CHAPTER 125: CHAPTER 125 DRAVEN LETTER

After the consolation, Xylander excused himself and went away. Alexander advised Daniel to give him some space—he needed time to heal after all, especially from such brutal news.

"Can’t I at least be by his side? He must be suffering so much," Daniel asked worriedly, but Alex only smiled faintly.

"He understands your feelings, Daniel. Think of this as helping him clear his head."

Clear his head... That reminded Alex of something else. Didn’t Daniel once mention wanting to learn how to handle a gun? If that was what he wanted, Alexander was more than willing to teach him. The idea that Daniel was finally showing interest in his dark world thrilled him—it was exciting in a way he couldn’t deny. No matter what Xylander said about keeping Daniel out of their mess, Alex knew it was useless. Leaving Daniel out was never going to work.

"About the gun practice, we can use one of the rooms as a training ground," Alex suggested, but Daniel’s mind had already drifted elsewhere.

Draven.

He was supposed to ask for help for Draven, yet he’d let himself get distracted. Although what he was doing now was important, guilt still pricked at him.

"Crap... I was supposed to seek help for Draven. He’s been acting strange, and something tells me it’s about his personal life. Can you help me find out what’s wrong?" Daniel muttered, trying to gather his thoughts.

They were supposed to leave soon—outside New York City—to escape Matt. But Daniel didn’t want that to happen without Draven. That was one reason he hadn’t agreed to the plan yet. And his revenge... yes, he was pregnant, but running away felt like abandoning his purpose.

Meanwhile, Adrian Valez was still enjoying his stay in the cell. To him, that motherfucker hadn’t gotten what he deserved yet. And Maxine? Let’s be real—he was glad that annoying woman was gone. At least one less pest to deal with. He couldn’t let Xylander know he was happy about her death, though. In a way, Adrian thought he’d done him a favor by getting rid of her.

"Draven... something’s definitely up with him," Alexander said thoughtfully. "And you know who might help? His friend—the one locked up in the Golden Palace."

Daniel’s attention snapped to him immediately.

"What! Why didn’t you say anything all this while? We could’ve gone there!" Daniel scolded, but Alex only gave a dark grin.

"Because, Daniel, I never wanted you to leave this place again. It’s for your safety. I got that information from Xylander’s phone," Alexander said calmly.

That made Daniel’s frown deepen. Here it goes again, he thought bitterly. Treating him like some helpless damsel in distress—something he hated more than anything.

"Do you expect me to just sit here and watch Draven wither away? I can’t, Alexander—you know me better than that." Daniel’s voice was sharp, his eyes firm.

Alex didn’t reply. He just turned and walked away, leaving Daniel more aggravated.

Alexander could be so annoying sometimes. Why can’t he just let me do what I want? It’s not that hard...

Just a day before the honeymoon ended, Daniel could feel his peace of mind slipping away like a faded memory. He knew what he’d gotten himself into when he entered this relationship, but he never imagined things would unravel like this. The pregnancy alone would expose him as a male omega—something that society never took lightly. Especially among toxic males who believed breeding was a woman’s duty. Male omegas were treated as abominations.

Silently following Alex, Daniel stopped when he reached the sitting room. Alexander was there with Xylander, who was staring at a paper with a conflicted look.

"What is it this time? Don’t tell me—it’s another disaster," Daniel questioned, eyeing the dark expressions on their faces.

"Xylander, I didn’t take you for a liar," Daniel snapped suddenly. "Telling me that secret earlier was supposed to make our relationship honest—not built on lies and deception. But here you are, hiding something again."

Alexander, realizing Xylander couldn’t handle this right now, stepped in.

"Draven wrote a letter," he said slowly. "To all of us—but especially to you. He said he’s leaving and won’t be back until his school issues are sorted out."

Daniel froze. His heart dropped so hard it almost stopped. He swayed, and Xylander quickly caught him before he fell.

No. Draven wouldn’t just leave like that. Something’s wrong.

He remembered the night at his mansion—Draven didn’t want to leave then. He begged him to stay. So why now? Why suddenly disappear when he finally had the chance to stay close? It made no sense.

"Show me the letter," Daniel demanded. "I don’t believe you. This is another lie to make me move on from him!"

Xylander, who had been painfully quiet all morning, finally handed him the paper with an outstretched hand.

"See for yourself. Then maybe you’ll come to your senses. Draven will be tracked down and brought back—you need him, especially now that you’re carrying his child. My decision is final. Tomorrow morning, we move."

Daniel’s knees almost gave out. Was this really the way it had to be?

He opened the letter and read it slowly.

Dear Daniel, my sunshine and light,

If you’re reading this, it means I’ve gone far away.

I’m sorry, but my education has caught up with me. If I don’t go now, I’ll have to repeat the year—and I don’t want that.

Don’t worry about me. I know you care, and you’re probably pacing around right now. But know that I’m fine. I’ll get through this, maybe with a miracle, but I’ll survive.

—Love, Draven 💛

Daniel’s hands trembled. School? He was barely catching up before. How was he supposed to pass? It didn’t make sense.

"Now that you’ve seen it, start packing. We leave tomorrow," Alexander said, but before he could walk away, Daniel grabbed his hand tightly.

"You’re still jealous of Draven, aren’t you? That’s why you’re acting like this—your emotions are all over the place. You don’t even care that he looked distant this morning!" Daniel shot back.

Alexander’s gaze drifted off into space. He couldn’t deny it. He wasn’t good with emotions, but jealousy—he knew that feeling. The moment Daniel’s pregnancy with Draven was revealed, it tore something inside him. The hatred, the anger—it had faded over time, but not enough to erase his longing. He wanted Daniel for Xylander and no one else.

"I can’t answer that, Daniel," Alexander finally muttered. Then, forcing a smile, he changed the subject. "But before we end the day—let’s do that gun practice."

He held Daniel’s hand gently and led him downstairs to one of the locked rooms on the lower floor. When he pushed the door open, a wave of dust and cobwebs greeted them. The air was thick and musty. Daniel sneezed, covering his nose, as Alex tossed him a gun.

"Show me what you’ve got, love," Alex said, standing dead-center at the bullseye’s mark.

"Shoot now." He winked.

Daniel’s hands trembled as he lifted the weapon. The cold metal against his skin made him shiver. In that instant, flashes of memories—pain, blood, and fear—rushed through his mind, overwhelming him.

Then—

Gbam!

The gun went off.

Daniel’s body jolted as the echo rang through the dusty room.

He had pulled the trigger.