Page 168 of Knot Their Omega

“Kaisor! My sweet son!” She speaks in English, which is surprising, while her arms open wide. “Oh, the years! Look at my baby.”

I can see the immediate relief in Kai’s profile as he lets go of my hand so he can walk over to his mother to greet her. I try not to look so awkward standing there as I watch the way his mother embraces him so lovingly.

Maybe I never acknowledge it, but in this moment of welcoming, I’m seeing the big difference between how a mother who loves their child greets them after so long versus the way I’ve been greeted.

Especially these last few years when I’m not bearing thousands of dollars in bags and jewelry.

“It’s been a long while, my son,” the man greets, and he, too, looks so proud as he smiles warmly at Kai.

Kai smiles and gives his father a quick hug.

“I did make you a promise, so I had to get that done with before having the guts to return,” Kai reveals as his father pats his back in assurance.

“Oh, really,” his father taunts as Kai pulls back. His eyes land on me, clearly taking me in from head to toe before he looks at Kai. “I see.”

I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean, but I try not to look “small” or “defeated.” I simply stand my ground, my hands held in front of me as I stand with my back straight.

If this is some sort of test, I don’t want to cower away.

Kai brought me here for a reason, so I must prove I’m strong enough to endure whatever is waiting for me.

“Her sense of style is delightful,” his mother announces, making my heart skip a few beats at her sudden approval. “Honey. Remember when I used to wear all that attire? Ah. You loved it.”

He clears his throat in response, making his wife giggle in happiness while Kai just smirks. He walks back to me, and when he reaches my side, he doesn’t hesitate to take my hand in his once more.

I notice how the room has men in black standing against the walls, bowing their heads as if waiting for any sort of order. It’s fascinating to witness, but it also proves the power and status Kai’s family carries.

“I won’t be staying long,” Kai admits as he looks at his parents. “I came to uphold the promise that I made when I left these grounds years ago. I hope with my accomplishments that I’ll be granted what was promised in return.”

I can’t help but look at him, acknowledging his side profile and the seriousness in his gaze. I’m not sure what he could have bargained for when leaving this place that must have been his home for a long while.

More importantly, I can’t quite figure out why my presence is needed.

Kai’s mother looks at her husband, and we wait for him to respond to Kai’s request.

“I told you not to return unless you had the balls to be the man you desire and not a puppet that follows stupid decisions,” his father reveals. “And in exchange, I’d let you do what you want with your public image, which included performing with that band of friends of yours.”

“Their band is called Bloom Salvation, my dear,” his mother notes with glee before looking our way. “I’ve been hearing a magnitude of gossip about you guys no longer going on tour.”

“They’re going on tour,” I speak up, drawing the attention to me. “It’s not public knowledge, but the original lead singer… or at least, the one everyone is used to seeing, has quit and is spreading rumors to sabotage the band.”

“Ah. The Nathan boy,” she declares and nods her head in understanding before looking at her husband. “See? Didn’t I say he was the problem in the band’s dynamic? I knew he was bad news when he told Cynthia that whole lie when Suzy was found dead. My instincts are never wrong. A shame Cynthia hasn’t picked up on using those intuitive senses.”

“You and I know that she knows exactly what happened to her daughter,” he responds calmly, almost dismissively. “If she let go of her broken pride with her husband and apologized to their other son, they wouldn’t be suffering.”

“Suffering?” I quietly ask and look at Kai.

“They’re referring to Nathaníel and Nate’s parents,” Kai reveals. “All our parents used to be super close. However, after Suzy died, their parents basically shunned everyone. My parents tried to speak with Cynthia, their mother, but she was so struck with grief, she didn’t really listen. At the time, they were relying on Nate’s paychecks from his spike in fame, even though the voice of all that success was Nathaníel. Nate threatened to cut them off if they didn’t isolate Nathaníel for Suzy’s death as punishment… and well, they agreed.”

“They weren’t the only ones who agreed, now were they?” his father brings up, forcing us to look at Kai as he sighs.

“I was naive and wrong back then,” Kai quietly admits. “I was desperate to prove myself to you. Prove to anyone who doubted my potential. I wanted to come back here, famous and thriving, and rub it in your face that I could be successful without your aid. That I didn’t need the association to our family name and the true deeds we commit in the shadows.”

Kai shrugs, and I can see his nervousness as he briefly looks my way.

The fear flickering in the depths of his pupils that I’ll judge him.

That I’ll push him away.

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