Chapter 238: I Can Feel Your Heart, Hanging In The Air

[FROLO]

At breakfast, Katya shattered Alek’s heart again.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Alek asked as he looked at his boyfriend.

They had been going strong for these months. It was like a fresh light into their relationship, and while it had been a bit hard for Alek to cope, he had done his very best to be the best partner.

Katya didn’t say a word.

"If this is about last night, you don’t have to come. I’ll find an excuse for the organizers and donate in your name," Alek practically begged.

This man was a politician.

A very powerful man in the city who had people at his beck and call, yet reaching Katya Romanov was the one thing that no amount of loving and leading had ever gotten him.

Especially after the courtroom hearing months ago.

"It’s the only way. Besides, I’ll be done with the project faster and come back to you. That way you don’t have to worry about anything," Katya reasoned, but Alek saw through the bullshit.

It was like the omega was handing him a mirror, and he didn’t know what to make of it because at this point, it wasn’t surprising.

"Is it that difficult to be around me anymore?" Alek asked quietly, his bitter scent filling the breakfast table again.

And Katya wanted to reach out.

To comfort him, but just like last night, he knew nothing he said would make it better.

"Alek..."

"I won’t bother you while working. I’ll stay away. Just... I barely get to see you, yet you spend your nights and days at home. What if you go to your penthouse again? Will... Will I ever see you again?" the alpha asked, his lips trembling.

He had tried to be understanding.

To make things better. He had explained things even when it wasn’t his fault. He really gave it everything and now...

Now, Katya was leaving.

And Alek was right. It had been hard enough seeing Katya on a normal day, despite the man coming home to him every day and night.

So, what if he went back to his penthouse then?

How long would it take?

"It’s only for two weeks. I’ll be back as soon as I can," Katya lied.

The project wasn’t even halfway. But he hated seeing Alek suffering because of him.

Maybe if he put some distance between them, the alpha wouldn’t suffer as much.

Maybe he wouldn’t feel like he was slowly losing the senator. It wasn’t fair, and Katya understood it, but what other option was there for him?

"Am I a burden to you?" Alek asked, and at that, Katya froze.

"What?"

"You never spend time with me. You’re always busy, and each time I complain, you pull away... Do you not love me anymore?" the alpha asked, and Katya felt his entire system pause.

Was that what Alek saw?

His not being loved enough?

His not being given attention?

Funny thing was that Katya couldn’t even defend himself and say he’d been giving the alpha attention. He couldn’t.

"Alek..."

"Is this your way of breaking up with me?" the alpha added defeatedly.

He was tired.

Tired of waiting. Of walking on glass around Katya. It would have honestly been much easier if Katya were cheating on him because then he would have a valid reason to be angry and irrational.

But Katya wasn’t.

He was married to his work.

It was like the courtroom verdict had introduced a part of him that neither of them knew. And Alek got those parts. All of them.

"Why would you say that?" Katya wondered in earnest, even though it felt like something else was going on. Could he be honest with the alpha enough?

"Come on, little rose... don’t make me spell it out for you. That would be too cruel," Alek laughed as he wiped a stray tear from his face. Katya was sitting right opposite him at the breakfast table, and gods, it hurt more than anything.

"I’m not breaking up with you. You’re the only one I want to spend my life with. I know it doesn’t seem like it because of work, but there’s no universe where you’d ever be a burden to me. I love you," Katya said, and Alek stared at him in defeat.

Things were not exactly going well for them, and it hurt that Katya still stuck to love when Alek was lonely. All Alek wanted was his partner, and Katya wasn’t even giving him that.

"I feel like I’m not getting all of you. Like you’re giving your best pieces out there, and all I get is the tired chairman who won’t even kiss me in the morning, and when we go to bed.

"A chairman who cares more for logistics than my feelings. Anytime I try to get close, you always have a report on your face or a meeting you need to chair. It’s—" Alek ranted, and Katya’s phone rang.

"It’s the lab," Katya said, showing Alek the contact on his phone.

"Of course, Mr. Chairman, don’t let me be the reason between you and your precious company. I lost my appetite," Alek said as he walked out of the dining room.

This time, Katya didn’t let him.

"Alek, wait," he called out, rushing to stand between the alpha and their bedroom door.

"Wait, please," he begged, and Alek scoffed.

"Don’t you have work to do? Don’t let me keep you," Alek said, pushing open the door.

Katya tried to release his calming omega pheromones, but it didn’t work.

The alpha was upset.

And he had every right to be.

"Cancel all my appointments today, I’m not coming in," Katya said into the phone before he followed Alek into their bedroom, only for the door to be shut in his face.

"Your employees need you, Chairman Romanov. Don’t skip work on my account," Alek shouted, his voice muffled, and Katya felt his heart sink into his stomach.

He was cruel.

Gods, he was being cruel to Alek.

"Alek, please..." Katya pleaded as he heard shuffling in the room.

"I’m going to work too. The Senate has things that need to be sorted. You staying home won’t make a difference. It’s better to be with your team than stay here alone," he shouted angrily, and Katya sighed.

"Ale—" Katya tried a few times, and then one time the door opened, and the senator walked past him, not even giving him any attention.

"If you’re skipping work, that’s on you. There’s food in the kitchen if you’re hungry. The staff will get it for you. Call me if anything happens. I’m off to work," Alek said while Katya followed him.

The alpha kissed Katya’s forehead lovingly before he walked to his car and drove off, leaving Katya standing in the doorway, not sure what the hell he was supposed to do.

Sighing, Katya called his friends.

"You can’t be serious, Romanov. You’re emotionally distant with that man," Svet scolded, and Katya groaned.

"I’m not cheating on him!" he defended.

"You’re not giving him any attention either. Your boyfriend is lonely in your relationship," Andre added, making Katya groan again.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Katya sighed.

"Tell us the truth, Romanov... that Seventeenth, if the barbarian asks you to stay with him, would you?" Svet asked, and Katya didn’t even think about it.

"It’s the hardest day of his life every year. He’ll need a friend."

"Do you love him?" Andre challenged.

"We’re friends... Right?"

"Spare both you and Alek the heartache and decide, my friend," Svet said before hanging up.