"Thank you for coming to get her here," Will praised Ari's babysitter while holding onto his elbow. "I know it's not convenient."
"Well," the woman shrugged. "It wasn't fun getting through those reporters. But other than that, it wasn't much trouble."
"Reporters?" Will frowned, rubbing at the dark circles under his eyes.
"You know," the woman awkwardly looked at Will. "Because of the news about Sonny and that baseball player."
"Oh," Will blinked several times. "I forgot," he mumbled, clenching his eyes shut. He felt so exhausted, not only physically but mentally. The past twelve hours, the past twelve days, the last twelve months, it was all too much.
"Sorry," the woman said. "Um, yeah, sorry."
"It's fine," Will took a few calming breaths. "Um, I should be the one that's sorry. Ari didn't get much sleep last night so she's going to be cranky. So, good luck with that."
"It's nothing I can't handle," the woman assured Will with a supportive smile.
Will walked over to Ari, who was sitting on the floor of Sonny's hospital room playing with her toys.
"Baby, the babysitter is here," Will called. "Tell Daddy bye."
Ari waved at Sonny's prone figure. She thought he was merely sleeping.
"Bye, Daddy," Ari whispered to Sonny, not wanting to wake him. She turned to Will and hugged his legs. "Bye, bye."
"Bye, princess," Will bent over and kissed her nose, forehead, and cheeks. "I love you. Be a good girl, okay?"
"Kay," Ari answered, holding the babysitter's hand and walking off.
Will watched Ari until she was out of sight.
Please, be safe, Will thought. Please.
"Hey," Lucas called as he walked into the room. He left for a few hours, against his will, but he was back. "I brought you some clean clothes, your toothbrush, and some other stuff."
"Thanks," Will said as he took the bag offered to him and tossed it in his chair.
"I saw Ari leaving with the babysitter," Lucas commented. "I could have taken her."
"I know," Will responded. "I just, I wasn't sure I wanted her to leave at all. But," Will looked around the room, "She won't get much rest here."
"No, that's true," Lucas agreed. "How are you feeling?"
"I don't know," Will rubbed his temples. He could feel a pressure headache building. "Head hurts."
"You could have asked the staff to roll in a cot for you," Lucas pointed out. "You didn't need to sleep in the chair."
"I didn't really sleep," Will admitted. "I hate hospitals. And every little noise jolted me awake thinking it was Sonny."
"Did he wake up at all?" Lucas wondered.
"He'd open his eyes but I don't think he was actually awake," Will answered. "God, I don't know how you or Mom dealt with being here all the time."
"Well, you know, the staff is terrified of your mother, so that helped," Lucas admitted with a small smile.
"Right, of course," Will shook his head fondly.
"Now, you're sure you don't want me to stay with you?" Lucas questioned.
"Dad," Will rolled his eyes. "I can handle this. I'm not gonna fall apart."
"I just don't want you alone," Lucas said. "I need you to come out of this alright, Will."
"I'm fine," Will crossed his arms. "They stitched me up and it barely hurts."
"I wasn't talking about that," Lucas glanced at the garish lines across Will's forehead. "Although, that reminds me you need to get that looked at again."
"Dad," Will groaned.
"You and Sonny aren't okay, Will," Lucas reminded him. "And, yeah, something huge just happened. But it doesn't change what he did."
"What he did," Will responded, "Was risk his life for me."
"I know," Lucas nodded. "And I'm eternally grateful for that, son. He still hurt you. I just want you to keep an open mind about all this. Although," Lucas looked over the way Will's entire being gravitated towards Sonny, "I'd say we already know what your decision is gonna be."
"I-," Will glanced at Sonny. "I don't know, maybe."
"Whatever you decide," Lucas squeezed Will's shoulder as he stood up. "Make sure you're certain, that you have no doubts."
"I promise," Will said. "Was, um, were there a lot of reporters outside?"
"Uh, yeah," Lucas answered. "A lot, so, I'd say hide in here as long as you can."
"Do you know why they're out there?" Will asked, hoping he wouldn't have to explain anything yet.
"I figured it was because Sonny was in here," Lucas narrowed his eyes. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason," Wil dismissed. "Don't worry about it."
"Right, okay, be safe," Lucas kissed the top of Will's head. "And call me with any updates."
With a deep sigh, Will turned back to Sonny. He dug around in the bag his father brought him and found his IPad.
Will had to know how the news broke, how everyone found out the truth about Sonny and Paul's connection. Will hoped it had nothing to do with him, with his article.
Please, don't let this be my fault. Please.
Will typed in the names, "Paul Narita Sonny Kiriakis" into Chrome and waited, biting his lip.
The first link was for Sonix. Will opened it, wishing he could close his eyes.
Will read the first line of the article and slammed the IPad on the bed.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. How did they get this?
Will looked again, searching for the name of the journalist. There wasn't one.
How did this happen?
Will saved the article and hid it away in his desk. Few people had been inside of the apartment since then too.
Dad, Eric, Chad, T, Will thought. Theresa, Adrienne, Mom, and Grandma.
Would any of them do this?
No, Will decided. They wouldn't humiliate me this way. They all know how hard I'm trying to move on. They wouldn't do this.
So, who did?
Will tried to think if he let anyone else in the apartment. Only the building supervisor when he was testing the fire alarms. For some reason, Will didn't think a fifty-nine-year-old man that didn't know the difference between an Apple product and an actual apple would know to steal a thumbdrive.
Either someone broke in or someone betrayed me.
Sonny adjusted on the bed, head lolling.
"Sonny," Will tossed his IPad to the side. "Sonny, can you hear me?"
Sonny had moved throughout the night. Each time getting Will's hopes up or disturbing Will's light sleep. For a few brief seconds, hours before, Sonny opened his eyes and gazed uncomprehendingly around the room. By the time Will jumped to his side, Sonny was back asleep.
Hopefully, this time wouldn't be a false alarm.
"Hey," Will coaxed, moving his chair in real close. "Come on, Sonny. Open your eyes."
Sonny lifted his eyes open, blinking before shutting them again.
"Please, Sonny," Will begged. "Come back to me."
