The day of Ari's birthday and party Will was even more of a neurotic mess than usual. He couldn't sleep no matter how hard he tried. He was too antsy.

Today had to be perfect.

Will had the whole thing planned.

Breakfast was going to be Ari's favorite – French toast at the Brady Pub. Afterward, they would go to the park and get out some of her energy. Then, on to the party at Chuck E. Cheese. Ari would have to help Will decorate the private back party room because Will couldn't rely on Sonny to help. Afterward, Ari's twelve best friends would arrive as well as some family members. The kids could play games and eat to their heart's content. Will even had an LOL Doll piñata made and begged the employees at Chuck E. Cheese to let them use it. Even stuffing the thing with candy to accommodate all the various food and dietary restrictions for all Ari's friends.

Then a specially designed ice cream cake, presents, and sending the kiddos home. Where Will hoped to take Ari for a special daddy-daughter date, whatever Ari wanted.

Now, Will had to make sure everything went to plan. He created a meticulous itinerary to help. Today was all about Ari. Will wasn't going to let anything get in the way, not Sonny, not his weird friends-with-benefits thing he had going with Isak, and not Will's love for Paul.

Getting up at 4:30 in the morning was not on the agenda but Will could manage. For once, he could work out for as long as he wanted.

Not caring if he made any noise and woke Sonny, Will changed into his running attire and was out the door.

The Apple Watch Isak gave him made his run so much more effective.

By the time Will returned home, sweaty, shaky, and feeling better than he had in months, Ari was just getting up.

"Happy birthday, baby," Will greeted when he peeked his head in Ari's room.

Rubbing her eyes, Ari frowned for a second before lighting up.

"It's my birthday!"

"Yes, it is," Will nodded. "I'm gonna take a quick shower and then we can go get something to eat. Sound good, birthday girl?"

"Uh-huh," Ari nodded, tumbling out of her tangled sheets and rushing to the bathroom to get ready herself.

Will washed as he usually did now that he was parenting full time – long enough to get a cursory clean and absolutely no lingering.

He pulled out a pair of jeans and a shirt, ignoring the lump of snores coming from Sonny's side of the bed.

For a brief moment, Will contemplated waking Sonny, inviting him to join them. Then he dismissed it. It would only end in Sonny yelling at Will for interrupting his precious sleep.

Will didn't have time to deal with Sonny. Today was all about Ari.

Ari giggled in delight when Roman presented her French toast with birthday candles in it. She beamed when the entire place sang her "Happy Birthday" and spent the whole meal rambling a mile a minute to Will about everything and anything.

Will chased her around the park and up the play structures. Making Ari think she was too fast for him to catch. He pushed her on the swings and let her dangle from his neck as he swung them across the monkey bars.

They made it back home, forced Ari into a quick shower, and let her pick out which outfit she wanted to wear for her party. Will even took longer than he wanted on making her hair just right.

They made it to Chuck E. Cheese in time to set up all the specially ordered decorations Ari insisted on having. With only a few moments to spare, kids and their parents arrived. Family members started trickling in as well, cooing over Ari and giving Will tense smiles depending on what side of the family they were on.

Anyone remotely related to Paul seemed to hate his guts. Anyone remotely related to Sonny also seemed to hate his guts.

Sonny hadn't arrived yet. Probably still in bed like the useless bum he was.

It was better anyway because if Sonny had been there when Paul arrived with John and Marlena, Will didn't know what would happen. As it was, all the adults couldn't tear their eyes away, even the parents of Ari's friends who never even met Paul before.

"Sweetheart," Marlena greeted with a wobbly smile. She put her hand on Will's face and tried not to cry.

"Grandma, are you okay?" Will asked, giving John a panicked look.

Marlena nodded, patting his cheek a few times.

"Just…overwhelmed to see you. You're so handsome. So handsome and strong."

"Uh – okay," Will replied, oddly unsettled.

John clasped Will's shoulder and pulled him into a tight, tight hug.

"Oh, kid," John squeezed the back of Will's neck and wouldn't let go.

A much different reaction than Will was used to since Paul left town.

John and Marlena moved off into the crowd, depositing Ari's presents on a table next to the other gifts. It left Will and Paul alone. Or, as alone as they could be in a crowded room with so many people blatantly staring at them.

