Unwritten Fate [BL]-Chapter 141: Steps Toward the Unknown

The house lay wrapped in a deep, perfect silence.

No footsteps echoed through the hallways.

No voices stirred the stillness.

Even the familiar hum of the refrigerator downstairs seemed faint, as though muffled by the thick night.

Billy’s eyes fluttered open slowly. He hadn’t truly slept. Not in the way that refreshes or heals. Instead, he had drifted — caught somewhere between wakefulness and dreams, where memories tangled with shadows.

A soft breeze slipped through the crack of the half-open window, tugging at the edge of the curtain. It whispered a quiet song — the same song he remembered from the lake, the night before he left. A fragile thread weaving past and present together.

He shifted, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. The cool wood floor met his bare feet, anchoring him in the moment, steadying his breath.

His gaze fell to the window, to the city below, where lights twinkled like a sea of distant stars spilled onto streets and rooftops, endless and soft. Yet his eyes lifted beyond the urban glow, searching the sky.

Above, the night clung faintly clear, holding just a handful of real stars — brave specks pushing through the haze, refusing to disappear.

Billy leaned into the window frame, folding his arms loosely, his forehead resting gently against the cool glass. His breath came out slow, fogging the pane in a fragile mist.

No words escaped, only a whispered thought, barely audible:

"You’re probably asleep."

A faint smile tugged at his lips, fragile but genuine, shadowed with longing he wouldn’t name.

"But I miss you. I really do."

The silence answered, vast and still. No reply came, no flicker beyond the glass. Only one steadfast star blinked, as if it understood.

Billy lingered at the window a while longer. Not waiting for anything. Not hoping. Just existing — breathing in the quiet night, letting it settle inside him.

When he finally stepped back and drew the curtain closed, the ache within hadn’t vanished. It had softened, faded into a quieter place, a hollow softened by time and presence.

He pulled the blanket close around his shoulders as he lay back down. Shadows from the city lights traced gentle patterns across the ceiling — a slow dance of light and dark.

His fingers found the edge of a sketchbook lying near the bed. Inside, carefully tucked beneath the pages, was a drawing — Artur by the lake, serene and still, framed by trees and water.

Billy’s touch was gentle as he brushed his thumb over the delicate lines. A part of him clung tightly to this piece of the past. Another part dared to let go — just enough to breathe.

Outside, the world turned softly beneath the stars, carrying the quiet pulse of life onward.

And for the first time in many nights, Billy closed his eyes not to escape or forget, but to rest.

Morning came slow and tender. The first light stretched through the blinds, golden fingers splaying across the walls. Outside, the city began to wake — faint birdsong, distant traffic, the steady hum of a new day stirring.

Billy’s eyes opened again, softly, lingering in the quiet stillness. He did not rise immediately. Instead, he lay wrapped in warmth, allowing the light to find him.

His gaze fluttered closed and open, like a sailor steadying his course after a long storm. Not out of fear. Not urgency. Simply readiness.

At last, he swung his legs over the bed’s edge and rose, moving deliberately as he stepped through the morning rituals — brushing his teeth, splashing cool water over his face. Each action tethered him firmly to the here and now.

His reflection caught his attention in the mirror. Same eyes, yet they held something new — not a return to who he’d been before, but a quiet strength carved from hardship and healing.

He ran a towel along his jaw and glanced toward the sketchbook resting on the desk. A small, genuine smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

Downstairs, the soft clinking of cutlery and the scent of eggs with butter toasted the air. Camila sat at the kitchen table, hair pulled up in a messy bun, scrolling through her phone but alert to every sound.

A steaming mug sat beside her, warmth rising in gentle spirals.

Their mother moved quietly nearby, humming softly as she adjusted the stove’s flame, filling the space with calm.

Billy entered with measured steps — his presence quiet, yet drawing attention immediately.

Camila’s eyes lifted, warm and teasing. "Hey, sleepyhead. You alright?"

Billy nodded, sliding into a chair with a slow breath. "Yeah... just taking it slow."

She pushed a plate toward him, her smile gentle but full of sisterly mischief. "Those slow mornings are the best."

Their mother glanced over her shoulder, voice soft but steady. "Big day for you."

Billy met her gaze, feeling the weight beneath her words. It pressed lightly but did not overwhelm.

"Yeah," he said quietly.

She returned to her tea, adding, "We called Dr. Harris already. He’ll be expecting you."

Camila reached out, fingers brushing his arm in a silent promise. "You ready?"

Billy paused just a heartbeat before giving a small, assured nod. "I think so."

The three of them settled into a comfortable silence — together but wrapped in their own thoughts. No one rushed. No words filled the quiet. Just stillness that held them gently.

Billy moved back toward the window, shirt half-buttoned, sleeves rolled casually. The sunlight now poured in steadily, bathing the room in warmth as the city below stirred fully awake.

He let his eyes roam over the fragments of his life scattered around — a stack of old piano scores resting near the bookshelf, a faded photograph tucked between well-worn spines, the drawing of Artur, still pressed carefully beneath his sketchpad.

Crossing the room, he picked up the sketchbook one last time, tracing his thumb over the detailed lines — the tree’s branches, the smooth water, the figure sitting quietly beneath the canopy.

