[BL] CRAVING HIM: Addicted to His Voice-Chapter 314: The Father Who Abandoned Him

~Evric’s POV~

"I don’t understand anymore," she confessed, looking utterly lost. "If I love a woman or a man."

Then she looked up at me, her eyes pleading for answers. "Is it possible I love both together?"

I took her hand, offering a firm, brotherly grip. "I understand this is confusing, Nuala. It’s perfectly normal to feel lost when your heart is pulled in different directions."

"You are questioning whether you love women or men, or both. This is simply your heart telling you that love isn’t restricted by a label."

"But when it comes to choosing a partner, you must look beyond the initial spark. That is what leads to confusion."

I gave her my core truth. "I love Zayn because he is my anchor. I choose him not just because he is a man, but because he is the person I cannot live without."

"Even when things are overwhelming, even when I want to escape, the answer is always him. That deep, permanent reason is what you must find."

"I am not going to judge you. I will never tell you which gender to choose. That path is entirely yours to walk."

"But I will tell you this: Be fair to the person you are currently with. Don’t use them as a placeholder while you explore a new curiosity."

"If you need time to sort out your feelings, take it. Step back. You owe it to yourself to be honest about where your heart truly belongs."

"Don’t break a strong connection because a new one feels shiny and easy. Find out which love is sustainable, which person makes you want to be better, and which person is worth fighting for."

"Your happiness is non-negotiable, Nuala. But the decision must come from a place of clarity, not conflict."

Nuala absorbed my words, her eyes searching mine. The tension in her shoulders seemed to ease slightly.

"So, what should I do about... her?" she finally asked, her voice barely a whisper, referring to the woman she was seeing.

"You need to be honest," I advised gently. "Not just with her, but with yourself. Continuing to date her while you’re exploring feelings for someone else is only going to cause pain."

"Take a step back. Tell her you need time to figure out where you stand, whether it’s the person or the feeling you’re confused about."

"And the man?"

"Don’t rush that either," I said firmly. "That initial rush of a new attraction is powerful, but it’s not love. It’s just novelty."

I offered a slight smile. "You need to figure out who gives you stability, who makes your life feel fuller, and who you miss most when they’re gone."

"No one can answer that but you, Nuala. You need quiet to listen to your own heart."

She nodded, finally letting go of my hand. Her eyes were bright. "Thank you, Evric. You’re the sweetest brother ever. This is exactly what I needed to hear."

"Anytime, sis," I said, leaning over to kiss her forehead. "Now, let’s clear this mess out of my desk. I need to start working if I want to finish early."

"Why finish early?" she challenged immediately.

I was about to speak when she interrupted, teasing, "Oh, because you need to meet your man after work?"

"Exactly," I replied, without shame.

"Please, give him breathing space! Didn’t you just leave him not even an hour ago?"

I chuckled, gathering the plates. "Yes... my man isn’t complaining. He wants me beside him just as much as I want him beside me, every single time."

"Oh, I have heard you," she teased, cleaning up the table.

We spent a few minutes tidying up.

Then, I asked a question that had been lingering in my mind. "Is it possible you know who Chrisly is dating?"

Nuala shook her head. "I don’t think Chrisly is dating anyone. He mostly focuses on the tasks Father gives him."

"Okay," I said, filing that information away.

After a little while longer, Nuala announced she was leaving.

"Okay," I said, rising to walk her to the door.

She hugged me tightly, a final, grateful gesture, and walked toward the door.

Just as the door closed behind her, James stepped inside to inform me of a guest.

"Sir, someone is looking for you," James said, looking slightly flustered.

"Who is it?" I asked, settling back behind my desk.

James responds "The person said he will only speak when he meets you, sir."

"Let the person come in, then." I motioned for him to open the door.

The person stepped inside. He was a man in his early fifties, finely dressed in a bespoke suit that screamed old money and success. His silver hair was neatly trimmed, and his posture was impeccably straight. He was undeniably handsome, refined, and completely out of place in my office. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Recognition hit me at once. His face, every detail, was far too familiar to be mistaken, but I acted naturally, as if his identity wasn’t immediately obvious.

He wasn’t alone; a younger man, likely his assistant, stood just behind him.

I stood up from my desk and greeted him with professional respect. "Good afternoon."

"Afternoon," he replied, his voice smooth and deep.

I gestured toward the seating area. "Please, have a seat."

He moved to the chair, then instructed his companion. "Step outside for a moment, please."

The assistant bowed discreetly and closed the door, leaving just the two of us in the quiet office.

He didn’t speak immediately. He just stared at me for a long moment, a critical yet calculating look in his eyes.

Finally, he broke the silence. "I know you must be wondering who I am, or perhaps you’ve already recognized me."

He leaned back against the chair, fingers steepled. Then, with a calm, deliberate tone, he said, "Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Hudson Smith. I am Zayn’s biological father."

I listened, maintaining a polite facade. "Nice to meet you, sir."

He raised a manicured hand, cutting off further pleasantries. "I will go straight to the point, so as not to waste your valuable time."

"I’ve come to beg you to help me arrange a meeting with my son."

I couldn’t help it. A dry chuckle escaped my throat. I stared at him, my disbelief overwhelming my manners.

"Your what, sir?" I asked again, the disbelief heavy in my voice.

Hudson Smith didn’t flinch at my disrespect. He simply raised an eyebrow, a gesture of mild annoyance, not anger.

"My son, Evric," he repeated, articulating the word as if I were slow to grasp it. "Zayn."

I sat back, crossing my arms over my chest. The chuckle died instantly, replaced by cold fury. "I just needed to confirm the word choice. You used the term ’my son’ for a man you haven’t spoken to in over a decade."

"You haven’t sent a card, a phone call, or a single message since. Now you walk into my office and demand an arrangement to meet him?"

Hudson remained perfectly still. "I am not demanding anything, Evric. I am requesting your assistance. That is precisely why I am here," he countered, regaining his composure. "Time has passed. I have rectified certain matters in my life, and I wish to rectify this one."

"And you think asking his boyfriend to act as your intermediary is the ’rectified’ path?"

He ignored the hostility. "I saw the recent profiles on his new restaurant opening. He has done remarkably well. I am very proud."

"Proud?" I scoffed softly. "Pride usually involves showing up, Mr. Smith. It usually involves being present for the last how many years?"

"I am aware of my failings," he admitted, his tone practiced. "But I wish to move past them. I want to build a relationship with Zayn and...