"Hi," Paul greeted, hands itching to touch Will the way John and Marlena did. "I wasn't sure if I should come or not but…"

He trailed off, eyes never leaving Will's as he held up a small gift-wrapped box with a bow.

"It's fine," Will said even though he knew it wasn't.

Sonny would flip out and Will didn't even know what Ari would do. But he wanted to see Paul so badly. Even if it was only for a few minutes, even if he couldn't talk to him the way he wanted with so many people watching them. Even if all he wanted to do was throw himself in Paul's strong arms and never let him go.

"I need to talk to you about something," Paul said in a low voice so no one nearby would hear them. "I have to tell you something."

Will scratched behind his ear, mindful of the crowd watching them.

"Now, isn't a good time."

"It can't wait, Will," Paul said, grabbing Will's elbow when he tried to walk away.

Will couldn't, wouldn't deny the electrical surge that slid up his arm when Paul touched his bare skin. But Will couldn't do this here, not now, not today.

"I can't," Will whispered. His eyes found Ari playing a game a few dozen feet away.

"Will, please," Paul pleaded. "We need to talk, now."

Paul saw the moment Will's eyes widened and his nose twitched. He watched as Will put his hand over his nose and shook his head.

Paul recoiled, letting Will go and stepping away.

"No, no, I'm sorry," Paul said with a desperate shake of his head. "I'll wait. It can wait. You don't have to do anything. I'm sorry."

Paul rushed over to John and Marlena's side, hands shaking. He would never do what Sonny did to Will. Never force him into something he didn't want and stand by with a heartless expression as Will fought so hard to say no his nose started to bleed.

No, that was never going to be Paul, ever.

He'd been without Will for so many months already. He could wait a little bit longer.

Will didn't know why so many parents stayed at the party because it certainly wasn't to help control their terrible children. Will spent the better part of an hour dealing with screaming, whining, arguing children and they weren't even his kid.

Ari, thank every deity out there, was having the time of her life. Will knew. He asked every time he saw her.

Sure, the party was almost over and Sonny still hadn't arrived. There were bratty kids wrecking-havoc. Will thought his head might explode if he heard one more kid scream, but Ari was happy.

But if Sonny forgot Ari's party after weeks of Will and Ari talking about it and planning for it, Will was going to kill him.

Throughout all that, Will could feel Paul's eyes burning into his skin. Felt Paul's gaze everywhere he went. The few times Will was weak and turned his head, he'd catch Paul looking at him, unrepentant. He'd give Will a familiar, gentle smile and it broke Will's heart and lifted him up in equal measures.

One such moment, Will looked over his shoulder and caught Paul's eyes. His beautiful green, wonderful, perfect eyes and Will was lost for a few seconds. Drowning yet he never wanted to come up for air.

He startled when someone grabbed his shoulder, jostling him.

"Hey," Brady said, letting Will go and crossing his arms. "I don't know what the hell you're doing but you need to stop it."

Will didn't say anything.

"After everything you did before how can you even look at him that way? Paul deserves better. You need to leave him alone. He's moving on, don't you get that? He's been moving on from you for months. Hell, that's why he's here now, for closure. So, just stay the hell away from him. You wanted Sonny. You don't get to come crawling back to Paul, now."

Brady brushed past Will before he could even respond. Tossing a small present on the table and going to sit next to whatever random woman he was dating now.

Will took a few deep breaths before heading for the hallway where the bathrooms were located.

He knew Brady was right. He didn't say anything Will hadn't thought a million times before himself. But to hear it today, now, with Paul so close, hurt even more. Especially knowing why Paul wanted to talk to him, needed to talk to him.

Will hoped, wished Paul had to say he wanted Will back. That he couldn't stay away anymore. That he still loved Will as much as Will loved him.

It was stupid and reckless but Will could fantasize.

Paul was here, wasn't he? It wasn't too far off base, was it?

No, it was.

Will was stupid and useless and Paul would never want him back. He probably spent the past months moving on with as many men as he could because why wouldn't he? Paul was gorgeous and perfect and he must have had so many men throw themselves at his feet. Men that were better than Will in every possible way. Men that would never hurt Paul the way Will did.