Seeming to listen, Sonny's eyes opened into low slits.
"Hey," Will beamed, holding Sonny's hand up and kissing the back of it. "Are you with me now?"
"Where'm I?" Sonny asked, voice low and scratchy.
"You're in the hospital," Will explained gently. "You're okay, now."
"Mmm," Sonny replied. "Hurts."
"I know," Will nodded. "I know it does. Here," Will reached over and clicked the button to release more pain medicine. "That'll help."
"Hmm," Sonny sighed with clear trouble keeping his eyes open. "You're pretty."
"What?" Will asked, taken aback.
"So pretty," Sonny repeated.
"I'd hope so," Will laughed, slightly uncomfortable. "You're married to me."
"I am?" Sonny's eyebrows lifted. "Damn, I did good."
"You're ridiculous," Will countered, cheeks red.
"You're the prettiest thing I've ever seen," Sonny stated. He lifted his free hand to poke at Will's face. He mumbled, "So pretty," again under his breath.
"What's that?" Sonny asked, staring at the needle attached to the top of his hand.
"I told you," Will smiled. "You're in the hospital."
"Oh," Sonny nodded. "That's sad. But you're my husband and that's happy."
"You're gonna be so embarrassed later," Will said, scratching his face with his left hand.
"If I'm your husband, where's your ring?" Sonny pointed at Will's bare ring finger.
"Um, I took it off," Will admitted. "We're, um, we're having problems."
"That's sad again," Sonny pouted, lower lip sticking out. "I have to fix problems. You're so pretty. I can't lose you. Why are we having problems?"
"You found someone prettier," Will said with a sad smile. He hated thinking about this even if Sonny didn't seem to remember in his drug induced state.
"No, 'mpossible," Sonny shook his head. "I told you, prettiest ever." Sonny stared at Will for a few moments. "Don't want you sad. Want you happy. I love you."
"You don't even remember me right now," Will pointed out.
"Love at first sight," Sonny promised. He rather clumsily pulled Will's hand towards his mouth and attempted to kiss it. His aim was off, kissing the side of his own thumb instead.
"You said that before to me," Will admitted. "I never believed you."
"Is true," Sonny insisted around a wide yawn.
"You should go back to sleep," Will suggested. "Resting is good for you."
"You'll be my husband when I wake up?" Sonny asked, eyes drifting shut.
"Yeah," Will chuckled. "We'll still be married."
"I'd fall in love at first sight again," Sonny promised. Still holding Will's hand, Sonny closed his eyes and fell back asleep.
Will bit his lip, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Paul-san," Tori yanked Paul unceremoniously into a warm hug. "Oh, I was so worried when you called me."
"I'm fine," Paul confirmed, grimacing when she touched his sore shoulder. He only bruised the healing muscle but it still hurt like hell.
Paul stayed outside of Sonny's hospital room for several hours. He watched over Will as he fell into a fitful sleep. It hurt, though, watching the way Will behaved around Sonny. It shouldn't have been so jarring but it was.
Over the past few days, Paul managed to convince himself that things were progressing with Will. Will was so interested in Tori's secret, he turned to Paul, helped him. Why would Will do that if he didn't care?
"How did something like that happen?" Tori wondered as they sat down on Paul's simple sofa. She tsk-ed seeing the dark bruises on her son's face.
"I don't know," Paul shook his head. "I don't know who would want to hurt Will. It was surreal. The whole experience feels like it happened to someone else."
"And he's alright, Will is?" Tori questioned. Despite her feelings for the boy, she didn't want him hurt.
"Physically, yeah," Paul said. "But mentally and emotionally? I don't know if he can handle much more stress to his life."
"He'll have you, though," Tori replied. "Won't he? Since you're staying for him."
"I-," Paul sighed. "I don't know. I mean, I know how I feel. I know that I love Will more than I've ever loved anyone else. But I don't think he'll ever feel the same about me."
"Why do you say that?" Tori frowned. Her son had never been low on confidence.
"You didn't see the way he reacted to Sonny," Paul said. "I've always known that he was still in love with Sonny but seeing it was so much worse. I don't think there's anything I can do that would compete with that."
"And Sonny will be fine?" Tori asked.
"That's what the doctors' said," Paul shrugged. "As soon as Will heard Sonny was fine, Will didn't need me anymore. He wanted me all night but not when he could have Sonny."
"It could have just been his emotions," Tori appeased. "You wouldn't know how to react either."
"Why are you supporting me in this?" Paul questioned. "I thought you hated Will."
"I don't hate him," Tori stressed. "You are my son and I want the best for you. You deserve the best."
"You don't think that's Will?" Paul asked with narrowed eyes.
"I want you with someone that can give you as much love as you give him," Tori amended. "Someone that will love you the way you deserve."
"I want it to be Will," Paul admitted. "But how can I compete with his past, with Sonny?"
"You should not be in a competition," Tori frowned. "You are a wonderful man. Someone should want you and only you, son."
"Yeah, that would be nice," Paul sighed.
"Now," Tori cleared her throat. "What are you going to do about the latest article?"
"Article?" Paul frowned. It took him several moments to recall the evening before, what he saw on the news. "I didn't know there was an article."
"From that dreadful Sonix Magazine," Tori sniffed.
"Sonix? How the hell would they know about what happened with me and Sonny?" Paul wondered. "This doesn't make any sense."
"Well, read the article yourself and see," Tori suggested. "Personally, I think you should just deny the whole thing. No one has any proof of your indiscretions. You barely recovered from the last scandal."
"And Will," Paul breathed as he turned his IPad on. "Will is going to hate everyone knowing this."
Paul found the link to the article and began to read. It made him nauseous. How could anyone know such intimate details?
Towards the end of the article, Paul recognized the writing style. With a frown marring his features, Paul knew who wrote it. He knew everything.
"Will wrote this," Paul breathed, hurt filling his chest. "Will wrote this about me and Sonny."
"Are you sure?" Tori grabbed the tablet from Paul and skimmed the article again. She hated reading such words about her son but the writing was titillating. If it wasn't about her son, Tori might have enjoyed it. "Why would Wil write something like this?"
