Fred stiffened instantly.
"Huh?" He turned back, shock written all over his face. "What’s the problem?"
Damien stepped closer instead of answering right away. Gently—but with a firmness that left no room for escape—he reached out and turned Fred to face him. His hands settled on Fred’s shoulders, warm and grounding, as though he was afraid Fred might disappear if he let go.
"You coming here..." Damien said quietly, his voice low and careful, "...ans you’re not angry with anymore, right?"
Fred froze.
"I really thought I’d lost you," Damien continued, his eyes searching Fred’s face with raw sincerity. "When you left like that, it hurt more than I expected."
Fred swallowed hard, his breath hitching despite himself.
"You’re soone I already considered a friend," Damien went on, his grip tightening just a fraction. "Losing you—" He paused, as if choosing his words carefully. "Losing you hurt. I’m really glad you ca back."
"Let go of ," Fred said stiffly, his jaw tightening as discomfort crept in. "We can talk when you’re dressed properly."
Instead of releasing him, Damien suddenly pulled him into an embrace.
Fred’s entire body went rigid.
What the actual fuck?!
Panic flared instantly, hot and overwhelming. Fred tried to push Damien away, his hands pressing against Damien’s chest—only to realize, far too late, how strong the hold really was. Damien didn’t budge an inch.
*****
anwhile back at Alex office.
"You can co back for your therapy session tomorrow," Alex said calmly, his professional tone steady as he faced the middle-aged man seated across from him. "But for now, you need to go ho, rest, and try to relax. I’ll see you again tomorrow."
"Sure, Mr. Alex," the man replied with a tired nod. "I’ll be back."
He slowly rose to his feet, adjusted his jacket, and made his way out of the office, the door clicking shut behind him.
The silence that followed felt heavier than usual.
Alex leaned back in his chair, exhaling deeply.
I wonder how he’s doing... Alex thought inwardly, Gabe’s face unbiddenly filling his mind. His chest tightened as he let out another sigh. I really hope that bastard Sabe isn’t making life a living hell for him.
"Fred is with Damien... Gabe is with Sabe..." Alex murmured under his breath, rubbing his temple. "And I’m the only lone sheep right now."
The thought didn’t sit well with him.
Should I just go and see Gabe? he wondered. I can’t just sit here waiting for him to co over. I can go et him too, can’t I?
He straightened slightly, his thoughts gaining montum.
As his therapist, I have the right to be there. And if he wants to start investigating who Sabe will use as a scapegoat... then I need to be there to assist him. That’s part of my job.
His jaw clenched.
Fuck. Not seeing him for just one day feels like years.
It hurts.
With a frustrated sigh, Alex stood up abruptly, grabbed his coat from the rack, and headed out of his office without another mont of hesitation.
---
anwhile...
Inside a stark white room furnished with nothing but a plain table and several chairs, Gabe and Sabe sat side by side, facing a young man dressed neatly in a black suit. The atmosphere was tense, heavy with unspoken judgnt.
The young detective folded his hands on the table, his expression serious and unyielding.
"We’ve already made it clear that this case is not ant for you, Mr. Gabe," he said firmly. "However, you insisted on standing as a witness for the accused—who also happens to be your husband."
He paused briefly, his gaze shifting between Gabe and Sabe.
"As you already know, this is not an easy case," the detective continued. "It is a murder case. The fetalyn has taken the lives of individuals from influential companies—people with power, connections, and a strong desire to see soone punished."
His voice hardened.
"And the person they are pointing at right now..." He looked directly at Sabe. "...is your husband."
"You have to be very careful," a new voice interjected. "Anything you say right now in defense of the accused must be nothing but the truth. Otherwise, it may co back to haunt you later."
A middle-aged man stepped into the room as he spoke, his presence commanding authority. His sharp eyes swept briefly over Gabe before shifting to Sabe, then finally to the young inspector seated at the table.
"Everything I said is the truth, officer," Gabe replied calmly, his voice steady despite the tension pressing down on his chest. "Although my husband is the owner of the company, I still have a right over it as his partner."