Paul wanted closure. Paul was here for closure.

He deserved it. Will owed him that much.

Will threw him away after promising he wouldn't. It didn't matter what Will said or did now. It didn't matter that Will regretted it every second of every day. It didn't matter that Will loved Paul with every fiber of his being. It didn't matter that Will never wanted to leave him, never wanted Sonny at all. That Sonny told him to break up with Paul and be with him and Will couldn't say no. He literally could not. It didn't matter that Will was screaming, begging, pleading for Paul to notice Will was in trouble, for Paul to realize and fight for him. It didn't matter that Will didn't get to make a choice even though so many people claimed he did.

None of it mattered.

Will didn't deserve Paul.

Now, Will would have to put on an understanding smile and wish Paul well as he moved on with his life. It didn't matter how much it killed Will.

Will loved Paul.

He'd give him anything he needed.

"Hey," Paul said, turning a corner and stepping into the hallway. "I saw you take off pretty fast. Are you okay?"

Oh, god, Will wasn't ready for this. He wasn't. He knew he had to do what was best for Paul but he thought he'd have a little more time. Just a little bit more for Will to hold on to that secret wish. Because as soon as Paul said the words it would be over. Will couldn't spend his time daydreaming that Paul would rush back to Salem, proclaim his love, and save Will from his miserable life. He couldn't fantasize about Paul once Paul got the closure he needed. Because that fantasy would be over and dead. It was all Will had now. The only thing keeping him going and he needed it. He needed it a little bit longer because Will wasn't going to last. He couldn't go on like this, couldn't live with Sonny at all if he didn't get this tiny little spec of happiness.

But Will couldn't object. He couldn't say no and Paul was going to say they needed to talk and Will was too weak. Paul would say he was moving on and want to clear the air. Tell Will all about the wonderful, perfect life he made god knows where with someone so infinitely better than Will that Paul never even thought about Will anymore.

Paul was gonna say it and Will couldn't say no. He couldn't say no to anyone and he couldn't do this anymore.

"Will?" Paul asked, stepping closer.

"Just do it," Will said, staring at his feet, voice filled with tears he couldn't quite swallow back.

"Do what?"

"Brady already told me," Will admitted. "So, just get it over with it. I get it. I deserve it. Just do it, okay. Just do it."

"Brady told you what?" Paul moved so he was standing in front of Will. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Will sniffed a few times, chest heaving with the strength it took to keep his tears at bay. He had to do this. Paul deserved this. And if Will really loved him then he'd get over himself and give Paul anything he could to make him happy.

"Brady told me why you're here," Will said, lifting his head. He didn't look at Paul's face, couldn't. He stared at a spot over Paul's shoulder. "That you're moving on and you want closure. So, just, get it over with, please."

"Will," Paul said, taken aback.

He hadn't talked to Brady about Will in months. He couldn't talk to Brady about Will. He couldn't stand the way Brady spoke about Will, badmouthed him and said all kinds of horrible things.

"I get it," Will leaned his head against the wall behind him. Cheeks wet and red and he knew he always looked so fucking ugly when he cried but he couldn't help it. This was the only thing he had left. "You're amazing and why would you still care about me? But, please, if you ever loved me, even a little, just get it over with it. Like a Band-Aid, just one good rip, please, Paul. Please."

Will finally looked at Paul's face and he almost broke.

He shouldn't look at Will like that. He shouldn't look so concerned and stricken for someone that hurt Paul so badly, so deeply. He shouldn't look at Will like he was anything because he wasn't. He wasn't and Paul couldn't do this.

Paul needed to get it over quick so Will could sob in a bathroom stall for ten minutes, splash some water on his face, and put on a smile. Get through the rest of the party and the night with Ari and pretend he wasn't breaking inside. Where he would go home to whatever mess Sonny left this time. And cry hysterically when it hits that he doesn't even get the faintest, weakest fantasy of ever getting anything other than Sonny Kiriakis for the rest of his life.

"Please, Paul."

Before Will even knew it, Paul wrapped him in the warmest, best embrace he'd had in months. Will could smell Paul's cologne and his natural scent and that alone was enough to make Will lose it.

