In These Arms [mxm]

Chapter 25 - Speaking the truth

A/N: I am soooooooooo so so so so so so sorry for the late update. First I had a big writers block and then i started a new $24,000 diploma, got a job on the other side of the country, and put my house on the market for rent and trying to sell all my furniture in the space of a week. I love digging myself holes and making my life difficult, you see. 

I hope to see familiar readers returning to the story and now that i'm over the block, can hopefully smash out the last few chapters once i finish up at my current job.

You know the drill - completely unedited and likely to have little plot holes from poor memory and rushing. sorry!! <3 

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"Why did you have to come back?"

Those words were a plague that could have driven me into madness had I not resolved things before returning to Chanyeol's apartment. Father-in-law looked me in the eyes for the first time since I walked in, and I could see the hurt and betrayal etched into them. The second son he raised had betrayed him, disappearing without a word to seek a better life. That is the story my father planted, and that was all he could see left in me.

My lips started to tremble, and I could feel my eyes brimming with tears. That uncomfortable prick in my heart caused it to drum and break so that my breaths became unsteady. His expression softened for all of a moment before he stubbornly averted his gaze, then turned his attention to his cellphone as it started to ring, which I was sure came as a welcomed distraction. Father-in-law put his finger up, gesturing that he was now engaged with the phone call, and I moved off the bed as he fumbled out, allowing him to pass.

What little appetite I had disappeared, and I packed my food back into the plastic bag. Noticing that father-in-law had left his container open on the bed, I pressed the lid back on it and placed it on his bedside table. As he stood talking on the phone, I listened to his grand and unfamiliar language with his back turned to me. Sometimes he would glance back, looking me up and down and then turn away again. Since the age of four, when our families first connected, there was not a moment when I was forced to feel shame and distance from a man I loved and trusted so dearly.

When I tried to consider his side, believing for seven years that I had wandered off and ridiculed the way he raised me and the care he provided, I could understand. But my heart struggled to accept it, and I wished that he would believe in me just a little bit more. The man to whom I placed my trust had turned his back on me, and even questioned my return. I understood. I tried my best to. But the rejection left a gaping hole in my chest that would likely swallow me whole.

After ending the call, father-in-law did not turn back to face me. Instead, I watched the back of his shoulders lift and drop with a heavily burdened sigh. "Is there something you want?" he asked, voice suddenly quiet and hollow. "Money, perhaps? To be returned on title of my son's property?"

His were not bitter; they were filled with pain and defeat. Give him what he wants, then perhaps he will be done with us before a storm arises. Let the dust settle as it may. Was that what he was thinking? There was too much space between us. My eyes were stinging from fighting back the tears, but it was a losing battle. The moment I squeezed them shut to relieve some pressure, the floodgates opened and out came the downpour.

Marching towards him, I closed the distance between us and grabbed his shoulder, turning him so that I could embrace him in a hug. His body tensed as I wrapped my arms around him, and as our cheeks touched, I realized he was also crying. This man who was left with no closure after losing one of his sons to the most cynical betrayals was trying his best to appear strong. My heart could not handle his pain and I knew I had to relieve him of this burden, even if Chanyeol told me to stay quiet.