"I-I don't know," Paul buried his face in his heads. His words came out muffled. "He was so angry before but he wouldn't do it now. He said he didn't want anyone knowing the truth."
"Are you certain?" Tori asked. "Are you certain you know Will's character?"
"I thought I did," Paul admitted quietly, "But I don't know."
Will paced back and forth in the small hospital room. He just finished speaking with Daniel about Sonny's brief conversation. Daniel stressed it was normal for Sonny to be a little out of it after getting out of surgery. He also requested that Will stop giving Sonny pain medication with his approval.
Fine, so I gave him too much, Will thought. At least he was happy.
He won't be for long, though. Not when he discovers the article.
Will thought he was done with this mess. Done with everyone hounding him with questions. Done with the photographers sneaking pictures inside the pub. Done with the town staring at Will everywhere he went.
Before, everyone looked at Will in disgust. He was, allegedly, the man that cheated on his husband. He was the male embodiment of his mother. Now, though, now they'd look at him with pity.
I'm the consolation prize. The one that Sonny kept around because he couldn't have Paul. Everyone is going to know I wasn't enough to keep my husband faithful. They're going to know that I'm not enough.
Thinking back, Will didn't mention a time or a date in the article. No one knew when Sonny and Paul slept together.
Everyone is going to think it was recent. They're going to think I found out about them sleeping together right now. Oh god, what if they think I'm the reason Sonny got stabbed? What if everyone thinks I did it?
Will didn't think he could handle that. He couldn't handle everyone's accusations or judgments. He already blamed himself. He didn't need everyone else doing it too.
It should have been me in that hospital bed. I wrote the article. I ruined everything again. And now Sonny is paying the price. It's my fault. It's always my fault.
Will's fingertips were shaking. His entire body felt jittery and itchy.
I didn't take my meds, Will realized. They're still at home.
Will forgot to tell his father to bring them. No one knew he was taking them. Only Lynn, his therapist,s and the pharmacist where he filled the prescription knew.
That was another secret Will didn't want anyone to know. Another secret that was going to be exposed. Will couldn't leave the hospital but he needed those meds. He just wasn't sure who he trusted with his secret right now.
Will grabbed his phone, pulling up T's contact information.
"T," Will said in a resigned tone. "Can you get something for me?"
"Damn," T whispered when he walked into Sonny's room. "He looks like shit."
"You try losing most of your blood and see how you look," Will sighed. "Aunt Kayla and Daniel said he'd be fine. They promised. But you're right. He looks awful."
"Right," T whistled lowly. "And it happened right in front of you, dude?"
"Uh huh," Will nodded. His legs were curled towards his chest in the hospital bed.
"I can't believe this," T flopped in a chair next to Will. "I talked to Chad, by the way. He and Theresa are cutting their romantic Valentine's trip short."
"They didn't have to do that," Will replied. "He probably won't wake up for a while."
"Well, believe it or not," T said fondly. "But they might want to be with you too, Will."
"Oh," Will mumbled.
"So," T pulled the backpack he took from Will's apartment off his shoulders. "Why exactly did I have to smuggle pills in here? You're not addicted to Oxy are you?"
"No," Will rolled his eyes. He grabbed the bag and riffled through everything. He flipped open the cap on his medicine and tossed a pill in his mouth, swallowing down a swig of water.
"What's it for then?" T wondered.
Will handed over the bottle and crossed his arms. His fingers still twitched against his arms. Will knew he needed to get some food in him or else he'd get lightheaded.
T read the name of the drug.
"I don't get it," T admitted with a frown. "What is this?"
"Antipsychotics," Will grunted.
T's eyebrows lifted, eyes widening. "Dude?"
"Because I'm bipolar, alright," Will huffed. "And I need my crazy pills or I'm going to be even more insane than I already am."
T looked at the bottle and Will several times, processing everything.
"You're not crazy," T said.
"I am," Will insisted. "It's okay. Everyone already knew, now it's just official."
"Stop saying that," T requested. "When did you find this out?"
Will shrugged, "A while ago."
"And you didn't tell anyone? This is big, dude. Why wouldn't you let any of us be there for you?" T wondered.
"Because I don't need everyone knowing that I've got a mental disorder, okay?" Will said. "I don't need everyone looking at me like I'm crazy."
"You aren't crazy!" T yelled. He ran his fingers through his short hair, wanting to pull. "Stop saying that."
"I am what I am, T," Will responded. "And there's no changing it. There's just giving me drugs and going to therapy the rest of my life."
"Have you told your parents?" T asked.
"Yeah, right," Will snorted. "Do you know what my mom would do if someone told her one of her kids was mental?"
"Good point," T admitted. "We'd hear her shrieks from Cali. But, seriously, Will. Do you really think I'd look at you any differently? You're my best friend."
"Well, yeah," Will said. "It's different thinking I've got problems and knowing I'm a nutcase."
"You aren't a nutcase," T hissed. "Now," T said in a calmer tone. "What exactly does bipolar mean?"
"Technically, it's bipolar two," Will explained. "Which is basically that I'm crazy and depressed." Seeing T's sharp glare, Will amended. "I go through periods of mania and depression."
"Oh," T nodded. "Yeah, that makes sense."
Will shot T a look.
"I'm just saying," T held up his hands. "You do that stuff. It's just nice knowing there's a name for it, is all. Do the drugs help?"
"I don't know," Will said. "I guess. I don't know if it's the right dose or not. I feel anxious, all the time."
"Did you eat anything?" T asked. He rolled his eyes when Will shook his head. "You stay here. I'll get the food. And no arguing if I get you something fattening either. You could gain some weight."
Paul pushed through the collection of photographers shouting questions at him. He didn't have time for this and he wasn't answering any questions anyway.
Jesus, Paul sighed. What the hell did my publicist tell everyone?
"What is the nature of your relationship with Sonny Kiriakis?"
"Did you stab Sonny? Did Will?"
"Did you sleep with them both? Is this a threesome ending in violence?"
"Did you sleep with Sonny before or after you slept with Will?"
Don't react, don't react, Paul told himself. Stay strong.
"Did you purposely ruin Will Horton's life or was it an accident?"