His chest tightened, not with pain but reverence, as though holding something sacred close.

He slid the sketch back into the notebook, then slipped the whole into the small side pocket of his bag — just in case.

At the doorway, Camila waited, keys jingling softly in her hand.

Hearing the door, she turned with a steady glance. "You good?"

Billy met her eyes and nodded once more.

Their mother appeared from the kitchen, carrying a small bag filled with water, snacks, and a folded sweater.

She pressed the bag gently into his hands. "In case the hospital feels cold."

Billy smiled faintly, accepting the gift without protest.

She cupped his cheek, fingers brushing through his hair with the tenderness reserved for childhood days.

"No matter what happens," she said quietly, voice steady, "you’re never alone."

Billy didn’t answer — he simply leaned into her touch for a moment before pulling her into a hug.

Camila watched quietly, blinking faster than usual before clearing her throat with a soft laugh.

"Okay, I’m driving, and I won’t wait around for traffic. Come on, you drama queen."

Billy returned her smile, grabbing his jacket from the hook.

One last glance around the house — not yearning, not anxious, just a quiet nod of acceptance.

Then he followed Camila out into the golden morning light.

The car’s engine hummed smoothly as Camila merged into the flow of traffic. The city unfolded outside their windows — shops opening their doors, children waiting for buses, cyclists weaving through slow-moving cars.

Their conversation was sparse at first, filled instead with the low rhythm of tires on asphalt and the occasional soft tap of Camila’s fingers against the steering wheel.

After a few moments, Billy’s voice broke the silence.

"She’s strong, isn’t she? Mom."

Camila glanced toward him, eyes thoughtful.

"Yeah. She’s had to be. Especially with Dad."

Billy nodded, eyes returning to the window, watching the world slip by.

"She looked at me like... like she really saw me last night."

A quiet smile softened Camila’s lips.

"She always did. You just stopped letting yourself believe it."

A pause settled between them — not uncomfortable, but full.

"Where’s Dad?" Billy asked suddenly, voice even but deliberate.

"Office," Camila replied. "Early meeting. I think he’s... giving space. His way of coping, anyway."

Billy let out a soft breath, almost a laugh without sound.

Several more blocks passed before Camila slowed at a red light.

She turned slightly, gaze softening. "You nervous?"

Billy hesitated, then admitted, "A little."

She nodded, understanding.

"It’s okay if you are. But you’re not alone."

He looked over, really looked, and offered the smallest, most genuine smile.

"I know."

The light shifted green. They moved forward.

The hospital’s white facade rose before them — tall, clean, and still faintly sterile, like a place caught between hope and fear.

Billy exhaled through his nose, steadying himself with a quiet breath.

Camila eased the car into the visitor lane, parking carefully. She didn’t shut off the engine right away.

Billy’s fingers curled around the door handle, then released it.

"Camila."

She turned toward him.

"Hmm?"

"Thanks. For today."

Her smile deepened, eyes soft and warm.

"Any day."

He opened the door and stepped onto the cool pavement.

She waited until he reached the hospital steps, then rolled down her window slightly.

"I’ll be in the café downstairs if you need me."

Billy nodded, a small wave his only reply, then pushed through the sliding glass doors.

The cool, conditioned air washed over him immediately — crisp, faintly lemon-scented. Polished floors reflected the pale daylight filtering through tall glass walls. freёnovelkiss.com

The buzz of hospital life surrounded him — soft voices at the reception desk, wheels rolling gently over tile, distant beeps from unseen machines.

He paused just inside the entrance, not out of hesitation, but because everything about this place felt worlds away from the quiet rhythm of village life — the rustling trees, the gentle river, simple dinners with hands washed in cool water.

Now it was appointments, gloves, and white coats.

But still... he breathed in deeply, straightened his shoulders, and stepped forward.

The receptionist looked up as he approached — calm, professional, with a faint smile.

"Good morning. Do you have an appointment?"

Billy nodded.

"Yes. Leon Sandoval. With Dr. Harris."

She checked the system and gestured kindly.

"He’s expecting you. Neurology wing, second floor, end of the corridor. Room 2B."

"Thank you," Billy said, voice steady.

He moved through the hospital’s clean halls with measured steps — neither rushed nor hesitant.

The elevator chimed softly. Doors slid open smoothly.

Billy stepped inside, catching his reflection in the brushed metal. Calm. Not empty. A man choosing to face what lay ahead.

The elevator stopped. Doors parted.

He stepped out.

At the corridor’s end, a nameplate caught his eye:

Dr. HARRIS, M.D. – Neurology Specialist

Billy raised a hand to knock, then paused. Not from fear, but reverence — for whatever awaited inside.

Gently, he tapped once.

"Come in," a calm voice answered.

Billy pushed open the door and entered a softly lit office, warm beige tones surrounding him. Certificates framed on the walls reflected a life spent in quiet expertise.

Dr. Harris looked up from his notes, glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, expression kind and attentive.

"Leon," he greeted, standing to extend a hand. "It’s good to see you again."

Billy shook it firmly.

"Thank you for seeing me."

"Of course," Dr. Harris said, motioning toward a chair. "Let’s take this one step at a time."

Billy settled into the seat, steady and open.

No turning back now.

And he didn’t want to.

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