That night, Dave couldn't sleep. His thoughts kept drifting to his father—to all the possibilities that Salvera might be involved with him acting like this. If it was true, everything would be so fucked.
His dad's face twisted in his mind, a shadow of the man who'd once ruffled his hair. Being part of this wouldn't end well. He'd be torn between decisions that would leave him devastated, eyes hollowed by regret.
Morning light slipped in gently through the half-open curtains, glowing softly on their skin.Kelvin was curled beside Dave, arm wrapped protectively around his waist, face softened in sleep.
His mind refused to rest. Every time he closed his eyes, his father's voice echoed in his head—cold, distant, nothing like the man who used to laugh loudly and sneak him extra dessert as a child, his grin wide and boyish.
Dave stirred gently as his lashes fluttered lightly. He turned, now facing Kelvin, who was still asleep, his chest rising and falling steadily.
He smiled. A small, fragile curve of lips—and pressed his face into Kelvin's chest, inhaling his calm familiar scent. Elora had said being with Kelvin most of the time would help stabilize the baby—and even without her saying it, he'd always be with Kelvin. Forever.
Yes, he'd said he was going to see his father today. He didn't know if this was the right time, but the earlier, the better—so they knew what they were dealing with.
Untangling himself, he sat up and checked the time. It was already 10 AM. He was glad he'd been stable since yesterday and felt much better. He had to keep himself strong now, jaw set despite the flicker of doubt in his eyes.
It had come as a shock to him too when he heard he was pregnant, but no dwelling on it now—the deed was done. They moved on, with more to protect.
"Kelvin..." He called, tapping him gently.
"You slept long. Tired?" Dave asked when Kelvin opened his eyes and sat up, brows creasing softly.
"Yes, I've been so tired. I barely had any sleep for two days now, but with you in my arms today, breathing steady—it's like all my worries vanished into thin air." Kelvin pulled him in, giving him a light kiss, his grip tightening like a man grasping at sunlight.
"I slept well today too," Dave said, chuckling lightly. "Let's take our bath and have breakfast. I need to speak with my dad today." Kelvin nodded in approval as they stood up and headed to the bathroom.
After some minutes, they were both downstairs, seated at the dining room for breakfast.
Elena and Rebecca were very relieved that Dave was back to normal and steady now, their faces brightening like clouds parting. They happily set the table with Elora, asking Dave frequently if he was doing fine, eyes searching his with maternal worry.
Dave wanted to ask his mom if his dad was home but stopped himself, lips pressing thin. He shouldn't let her know about this—if he asked now, she would sure follow him to see his father.
When he was done eating, Dave and Kelvin's mother told them they were going shopping to top up the groceries—literally everyone was living together now, even Elena hadn't gone home for the past two days. She'd stayed at Kelvin's house to watch over Dave, shadows under her eyes from endless vigils.
Meanwhile, Elora said she wanted to check up on Valerian to see if everything was okay, her face lined with quiet determination.
Now they were all alone in the house."Now is the best time to go see Dad—no one is home," Dave said, and Kelvin nodded, jaw tightening."I'm coming wi—"
"No, don't." Dave cut in
" You'll only fuel his anger. You stay nearby in case anything happens," He added, eyes flashing resolve.
"But that's risky, Dave. We all saw how he handled you when we were there—talk less of no one being around. It's not a good idea," Kelvin said, not agreeing, his face hardening with worry.
"Calm down, Kelvin. Back then it was sudden to him. Now he's had time with the knowledge that I'm pregnant—it won't hit suddenly, so he won't crash out like before," Dave said, voice steady despite the flicker of uncertainty behind his gaze.
"You can't say that for sure, Dave. What if it gets worse? I can't let you go alone," Kelvin refused, brows furrowing deep.
"That's why I said you'll stay nearby. I'll speak with him in the sitting room—so if anything's about to happen, I'll shout," Dave said.
"But Dav—"
"Don't worry, Kelvin. Nothing is going to happen," Dave assured, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
_________________
The two could be seen standing at the door of Dave's house. Dave turned to Kelvin and said, "I'll be back soon. Just wait here for me." Dave whispered, and Kelvin nodded, his face etched with reluctance.
"Please be careful," Kelvin said, voice rough, and with that, Dave opened the door and walked in.The house was silent.
It felt cold, hollow, broken—like a heart ripped empty. Stepping in further, he called, "Dad..." His voice echoed back, swallowed by shadows.
He stepped into the sitting room and saw his dad seated on the couch, head resting back, eyes wide open as he stared lifelessly at the ceiling.
His gaze was cold, dead, empty. This wasn't the father he knew—his face had flattened, hollowed out, like he'd turned into a different person entirely within these two days, skin stretched tight over bones.
Dave stepped closer, his heart beating fast, throat tightening. What exactly happened to Dad? Why is he like this? He asked himself questions he couldn't answer, dread pooling cold in his gut.
"Daddy... Can you hear me? Are you here? Dad..." He called, but his father didn't reply—he just kept staring blankly at the ceiling, unblinking.
"What's wrong, Dad? Actually, I came to have a little conversation with you... I didn't come to make you angry. Can we talk? Please..." At this point, his heart was beating erratically. He was scared. Yes. His hands trembled faintly.
"Leave, Dave." Alan said, his voice different from the warm, welcoming one Dave was used to—flat now, stripped bare, like wind over stone.
"Leave before I finally make up my mind and decide to kill that child you're carrying—along with you and Kelvin." His gaze slowly dropped, landing on Dave like a blade.
Dave shivered, skin prickling. This wasn't his dad—he was just an empty shell of himself, an alien husk. His gaze was cold and dark, and he looked more haggard now, cheeks sunken, eyes shadowed.
Dave could feel it: the mixed feelings coming from him—fear twisting like knives, pain raw and bleeding, confusion clouding everything.
He swallowed, taking a step closer, pulse thundering in his ears.
"Why did you say that? Why do you want to kill me..., along with my baby and my husband? Why act like this all of a sudden? What has gotten into you?" He asked, but Alan didn't respond. Then Dave continued.
"Did she tell you to do it? And if yes, at what cost?" Dave asked, and the expression on Alan's face changed when he heard his words—cracked, like ice under pressure.
The air in the room cracked as Alan got up from the couch, standing before Dave, posture rigid.
"What did you just say?" He asked, taking a step closer, face darkening, shadows pooling in his eyes. "What does that mean? And who did you mean by 'she'?" His expression twisted, anger flickering through the emptiness.