Keep going, Paul wanted to pause. He wanted to round on that journalist and beat them to a pulp. But he couldn't. Not now.
Knock Knock
Will and T turned their heads toward the door at the same time.
"What the hell are you doing here?" T demanded when he noticed Paul Narita walking into the room.
"Um, I need to talk to Will," Paul said. He glanced at Sonny in the bed before focusing on Will. "If that's okay."
"Bit of a strange time to be stopping by for a chat," T quipped. "What with his husband in a hospital bed and all."
"T," Will sighed. "Stop it. Sonny wouldn't even be alive right now without Paul, remember."
"So?" T sniffed, arms crossed.
"I just want to talk," Paul said. "Honest."
"Whatever you have to say in front of Will you can say in front of me," T insisted, chest puffed out. "So, go ahead and talk."
"T, please," Will pleaded. "Go and call Adrienne. She wanted hourly updates anyway."
T looked between Will and Paul.
"Fine," T sniffed. "But I'm watching you," T pointed his fingers at his own eyes before directing them towards Paul.
"Sorry about him," Will said once T left. "He's kind of a pain."
"He's protective of you. I understand that," Paul responded. He kept flashing looks towards Sonny on the bed. He didn't exactly feel comfortable talking about this in front of Sonny.
Will looked at Paul before slumping in his seat. He knew that look, the disappointment. He'd seen it on Sonny's face so many times during their relationship. Will had never seen it on Paul's, though.
"I wrote it," Will admitted in a quiet tone. "I did. It's my fault."
"Yeah," Paul licked his lips. "I know. I mean, I recognized your voice in the writing."
"It was an accident," Will rushed to explain. "I wrote it but I never sent it to Sonix. I never sent it to anyone. That's why I quit. Zoe wanted me to write something like that and I couldn't. I mean, I did, but I couldn't do that to you. I didn't want anyone to know and now they do and it's, I can't."
"Breathe, Will," Paul said over Will's rambling. "What did you say about Zoe?"
"Back when I still worked there," Will bowed his head. "After your press conference, Zoe got mad. She said it was my fault that she didn't get an article. She told me I had to write something about you, something juicy. The only thing I could think of was what happened."
"I see," Paul mumbled. He didn't remember the promise he made to Zoe at all when he went through with the press conference. He didn't realize his actions led to Will quitting.
"No, you don't," Will shook his head several times. Despite the breakfast T brought him, Will still felt anxious. "I wrote it. I wrote it and I wanted you to feel what I felt. I wanted everyone to suffer the way I was. But, when I had time to think back I realized I couldn't go through with it. So, I quit."
"Right," Paul closed his eyes, hands stuffed in his pockets.
Your husband cheated with me. I almost convinced you to become something you hate. I'm the reason you quit your dream job. And your husband almost died. I've literally ruined Will's life, Paul thought.
"I'm sorry," Will pleaded. "I didn't mean for this to happen."
Paul couldn't handle Will when he spoke like that. Couldn't stand hearing the pain in his voice, the desperation on his face. As upset as Paul felt by the article, he refused to be the cause of anymore of Will's pain. He wouldn't be another man in Will's life that left him weak and submissive.
"I get it, Will," Paul told him in a gentle voice. "I don't like it but I get it."
"You do?" Will looked through his lashes up at Paul.
"It hurts," Paul leaned against the door. He refused to sit down. "Knowing what you were really thinking, knowing how much I hurt you. I get it, though. You're a writer. You needed a way to let it all out."
You had to write because you were all alone. I came in your life and ruined everything, Paul realized.
"I did," Will nodded, surprised Paul was so understanding. "But, I promise, I didn't publish it."
"I know you didn't," Paul admitted with a sigh. "I know you wanted to keep everything a secret. You wouldn't do this, not now."
"Then, why are you so upset?" Will tilted his head, staring at Paul. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I don't know," Paul shook his head, slumping against the wall. "I'm tired, Will."
"Tired?" Will questioned.
"Tired of the press," Paul explained. "Tired of looking over my shoulder everywhere I go. Tired of hurting you. Tired of everyone in your family hating me. Tired of holding out hope for something that's never going to happen."
"What do you mean?" Will stood up and walked closer to Paul.
"God," Paul closed his eyes, lips pressed together.
With a deep breath, Paul opened his eyes and stared right at Will.
"I love you, Will. I'm in love with you," Paul confessed. "And you're never going to feel the same way about me."
Will inhaled sharply, holding his breath.
"You are never going to look at me the way you look at him," Paul gestured towards Sonny's prone figure. "You're never going to be all mine. You're never going to forgive me entirely. I'm always going to be the man that ruined your family, ruined your sense of self-worth.
"You are never going to pick me over Sonny," Paul stated.
"I-I don't know what to say," Will whispered.
"I know," Paul said. "And that's the problem, Will. I can wait and wait and you're never going to know. I want to be with someone that knows. I deserve someone that knows. I know I hurt you and I am so, so sorry. I will always be sorry. But that article, what you wrote? I'm always going to be that guy to you. I'm never going to be the one you pick.
"So," Paul gathered his strength. "I can't wait any longer. I can't sit around and watch you fall apart over Sonny again and again. So, just, I'm taking myself out of the equation. I want you to be happy and I know it's not gonna be with me."
Paul took a few steps closer to Will and cradled his shocked face tenderly.
"I love you. Goodbye, Will," Paul whispered one last time. He brushed his lips against Will's, relishing the moment before letting go and walking away.
T found Will frozen in place a few minutes later.
"Where's Paul?" T asked, looking around the room. "Why is your face like that?"
"He, um, he said," Will closed his eyes, staving off his tears. "He said..."
"He said what?" T wondered. "Is there a homewrecking baseball convention in town?"
"He said he loved me," Will whispered.
"Wait, what?" T paused. "He loves you? How does he love you?"
"I-I don't know," Will mumbled. "That's what he said. He said he loves me. He loves me. Paul loves me."
"And?" T looked at Will suspiciously.
"That I'll never love him the way he wants," Will added. "So, he can't be around me anymore."
"Isn't that a good thing?" T said. "Now, you don't have to choose. You and Sonny can work things out."
