Chapter 74: Mess

Sehun

I walked to the forest and saw Ava walking back, her eyes looked puffy as if she had been crying for a long time.

"Are you okay?" I asked, running over to her.

"I-it seems that Sou did know about us after all."

I sighed and looked down. "Yeah. He confronted me about it some days back. Purpura told him. I... confirmed the truth."

She looked down. "I see."

I got closer and patted her on the back. "You're not mad?"

She looked up at me with the most vulnerable expression I'd ever seen on her face. Even when we made love, I hadn't seen this side of her.

"No, I'm not," she said, lowering her gaze. She pressed her head against my chest. "I got tired of keeping it a secret too. While it hurts to lose Sou, I can't change the past. I can only look forward."

I curled my arms around her and smiled slight. Even while vulnerable, she was strong.I admired her strength, her resilience. Even in the face of pain and guilt, she was standing tall. 

"I'm sorry, Ava," I said softly, my arms tightening around her. "I never wanted it to be this way. I never wanted to hurt him... or you."

She looked up at me, her eyes meeting mine. "I know, Sehun. But we've made our choices, and we have to live with them."

I nodded, my heart aching at the truth in her words. We had made our choices, and now we were living with the consequences. The pain, the guilt, the loss of a dear friend... it was a heavy burden to bear.

But seeing Ava standing strong gave me hope. Even with the guilt and hurt, we could move forward. We could face the consequences of our actions and, hopefully, find some semblance of peace.

As we stood there, holding each other in the quiet of the forest, I felt a sense of resolve settle within me. We had hurt Sou, and we would have to live with that. But we also had each other, and maybe, just maybe, that would be enough. Although, I had also betrayed Ava, who I claimed to love, by sleeping with Sou. I was the worst.

I pulled away slightly, looking down at Ava. "I should tell you something," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. 

Ava looked up at me, her eyes filled with confusion. "What is it, Sehun?"

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding in my chest. "Before he asked me whether or not we were together... I was with Sou," I confessed, the truth hanging heavy in the air between us.

Her eyes widened, a mix of surprise and hurt flashing across her face. "You... you were?"

I nodded, not able to meet her gaze. "Yes. I... I'm the worst."

Ava was silent for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she pulled away from me, her eyes welling up with tears.

"I... I need some time to think," she said, her voice barely a whisper. Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in the forest.

As I watched her go, a wave of regret washed over me. I had hurt the two people I cared about the most, and now I was left with nothing but guilt and a broken heart.

I sighed and continued on my way. Maybe this is what I deserved, as a two timing prince.

My eyes widened as I saw Ava again. She has stopped for me. Was she going to scream at me now?

"Did you enjoy it?"

Her question caught me off guard. I looked at her, confusion written all over my face. "Did I enjoy what?" I asked, my voice shaky.

"Sleeping with Sou... Did you enjoy it?" Her voice was cold, a stark contrast to the tears that were still evident in her eyes.

I sucked in a breath, the weight of her words hitting me like a punch to the gut. I didn't know how to respond, didn't know what to say to make things right. But I knew I owed her honesty.

"I... I didn't enjoy the deceit," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I thought... That by sleeping with him, that I could make things right."

She was silent for a moment, keeping her gaze away from me. Then, without another word, she turned and walked away... again.

I watched her go, her question echoing in my mind. Did I enjoy it? I wanted to say that I did, but I also enjoyed being with her.

As Ava disappeared from view, I turned around and began the slow walk home. My heart was heavy with regret and guilt, and each step seemed to echo the rhythm of my sorrow. There was no one to blame but myself. I was more of a slut than a prince.

When I reached the front door of my home, a familiar face appeared. "Sehun!" a voice called out. It was Shika, my younger sister, her face lighting up when she saw me. 

"Hey, Shika," I said, managing to muster a weak smile for her.

She frowned, looking at me with her thoughtful eyes. "What's wrong, Sehun? You don't look so good."

I sighed, leaning against the door. "Just had a rough day, Shika," I said, running a hand through my hair.

"Did you have a fight with your friends?" she asked, her eyes filled with concern.

I hesitated, then nodded. "Something like that, Shika."

She walked towards me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It's okay, Sehun. Friends fight sometimes, but they always find a way to make up."

I chuckled, a sad, empty sound. "I hope you're right, Shika."

I walked past her, heading inside. As I closed the door behind me, I couldn't help but wish things were as simple as Shika made them out to be.

Shika ran up to me. "Don't look so sad, big bro!" She wrapped her arms around me, holding me tightly.

I couldn't help but smile, despite the turmoil inside me. Shika had always been the ray of sunshine in our family, her energy and optimism infectious. 

"Thanks, Shika," I said, turning around to return her hug. I ruffled her hair affectionately. "I'll try not to."

She pulled away, her eyes filled with determination. "Good, because I don't like seeing my big brother upset."

I chuckled lightly, "I know, Shika. I know."

Her concern, her care, was a balm to my aching heart. Despite the mess I had made, I knew I had a support system in my family. And right now, I needed that more than anything else. 

"Let's go and eat," I suggested, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "What would you like?"

Shika's face lit up at my suggestion, her previous worries momentarily forgotten. "Can we have pancakes? With lots of syrup?" she asked, looking up at me with hopeful eyes.

I chuckled, shaking my head at her enthusiasm. It was lunch time and she wanted breakfast. "Sure, why not?" I said, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Pancakes it is."

As we headed towards the kitchen, I could feel a small part of my weight lifted off my shoulders. Despite the mess I'd created, I still had a Shika to support me in this storm. For that, I was thankful to the gods.