Sebastian didn't respond. He knew. He knew he had screwed up in ways that weren't easily fixable. But knowing wasn't enough—he had to make things right.
Kelvin let out a tired breath and turned to leave, his frustration still palpable. "You better fix this, Sebastian. Because if you don't, you're gonna lose him. And this time, it won't be his fault—it'll be yours."
Sebastian stood there for a long moment, staring at the closed door Kelvin had just walked out of. His chest felt tight, his mind a storm of emotions that refused to settle.
Had he really been that cruel?
He sank onto the couch, elbows on his knees, hands gripping his hair. The image of Valerian sobbing, clutching his stomach, flashed in his mind. The thought of him collapsing—alone, scared, hurting—made his gut twist painfully.
He could lose the baby…
Sebastian exhaled sharply, his fingers clenching into fists. He had been so angry, so damn blinded, that he didn't even stop to think. He had let his emotions take control, just like always. But now, the realization hit him like a cold slap to the face.
Valerian hadn't kept it from him because he wanted to. He had kept it from him because he was scared. And Sebastian had done nothing but prove his fears right.
He needed to fix this.
Sebastian grabbed his car keys and stood up, but then stopped.
You think you can just show up and everything will be fine?
Kelvin's words echoed in his head. Don't expect Valerian to forgive you so easily.
Sebastian's jaw tightened. He knew he had fucked up—badly. He couldn't just walk in and pretend things would go back to normal.
No, this would take time.
Valerian deserved more than just an apology. He needed proof. And Sebastian was going to give it to him.
No matter how long it took.
---
It was late in the evening when Sebastian finally made his way back home—their home. The sight of it sent a strange wave of unease through him, a painful reminder of the warmth he had thrown away.
His fingers hovered over the doorknob for a second before he finally pushed it open.
The house was quiet. The warm glow of the lamps cast long shadows across the walls, but the air felt heavy. Suffocating.
It didn't feel like home without Valerian.
Sebastian walked further inside, his footsteps eerily loud against the silence. Then, his gaze landed on Dave, slouched on the couch, scrolling through his phone. The second Dave looked up and saw him, his entire demeanor shifted. His expression hardened, and his jaw tensed as he slowly stood up.
"You've got some nerve showing up here," he muttered.
Sebastian let out a quiet sigh. He hadn't come here to fight. "How is he?"
Dave crossed his arms over his chest, his glare unwavering. "How do you think he is?" He scoffed. "He barely eats. Barely sleeps. He won't even talk to anyone. But I'm sure you don't care about that, right?"
Sebastian shut his eyes for a brief second, swallowing down the frustration bubbling in his throat. He deserved this.
"I need to see him."
Dave let out a cold laugh. "Oh, now you need to see him?" His eyes flashed with anger. "After two days of making him think he was nothing to you? After saying all that shit to him and walking out?" His voice dropped lower, filled with unfiltered disdain. "Do you even realize what you put him through?"
Sebastian inhaled sharply, keeping his voice steady. "I know. And I know I can't just walk in and expect things to be okay. But I have to fix this."
Dave studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, with a sigh, he nodded toward the stairs. "He's in the bedroom. But don't expect him to welcome you with open arms."
Sebastian nodded and made his way up, each step feeling heavier than the last.
When he reached the bedroom door, he hesitated. His fingers curled around the doorknob, but he didn't push it open immediately.
He wasn't sure what hurt more—the thought of Valerian breaking down because of him or the possibility that Valerian might never forgive him.
With a slow breath, he finally turned the knob and stepped inside.
The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a faint warmth across the space. And there, curled up on the bed, was Valerian.
His back was facing the door, his body slightly trembling under the thin blanket. His once-bright blue eyes, half-lidded and unfocused, stared blankly at nothing.
Sebastian's chest ached at the sight.
"Valerian…"
The moment his name left Sebastian's lips, Valerian's body tensed. He turned his head slightly, his blue eyes locking onto Sebastian's.
But instead of warmth, all Sebastian saw was coldness.
And that hurt more than he had expected.
"Get out."
Valerian's voice was soft, hoarse—almost broken.
Sebastian took a hesitant step forward. "Val—"
"I said, get out." This time, his voice was sharper, edged with pain and something else—betrayal.
Sebastian clenched his fists at his sides, but instead of arguing, he simply nodded. "I will," he murmured. "No matter how long it takes, I'll make this right."
Valerian didn't respond. He just turned his back again, pulling the blanket up as if to shut the world out.
Sebastian exhaled quietly, his chest tightening. Then, without another word, he turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.
He had a long way to go. But he wasn't stopping until Valerian forgave him.