"Yeah," a sob burst out of Will's chest.
"Then, why aren't you happy?" T sighed, guiding Will back to his seat.
"I don't know," Will cried. "I don't know."
Paul walked with his head held high into the men's restroom. He pressed his hands against the sink, breathing in and out.
It's okay, Paul told himself. It's for the best. Will isn't going to love me the way I love him. It's for the best.
Paul's face crumpled, realizing dawning on him. He just let Will go, told him to be with Sonny.
Oh god, Paul couldn't contain his tears. He didn't think anything had ever felt so much pain in his life. Not throwing out his arm. Not finding out his career was over. Not even when Sonny left him.
But this, giving up Will, nothing had ever hurt so much.
Will loves Sonny, Paul told himself, wiping his eyes. He'll never love me the same way. It's better like this. Will can be happy. He would have run himself ragged trying to please everyone. He would have hurt himself trying not to hurt me or Sonny.
Now, Will doesn't have to choose. Now, he can be happy and that's all that matters.
"Can you do me another favor?" Will asked T about an hour after Paul left.
"Sure," T responded. Anything would be preferable to watching Will cry.
"Can you go check on the pub for me?" Will sniffled. "I didn't go in yesterday and I can't today and I just, I need someone to check."
"Sure," T nodded. After a beat, he said, "Can I boss around the kid with the hard-on for you?"
"No," Will chuckled. "Leave Adam alone."
"Oh, fine," T sighed dramatically. "You'll be alright, here?"
"Yeah," Will nodded. He looked at Sonny and said, "I think so."
"You know," T remarked, "For someone with zero self-esteem, you certainly have a lot of dudes in love with you. More than I do at any rate."
"It's not all it's cracked up to be," Will whispered.
As soon as T left, Will picked up Sonny's hand. He rubbed his thumb along Sonny's knuckles, noting the dry, cracked skin.
"You need to use lotion more often," Will said out loud. "I've got a lot of new products. You're older than me so you should be using them too. And you need to use more sunscreen. I don't care if you claim to be Mediterranean. You're gonna get skin cancer and look gross when you're old. That's what happens if you don't take care of yourself. You'll always look older than me, though. I have good genes that way, better than yours. No offense.
"I don't know what the hell I'm talking about," Will sighed. He rested his chin on the edge of the bedrail. "I don't know what to do, Sonny. I haven't known for a long time. I know that I love you or at least I loved the old you. Now, now I'm afraid I don't know who you are anymore.
"Paul told me he loved me," Will whispered. "But he thought I would never get over you. Maybe he's right. I do love you. I feel like I'll always love you. If I was with Paul, I don't know if that would change. I don't like Paul telling me what to do or making choices for me, though. And if I can't get over you does that mean you couldn't get over Paul? Do you still love Paul? I know I'm taking a long time but I'll get there, eventually. I always do."
Will looked at Sonny's face and sighed. He searched in the bag his father brought him for some chapstick. He glided it along Sonny's cracked lips.
"What if I don't want to be with you?" Will asked, looking down at Sonny's face. "What if this ends up being a horrible mistake? What if you hurt me again? What if Paul's my chance at happiness and I let him go? What if I hurt you? What if you deserve someone better?
"What if I don't know how to be happy?" Will wondered. His fingertips traced over the scruff growing on Sonny's cheeks.
"Just," Will licked his lips and sat back down. He looked skyward. "Please, give me a sign. Just, any sign that this is where I'm supposed to be. Please."
Will closed his eyes, laying his head on the bedrail of Sonny's bed again. It only took a few minutes for Will to drift off to sleep.
Sonny groaned in his sleep, eyebrows wrinkling.
"Sonny?" Will's eyes snapped open. He slapped against his own cheeks, trying to wake himself up.
"Hmm," Sonny sighed.
Once he was more awake himself, Will waited patiently for Sonny to open his eyes.
Sonny blinked several times, eyes hurting at the sunlight streaming through the window. Finally adjusting, Sonny caught Will's wide blue eyes.
"H-hey," Will smiled.
"Will?" Sonny croaked.
"Yeah?" Will linked his hand with Sonny's. "I'm here."
"What happened?" Sonny asked. "Where am I?"
"You're in the hospital," Will explained. "You don't remember?"
Sonny thought for a few moments, eyes closed. It all came rushing back. Walking through the park, hearing Will scream. Running as hard as he could toward the sound. The searing pain in his side, seeing Will's terrified face hovering above him.
Sonny winced, hand automatically going towards the bandage on his side.
"Don't touch it," Will pulled Sonny's hand back. "Trust me. It'll hurt worse."
"What happened?" Sonny repeated. "How did I get here?"
"You, um, after you got hurt Paul gave you CPR," Will said, eyes watering. "And an ambulance came. Kayla and Daniel operated on you for hours. God," Will laughed wetly. "I was so scared."
"I'm sorry," Sonny said. He squeezed Will's hand. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Will nodded. He brought Sonny's hand up to his mouth and kissed it. "I'm okay."
"Am I okay?" Sonny questioned with a half-smile.
"Mmm hmm," Will nodded, lips trembling. "You're okay too. Please, don't ever do that again."
"It was for you," Sonny answered. "I'd have to do it again."
Sonny coughed, side burning in agony.
"Gah," Sonny winced.
"I-I'll get a doctor or a nurse," Will said, pushing the call button nearby. "They need to check you over."
"Will," Sonny remembered something important. "Did they catch the guys?"
"Guys?" Will repeated, shaking his head. "No, no they ran off."
"Uncle Vic's," Sonny said as Daniel and a nurse rushed inside, crowding around Sonny.
"Uncle Vic's?" Will questioned. "What are you talking about?"
"Mom," Sonny jerked his head away from her hands. "I'm fine. Please, I just want to talk to Will."
"You can see him later," Adrienne insisted, fretting. "You're my baby and you almost died. God, you need to call your brothers and let them know you're alright."
"No, I need to talk to Will first," Sonny pressed.
Adrienne dismissively waved her hand, pulling out her phone and holding it to her ear.