His shoulders shook uncontrollably and he clung to Paul harder than he ever had before.

"Will," Paul said, holding Will tight and trying his best not to cry himself when he felt Will's tears wet his neck. "Will, that's not why I'm here. Or, well…"

It was why Paul was in Salem. He came to Salem to see Will Horton moving on with his life. Paul thought if he saw Will happy and in love, he could close the door on that chapter of his life. That he wouldn't cling to a future Will no longer wanted.

Paul wanted closure. Instead, he found Will a shell of his former self. Lost and confused and scared and bloodied and abused. He heard Will's words, saw Will's actions. Knew it today, right now more than ever before.

Will loved him. Will didn't want to let him go.

Something, or someone, made him.

Paul ran one hand through the hair at the base of Will's skull, pulling Will away from his neck to look into his eyes.

Paul almost lost it himself seeing how utterly devastated Will looked at the mere possibility of Paul moving on.

"I did come to Salem to get closure," Paul admitted, holding Will tight when he tried to pull away. "But, that's not why I'm here right now. I'm here right now because I know you still love me. You still love me and I still love you and I'm not letting you go again."

Paul glanced between Will's tear-filled eyes and his red-bitten lips. Will looked so shell-shocked, full of such disbelief Paul wasn't even sure if he heard him or not.

"I love you, Will. I always have and I always will."

Paul pressed his lips to Will's giving him plenty of time and space to push him away if he wanted.

Paul felt it in their kiss, the moment Will realized it. That this wasn't a dream or a wish or a fantasy. It was real. Everything was real.

Will froze for a moment when he felt Paul's lips. His eyes closed automatically but he didn't react for a single second. One second to realize Paul didn't order him to do anything. Paul didn't force Will into anything. Will could choose. He could choose this time.

Will would always pick Paul.

Paul couldn't stop his heart from soaring when Will wrapped his arms around his neck. Kissing him, really kissing him, for the first time in forever. Long and deep and delightfully Will in every way.

This was what everyone else he met was missing. They didn't know the exact spot to place their hands when they kissed him. Didn't know how much pressure to use, how long it needed to be, didn't know how to give their everything into it. They didn't taste right, kiss right, look right.

They weren't Will Horton and Paul was never going to kiss anyone else again.

Will couldn't help but melt into the kiss. Hands gliding along Paul's shoulders and neck and back. Couldn't stop feeling Paul everywhere he could in case this didn't last. In case this was the last kiss he'd ever get.

Will was so in love with Paul. So in love and he couldn't imagine himself with anyone else, no matter what. He wasn't going back to Sonny after this. He couldn't. He wouldn't. Sonny would have to pry Will's cold, dead fingertips off Paul because he was not letting go.

Nothing and no one could stop Will from enjoying this moment.

Almost

"Daddy?" Ari asked through a sharp inhale at the end of the hallway.

Will and Paul pulled their lips apart with a wet smack.

Oh, god, this could not be happening.

Ari looked between Will and Paul for a few seconds, eyes watering, before she darted off.

"Go," Paul urged, untangling himself from Will. "I'll find you, later."

Will gave Paul a pained smile and ran off.

Ari managed to make it halfway through the parking lot before Will caught up to her. Apparently, he would have to get her on some sort of a track team because she was fast when she wanted to be.

"Ari, wait," Will said moments before grabbing her by the waist and pulling her toward him.

"No, lemme go, lemme go," Ari wailed, little legs kicking in the air as she pummeled at Will's hands with small fists.

"No, I have to explain, just let me explain. Please."

"No, I saw you! You kissed him. You kissed him. You're supposed to be with Daddy and you kissed him. I hate you!"

Will held on to Ari tighter and blinked away a fresh bout of tears.

Somewhere in the universe, his mother just felt a tingle up her spine and she wouldn't even know why.

Having a smaller version of himself was really coming back to bite him in the ass.

"I know. I know, baby. I know I kissed him. I know. I know."

Ari, struggling against Will for all she was worth, wouldn't let up. She kept repeating over and over she hated Will.

A little more than twelve hours ago, Ari was defending him to Sonny. Telling Sonny Will was the best father in the world. Now she hates him.

