Milou was six months along when his health had become precarious and trips to the hospital became more and more frequent.
One Sunday night, he was seized by a sharp, fleeting pain in his midsection. By midnight, he had started bleeding. Doctors at the hospital confirmed one of the family's worst fears. Milou was diagnosed with placenta previa, a condition where the placenta had grown across the cervix, causing the bleeding. With recessive Omegas, the bleeding would often be severe – sometimes even fatal for both the baby and the mother.
And so, Milou was confined to the bed for most of his last trimester. But despite compliance and proper medication, he would still experience some light spotting, sometimes accompanied by headaches and dizzy spells.
The obstetrician couldn't quite explain what was going on with Milou's body but after explaining what he'd been going through, the physician said that the symptoms were probably due to stress.
One time, when Milou was accompanied by Saliou to the clinic, he was confronted by his obstetrician.
"Is everything alright at home, Mr. Dumont?" the physician asked.
Milou glanced at Saliou, looking a little embarrassed. He hesitated a moment, fidgeting and biting his lips. "You see, Dr. Kemper..." he said at length, "I think I may just be overthinking things. And lately, I'm feeling a bit more anxious, since I'm nearing my term. But..." His voice trailed off. He let his face and eyes speak for themselves.
Saliou had noticed his brother's agitation since the moment he picked him up from their apartment in Glapshire. Something had happened that morning which made Milou so upset, he had to confide in his brother.
Things had been better between the siblings, but talking about Wren was almost taboo. Saliou never asked about Wren, and Milou would never talk about him. But that day was different.
"Wren and I had a fight. Again." Milou said morosely and out-of-the-blue. "I thought it would just be one of our usual fights but... he didn't come home last night after that."
"He what?" Saliou pulled the car off the side of the road, applying the brakes to a sudden stop. He turned to Milou with a frown of disapproval. "What kind of irresponsible shit is that?! Why would he leave you home alone, knowing you're in a delicate state right now?!" He whipped out his phone and jabbed the screen.
"Sal, what are you doing?" Milou asked frantically, trying to snatch the phone from his brother.
"I'm calling your goddamned husband and I'm gonna' give him a piece of my mind –"
"Don't!" Milou cried out as he managed to snatch the phone away.
Saliou was surprised and confused when he saw tears in his brother's eyes. "Why are you crying? This is not worth your tears!"
"It – It was my fault, okay?! I – I may have said something horrible to him!" the elder twin retorted as he tossed the phone back to Saliou. "This is a problem between me and Wren, okay? So don't interfere!"
Saliou's lips curled in anger. "Then you shouldn't have told me at all!" he yelled. "How long has this been going on, Milou? Don't even try to lie to me!"
Milou averted his eyes and bit the side of his cheek before responding. "... Since a month ago," he replied, voice barely audible.
Saliou gasped in shock and anger. "And it took you this long to tell me? You can't possibly expect me to just sit back and watch while you're suffering like this!" He watched helplessly as Milou sobbed and sniffled. With a sigh, he said, "Listen. It's not my business to pry into your marital issues – that much I know. But right now, you're carrying a child and you're not exactly in your best health. Can't you see, Milou? All this stress building up in and around you won't make things any better for you and the baby! Don't you understand that?" And then, his eyebrows knitted even more tightly. "Does your goddamned husband even understand that?"
Now, as he sat beside Milou in the cramped-up doctor's clinic, he figured it may have been their marriage that's been putting a strain on his brother all along. Saliou crossed his arms and frowned with displeasure as thoughts of Wren's imprudence occupied his mind.
Just then – speak of the devil – Wren Dumont entered the clinic looking breathless, frantic, and exhausted.
They all turned to look at him. Saliou in particular, had grown painfully aware of the other's haggard appearance.
The last time he'd seen Wren was three weeks ago, during the baby's gender-reveal party. He was bright and all-smiles then, and his joy practically lit up the room when he found out they were having a baby girl.
But unlike the Wren of that day, the Wren of today looked almost like an entirely different person.
"I'm – I'm sorry," Wren said in a gruff voice. "I forgot today's the scheduled checkup and –" He stopped midsentence when he noticed Saliou sitting next to Milou. "S-Sal, you're here..."
