Kelvin's hands shook so badly he almost dropped his phone. His breath came in shallow bursts, chest heaving as panic clawed up his throat. He didn't know what to do—he couldn't lose Dave, not like this. His thumb fumbled across the screen until he found Rihanna's number.
"Rihanna—please—come now. Bring your grandma. Please!" His voice cracked, raw with desperation. He barely waited for her reply before ending the call.
For a second he froze, fear swallowing him whole. But then instinct forced him forward. He gathered Dave gently into his arms, lifting him as though he might shatter at any moment. His skin burned against Kelvin's, his body trembling with fever and pain.
Kelvin carried him into the room, laying him carefully on the bed. With trembling fingers, he stripped away the bloodied clothes, the sight of torn flesh and spreading bruises making his vision blur. He grabbed a bowl of water, cloths, and the small stash of herbs and medicines he kept for emergencies.
"Stay with me, Dave… please stay," he muttered as he cleaned the blood away, suppressing the worst of the bleeding with steady, desperate pressure. Every wince and shallow breath from Dave tore at him, but he worked through the panic, wrapping the wounds with bandages that already soaked through too quickly.
Kelvin's head snapped toward the door at every faint sound, waiting for help to arrive, his heart lodged in his throat. But until then, it was just him—his trembling hands, his breaking heart, and Dave fighting to hold on.
________________________
Valerian lay sprawled across the velvet couch in the study, his head resting comfortably on Sebastian's lap. A soft sigh escaped his lips as Sebastian's hand moved in slow circles over the small swell of his belly, the absentminded motion both soothing and intimate. Valerian's lashes fluttered, half-asleep, though a faint smile curved his lips whenever Sebastian's fingers lingered a little longer.
"You're going to spoil me," Valerian murmured, voice hushed like he didn't really want to break the moment.
Sebastian chuckled low in his throat, brushing a stray lock of Valerian's hair back. "That's the plan." His hand didn't stop its lazy strokes, thumb occasionally tracing across the bump with a possessive tenderness that made Valerian's chest feel warm.
The peaceful scene was broken when the door creaked open. Rihanna's grandmother stepped in, wringing her hands nervously. She hesitated at the sight before her, but quickly cleared her throat.
Sebastian's eyes flicked up, sharp but calm. "Where are you going?" His tone was gentle enough not to disturb Valerian, but edged with authority.
The old woman bowed slightly. "Sir… I received a call from Rihanna. She asked me to check on Kelvin. Something may have happened to him, though she didn't give me details."
Sebastian's hand stilled over Valerian's bump. His gaze narrowed. "Kelvin?"
"Yes… I cannot say what is wrong, but I must go to him quickly."
Sebastian's jaw tightened, his calm expression darkening with concern. He glanced down at Valerian, who had shifted slightly, his brow furrowed at the tension in the room.
"What's wrong?" Valerian asked softly, pushing himself up on one elbow, his hand automatically covering Sebastian's where it still rested on his stomach.
"Kelvin," Sebastian murmured, eyes never leaving the old woman. "Something's happened."
Valerian sat up fully now, worry flashing across his face. "Then we can't waste time."
Rihanna's grandmother dipped her head. "I only meant to go quickly and quietly—"
"No," Sebastian cut in firmly, already rising and helping Valerian to his feet with careful steadiness. "If something has happened to Kelvin, I need to know. We're coming with you."
Valerian nodded, determination settling over his features. "And if Dave's involved…" His voice trailed off, but the weight of it hung in the air.
The old woman hesitated, her eyes flicking nervously between them, but Sebastian's gaze brooked no argument.
"Gather what you need," he told her, already guiding Valerian toward the door. "We leave immediately."
---
Meanwhile, back at Kelvin's side, Dave stirred faintly on the bed. His lips parted as though to speak, but only a ragged gasp escaped. Kelvin's hand shot to his, gripping it tight.
"I'm here. You're safe," Kelvin whispered, though his own hands were slick with blood and trembling with fear.
The minutes stretched unbearably long, every second echoing like a lifetime, until footsteps hurried up to the door outside.
When they arrived at the house, Maelis stepped forward, her sharp eyes narrowing as she asked, "And who are you?"
No one answered her. They simply walked past, their silence heavier than words. Valerian, however, paused long enough to glance at her. He didn't need anyone to warn him—he could see right through her, every layer of deception and malice. She's bad news, he thought, his lips pressing into a thin line before he turned away to follow the others upstairs.
The moment they entered Kelvin's room, all eyes fell on the figure lying on the bed. Dave. Even the bandages couldn't hide his heavy bleeding.
Valerian froze in the doorway, his breath catching in his throat. He stumbled forward, his chest tightening, and dropped to sit by the bedside. His trembling hand reached out but hovered just above Dave, afraid to touch. His eyes watered instantly, blurring the sight of the boy he once knew.
"What… what happened to him?" Valerian whispered, voice breaking, the tears spilling before he could stop them.
Kelvin stood rooted to the spot, unable to answer. His jaw clenched, guilt tearing at him from the inside. He opened his mouth, then shut it again, words failing him.
Grandma moved quickly, her face stern and focused. "No time for questions. He needs treatment now." She pulled out her satchel and immediately began tending to Dave's wounds, her hands steady and practiced. Within moments, she looked up, her voice firm. "Out. All of you. Give me space."
Kelvin shook his head, his feet refusing to move. He didn't want to leave. He couldn't. Not when Dave was like this. But Sebastian stepped forward, placing a steadying hand on Kelvin's shoulder.
"She'll take care of him. Trust her," Sebastian said quietly. "We'll wait downstairs."
Reluctantly, Kelvin let himself be guided out. His steps were heavy, his chest tight as though he'd left his soul behind in that room.
When they reached the living room, the silence stretched unbearably until Sebastian finally spoke. His voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp.
"Kelvin. What led to all this?"
Kelvin's head lowered, his hands curling into fists at his sides. For a long moment, he said nothing, fighting against the wave of regret pressing down on him. Finally, he looked up, his eyes shadowed with pain.
"It was me…" he admitted, voice thick with remorse. "All of this happened… because of me."