Wave to the Sky (Omegaverse)

Chapter 49: The Weight of Goodbye

Alon's Point of View (Three Days Prior)

After signing the documents, Caelus dismissed me, returning my old painting in the process. Carrying it with a heavy heart, tears welled up as I entered the elevator. It dawned on me that all this time I had been dating Miu's father, believing in his kindness and generosity, only to realize it was all a facade. He didn't approach me out of genuine affection; he suspected I helped Carl. Despite my attempts to explain, he refused to listen, forcing me to comply with his demands. My only concern now was protecting my son, even from his own father, Caelus.

Exiting the elevator, I left the painting by a small trash bin and made my way out of SkyHaven Toys to the bus stop, longing for my son's presence. Amidst my thoughts of what had transpired between Carl, Caelus, and myself, uncertainty loomed over my future at SkyHaven Toys. Can I still trust Caelus' assurances that I'd keep my job and not be implicated further?

My doubts were answered when a message from the HR department head popped up on my phone. "Oh, no," I sighed heavily, realizing Caelus's true nature. I had been fired. Any trust I had in him evaporated instantly. Despite my desire to continue working there, I felt powerless, like a lowly omega at the mercy of an alpha. Overwhelmed with sadness, betrayal, and frustration, tears streamed down my face, uncaring of the public eye.

Attempting to regain composure, I reminded myself of the strength my son needed from me. He didn't need Caelus; I would protect him at all costs. Another notification on my phone startled me. A significant sum of money had been deposited into my bank account. Did Caelus send this? Did he truly think so little of me, assuming I desired power and wealth? Unsure of what to do, I couldn't face him again after everything that had happened. Reluctantly, I resigned to use the money.

As I pondered my options, one idea emerged as the only solution: escape. I needed to leave this town, SkyHaven Toys, and Caelus behind. The fear of what he might do if he discovered Miu's existence weighed heavily on me.

Where should I go?

The Philippines wasn't a bad idea, but the prospect of traveling to a foreign country without a passport was daunting, especially with Miu being so young. As I pondered my options, a familiar face boarded the bus at the next stop – Jason. He smiled warmly at me, immediately noticing my bloodshot eyes.

"Hey, have you been crying?" he asked with concern. "It's been a while since I last saw you. Arthur mentioned you had a baby boy."

I wiped my tears and nodded.

"What's wrong? You can tell me," he offered gently.

"It's nothing," I replied, shaking my head. "I just want to get away with Miu. But I don't know where to go."

"I won't pry, but I can tell it's important," he said sympathetically. "And I can help."

"How?"

"My sister lives in another city," he explained. "She's getting married soon and has moved in with her fiancé. She's looking to sell her house."

"How much is it?"

"I heard she's asking around ten thousand dollars," he replied. "Maybe I could talk to her about letting you pay in installments."

"No, I'll pay in full," I insisted firmly.

"Are you sure?" he asked, surprised.

"Yes," I affirmed. "I'll pay in full."

"Alright," he smiled. "The house is in a residential area, quite safe, especially for you and Miu. It's also close to the beach, perfect for finding inspiration for your paintings."

I nodded in agreement. The location didn't matter much to me; what mattered was getting Miu away from Caelus and his family, keeping him safe from those monsters.

"When do you plan to visit the house?" Jason inquired.

"I want to move in tomorrow."

"What?!" he exclaimed in surprise. "I didn't realize you were in such a hurry, Loony."

"I just think it's better to settle in sooner rather than later," I explained.

"If that's what you want, I can take you there," Jason offered. "I don't think it'll be a problem for my sister, considering she's already living with her fiancé."

"Thank you, Jason. I really appreciate it."

"Don't mention it. We're friends, remember? No need to feel like you owe me anything. And, um, can I be honest? While you were still at the bar, I found myself really starting to like you."

I stayed silent, feeling drained and unsure how to respond.

"Jason, I'm sorry," I finally managed to say, my voice shaky. "I can't," I continued, revealing Caelus' mark on my neck. Jason's expression fell, disappointment evident in his sigh. "I'm truly sorry."

He mustered a smile. "It's okay. No matter what, I'll always be here for you as a friend."

"Thank you for understanding."

Before parting ways at the next bus stop, Jason and I exchanged phone numbers.

Perhaps that was all I needed to do. As I made my way through the alley from the bus stop, I eventually reached the familiar wooden fence. Hurrying inside, I headed straight for our unit. Mrs. Gibson and Miu were there. I rushed to Miu, lifting him into my arms and holding him tightly as tears streamed down my face.

"Loony, what's wrong?" Mrs. Gibson asked, but my tears were relentless, causing Miu to cry too. Arthur arrived and swiftly took Miu from me, while the others tried to console me and help me regain my composure. Once I had calmed down, I began to recount what had happened at SkyHaven Toys.