It would figure with Will's life. He could either be happy or his daughter could, never both.

Will knew which he would prefer every time.

Will stumbled over to a tree at the outskirts of the parking lot. He manhandled Ari onto his lap, forcibly holding her against him.

"Stop it," Will pleaded, whispering into her ear. "Stop it. It's okay. Stop it."

Ari continued yelling and screaming for a few more moments before crying. Deep bone-rattling cries that killed Will inside.

"Why?" Ari asked around a sob. "Why don't you love Daddy?"

Will closed his eyes, his own much quieter tears slipping down his cheeks.

"I do. I do love Sonny. Just not the way you do."

"Why?" Ari wailed.

"I – I don't know," Will answered. "I've tried. I try every day and I can't. I know you love him and you're supposed to. I love that you love him. But I can't."

"Why?"

"Sonny and I aren't good for each other."

"Why?"

"We don't agree and we argue. I don't do things the way he likes. He yells at me."

"Why?"

"Because we're not right for each other. When you're in love, things are easy. You don't fight and yell all the time. You don't get mad at each other all the time. Being together isn't a chore, isn't something you have to do. It's something you want to do. Something you want to do because you miss them and love them so much and you can't think of anything better than that person."

"Why?"

Will closed his eyes tight and counted to three.

"I love you, Arianna Grace. I love you and I would do anything in the world for you because of that. Even if you hate me and you never wanted to see me again. I still would because I love you. You probably feel the same way about Sonny. You love him and you'd do anything to keep him happy. But there are a lot of ways to love someone. How you love Sonny is different from how you love anyone else. How I love you is different from anyone else I love. How I love you is different from how I love Sonny. It's not the same and it doesn't have to be and it's okay if you love him in a way that's different from how I do."

Ari sniffled, only weakly thrashing in Will's hold.

"Because Sonny and I can love you without having to love each other. I promise."

"Sonny does love you," Ari argued. "He says it. He tells me. He loves you even if you are useless."

Will looked up at the sky with a deep sigh.

So much for his hard work from the day before.

"Am I useless?" Will asked in a dull voice, not sure he was prepared for the answer.

"I dunno," Ari responded with a shrug.

"Do I wake you up in the morning so you aren't late for school?"

"Yeah."

"Do I do your hair the way you want?"

"Sometimes."

"Am I there when you get home from school?"

"…yeah."

"Do I make you a snack?"

"Yeah."

"Do I help you with homework?"

"Hmm"

"Do I play toys with you?"

"Hmm"

"Do I make dinner?"

"I guess."

"Do I read you books before bedtime?"

"Yeah."

"Do I help you clean up your toys? Do I let you use the toothbrush app on my phone to brush your teeth? Do I buy you the toys you want when you don't need any new ones? Do I spend time with you every day? Do I always let you pick the movie we watch? Did I buy you the special invitations and party decorations you wanted? The piñata? Did I get you the party at Chuck E. Cheese like you wanted? Did I set up everything exactly the way you wanted?

"Do I love you more than anything else?"

Will exhaled through his nose, feeling it when Ari relaxed against him.

"Why did you kiss him, kiss Paul?"

"Because I love him and I miss him," Will admitted in a small voice. There was no point denying it anymore.

"But you aren't with him anymore. You left him for Daddy."

"I didn't want to. It felt like I didn't have a choice. It always feels that way, now."

"Oh," Ari said, sounding as confused and lost as Will felt.

Will let out a sad chuckle, putting one hand over his face.

"I tried so hard to give you a perfect birthday and I'm the one that ruined it."

Will continued to laugh as a few more tears leaked from his eyes.

"I really do ruin everything, don't I?"

Will expected Ari to agree with him if she answered at all. He didn't expect her to turn around and put her arms around Will's neck, hugging him.

"No, you don't," Ari said. "I'm mad at you but you're still the best."

Will hugged Ari back, eyes shut tight, trying his best to clear his eyes.

"Thanks and I'm sorry. I'm sorry you saw that and I'm sorry I hurt you."

"Daddy," Ari looked up at Will. Her own face a red-splotchy mess just like Will's. "I don't want you to be around Paul anymore."

