Through the Screen novel Chapter 78

abel takes a few deep breaths, bracing himself against the wall opposite to the door of his apartment, his fingers still curled around the handle of his suitcase, his right shoulder occupied by a heavy bag. he feels unnecessarily lethargic, even though he had managed to sleep throughout the uncomfortable flight, and he lets out a short yawn before resting his head back against the wall with a small thud.

he is dreading the confrontation that is bound to happen between him and noah, and no matter how hard he wracks his brain for a logical explanation, he just can't come up with any.

his own betrayal is weighing down his shoulders, the heaviness of the bag almost neglected, and every time he remotely imagines noah's reaction to what he has done, he can feel a lump forming in his throat and his heart breaking into uneven splinters.

right now, he has no idea what would happen when he crosses the threshold of the apartment. he has no idea whether there would be cold greetings, awkward eye contacts and uncomfortable silences or meaningless apologies, unkempt hugs and watery eyes.

abel wishes for neither of them, and with his thoughts still scattered, he breathes out a heavy sigh as he drags his suitcase behind him towards the apartment and presses the buzzer.

his stomach twists uneasily when he hears adrian's voice, the fact that he will be in the house to witness his parents' odd exchange makes abel feel guilty and uncomfortable and emotions that he can't himself describe. he hates that adrian has to be the one suffering the consequences of their irrational actions, and all he can hope for now is noah's forgiveness—partly for the sake of him, partly, for adrian.

the door is swung back within the next few seconds, and abel can feel a small smile forming on his otherwise tired looking features as he stares at his son, clad in his pyjamas, his hair sticking up in different directions as he looks at abel with a dimpled smile.