Chapter 237 - 23: Doing what is right
Killian wiped his tears frustratedly. Why was he crying? Such a man like this alpha doesn’t deserve his tears!
Nathaniel stood frozen, his complexion paled and he was at a loss for words. His mind raced, trying to decipher how Killian had found out, how he had kept it hidden for so long, and how everything had unraveled so quickly.
"I... I can explain," Nathaniel stammered, his voice unsteady. For the first time, the powerful alpha looked vulnerable, his confident mask cracking. "I never wanted to hurt you, Killian. I swear I didn’t. I just—"
"Stop." Killian’s voice was firm, even as the tears streamed down his face. He shook his head, his eyes filled with anguish and betrayal. "Stop trying to make it sound like you didn’t know what you were doing. I don’t know what’s the reason behind your pretentious act as Steve Williams, but I don’t want to know any more! I just want to leave now... so, move. I’m going home..."
Nathaniel ignored the omega’s plea and took a step forward, his hand reaching out, but Killian flinched, taking a step back, his breath shaky.
"I—I trusted you," Killian continued, his voice rising with each word. "I thought... I thought you cared about me, that what we had meant something. But it was all a lie! You’re married! You have a family!" His voice cracked, the pain of those words cutting deeper than anything else.
"I know!" Nathaniel’s voice broke, the rawness of his confession startling Killian. "I know I’ve made mistakes. I know I’ve lied to you, and I know what I’ve done is unforgivable, but Killian, you have to understand—"
"What is there to understand?" Killian interrupted; his voice sharp and full of hurt. "That you thought it was okay to lead me on? That you could just play with my feelings while pretending to be someone else? You could have told me the truth. You could have given me the chance to decide for myself, but instead, you took that away from me!"
Nathaniel’s shoulders slumped, the weight of his guilt pressing down on him. "I didn’t want to lose you," he whispered, his voice so soft it was almost a plea. "I couldn’t bear the thought of you walking away. Killian Arden, you don’t know how much I agonized over these feelings! I tried to walk away, many times! I avoided you, but you kept coming to me, you kept riling me, you kept pulling me to you. I know it’s wrong, but I... this is the first time I felt this way. All my life, my decisions, and my choices...were all planned, and set from the beginning. But then, you came... Killian... hate me as you want, but don’t push me away again..."