Chapter 126

That incident left an enormous trauma on Ashley. That his own child had tried to kill his one and only partner who was more precious to him than anyone else. For Ashley, it must have been even more terrible than falling into hellfire. Because if he lost Koi, he would have no reason to remain in this world.

"I know."

Koi spoke affectionately and embraced him in return. Holding the large body that was trembling slightly, he whispered gently.

"But we can find plenty of other ways."

At the affectionate voice, Ashley, who had been silent for a while, slowly raised his head. Koi looked at his face and spoke with a confident tone.

"Let's think about it together, from now on."

Ashley still didn't say anything. Greyson feels emotions? That those glass-like eyes, which never wavered no matter what they saw, no matter what situation, could reflect something else...?

He still couldn't believe it. It wasn't difficult for him to admit that he was wrong. He could even accept it gladly.

But having hope and then having it collapse was a different matter. They had already gone through countless expectations and disappointments. Koi seemed to have embraced a new hope in his heart as always, but Ashley was different. He was pessimistic by nature, completely different from the optimistic Koi. That was also one of the reasons Ashley was attracted to Koi, but...

Haa, letting out a short sigh, he reached a conclusion as he had always done. With time, the answer would naturally emerge. He would know whether Koi's words were right, or if it was just another vain expectation.

Dane Striker.

Ashley recalled the name of the man he had seen then. Since he hadn't received a report that Greyson had found a new lover, he must still be with Dane. Then perhaps Dane Striker...

His mind became complicated as he thought that far. After kindly telling him everything in detail about his son, he still hasn't run away?

It did feel completely different from the partners Greyson had brought in the name of destiny until now. That's why he had even given a warning, but that man still seemed to be staying put. Why? Did he have some foolish confidence that he wouldn't die?

I need to find out about that man.

Ashley thought. Even if Greyson really came to feel emotions, how they would manifest on the surface was a different matter. If he were to harm Dane Striker...

"Ash?"

Koi called him, perhaps sensing something strange. Ashley immediately smiled as if nothing had happened. But even while doing so, all sorts of warning lights were flashing and turning in his mind.

Such a thing must never happen. Until now, he hadn't assigned bodyguards because he couldn't trust Greyson and had minimized people around him, but if Dane remained around Greyson, it was a different story. The conclusion was one.

I need to find bodyguards to protect Dane Striker.

* * *

"Mmmmm..."

Letting out a lazy moan, Greyson stretched his limbs fully. He could feel bright sunlight beyond his closed eyelids. Had there ever been such a refreshing morning? The corners of his mouth naturally relaxed. It was such a strange experience to smile like this without consciously raising the corners of his mouth.

As he rolled to one side with a broad smile, he suddenly felt something strange. He felt around the mattress with his eyes closed, but there was nothing.

...Huh?

It took a moment to understand the situation. And soon after, he opened his eyes with a start and sat up as if jumping. There was no one on the huge bed tailored to his tall height. Only himself.

"...Dane."

Greyson immediately muttered, turning pale. The next moment, he escaped from the bed and ran out of the room. The first place he headed was Dane's room right next door.

"Dane!"

Greyson, who had flung the door open without knocking, was momentarily shocked as if he might faint. There was no one in the room. The fact that even Darling wasn't visible made him feel as if the world was collapsing.

What's going on? Was it really a dream?

His mind was just confused. But the traces of lovemaking remained intact on the bed. Moreover, the sensation of the chest he had been kneading all along still remained in his hands, so it was nonsense to say it was all a dream. Then where had he gone? Where was Dane?

Could he have left?

"Dane, Dane!"

He ran around the house like a madman, calling his name. Is he tired of me? That must be it, right? It was a rut, how annoyingly must I have clung to him? Dane hates bothersome things, so this time he must have completely lost interest? What should I do? What should I really do now?

The memories of the rut were fragmented and didn't connect properly. But the fact that he had relations with Dane was certain.

Because I forcibly pounced on Dane...

There was no other answer. Greyson, who had fallen into panic, ran madly down the corridor. In his mind, there was only Dane.

I need to contact the secretarial team right now. I need to find Dane. No, could he have gone to work? That's right, I don't even know how many days have passed. Dane must have gone to work. Damn, then where is Darling...!

"Dane...!"

"What."

It was when he was running while shouting intensely. Suddenly, another voice came from behind. Greyson, who had been running vigorously, was so startled that he tried to stop abruptly and ended up staggering greatly.

He quickly turned around, but that was it. Greyson froze like ice. In his wide-open eyes, he saw Dane, who had half of his body leaning out from the panel. It was the snack bar.

"Uh..."

Greyson was so flustered that he could only let out a ridiculous exclamation. What's going on? Hadn't he left? Then Darling...

Soon after, Greyson discovered Darling perched on Dane's shoulder. Just as all his strength drained away, Dane suddenly contorted his face. With a disgusted expression as if it were dirty, he looked at the space between Greyson's thighs, then went inside without saying a word.

"Da..."

Greyson, who was about to call him in confusion, hesitated for a moment.

Ah.

Belatedly, he realized why Dane had looked at him with such an expression. From the moment he had jumped out of bed until now, he had been wearing not a single piece of underwear.

* * *

"Do you have exhibitionism?"

Dane spat out irritably as he flipped the fried egg.

"Why are you always stark naked and going crazy, crazy."

Greyson, who had hurriedly put on a robe and come out, crouched at the bar and muttered.

"I thought you were tired of me and had left..."

Though he looked thoroughly crestfallen, the corners of his mouth were endlessly raised. His expression showed that he was overjoyed at the fact that Dane was right in front of him. Dane paid no attention to him and continued what he was doing. He was making breakfast.

He was wearing only training pants with his upper body bare. It was his usual attire, but today it was an even more unavoidable choice. His large chest was completely covered in bruises with no blank space, and his nipples were also swollen and in a mess. They had grown larger than their original size from how much they had been touched. It seemed like it would take days for the swelling to subside.

It hurts even with just a breeze.

As his nipples stung and his chest throbbed with pain at the momentary cool air, Dane contorted his brow. Clicking his tongue with a "tsk," he fried bacon and eggs and placed them on a plate. Just then, the toaster alarm sounded, and the bread popped up. Dane turned around with two plates of food and placed one in front of Greyson.

"Eat, it's yours."

Dane spoke indifferently to Greyson, who was looking up at him with large eyes, his jaw dropped, unable to even speak. And he put his plate in front of himself and began to eat breakfast while standing.

Greyson still looked alternately at Dane and his plate with an expression of disbelief. Regardless, Dane continued his meal, drinking tomato juice he had found in the refrigerator. As he roughly cut the egg by holding the fork sideways, Greyson, who had been motionless until then, opened his mouth.

"Um, Dane. Could you slap my cheek?"

Dane put the egg in his mouth with an expressionless face. And the next moment, with a tremendous "slap" sound, Greyson's neck turned.