CAELUM

CHAPTER 28

BAEKHYUN'S POV:

I place Seren on the bed shared by Yixing and Siofra sis. She sits beside her and caresses her hair. Seren still controls her tears. Yixing brings Seren a glass of water and gives it to her. Siofra makes her drink it slowly. Her lips quiver whenever it touches the glass. *How could you do this to Seren, Soo? You love her, don't you? * She looks at me and averts her gaze. Knowing that she'll break down the moment our eyes meet. She has been the same right from our first meet. "May I go out for some time; I just don't feel like staying in". Siofra looks at Yixing, followed by me and Minseok. "Hmm, should we come along?".

"No, you all had a long day, so rest. I'm sorry for creating such a messy situation". Minseok gets down to her level. "It's not your fault dear, things happen and it's alright hmm. Please don't apologise". I know Minseok is terrified as much as the others are except those two stupids. Seren closes her eyes and nods. "Seren". We look at the owner of the voice and its Zyanya. Seren opens her eyes and smiles softly. "Zyanya, come in darling". Zyanya comes in and hugs Seren as if her life depends on her. "I'm sorry, I really am. I apologise from his side. He was just taken over by his anger and nothing else, he doesn't mean them all. I know he hurt you more than anyone and maybe he shouldn't be forgiven as well. Please stay here. Please don't go".

Seren caresses Zyanya's back. "I can do anything but I have to go sweetheart. I'm not mad at anyone. Neither Sehun nor Soo. And I'm going there for work, right? It's not like I'm completely shifting there leaving you all here hmm". "You can do that here as well right?". Seren kisses her forehead. "I would love that option if it was available but sadly the client wants me to stay near their home so that I can supervise the work for almost the whole year. And you know as Erica is near her due date for her first child, I have to go right?". Zyanya nods. "Make sure you take care of yourself, okay?". "Hmm I will and you too. Now go and be with Sehun, he needs you". Zyanya reluctantly lets go of the hug and goes to her room. Seren's eyes follow Zyanya's path. She sighs.

"S-Seren what she told is true?". Yixing asks. Seren nods. "Don't worry I'll be fine there alone. Go sleep, it's late".  "Are you sure you don't need anyone to stay back?". I ask. She smiles sadly. "Siofra is there, right? I'll be good. Your wives need you". We reluctantly leave the room as Siofra assures them she'll be with her. I go and find Naomi combing her night routines. "Oh, hey Baek. When did you come?". "Just a minute ago". I answer not looking at her. I'm super mad at her. Seren is her god damn sister. "Are you tired?". I nod and make my way to the wardrobe. Opening the wardrobe, I search for my nightdress and that's when I hear Naomi muttering "How could she do this my goodness. What a pretender she is". My blood boils when she says this.

Taking my night suit out, I go to the washroom to clear my mind about the incident that happened an hour ago. The cold shower might have removed the heat from my body, but what about my burning heart, the heart that knows what exactly is Seren, that she isn't what they assumed her to be. That she only cares a lot, loves a lot. That she never expects anything in return for what she gives. Hot tears cascade while the cold water touches my body. Only if she hadn't stopped me, Siofra, Minseok and Yixing from telling what she actually meant. Only if we hadn't promised her. Only if they asked her the actual reason instead of being disappointed. Only if she opened her mouth to defend herself. Only if Kyungsoo knows what she actually wanted to say. Only if he knew she wanted to confess her love for him. Only if.

I don't know when I let inaudible sobs out of my mouth. If just being there and hearing those words even if we are not the one who is being dragged down, breaks our hearts, then facing it surely must have scarred Seren. Scarred for life. But still, she won't be mad at them for doing this to her, instead be mad at herself for doing this to them, her loved ones, thinking that she's untrustworthy or not deserving of any good things or feelings. Turning off the shower I wipe myself and wear my night suit. Going out I find Naomi sleeping peacefully on our bed as if nothing happened. Looking at her I think *Hope she realises what she has done before it's too late*.