Chapter 61

Alex arrived at the hospital, which was beginning to feel familiar after his recent visits. He then walked through the annex passage and climbed the stairs. Several doctors in white coats passed him, but he didn’t see Nathan.

Moving mechanically, Alex stopped at the station to show his ID before heading toward the Research Director’s office.

He finally arrived at the lab, which was bathed in a harsh, brilliant white light.

A separate area looked like a cleanroom behind a glass wall, but the main space was lined with desks and computers. He hovered by the door, unsure if he should enter, when a voice spoke from behind him.

“Are you the investigator from the precinct?”

It was a smooth, seasoned voice. Alex turned around. A middle-aged man with brown hair swept back elegantly was watching him. The fine lines around his eyes as he smiled made him appear instantly approachable. He was, as Anna would put it, a very handsome older man.

“Yes.”

“Glad you could make it. I’m Luther Millan, the Research Director.”

The scent of his pheromones confirmed the man was an Alpha.

“Investigator Alex Yeon.”

Luther swiped his card key and entered the office, Alex trailing behind.

“I apologize for the inconvenience; it was unfortunate that this coincided with the conference.”

“Not at all. Nathan… I mean, Mr. White has been very helpful.”

Alex corrected himself quickly, though the slip didn’t go unnoticed.

“Oh, you and Nathan know each other?” Luther asked with a grin.

“A little,” Alex replied, settling for a safe middle ground.

“That’s quite a revelation. Nathan doesn’t usually let people get close; I had no idea he had an Alpha friend like you.”

“We aren’t friends.”

As he said the words, Alex was forced to confront the truth once more. He was nothing to Nathan now. Not a best friend, and certainly not a lover. He was merely an old enemy from the past. A dirty stain that needed to be scrubbed away.

“I see. My apologies.”

“No, it’s my fault. Please, tell me why you called me here.”

“Of course. Well, it seems Nathan told you about the Ferrin.”

Luther walked briskly past the desks until he reached the largest one at the end of the room. He rummaged through a stack of documents and pulled out a single sheet of paper, offering it to Alex.

“We keep track of all trait-related research in the UK. Any drug involving traits must undergo final testing here before it can be approved. But we have no record of the Ferrin found in this case. This means it’s been modified. And research like that requires an enormous amount of money.”

Alex scribbled Luther’s words into his notebook. He frowned and studied the notes for a moment. If Luther was correct, this wasn’t a crime a single individual could easily commit. If it were a lone killer, he would have to be incredibly wealthy.

“Thank you.”

“I hope it helps.”

“It’s more than enough.”

Luther offered a warm smile before his gaze drifted elsewhere. “Nathan isn’t here right now, but he should be back soon. Do you want to wait for him?”

Alex shook his head. He prepared to leave, but the weight of his backpack made him hesitate. Luther tilted his head curiously.

“Um… if you don’t mind, could I leave something here?”

“As long as it isn’t a bomb or a poison,” Luther joked before turning back to his work.

Alex took a deep breath and rubbed his face. He reached into his bag and pulled out a carton of the lychee juice. He took one from the pack and set it on what Luther had indicated was Nathan’s desk.

He immediately regretted it. He should have bought something more expensive. The image of Nathan’s sleek home in Shoreditch flashed in his mind, and Alex reached out to take the juice back.

“You can leave it,” Luther said from behind him.

Alex’s hand froze. He turned to Luther with a flustered expression. “He drinks that stuff all the time. But I suppose you already knew that.”

“…Yes.”

Alex’s hand wavered before he finally set the juice back down. Luther offered an approving smile. Alex managed an awkward smile of his own and offered his thanks.

“Thank you.”

“Take care.”

“Good evening to you too.”

Alex practically bolted from the office. He carefully folded the document Luther had given him as he descended the stairs. Only when he was alone did his hammering heart finally begin to steady. He wondered what he was doing. It was a completely pointless gesture.

But what else can I do?

Given Nathan’s personality, he would never accept an expensive gift. He wouldn’t even drink the coffee Alex bought him. He didn’t want an apology. Matthew had told him to try his best, but Alex was skeptical. He couldn’t undo what had already been done.

Lost in thought, Alex walked through the corridor and arrived at the glass-roofed bridge leading to the main building.

“Alex Yeon.”

The familiar voice made his heart leap. He spun around and saw Nathan. His golden bangs were slightly messy today, and his lab coat was open as if he had been walking in a hurry. His expression was frigid. The flicker of hope Alex had felt vanished instantly, replaced by a surge of anxiety. Nathan was finally showing emotion on his face. Just like the day Alex had hurt him.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Nathan’s long legs quickly closed the distance between them. He stopped directly in front of Alex, holding up the carton of lychee juice in a white-knuckled grip.

“Did you really think leaving something like this here would make me feel better?”

As he spoke, Nathan opened his hand, letting the carton drop.

Thud.

Alex’s gaze reflexively followed the juice.

“Look at me.”

Nathan’s cold voice snapped Alex’s head back up. Nathan met his eyes, his own green irises burning with a deep, weary irritation.

“Did seeing me again spark some kind of goddamn lingering attachment? Look closely, Alex Yeon.”

Nathan stepped into his space, his face inches from Alex’s as his lips curled into a sneer. He was so close Alex could feel the heat radiating from him. Alex bit his lip, his features twisting with pain.

“Do I still look like an Omega to you?”

Alex couldn’t find the words to tell him that it hadn’t been because he looked like an Omega. He couldn’t say he had loved Nathan as a Beta. He couldn’t, because he had already denied those very words with his own mouth years ago.

“…No.”

“I don’t know what you’re planning, but the best thing you can do for me is this.”

Nathan’s cold fury began to settle into a rigid, absolute resolve. He stared straight into Alex’s eyes.

“Do nothing.”

Each syllable was a razor-sharp blade.

“Erase me from your life.”

Alex’s hands shook.

“Don’t let me see you. That is the best thing you can do. Don’t show your face to me ever again.”

His voice grew colder and more mechanical with every word. Alex stared at the face of a man stating an undeniable truth and let out a thin, jagged breath. He clenched his trembling hands into fists and, after a brief silence, finally spoke. His brow was furrowed, his expression a wretched mask of suppressed emotion.

“Yeah. I understand. I’m sorry, Nathan.”

“Don’t apologize. It’s beneath you.”

“I’ll do as you say.”

At Alex’s response, Nathan let out an irritated sigh and stepped back. Alex bit his lip and reached up with a shaking hand to rub his cheek. He looked down at the juice and spoke.

“I won’t have much reason to come back to the hospital, but if I do, I’ll send Investigator Wayne.”

Alex slowly bent down and retrieved the crushed carton from the floor.

“I won’t show my face to you again.”

Nathan watched him in silence. Alex prepared to offer one final, habitual apology, but remembered that his apologies only irritated Nathan further. He simply stood up. Nathan watched him for a moment before turning his back.

The white lab coat fluttered as Nathan’s figure slowly vanished from sight. Alex stood perfectly still, watching him walk away, as if trying to memorize the sight one last time. Only after Nathan had completely disappeared did Alex finally turn and walk through the passage at a measured pace.

☂