such a kind child, is heartbreaking enough for Knox.

"I’m not asking for much. I just want to make sure he’ll be accepted, protected, and won’t be taken away from me," Knox declared. He was deliberately not mentioning his son’s name, in hopes that Knoa won’t easily understand.

Kayden’s silence went longer. His eyes shifted from the fierce omega to the young kid’s small back. He parted his lips to answer after a prolonged silence but then a small voice beat him to it.

"Papa...Knoa needs to pee."

Knox blinked. His fierce look softened as he peeked at his son, "Oh, let’s go to the toilet then. Do you think you can hold it for a bit?"

Knoa nodded shyly. Knox quickly turned his back away from Kayden and ran to the nearest restroom. The doctor was left then, his thoughts jumbled like a yarn rounded messily, but a particular thought was floating in his mind as he watched the omega and his son ran off.

He mumbled that one out loud, "Azrael will kill me if he finds out I’m keeping this to him. Why am I even the first one to know all his secrets?! I’m going nuts. Argh, I’m surrounded by problematic omegas."

He complained, yet he traversed the path Shawn took without hesitation.