Chapter 156: Fallen apart

Thomas stepped forward slightly, careful with his words. “Boss, I think they look tipsy.”

Alex didn’t respond. But his eyes flickered, just for a second.

Thomas continued gently, “It might be the alcohol.”

Thomas needed to talk because he had seen it, the way Lucas looked at Alex. The loyalty. The softness, that didn’t look fake. He believed what he was seeing had to be something else.

But Alex wasn’t listening anymore. The footage moved on.

That instant the guys he sent ahead reported that there was no sign of them.

Then the footage showed Nathan leading Lucas away.

Toward the room, the waiter pointed at them.

“Zoom that corridor,” Alex ordered.

They did as the two guys disappeared inside.

“Continue, show the room,” he ordered.

They clicked but it was static, just

black screen.

Alex’s expression darkened instantly. “Why is that camera blank?”

One of the guards leaned closer. “Looks like it’s been covered with something, if not then it's a technical fault.”

Alex’s patience snapped.

“Tell the men outside. Let them check that room. Now.”

Thomas placed a call immediately.

The voice came through.

“Boss… they’re in the room.”

Alex’s heart slammed once against his chest. “Report.”

A hesitation before one of the guys said, “They’re… on the bed. Sleeping together. I think they…”

“Shut up!” Alex roared, the sound echoing off the walls.

“Don’t say it.”

His hands went up to his head, ruffling his hair in frustration.

Silence stretched in the room.

His chest rose and fell, anger and something far more painful warring inside him.

“Check the camera,” he snapped.

“Damn, it was covered.” one of the guys reported.

“Remove what is blocking it.”

“On it sir.”

There was a brief shuffle. Then the screen flickered back to life.

And there they were. Lucas and Nathan lay on the bed, entangled beneath the sheets. Their chests were exposed and they looked too close and very intimate.

“Damn it… Lucas,” Alex’s voice broke, barely above a whisper. “What have you done? Do you really prefer him?”

No one spoke and no one moved.

“Should we wake them up?” one of the men asked carefully.

Alex let out a hollow, bitter laugh.

“What for?” His eyes never left the screen. “The deed is done.”

Each word felt like it cost him something. “Things have fallen apart. It’s over.”

The room fell into heavy silence.

Alex finally stepped back.

“Thomas.”

“Boss…”

“You and the others can leave.”

“But, boss…” Thomas started.

“I said leave.” Alex snapped.

Thomas hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, boss.”

One by one, they filed out.

Leaving Alex alone. The glow of the monitors reflected in his eyes, but they weren’t focused anymore.

They were empty.

He stood there for a second longer. Then turned. “Guys, thank you for helping.” He said to the guards and walked out of the security room. He was like a man carrying something too heavy to bear.

By the time he reached the hallway, the first tear slipped free.

Then another and another, but he didn’t stop walking, because if he did, he might completely break.

The noise of the party felt distant in that corner and muted, as it belonged to another world entirely.

Alex sat slouched in a chair, a half-empty bottle of liquor hanging loosely from his hand. His tie was undone, his shirt slightly unbuttoned, and his usually composed appearance was gone, replaced by something raw and breaking.

He tilted the bottle again, letting the alcohol burn down his throat as if it could wash away what he had seen.

It didn’t, it only made it clearer. The images of Lucas and Nathan.

His grip tightened then a shadow fell over him. “Hey, big bro,” Jason’s voice came, casual at first, but it quickly shifted when he took in Alex’s state. “Why are you sitting alone here? Are you alright?”

Alex let out a dry chuckle, not even looking up. “Of course, I’m alright.” He took another swig. “Why wouldn’t I be alright?”

Jason didn’t respond immediately. He knew that tone and that laugh. Something was more than wrong.

Without asking, he dragged a chair closer and sat opposite him, leaning forward slightly.

“Bro… what’s going on?” His eyes scanned the surroundings instinctively. “And where is Lucas?”

That did it as Alex let out a bitter laugh, finally lifting his gaze, but there was no warmth in it.

“Lucas?” he repeated, almost mockingly. “Oh… he’s having fun somewhere cozy.”

A pause. His lips curled faintly. “With his bestie.”

Jason frowned. “What do you mean by that? Which bestie are you talking about?”

For a moment, Alex said nothing.

Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and unlocked it with unsteady fingers.

He turned the screen toward Jason. “See for yourself.”

Jason leaned in and froze.

The picture was too clear. Lucas and Nathan are kissing each other.

Not something that could be mistaken. Not something that could be explained away easily.

Jason’s brows drew together in disbelief as he stared at it longer than he should have.

“That’s…” he swallowed. “That’s not…”

Alex let out a hollow laugh, cutting him off. “That’s what I saw,” he said, voice low and strained. “From the security footage.” His grip on the bottle tightened again. “And that wasn’t even the end of it.”

Jason slowly looked up at him.

“They went further,” Alex added, his voice rougher now. “They ended up in some room on a cozy bed. They were sleeping soundly entangled with each other under the sheets without clothes on.” The words sounded like it was forced out of Alex.

Silence fell between them.

Jason leaned back slightly, running a hand through his hair, clearly shaken.

“What?” he muttered under his breath, glancing back at the phone as if it might somehow change. “I… I can’t believe this.”

He looked back at Alex quickly.

“Lucas wouldn’t just betray you like that. That doesn’t make sense.” His voice grew more urgent. “Maybe something was wrong. What if he was drugged again?”

It sounded weak even to his own ears, but he held onto it anyway.

Because the alternative didn’t sit right.

Alex shook his head slowly, a humorless smile touching his lips.

“No,” he said quietly. “I think… he’s been holding onto feelings for Nathan.”

Jason stilled.

Alex’s gaze dropped to the bottle in his hand. “Three days ago,” he continued, voice softer now, almost distant, “when Nathan called to say he was coming to town… Lucas was so excited.” A small, broken chuckle slipped out. “I noticed it. But it never crossed my mind that they were this close.”

He inhaled deeply, like he was trying to steady something inside him that refused to stay still.

“The most annoying part,” he added, voice cracking just slightly, “is that I don’t think I can let him go.”

Jason’s expression softened.

Alex finally looked up at him again and this time, the pain was unmistakable.

“I love him so much, Jason,” he admitted, the words heavy, almost forced out. “It feels like my heart is going to explode with pain.” Tears threatened to spill.

Jason said, “Oh dear, this is very bad.”