"Alex?" Adrienne exclaimed happily. "Alex, Sonny woke up! Yes," Adrienne nodded. "Yeah, he's right here."
Sonny reluctantly spoke into the phone, "Hi, Alex. Yeah, I'm fine."
Will stood outside of Sonny's hospital room, looking in through the window. His arms wrapped around himself protectively.
Ding
The elevator doors flew open and Chad and Theresa rushed out. Chad held his phone to his ear, angrily yelling.
"Well, fix it," Chad hissed. "Before I start firing people."
Theresa twisted her fingers together, looking at Chad out of the corner of her eyes.
"Hey," Will called when he noticed them.
"Will!" Chad yelled. "I've got to go," he said into the phone. "Deal with it, now."
"We just got back," Chad explained to Will as they hurried over to him. "How is he?"
"Awake," Will divulged. "Adrienne's in there with him."
Pulling Will into a bone crushing hug, Chad said, "I'm so sorry you were alone through this."
"I wasn't alone," Will admitted, holding Chad just as tight. "I had, um, people."
"Right," Chad nodded. "I'm working on getting the article down. I have no idea how that happened. I know Zoe must have had something to do with it. No one else could have gotten it published that fast."
Theresa bit her lip to keep herself from speaking.
"What are you talking about?" Will wondered. "What can you do?"
"You didn't hear?" Chad frowned. "DiMera Enterprises bought Sonix. So, technically my magazine exposed your secret."
"Oh," Will sighed. He didn't think it mattered who owned it. "I just want to know who stole it."
"Maybe someone hacked your laptop," Chad suggested. "I know you're good with technology and stuff but it could happen."
"No," Will denied. "I know it wasn't that way. I deleted it off my laptop. And no one can hack me. I made sure of that. The only copy was on a flashdrive that I hid. So, someone had to of broken into the apartment."
"I'll send my people over," Chad assured Will. He pulled his phone out again. "Right now. We'll figure out who did this and make them pay."
Theresa couldn't stand it anymore. The guilt, the worry that this would be the end of her friendship with Will and her relationship with Chad.
"It was me!" Theresa yelled. "Okay, it was me."
"Here it is, sir," the private investigator handed over a thick manila envelope to Paul. "Everything you requested."
"Right," Paul took the object. He grabbed a regular envelope off the side table next to the door of the apartment. It was stuffed with cash. "Your payment," Paul explained.
"Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Narita," the man offered an oily smile before slithering down the stairs.
The man loved getting paid twice for doing one job.
Paul slammed the door behind him and tossed the envelope on the couch.
What the hell am I going to do? Paul thought, staring at the stuffed envelope. What could my mother be hiding? Why would she keep it a secret?
Paul didn't want to do this alone, didn't know if he could do this. His entire life could change with the information.
And I'm alone. Before, I could be brave because Will was with me. But now? Now, I'm alone.
Paul glared at the object one last time before snatching it back up. He grabbed his jacket and stormed out of the apartment.
"What are you talking about?" Chad rounded on Theresa. "What was you?"
Will stared at Theresa in horror, hand over his mouth.
"I, look, I didn't know what was on it, okay," Theresa defended. "I just, Sami told me to snoop and find out what you were thinking. I didn't look at your journal. But, I looked through your desk. It was the only thing that didn't belong."
"So, you took it and sent it to a magazine?" Will took a few steps back, betrayal lining his voice.
"No!" Theresa denied. "No, of course not. I-I read it and I brought it to Kate. She was supposed to send it to Sami and she must have mixed the emails up. I promise I didn't know the magazine was going to get it."
Theresa faced Will, eyes desperate. "I promise, Will. I didn't mean for this to happen."
"My grandma?" Will frowned.
"It was an accident," Theresa reiterated.
Chad pinched the bridge of his nose, refusing to look at Theresa. He dialed a number on his phone and growled, "Kate, get your ass to the hospital, now."
"Is that what you meant when you said you would occupy yourself?" Chad glared at Theresa. "The other day when you were waiting in my office, you were meeting Kate?"
"Yes," Theresa answered meekly. "But, it wasn't anything bad. After what happened to Will, Sami asked me to keep an eye on him. So, I've been talking to Sami and Kate, looking after Will."
"Sure," Chad crossed his arms. "With those two that is never it. So, what the hell were you really doing?"
Theresa knew she couldn't lie, not if she wanted their relationship to have a chance.
"You're right," Theresa admitted with a sigh. "I've been sending tips to trashy tabloid magazines about Paul."
"What?" Will asked, mouth hanging open. "Why would you do that?"
"Because he hurt you," Theresa explained. "And Sami needed help. She was busy and Kate-," Theresa cut herself off before bracing herself for the fallout. "And Kate was too busy trying to take down TBD."
"What?!" Chad spat out. "All that crap was Kate? Why would you go along with that? Why wouldn't you tell me?"
"I didn't know what she was doing," Theresa defended. "She said it wouldn't seriously damage you, just cause an inconvenience."
"She broke our windows and sent that dweeby kid to ruin our products," Chad recalled.
"Um," Will interjected watching the two argue. "I kind of knew Kate sent Adam. He told me."
"What? You knew about this?" Chad rounded on Will.
"No," Will replied calmly. "I knew about Adam but not anything else. I didn't even know TBD was having struggles. I told my mom to knock it off. So, hopefully, it's done and over with."
"Knowing your mom she's just warming up," Chad crossed his arms. He flashed a look at Theresa. "And just so you know, I'm pissed at you."
"I know," Theresa confirmed. "But, does this mean, I mean, are we still together, or what?"
Will watched Theresa keep her head up high, fighting off a round of tears.
"Yes, we're together," Chad rolled his eyes. "But I'm still pissed."
"Oh, that I can handle," Theresa sighed in relief. "You won't stay mad for long."
"I won't?" Chad lifted one eyebrow.
"Nope," Theresa popped her lips. "Later, I'll just do that thing you like with my tongue."
Chad nodded, lips pushed out.
"I do like that," Chad admitted.
Will's face pinched together, blanching.
"Besides," Theresa linked her arm with Chad's. "I was helping your best friend. Can't fault me for that."
"I could but I won't," Chad said. "He needs all the help he can get."
