บททั้งหมดของ His Name Was Never Mine: บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 60

August waited until Sebastian was distracted with a meeting before slipping out.No warning, no message just his coat, the envelope, and a quiet exit down the back stairs of the townhouse.He couldn’t keep circling the same arguments. Sebastian pointed at Ash, Ash pointed at Sebastian, and neither would admit to more than half the truth. If he wanted answers, he had to dig for them himself.And that meant going back to Miles.The print shop was quieter than usual when he arrived, the faint hum of a printer the only sound in the back room. Miles was at his workstation, but when he looked up and saw August, his smile faltered.“Hey,” August said, trying to sound casual. “Got a minute?Miles shifted in his chair. “Uh… not a great time.“It’s important,” August pressed, stepping inside. “You were going to keep looking into that photo, right? See if you could trace it?Miles hesitated, eyes flicking to the door as if checking whether they were alone. “Yeah, about that… I can’t.August frow

The cafe Ash had chosen was nearly empty, tucked away on a side street where no one would think to look for them. The only light came from the low hanging bulbs over the counter, casting warm pools of gold onto the scratched wooden tables.August kept his coat zipped, more from nerves than cold. He didn’t like meeting Ash like this, behind Sebastian’s back, but curiosity and the missing envelope had driven him here.Ash was already seated when he arrived, his phone face down on the table, a mug of untouched coffee in front of him. He smiled faintly as August slid into the booth across from him.“You came,” Ash said, as if he’d doubted it.“You said you had proof.Ash’s smile faded. He reached under the table, pulled out a slim black folder, and slid it across. “Before you look, I want you to understand this isn’t just about you. This is about the people Sebastian runs with. The people who have their hooks in him.August didn’t reply. He opened the folder.Inside were glossy photos gra

The sunlight was soft when August stirred awake, cutting thin lines across the sheets. His head rested on Sebastian’s shoulder, and for a moment, the world outside didn’t exist no envelopes, no accusations, no invisible threats circling their lives. Just warmth, the steady rhythm of Sebastian’s breathing, and the faint smell of coffee drifting from downstairs.“You’re awake,” Sebastian murmured, his voice still heavy with sleep.“Barely,August said with a faint smile. He shifted closer, pressing his face against Sebastian’s chest. “I don’t want to get up.“Then don’t,” Sebastian replied simply, his hand sliding lazily down August’s back.It was easy, too easy, to stay like this. And yet, beneath the calm, August felt that gnawing whisper of reality creeping in. Their moment might be perfect, but everything outside the door was still messy and unresolved.By late morning, August was sitting at the kitchen counter, nursing his second cup of coffee. Sebastian moved around the stove with

The rain hadn’t stopped since dawn, streaking the windows with silver lines that blurred the city beyond. August sat on the edge of the couch, hunched forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped so tightly his knuckles had turned white. He didn’t even realize how hard he was gripping until Sebastian gently pried his fingers apart.“Hey,” Sebastian murmured, crouching in front of him. “You’ve been quiet all morning.August forced a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Just thinking.It was a lie. Thinking was too calm a word for the storm of doubts spinning in his head. Last night had left him rattled not because of what Ash had done, but because of how convincing Ash had been when he denied everything.He knows I want to believe him, August thought bitterly. And he’s using that.Sebastian studied him for a moment, his dark hair falling over his brow, the faintest shadow of stubble along his jaw. “Thinking about Ash?August’s gaze darted away. “I don’t… know what to think anymor

August didn’t remember falling asleep, only the way Sebastian’s hand had been draped over his waist like it belonged there. The morning light was spilling through the thin curtains now, catching on the messy strands of Sebastian’s hair. For a moment, August stayed still, letting himself simply watch because in moments like this, there were no questions, no accusations, no fear. Just the steady rhythm of someone else breathing beside him.Sebastian stirred, mumbling something half formed before blinking at August with that soft, sleepy smile.“Morning,” Sebastian murmured. His voice was still rough with sleep.“Morning,” August replied, feeling the familiar flutter in his chest that always came with that smile.Sebastian’s thumb traced lazy circles on August’s hip. “You were shivering last night,” he said, concern tugging at his tone. “Are you feeling alright?“I’m fine,” August said quickly, though the warmth in his voice gave him away. “You… stayed.“I told you I would.” Sebastian le