Chapter 247 - Let’s try
Shao stirred, his body aching and numb, yet strangely comforted by the soft, warm scent surrounding him. It was sweet and faintly caramel-like—soothing in a way that dulled the pain in his head and eased the tremors in his chest. The cold tile beneath him didn’t feel as biting anymore, not while that scent cocooned him like a blanket.
For a moment, he let himself stay there, eyes closed, lulled into quiet by the rhythmic rise and fall of someone’s breath.
He felt a weight near his legs, then a warmth at his side. Gentle, almost too gentle. The kind of touch that didn’t demand anything from him, just existed there to offer a sense of presence. His body knew before his mind did that someone was holding him, and he wanted to stay like that a little longer. It felt safe.
But then something snapped.
His eyes flew open.
Jai was there—right above him, cradling his head in trembling hands. The boy’s eyes were red and puffy, his cheeks streaked with tears that he didn’t bother wiping away. His lips were moving, but no sound came out. It was just quiet sobbing, tight and silent and so raw it made Shao’s chest twist.
Shao panicked.
He jerked upward, ignoring the stab of pain that lanced through his bandaged side. The sudden motion startled Jai, but before he could react, Shao scrambled across the floor, dragging himself to the door and pressing his back against it. His breath came in sharp, fast pants as if he were suffocating.
"Sh-Sh-Shao!" Jai’s voice cracked as he crawled after him. "What the hell are you doing?!"
"Don’t touch me," Shao gasped, holding a hand up. "No—no, did I—did I touch you again? I didn’t mean to—I’m sorry—I’m so sorry—I didn’t mean—"
He grabbed fistfuls of his own hair and yanked, his fingers trembling as panic consumed him. "I didn’t mean to—I didn’t mean to hurt you again—I’m sorry—I didn’t know—I didn’t want to—please—I’m sorry—"