"Hey," Will frowned.
"Speaking of you," Chad looked at Will. "What the hell happened last night? And what is with your face?"
Will touched the stitches along his eyebrow.
"Oh, um, someone held my face down to slice it open," Will responded.
"What?" Theresa cried, horrified.
"Yeah," Will nodded. "I was in the park and Paul came along. Then these twins came by and wanted me to go with them. When I refused they pulled a knife, slice my brow," Will pointed at the stitches. "So, I was going to go with them. Sonny ran over out of nowhere and ended up getting stabbed."
"And he's alright?" Chad replied, glancing at the room they were standing in front of. He could see Sonny rolling his eyes at whoever was on the phone.
"Yes," Will said. "It was scary for a while there. But he made it out of surgery okay. And he's up now."
"And you're here," Chad realized. "So, does that mean you've made your choice?"
Will looked over his shoulder at Sonny.
Will was at the hospital, didn't leave Sonny's side since the moment he came out of recovery.
I cried so hard when I thought he was gone. I prayed for him to recover, to come back to me.
"I think so," Will responded, uncertain.
Ding
Sami Brady, with Kate Roberts hot on her heels, ran out of the elevator.
"Will!" Sami shouted. She skittered to a halt in front of Will, pulling him against her. "I can't believe you're alright."
Sami roughly pushed Will away from her, turning his head from left to right.
"Your beautiful face," Sami frowned. "They marred it. Whoever the hell it was is going to pay."
"Mom," Will frowned, embarrassed at her fawning.
"Mommy will take care of it," Sami promised, holding Will tightly again.
Theresa snickered and tried to play it off as a cough when Will looked over.
"Sami, let the boy breathe," Kate warned.
"You," Chad glared at her. "This is your fault!"
"What is my fault? What were you rambling on about on the phone?" Kate mused.
"Kate," Theresa explained. "You know that article you were supposed to send to Sami?"
"What about it?" Kate frowned.
"You didn't send it to Sami," Chad retorted. "You sent it to the PR department and everyone at Sonix!"
"No, I didn't," Kate denied. "That's ridiculous."
Just to be sure, Kate pulled out her phone and double-checked her email accounts.
"And let's not forget what you did to my club," Chad smiled sharply.
Kate stared at her phone in horror.
"This isn't possible," Kate murmured. "Will," Kate stared at him, guilt leaking out of her pores. "Oh, sweetie, I'm so sorry."
Will shrugged, shoulders hunched together.
"Wait a minute," Sami glared at Kate. "You're the reason everyone knows what happened to my son? What the hell, Kate? You know how much Will values his privacy. How could you?"
"It was an accident," Kate argued. "I thought I was sending it to you!"
"Everyone knows Sonny cheated because of you," Sami countered. "How is Will going to recover from this and the attack?"
"You could try asking Will," Will mumbled under his breath. "I'm standing right here."
Will didn't appreciate everyone talking about him but not including him.
"I'm sorry, Kate," Chad insisted. "But I'll have to write you up at work for this."
"Chad," Kate huffed. "Is that-,"
"Good," Sami goaded. "Put her before the board."
"Sami, you're not helping," Chad said.
"I always help," Sami dismissed. "Now,-,"
"Oh my god," Will sighed when he realized no one was listening to him. He slipped back over to Sonny's room. Dealing with Adrienne had to be better than dealing with them.
"Will," Sonny breathed, holding out his hands.
"Hi," Will smiled softly. "You look better."
"Maybe talking to my brothers was a good thing," Sonny replied.
Adrienne smiled. She looked between Sonny and Will before saying, "I should try to get in touch with your father. Let him know you're awake."
Adrienne left. Will and Sonny were all alone.
"So," Sonny pressed his lips together. "You're here."
"I didn't leave," Will confessed. "I couldn't leave."
"Is it bad that that makes me happy?" Sonny asked with a rueful smile.
"No, I guess not," Will looked down at his feet. He knew he needed to tell Sonny about the article. Tell Sonny that he wrote it, that everyone knew what Sonny did.
"What I meant was, you're here, Will," Sonny emphasized. "With me, here. What does that mean?"
"Um," Will chewed his lips, feeling a panic mounting in his chest. "I guess it means that I'm," Will paused, anxious, "Here."
"Really?" Sonny beamed. He tried to sit up only for Will to push him back down.
Will took a deep breath before nodding, fingers trembling.
"Yeah, really," Will said, hoping Sonny didn't hear the apprehension in his voice. Hoping he didn't notice the sweat lining Will's forehead or the way he couldn't sit still.
"God, Will," Sonny looked at Will so fondly, so full of love. He reached out to trace against Will's cheek. "I love you so much."
"…I love you too," Will confessed quietly. He meant it, he did. Will just wasn't sure he meant it the way Sonny did.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear that again," Sonny admitted with a laugh. "I promise everything is going to be different. I'll be different. I love you."
Will nodded once more. He wanted to tell Sonny everything. Tell him he didn't want to jump into anything. Tell him about the article and his grandma. Tell him what Kate, Sami, and Theresa were up to. Wanted to tell Sonny what Paul said, that Paul left, that Paul loved him. Tell him that Paul's confession and exit left something gaping inside of him. That Will loved Sonny but wasn't sure he was doing the right thing.
As Will opened his mouth, a commotion happened outside the door, causing it to burst open.
"There's my great-grandbaby," Caroline Brady sighed as she carefully moved into the hospital room.
Will jumped to his feet, hugging his great-grandma close. He helped her over to the nearest chair.
"Oh, your handsome face," Caroline cooed, patting Will's cheek. "Don't worry, though. You'll look quite manly when you heal up."
"Gee, thanks," Will chuckled.
Caroline turned her attentions on Sonny and reached for his outstretched hand.
"Oh, Sonny," Caroline squeezed his hand once. "I hate seeing you in here."
"Well, it's no picnic being here," Sonny admitted with a smile. He loved Grandma Caroline so much. He cared about so many of Will's family members. They all seemed to love him too. Loved him like he was one of their own not the way his family treated Will. Not the way his mother treated Will or his uncle recently.