He lifted his chin slightly, resolve clear in his expression.
"And yes, I trust my husband a lot. Just because we had personal issues doesn’t an I would lie against him just to ruin him. I know the kind of man he is. He’s not soone who would deliberately hurt others."
Gabe paused briefly, his fingers tightening around the armrest of his wheelchair.
"This fetalyn issue is a trap," he continued firmly. "I believe soone did this intentionally to fra him. Soone who wanted to destroy his reputation and take everything from him."
His voice softened, though the words themselves cut deep.
"I won’t oppose you, Sabe. Even though you’re difficult... even though a lot of people hate you." He glanced briefly in Sabe’s direction. "I still want people to see as the faithful and caring partner—the one who stood by you despite the fact that you’ve caused nothing but pain."
Silence filled the room.
Sabe’s lips slowly curled into a faint smirk.
He’s actually speaking up for ? Sabe thought inwardly, disbelief flickering through his mind. That’s... surprising.
I brought him here thinking he’d definitely drag my na through the mud. I was sure he’d take this opportunity to ruin completely. But instead...
He’s defending .
What the hell is going on inside that head of his?
Is he doing this to get on my good side? So I wouldn’t co after him for what he did to ?
For how he and that damn therapist of his ruined my life?
Sabe’s eyes darkened slightly.
He really thinks I’d just let all of that go?
Or maybe this is just another one of his plans. Another clever move to destroy from a different angle.
He’s smart—too smart. And lately... he’s changed. That’s what makes him dangerous. I can’t even predict what he’s thinking anymore.
"Alright, Mr. Gabe," the young inspector finally spoke, breaking the silence. His tone was firm, professional. "Since you’re standing by your statent, we have no choice but to take your words into account."
He leaned back slightly.
"You are, after all, the closest person to Mr. Sabe—his husband. However, words alone are not enough to prove his innocence."
The inspector’s gaze hardened.
"We will continue our investigation until your husband is proven innocent and the person truly responsible for this fetalyn case is captured."
"I understand, Inspector," Gabe replied respectfully, dipping his head slightly. "May I leave now, though? Since I’ve already given my statent."
"Yes, you may," the inspector nodded. "You’ll be summoned again if necessary. Have a good day, Mr. Gabe."
Gabe nodded in return and slowly wheeled himself out of the room, leaving Sabe behind with the other inspector.
---
The mont he exited the building, he nearly ran into soone.
Alex.
Alex stood beside his car, hands tucked into his coat pockets, a wide and relieved smile spreading across his face the mont he saw Gabe.
Huh? What is he doing here? Gabe thought inwardly, confusion flashing through his eyes as he wheeled closer.
"What are you doing here?" Gabe asked, raising an eyebrow with a scoff.
"What else?" Alex replied lightly, excitent barely contained. "I ca to see you, of course."
He stepped closer, then quickly knelt in front of Gabe, eyes scanning him with concern.
"I heard you ca to the police station with Sabe," Alex continued. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you anywhere? Why did you even follow him here?"
His voice softened. "I was really worried about you... you know."
"Of course he didn’t hurt ," Gabe replied sharply, his tone serious. "If he did, I wouldn’t be standing—or sitting—here right now."
He sighed.
"You shouldn’t have co here, Alex. You and Sabe are practically enemies at this point. If he sees you, there’s a chance a fight could break out."
Alex chuckled lightly, shaking his head.
"He wouldn’t dare," Alex said calmly. "Not in front of a police station. He’s still under investigation for the fetalyn case. If he starts a fight with now, he’d just be giving the inspectors more reasons to doubt him."
"Do I look like I’m joking?" Gabe snapped, raising an eyebrow with a dry scoff. "Anyway, you should leave now. I’ll co to your office—or your house—later."
He lowered his voice.
"I don’t even want Sabe’s bodyguard, Josh, to see you. Let alone report your presence to Sabe."
Alex straightened slowly.
"If I’m leaving," Alex said firmly, his tone suddenly serious, "then I’m leaving with you."
The words sent waves of shock down Gabe’s spine.
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