Will took a deep breath and let it out before nodding.

"Can we do my presents now?"

Will nodded again, feeling whatever hope he had at Paul's confession leaking out of him.

By the time they made it back into the party room, after a detour to wash their faces off in the bathroom, there were a few more guests. More of Sonny's family arrived – Adrienne, Justin, Victor, and Maggie – and in the corner by himself, Isak.

Just what Will wanted to deal with.

Will couldn't even look in Paul's direction, not if he wanted to keep his composure.

Sonny walked into the room with a flourish. When he spotted Ari, he made a big production of wishing her a happy birthday. Presenting her with a massive gift Will didn't even know he bought.

Sonny tried to put his arm around Will while Ari ripped off the wrapping paper but Will side-stepped him.

"An LOL house?" Ari asked when she got all the paper off. "Daddy, I already have one."

"What?" Sonny asked with a frown and a nervous laugh.

Will couldn't resist a blatant eye roll.

"It's been in the living room for almost five days, Sonny."

And where the hell did Sonny get the money to buy a dollhouse that was almost $200?

"When did you buy her that?" Sonny spat at Will.

"I didn't," Will shook his head with an incredulous look. Great, now everyone could see them argue.

"I did," Isak interrupted before Sonny could respond.

Will didn't know when he waltzed over but he did. Out of the corner of his eyes, Will saw Paul and Sonny both tense. Will wasn't even sure if Sonny noticed Paul was there either yet.

"Mr. Larsson, what are you doing here?" Sonny asked in the sanctimonious tone he always had when talking about work.

"Will invite me," Isak said, "in a way."

"You and I have very different interpretations of the word invite," Will replied very much aware that all eyes were on him. Adult eyes that was, the children were all hovering near the pile of presents.

"Tomato, potato, whatever," Isak dismissed.

"That's not the saying," Will said with a light chuckle.

Isak shrugged before Ari attached herself to his chins.

"Isak!" Ari cheered, grinning up at him unashamedly.

Will covered his face with his hand. He was not going to survive her high school years, not at all.

"Happy birthday, liten flicka," Isak said. He reached down and swept Ari high into the air. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and plopped her back on the ground.

Ari giggled, looking at Isak over her shoulder with a bashful smile.

Sonny watched the whole interaction with his jaw dropped.

"When did you meet Ari?"

"Yesterday," Isak said, either not noticing or not caring everyone was watching them with judgmental eyes.

"Why would you send her a present if you hadn't met her? I only got my job on Friday."

"Hmm? Oh, Will said it was her birthday soon. I know little ones like LOL things. So, I sent."

Sonny gave Will a sharp glance before looking at Isak again.

"Well, thank you, sir. That was generous of you."

"Mmm," Isak said dismissively before turning to face only Will. "When are you coming with me?"

"Really?" Will glared before putting on a fake smile. "Now is not the time to talk about this."

Isak glanced at his own expensive watch before saying, "it's almost four. It's time."

"Not what I meant," Will said through clenched teeth.

John pushed himself to the front of the crowd.

"Will's article on you came out this morning. Why would you need Will to go anywhere with you, now?"

"Because I ask nice."

"And I said not right now," Will responded, trying to keep anything else from taking over Ari's birthday.

"When?" Isak asked.

Will didn't get the chance to answer. Sonny cut him off.

"When did you ask him that?"

Will and Isak both turned to look at Sonny.

"What?" Will asked but Sonny wasn't looking at him.

"When did you ask Will to go with you somewhere?" Sonny clarified with his arms crossed and a strange look on his face.

"Last night," Isak said plain and simple. "When I visit him at home."

"How do you know where we live?"

"I ask."

Will looked between the two, uncertain what was going on.

Ari was too busy digging into the rest of her presents and wasn't paying them any attention, thankfully. But Will bemoaned the fact that he couldn't use the special order thank you cards if he didn't know who bought her what.

Another part of his party itinerary ruined.

"How many times have you seen Will?"

"Can we not do this now?" Will asked, gesturing toward Ari and giving both Sonny and Isak a stern look.

"Shut up, Will," Sonny ordered with a nasty expression on his face.

Will clamped his lips together before he could even think about it.

