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Ivaylo, stunned into silence, just stumbled backwards. The whole stay in the hospital, he pictured himself settling down with Paetyn and creating his own lovely family with her... house, garden, and... kids.

Now the kids' part crumbled into small dust and was gone with the wind. Ivaylo didn't know about Paetyn's desires if she hoped for a full-fledged family. He couldn't confine her to a fruitless relationship. Would she agree to an adoption? If not... Will he be able to let her go?

The chairman saw, that the new knowledge shocked Ivaylo. He tried to be gentle to him and not to upset him further. "I know, it's horrible to hear that for the first time, but sooner is better than later. Don't hide that piece of information from her. It will destroy you in the future if you do."

With a blank stare into nothingness, Ivaylo just nodded his head and turned to leave. The chairman worryingly watched his back disappearing behind the closing door. He hoped for Ivaylo to be met with understanding from the girl's side.



At his condo home, Ivaylo reached for the bottle again. Shirt neatly folded in the cubicle, sitting on the bed half naked, claws rammed into his shoulder, the blood flowed in a small stream down his torso...

He had to silence the internal pain screaming loudly inside his head. His pessimistic mind told him, that as soon, as she finds out, she will turn her back on him, and he will be lonely again. He stared out of the broad window from the darkness, ears droopy, eyes filled with tears, biting down on his lower lip, drawing blood, and a painful expression on his face.

The life is so cruel, sending him a bunch of hurdles his way. How can he escape from that vile cycle of misfortune? Ivaylo knew he should go back to the Outskirt's home, but he was a coward. On one side, he wanted to see Paetyn on the other side he feared to face her now. What should he do?

Tomorrow will be the last day of the year. Before, he had plans to spend it with Paetyn somewhere up high, watching the fireworks together. A New Year resolution... stepping into it as an official couple, but she is nowhere to be found, and that treacherous new information... Seemingly, there is no happy ending for him. His head sank.

The next day at work, he looked like a zombie. He couldn't shut his eyes and stayed awake the whole night. His fears forbade him from sleeping. Sitting at the table, leaning on the hand that held a pen between the fingers and looking out of his office at the city skyline, dreaming of her warmth.

In the early morning, he asked Kay to check on the Outskirt apartment... after, he realized, that he had forgotten about Rose snatching the keys from Paetyn. Ivaylo felt guilty if Paetyn tried to return and he wasn't home to welcome her back. He began to impatiently tap his index finger on the desk. As soon, as he will be done with the work, he will head over to the Outskirts.

The secretary interrupted his daydreaming. He was called to the chairman's office. What was this about? Did he need something? Ivaylo stepped inside the big space and froze, eyes darting all over. That SCENT!

Suddenly, someone wrapped her short, tiny hands around his waist from behind. The Chairman with a warm smile watched what unfolded in front of him. Ivaylo teared up and fell to his knees turning his head towards the person.

Right now, on his knees, he was still a little taller than Paetyn. He grabbed her tight into his embrace weeping. It was her... personally, in flesh and blood. Ivaylo burrowed his face into her chest taking in all the scent and feeling the warmth of her hug.

Paetyn stroked his back leaning her head on his hair. The chairman was pleased with this outcome. He knew he did the right thing bringing them together, recalling the talk he had with both of them yesterday. It was by chance, that he met with Paetyn, who was in the care of his wife, by mere luck.



He observed, how Ivaylo changed in a short time, from an expressionless robot into a fully matured Beastman with real emotion. It was true that before, Ivaylo was a real deal business beast, but it couldn't be called living, what he did before.

The tiger-hybrid had known his parents for a long time, the kind of upbringing Ivaylo had, and also, as a Beastperson. At their first meeting, the Beastman was blown away by the interview with Ivaylo and how well-educated he was. His work was always very clean and efficient, bringing huge profits and greater prestige to the company. He climbed the ranks in a record time.

When the chairman looked into the private life of Ivaylo, he found out the cruel truth. He wasn't that well-collected workaholic gentleman he pretended to be. Once, by chance, he saw him entering a bar, it piquet his interest, and followed him, only to find out he was drinking away his depression in his free time. He seemed to be so lost, hurt, and lonely.

For his top employee, he just wished happiness and the best. Watching Ivaylo evolving in a private matter and being able to help his favorite half-blood, made the chairman proud of himself. "I am sure, you have a lot to tell to each other. You can take off, for the rest of the day."

The couple turned to the generous tiger. Ivaylo placed his forehead on hers with a sad smile. He knew, that he needed to have that serious talk with Paetyn, which will define their mutual future together.

Ivaylo picked himself from the floor and thanked the Chairman profusely. Previously, he always thought, that his boss hated him and tried to drive him away from the company, but he already changed his mind and couldn't show enough gratitude.

He took Paetyn by her tiny hand and led her out of the office with his head high, showing off to everyone, who crossed their path, leaving them all with shocked expressions on their faces. It was courage, even the chairman didn't possess and he was happy for Ivaylo. A nodding toothy smile, which disappeared behind a slowly closing door...