Saliou searched Wren's face. He looked tired – more tired than he had ever seen him. His hair was rumpled, and stubble carpeted his jaw and cheeks. Concern filled him for a moment. "Are you alright?"
Wren sighed then brushed off the question with a wave of his hand. He walked slowly toward Milou, then placed his hands on the other's shoulders. "I'm sorry. I lost track of time. It won't happen again."
Milou looked at Wren with hurt in his eyes, but managed to give him a half smile. "It's okay. You're here now. That's what matters..."
As soon as Wren drew close, Saliou could smell the liquor in his breath. The concern had quickly been replaced by anger and disappointment.
"No, this is not okay," Saliou interjected as he bolted from his seat and went to the door. He glared at Wren and said in a stern voice, "I'd like a word with you." Then he walked out of the clinic.
Milou gave Wren a worried look.
"I won't be long," Wren replied assuringly as he patted Milou on the shoulder before stepping out of the clinic and into the hallway.
Saliou quickly unleashed his temper the moment he and Wren were out of Milou's earshot.
"Wren Dumont, I've clearly overestimated you. Because I didn't take you for an ignorant, irresponsible fool!" Saliou seethed, jabbing a finger in Wren's chest. "You know this is a very delicate moment for my brother! What if something bad happens and you're not around to help? What then, Wren? A simple apology won't be enough!"
Wren turned his head sideways, trying to avoid the other's unblinking, piercing stare. "I know. It's a mistake on my part, I admit that. But this is the first time it's happened. It's not like I always leave him alone when we fight, okay? I'll... I'll make it up to Milou. I'm here now, aren't I?"
Saliou let out a sharp sigh. "You're here, but you're clearly hungover. My nose may not be as sensitive as anyone else's, but even I can tell you smell like a bar!"
Wren frowned. "But I showed up, didn't I?" he reasoned firmly. "I could've been a no-show."
Saliou's eyes blazed with even more menace, his chin jutted out to register his displeasure. "Are you for real right now?"
Wren scrubbed his hands down his face. "Listen. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, okay? I'm screwing this up, I know! I got myself drunk and it's irresponsible of me, but I came here as fast as I could because I wanted to be here for Milou. Can't – Can't you cut me some slack?"
Saliou ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "Wren, come on, you're not a bachelor anymore. You're married and about to have a kid. Don't you think it's time to grow up and be more responsible? You can't just walk away each time you and Milou fight! That's not the way to solve whatever problem you have with him!"
Wren glanced sideways at him, mocking laughter in his eyes. "Obviously, he didn't tell you what it was we'd always argue about."
"Why would it matter? Whatever the issue is between you two, it's never a good idea to –"
"It's you!" Wren cut Saliou off. "It's you, okay?! Even the smallest arguments would turn into big fights because of you!"
Saliou looked dumbfounded and utterly speechless.
Wren's chest heaved up and down as he clenched his fists tightly. "Milou would always start falsely accusing me of cheating on him – with you! Every time I come home late, he'd think I've gone to see you. In fact, he'd think that way every time I'm away from home!" This time, he managed to look at Saliou squarely in the eyes. "I know we'd been through so much together, but the thought of cheating on Milou never crossed my mind!"
Saliou's eyes were wild with newfound hatred. He never expected Milou would think of him that way. Hearing the other side of the story only made him feel worse.
He pressed a hand to his temple, shook his head disdainfully, and scoffed. "That's really fucking rich, coming from Milou." He let out a deep breath to calm himself. And then, he looked up at Wren. "I guess that's how it is when you've forcefully taken something away from someone. You just can't have peace of mind." He steadied himself and turned to walk away. "Seriously, I've had enough of you both."
"Wait," Wren grabbed him by the wrist, "where are you going?"
"I need to get away from all this bullshit. In fact, I never should've come here," replied Saliou as he wrenched his hand away from the other's grasp. "Just tell Milou I left."
There was a flicker of animosity in Saliou, and Wren figured it wasn't wise to ignite it further. In the end, he could only watch silently as Saliou walked away, raking his fingers through his hair in exasperation.
Meanwhile, Saliou desired peace. Peace with himself. Peace from all the troubles of the past. He was sure of getting it and from that day on, he was determined to never again meddle in Wren and Milou's affairs.
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