Paul jostled his way through the crowd surrounding them.

"Don't talk to him that way," Paul said, as John and Marlena both tried to shush him before he made things worse.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Sonny spat out, incredulous before rounding on Will. "I told you to stay away from him. What, did you invite him too?"

Technically, Will did say he'd see Paul at the party when he saw him last. But, he couldn't answer. Sonny told him to shut up.

"I already told you to stop talking to him like that," Paul urged, brushing Marlena and John off him.

"This is unbelievable," Sonny said with a shake of his head, ignoring Paul and focusing on Will. "Are you stringing them both along? One wasn't enough so you had to throw yourself at the second one too? Why are you such a slut, huh? Answer me!"

Will flinched from Sonny's words and from his outstretched hands when he grabbed Will's shoulders and shook.

Paul, Isak, John, Brady, and even Justin all reached out to pull Sonny off Will. Some much angrier than others.

Justin reached Sonny first.

"Shut the hell up, Sonny," Paul ordered as John and Brady changed course and had to hold Paul back.

"What is it, huh, Will? Don't want to tell everyone your dirty little secret again?"

Will put his hand over his nose, trying so damn hard to keep anything from spilling over but he knew it would. He wasn't going to answer Sonny. He wasn't. It didn't matter how many times he yelled at Will, it wasn't happening.

Sonny groaned and let out a disgusted sound when Will's nose started bleeding.

"Would you get that shit under control, for god's sake, Will?"

"Tyst du idiot," Isak said with a dark look on his face. The angrier he grew, the worse his grasp on English became. "You do to him. You did."

"Will?" Paul asked, forgetting Sonny for a moment and focusing on the blood pouring out of Will's nose. He moved closer, hands hovering over Will's face.

Will shook his head. Not now, not in front of so many people. Why did Sonny have to do this?

Will couldn't see any napkins anywhere and panicked. Marlena, thankfully, was already on it. She held a wad of tissues to Will's face while she glared at Sonny.

"What the hell are you even saying?" Sonny asked, looking at Isak in complete exasperation. "Why are you even here?"

"I help Will," Isak said, slowing down his words.

"Help Will?" Sonny asked, throwing Justin's hands off him. "Is that what you're calling it?"

"Sonny," Will said, voice nasally and muffled. "Stop yelling at your boss."

"No," Sonny shook his head. "Everyone might as well know anyway. I mean, it's not a secret. Is it, Will?"

"Is what?" Will asked, wanting nothing more than to hide away. To take Ari and Paul and never see Sonny Kiriakis ever again.

His eyes drifted toward Ari, thankful she was too absorbed by her presents to care what anyone was saying.

"The fact that you fucked my boss," Sonny yelled enough for everyone in the entire room to hear.

Will froze in place, blinking at Sonny. He could feel everyone's eyes on him again. He knew what they looked like too. He'd been here before.

Adrienne and Justin looking at him like he's the worst kind of monster. Victor plotting the easiest way to hide his body. Brady's usual look of contempt and disgust. John and Marlena's disappointment. The rest of his family's judgment and hypocritical ridicule.

Now, Will got to see Paul's reaction too. Some sort of horrible mixture of everything all at once and Will hated Sonny. He hated him. Why would he do this to Will?

How did he even know?

"I don't know why you tried hiding it in the first place. I knew the whole time," Sonny revealed. He looked at Isak with contempt before adding, "and I don't know why you look so smug right now. Do you really think Will would have done anything with you if I hadn't told him to first?"

"…what?" Will whispered.

It felt like his ears were ringing. He must have misheard.

"The only reason you went near him in the first place is because I told you to. I wanted that job and I didn't care how I got it. So, thanks a lot, Will. I guess I should be thanking you. If you weren't such a slut, talking you into it might have been harder."

Will couldn't breathe. He couldn't breathe and everyone was staring at him and his daughter's birthday was ruined and he couldn't breathe. He couldn't breathe and he couldn't be here anymore, not after learning the truth.

"Daddy?" Ari asked, holding an American Girl doll to her chest and looking at him with wide eyes. "You're bleeding again."

Will glanced at Ari before proving once again how alike they really were. He looked between Ari and Sonny, eyes watering, before he darted off.