52: The Cat

Stephen didn't move for a while after Xavier left. And when he did, it was to sit on the bed and gaze and nothingness. His heart constricted painfully in his chest. He had fucked up, greatly. That he knew. And in all honesty, he was appalled with himself. Never would he have imagined that he would be the one to hurt Xavier. On those occasions when he feared something might go wrong in their relationship, he always visualized Xavier getting bored with commitment. He stared at the beautiful engagement band and trembled. He could imagine Hilda's face when she learns that the wedding is off. What ate Stephen up more was the fact that the Cavill family received him open-armed in their family.

He doesn't know when it started, but Stephen realized he was crying when a tear fell on his lap. He raised his hand and traced his wet cheek in dismay. He briefly looked at his palm before he folded it, squeezing the ring he didn't have the heart to part with. He rose slowly to begin packing his thi