Chapter 30: Back Pain

Sebastian didn't know how he ended up on his knees.

He only remembered the dull ache in his waist suddenly turning into a sharp, piercing pain—a pain so deep it felt as if someone were hammering a chisel through him from the inside out.

He grabbed the stair railing, trying to brace himself, but his legs gave way. He slid down slowly, finally ending up kneeling on the living room floor.

The floor was freezing.

The cold seeped up through his knees, but he couldn't feel it. He could only feel his lower back; the pain radiated outward, surging into his back and down his legs, making his entire body shiver.

He knelt there, one hand supporting him on the floor, the other pressed against his waist, his knuckles white with strain.

He hadn't slept in so long.

From the moment the scandal erupted, he hadn't closed his eyes. Making calls, issuing statements, contacting PR, suing the gossip accounts... one thing after another, spinning like a top that couldn't stop.

When the pain grew unbearable, he would take a painkiller and keep going.

Now, even the painkillers were useless.

He knelt on the ground, head lowered, his breathing fast and shallow. Sweat dripped from his brow, hitting the floor—one drop, two, three.

His phone sat on the coffee table nearby.

He lifted his head and stared at the device for a long time.

Then he reached out and took it.

Unlock. Dial.

Ring—Ring—Ring—

It rang for a long time.

So long that he thought no one would answer.

Then, the call connected.

"Hello."

Lucian’s voice came through the receiver, sounding distant and blurry, as if he were in a vast, empty space.

Sebastian opened his mouth.

"I..." his voice was so raspy he didn't recognize it. "My back hurts. I can't move."

There was a second of silence on the other end.

Then Lucian’s voice came back, cold and hard.

"Endure it."

Sebastian didn't seem to expect such an answer; he was silenced for a moment.

"I'll send someone over."

The call disconnected.

Sebastian held the phone, staring at the "Call Ended" notice on the screen for three seconds.

Then he raised the phone and hurled it violently onto the floor.

CRASH.

The case split, the screen shattered into a spiderweb of cracks, and shards of glass scattered across the floor.

"Bastard..."

The word squeezed through his teeth, low and hoarse.

Heh.

He really had lost his mind. Reaching out to

him

? What on earth could he have expected?

He tried to brace himself against the floor to stand up, but the pain in his waist flared again, like a knife twisting inside him. He got halfway up before collapsing back down.

He lay prone on the floor, his face pressed against the cold tiles, breathing raggedly, shivering all over.

Bastard.

He cursed in his heart.

He cursed Lucian, cursed Marcus, cursed the rumor-mongers, and cursed himself.

As he cursed, his eyes suddenly burned.

He didn't cry.

He just lay there, eyes closed, his breaths coming in sharp, shallow gasps.

——

Meanwhile, in Marcus’s apartment.

Lucian stood in the center of the living room, gripping his phone, staring at the call that had just ended.

He couldn't leave yet.

Marcus sat on the sofa, watching him with a playful smirk.

"Finished your call?" he asked.

Lucian tucked his phone away and looked at him.

"Continue."

Marcus laughed.

"Fine. Let's continue."

Lucian didn't continue the fight.

He stood there, staring at Marcus, but his mind was elsewhere.

Sebastian’s voice.

Raspy, exhausted, and laced with pain.

He said his back hurt. He said he couldn't move.

He said his back hurt.

Lucian’s fists clenched tight.

Marcus watched him, raising an eyebrow.

"What? Not hitting me anymore?"

Lucian ignored him.

He took out his phone, opened his messages, and found Chen’s profile.

[Lucian: Where are you?]

A few seconds later, a reply came.

[Chen: At home, why?]

[Lucian: Go to my house. Sebastian’s back is hurting, he can't move.]

[Chen: ???]

[Chen: Where the hell are you?]

[Lucian: Busy.]

[Chen: Doing what?]

[Lucian: Stop asking and just go.]

[Chen: Fine, fine. I’ll call Xavier; he knows about this stuff.]

[Lucian: Mm.]

He put the phone away and looked up at Marcus.

Marcus was looking back with a pleasant grin.

"All settled?" he asked. "What’s wrong with your little lover? Back pain?"

Lucian said nothing.

Marcus continued: "I heard his back is shot. You did that to him, didn't you? Tsk tsk... young people really don't know how to exercise restraint."

Lucian took a step forward.

Marcus’s smile faltered for a moment.

"What? Want to go again?"

Lucian stopped in front of him, looking down at him.

"You better pray he’s okay," he said, one word at a time. "If something happens to him, I don't give a damn about going to prison."

Marcus watched him, and the smile finally vanished from his face.

——

When Chen received the message, he was lying in bed scrolling through his phone.

He stared at Lucian’s text, blinked for two seconds, and then sprang out of bed.

"Dammit!"

He called Xavier while pulling on his clothes.

"Hey, Xavier! Where are you? The hospital? Don't go, come with me!"

There was a second of silence on Xavier’s end.

"What happened?"

"Lucian ran off somewhere, and his... that lawyer’s back is shot. He can't move. Lucian told us to go check on him!"

Xavier didn't hesitate.

"Send me the address."

The call ended.

Chen rushed out of his house, started the car, and sped off.

When he reached the villa, Xavier was already waiting at the door.

They exchanged a look, said nothing, and headed straight inside.

The door was unlocked.

The moment they pushed it open, they froze.

A person was lying prone on the living room floor.

Sebastian was there, face buried in his arms, motionless. His body was curled up, one hand pressed against his waist, his posture painfully awkward.

Chen rushed over.

"Counselor! Counselor!"

Sebastian moved slightly and slowly lifted his head.

The sight of his face made Chen gasp.

Pale, bloodless. Dark circles under his eyes, chapped lips, and rough stubble. There was no light in his eyes.

He looked at Chen for two seconds before recognizing him.

"...It's you? What are you doing here?"

His voice was so hoarse it was barely audible.

Chen squatted down, wanting to help him but afraid to touch him.

"Um... Counselor, Lucian sent me. How are you? He has something to do and can't make it."

Sebastian gave a cold snort and lowered his head, silent.

Xavier walked over and squatted beside him.

"Don't move," he said. "Let me check first."

He pressed his hand against Sebastian’s waist, applying light pressure. Sebastian’s body shivered, but he didn't make a sound.

Xavier’s brow furrowed.

"It’s serious. You need to go to the hospital."

Sebastian shook his head.

"No."

Xavier looked at him.

"You can't stay like this."

Sebastian said nothing.

Xavier was silent for two seconds before standing up.

"Chen, help me get him up. Slowly."

Chen hurried forward. Together with Xavier, they carefully helped Sebastian up. Sebastian leaned against the sofa, eyes closed, his breathing faint.

Xavier took a portable medical brace from his bag.

"Put this on first," he said. "It'll provide support. Then we go to the hospital."

"I'm not going to the hospital. I'm just tired. I'll be fine after some rest."

Xavier didn't argue. He helped him into the brace, his movements light and professional. Once it was on, he adjusted the position.

"Is that better?"

Sebastian gave a small nod.

Chen stood by, feeling a twinge of unease seeing Sebastian in such a state.

He pulled out his phone and messaged Lucian.

[Chen: I'm here. He’s not good. His back is badly injured. Xavier says he needs the hospital, but he refuses.]

[Chen: Where the hell are you?]

He waited a moment. No reply.

He sent another.

[Chen: Lucian?]

Still nothing.

Chen stared at the screen, his brow furrowing.