Beneath the Surface: Secrets of an Obsessed Heart-Chapter 165 - 164

Raiden strode away with Hiro still cradled in his arms. He was calm on the surface but the anger he felt was still boiling within him.

Hiro could tell so he didn’t utter a word. He just obediently remained in Raiden’s arms, his head resting against Raiden’s chest. He didn’t want to anger Raiden further.

They suddenly heard the sound of sharp heels echoing behind them and Raiden stopped, already knowing who it was.

“What?” he snapped coldly without turning.

His stepmother flinched slightly but she quickly composed herself, clasping her hands together in front of her.

“Please Raiden,” she said. “Don’t leave now. If you walk out of this party so soon, people will talk.”

Raiden arched a brow, his lip curling into a scoff. He wasn’t surprised. After all, the woman cared more about her reputation than anything else.

“Then let them,” he said flatly, continuing down the hallway.

His stepmother paled. Her heart thundered and panic bloomed in her chest. She couldn’t let him go. Not now. News was already circling, people were talking, saying that her sons were weak, directionless, that she had no influence left in the Yamato household. If Raiden left in front of everyone, her last shred of prestige would crumble before the night was over.

“Wait—please.” She begged, her voice raising in desperation.

Raiden paused again, jaw tightening.

She hurried a few steps forward. “Stay the night,” she said quickly, her tone softening. “With Hiro. I’ve already had your old room cleaned and I’ll make sure your father doesn’t come near you. I swear. Just stay, please. For one night.”

Raiden didn’t respond then she sighed, deciding to offer the final card she had left to play.

“I’ll give you what I promised,” she added quietly. “Tomorrow morning. All you have to do is stay the night and have breakfast with us in the morning.”

At that, Raiden slowly turned his head toward her, making her heart pound in fear.

“You better keep your word.” he warned then changed direction, walking past her, down the corridor toward the east wing.

His stepmother let out a shaky breath as he disappeared down the hall, her hands trembling slightly at her sides. Fuck, Raiden was so scary.

********

Raiden nudged the bedroom door open with his shoulder and stepped inside, the quiet click of it closing behind him echoing in the stillness. His room was dark but it smelled nice. Like lavender. He carefully lowered Hiro onto the bed, the mattress giving a soft sigh beneath Hiro’s weight.

Raiden crossed to the wall and flipped the light switch. A warm, amber glow washed over the space, casting soft halos on the old posters, a tidy bookshelf, and a single photo frame on the desk.

Hiro blinked, eyes trailing over what little he could see, but he quickly dropped his gaze again, remembering that now wasn’t the time to be curious. He could check out Raiden’s room later. Now he had to make sure Raiden was okay.

He sat still, hands folded in his lap. The soft thump of footsteps drew closer and Hiro’s heart tapped faster in his chest with each step.

Raiden stopped in front of him and Hiro hesitated, then looked up just enough to catch the way Raiden’s fists were curled tight at his sides, knuckles pale from pressure.

He quickly reached out with both hands, closing them around one of Raiden’s fists, thumbs brushing slow circles over his skin.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. He tugged gently at Raiden’s pinky, like tugging at a thread. “Please Raiden... don’t be mad.”

Raiden didn’t speak. For a moment, the silence stretched then he exhaled. A long, low breath.

Hiro felt the warmth of Raiden’s palm on his head a second later as fingers combed through his hair, parting the strands to examine the spot where his father’s hand had struck. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

Raiden’s voice was quiet when he finally spoke. “Wait here.”

He turned before Hiro could answer and Hiro watched Raiden disappear through the door.

The room settled into a quiet hum after Raiden left and Hiro let out a small breath, lifting his gaze.

He then saw that Raiden’s room was quite... small.

He hadn’t noticed it properly before, but now, seated at the edge of the bed, he let his eyes travel across the space.

There was a narrow single bed, neatly made beneath him, with a plain headboard and modest grey sheets. In the corner, a simple wooden table and a lone chair—clearly meant for reading or studying. Beside the bed sat a short, scratched bedside drawer. A closed wardrobe stood silently in the corner, its surface bare except for a faint chip on one edge.

A ceiling fan spun slowly overhead, though the air conditioner on the wall blinked red, indicating it hadn’t been turned on yet. The walls were plain white, just slightly worn with age. The only splash of color came from three faded Spider-Man posters—slightly peeling at the edges, but carefully arranged above the bed like a shrine to a childhood memory.

Hiro blinked at them, then at the room again and his brows gently drew together.

This was really Raiden’s room?

The Yamatos weren’t exactly lacking in wealth. Even Raiden’s bathroom at his current home was bigger than this entire room. Why was it so small?

He frowned as he recalled he way Raiden was treated by his father and stepmother. They must have been the ones who forced Raiden to live like this. After all, they didn’t seem like the type to care much about Raiden’s comfort or even his presence but Hiro felt that it wasn’t fair. Raiden was a true Yamato. The rightful heir. How could they treat him like this? Giving him such a small room and insulting him however they liked. How did Raiden grow up in a space like this? What kind of childhood did he even have?

He wondered if he should ask Raiden. Would Raiden be angry if he did?

He was still turning the thoughts over when the door creaked open.

Hiro’s head snapped up and he lighted up immediately Raiden stepped inside, holding an ice pack wrapped in a soft towel.

Raiden closed the door gently behind him, turned the AC on with a soft beep, then made his way across the room.

Without a word, he crouched slightly in front of Hiro and gently brushed his bangs aside. The chill of the ice pack met Hiro’s skin a moment later.

“Ah—” Hiro winced, hissing softly.

Raiden’s face twisted. “Sorry,” he muttered under his breath, being more gentle.

The 𝘮ost uptodat𝑒 novels are pub𝙡ished on fre(e)webno(v)el.𝒸𝑜𝘮