Henry's eyes, wide with disbelief, darted between Caleb's hand, the wedding ring gleaming under the warm light, and Asher's arms wrapped securely around him.
Caleb did not flinch. His face remained calm, unreadable.
Henry's voice cracked when he finally managed to speak. "You married him?"
Asher straightened, his hand never leaving Caleb's waist, his expression cold and steady. "Son," he greeted flatly. "Come inside."
Henry staggered back a step, like the words had physically struck him. His throat tightened, his eyes flicking from his father to Caleb. "Dad… how could you?"
Asher's jaw tensed, his voice low and measured. "I did not do this to hurt you. Please son, can we talk for a minute."
Henry's laugh was sharp and bitter. "Talk for a minute? About what exactly?"
"Just come in and we will sort this out," Asher replied, his tone quiet but firm. "I am still your father."
Henry scoffed, his expression twisting with pain. "Oh, you still remember that part… huh?"
Father and son stood locked in each other's gaze. The silence in the room grew heavy, suffocating.
Henry licked his lips, his voice cracking as he spoke. "It is fine. I will leave and—"
"You will not," Asher interrupted, stepping forward, his hand reaching for Henry, but Henry stepped back quickly, avoiding his touch. His eyes turned to Caleb, standing frozen, watching them both.
"There are many ways you could have hurt me," Henry's voice trembled, his eyes glistening. "But this… this is the worst."
Caleb's eyes remained steady, his face unreadable.
"You know how much I loved you," Henry's voice faltered, breaking apart with emotion. "I… I know I messed up." His fist clenched, his jaw tightening as he turned away to leave.
Caleb tilted his head slightly, his voice cool. "I am sorry."
Henry's fists clenched at his sides as he stopped. His voice came shaky but sharp. "This… this is revenge. I do not deserve this."
Asher's voice cut through the tension, deep and commanding. "Henry, you have to listen to me."
Henry's lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. His stare shifted to Caleb, searching his face for any trace of the boy who once showed him undying love.
His chest heaved. "Always know that I love you."
Caleb's eyes softened, but his words stayed firm. "You will never understand what I feel for him. You threw that privilege away the day you let Jaden back into your bed."
Henry's face fell, pain flashing in his eyes. Without another word, he stormed out, the door slamming hard enough to rattle the frame. Moments later, the sound of his car speeding off faded into the night.
---
Later That Night
Asher poured whiskey into two glasses, sliding one toward Caleb. His expression was unreadable as he spoke. "That went as badly as expected."
Caleb took a sip, his hands trembling faintly now that the storm had passed. "I thought I was ready to face him."
"You were," Asher replied softly, reaching across the counter to trace his knuckles along Caleb's wrist. "Besides, he is my son."
Caleb exhaled shakily, closing his eyes for a moment. "I did not want it to feel like this."
Asher moved closer, his hand cupping Caleb's chin gently. "I saw it in his eyes. He truly loves you."
Asher's hand smoothed across Caleb's face, steady and sure. "Do not worry. He will come around."
They remained locked in each other's gaze, the room quiet except for the faint hum of the night.
---
The Next Day
The front door swung open suddenly as Derek barged in, his face tense with urgency. Caleb walked into the living room, startled to see him.
"You are trending," Derek announced, holding out his phone. "And not in a good way."
Caleb frowned, setting his coffee down as he took the phone from Derek. "Trending?" he repeated, confusion clear on his face.
His eyes scanned the screen, reading aloud. "Ex's Dad or New Love?" A photo of him and Asher filled the screen. His expression darkened. "This is Henry's account."
Derek nodded, crossing his arms. "And bro, this is going viral."
Caleb's face paled. "Why would he do such a thing?" His hands trembled slightly as he gave the phone back.
"I wonder how he got this," Derek replied, pacing the floor, his face clouded with worry. "This is not good at all."
Caleb groaned, pressing his fingers to his temple. "Henry."
"It gets better," Derek added sarcastically, dropping onto the sofa. "Henry is playing the heartbroken ex. Crying victim. Selling lies."
Caleb's expression hardened, anger simmering beneath his calm facade. "He broke mine. With our friend, Derek. You know that."
Derek's face softened, a quiet worry beneath his words. "I know. But the internet does not care about facts."
Just then, Asher walked in, his suit immaculate, but his eyes dark and sharp. "I saw it," he said simply, walking toward Caleb.
Caleb looked up at him, his expression clouded with concern. "This is going to ruin you."
Asher shrugged faintly, his voice calm. "I know. All I ever did was for him. To give him a life I never had." His gaze dropped for a moment, his voice heavier. "He can destroy it if he wants."
Derek scoffed bitterly. "And you will do nothing? This can destroy everything. The empire you built for years."
Asher's hand settled gently on Caleb's shoulder. "He is my son."
Derek's eyes narrowed, his tone biting. "Coming from a Mafia lord. All I care about is the reputation of my friend." His stare shifted to Caleb. "We suffered too much to throw it all in the mud."
Derek stormed out, leaving the tension behind him.
Caleb watched Derek disappear, his eyes turning back to Asher. "I do not want to be your scandal," Caleb admitted quietly.
"You are not," Asher replied, pouring himself a glass of wine. "You are my husband."
Caleb smiled faintly, though worry lingered behind his eyes. "But this…"
"This means nothing," Asher interrupted firmly, stepping closer. "It cannot destroy what we have together."
Before Caleb could respond, his phone buzzed on the counter.
A message from an unknown number flashed across the screen: We are not done, Caleb. Next will be in your WhatsApp. Henry.
Caleb's heart raced as he unlocked his phone, opening WhatsApp. A new message from Henry appeared with a video attached.
Caleb's blood ran cold as he clicked it. His own face appeared on the screen, tangled in bed with Henry, moments of raw intimacy captured without his consent.
His hands shook as he stepped back in shock.
Asher snatched the phone from Caleb, reading the message, his eyes darkening with protective fury. "He cannot do this," Asher growled, his jaw clenched tight.
Without hesitation, Asher stormed toward the door, rage simmering beneath his composed exterior.
"Asher, wait," Caleb called after him, hurrying to stop him, fear twisting in his chest as they both rushed out into the daylight.