"Grandma, how did you get here?" Will questioned. "You didn't drive yourself did you?"
"No," a gruff voice answered from behind them. Victor Kiriakis walked into the room. "I brought her here."
"You," Sonny's smile dropped, his eyes hardened. "Get out," Sonny hissed.
"Sonny," Caroline frowned disapprovingly. "That's no way to talk to your uncle."
"Yeah?" Sonny argued. "I think it is especially when this whole thing is his fault."
Victor stared at Sonny challengingly.
"What are you talking about?" Will looked between Sonny and Victor. "Sonny?"
"Those guys from last night," Sonny explained, turning his attention on Will. "They work for my uncle."
"What?" Will took a step away from Victor.
"So," Sonny glared at his uncle again. "Why did you send them after Will?"
"I only told them to bring him to the mansion," Victor insisted. "I never told them to cause any harm."
Caroline gasped as Will crossed his arms.
"Right?" Sonny snorted. "You told your little muscle men, the ones that carry guns around the mansion, to pick up my husband without hurting him."
"I-," Victor opened his mouth.
"Shut up!" Sonny yelled. "Look at him," Sonny gestured to Will's stitched up brow. "And look at me. I almost died because of you, Uncle Vic. It's your fault."
"How could you?" Caroline stared at Victor in dismay.
"Why?" Will whispered. Victor never had a problem with him before. Will lived with him once as a small child. Fondly, Will recalled skipping down the large hallways, listening to Victor's crotchety laughter. "What did I do?"
"You've jerked my nephew around one too many times," Victor said indignantly. "You made him wait weeks when everyone knows he deserves so much better. And having the nerve to cheat on him? You disgust me."
"Shut up!" Sonny shouted again. "How many times do I have to tell you? Will didn't do anything. I did! I'm the one that cheated, me! And you could have killed my husband over your stupid misconception. Because you're too stubborn and too blinded to listen to anyone but yourself."
"Sonny-," Victor tried.
"No!" Sonny growled. "You stay the hell away from me and my husband. You are no longer welcome around my family. Now, get out."
Victor gazed at Sonny in shock, expecting him to cave.
Caroline pushed herself off of her chair and took a few small steps towards the door.
"You sent armed men after my great-grandson?" Caroline questioned.
Caroline knew Victor well enough to decipher the answer. It was written all over his face.
Smack
Caroline cracked Victor across the face before turning her back on him and settling back in her seat.
"Grandma," Will said, stunned.
"What?" Caroline sniffed. "Your mother had to get it from someone."
Will stared at the open door, stunned.
Victor sent armed men after me? Will thought. But he, but he's always liked me. He told me how much he appreciated me almost going to jail for Sonny. Why would he- when I didn't even-he's the reason Sonny almost died.
No, Will amended. I am. Victor was so convinced I was an awful person. Everyone is so convinced I'm an awful person. He didn't even think twice about sending men to deal with me.
"Will," Caroline squeezed his arm. "Sweetheart, it's alright."
And my grandma, Will realized. She's so special to Victor. How could he do this to her? What if something happened to me, how would he explain it to her?
Victor treats my mom like garbage and Theresa. Why wouldn't he do the same to me? We're all important to Grandma Caroline and yet he doesn't care how he treats her family. He doesn't care about me.
Will was just beginning to feel accepted by Sonny's family, to feel like he was a part of something bigger. But the past year, the past month, Will had never felt farther away from anyone.
This isn't going to go away. The article, what Sonny did, what Paul did, what I did, it's never going away. It's always going to be here. No one is ever going to let me forget it. I'll never forget it.
I'll never forget it, Will realized.
"I have to go," Will rushed for the door. He couldn't be here anymore.
It felt like everything was pressing against him. The pressure he placed on himself to get over everything. Knowing what everyone thought of him, knowing what they would think of him after they saw the article.
Will couldn't be there anymore.
"Will!" Sonny shouted. "Will, don't!"
Sonny attempted to get out of bed and follow when he shouted in pain.
"Sonny," Adrienne ran into the room, pressing him into the bed. "What are you doing? Why did Victor rush out of here so fast? Why did Will?"
"Uncle Vic is the reason I'm here," Sonny informed Adrienne. "He sent those men after Will."
Adrienne shook her head. She didn't believe it, didn't want to believe it.
Sami watched as Will ran out of the room and towards the staircase. Without saying anything, Sami jogged after him, tottering on her heels.
"Will!" Sami screamed. "Will!"
Will pushed through the door to the stairs, ignoring his mother.
"William Robert," Sami's voice echoed in the stairwell. "I'm in heels for god's sake!"
Reluctantly, Will paused.
"What happened in there?" Sami demanded. "What are you doing?"
"I can't be here anymore," Will said, trembling. "I can't, I can't, I can't."
"Okay," Sami reached out to put one arm around Will's shoulders. "Okay, it's okay."
Will always had large reactions to things, was loud and dramatic like Sami. But Sami rarely saw him react like this, at least not since he was a child.
"I can't," Will repeated one more time. "It's too much."
"Tell me," Sami urged. "What's too much?"
"Everything," Will turned to lean his head against her shoulder, hunching down to fit. "I can't do this anymore."
"Okay," Sami rubbed against Will's back. "Okay, it's alright. You don't have to do anything. It's alright."
"I just want everything to go back to normal," Will confessed, tears soaking through Sami's dress sleeve. "I don't want this anymore. I don't."
"Shh," Sami didn't know how to calm Will down. She was never good at getting through to him.
"Why won't it stop? Why won't anyone stop?" Will asked. "Sonny and Paul, you and Grandma and Theresa, Victor. I just want it to be over."
"I'm sorry," Sami winced. "I know how hard everything has been for you."
"Then why did you do it?" Will questioned wetly. "Why did you do anything to Sonny or Paul? I wanted to move on and everyone keeps interfering and I can't. I can't, I-,"
"I know," Sami said over Will. "But you also know I can't let things lie. They hurt you and I can't let that go unpunished. Is it rational? No, but I can't help it. You're my son and they hurt you."
"You're hurting me by doing this," Will attempted to pull away.
Sami, stronger than she looked, held tightly to Will.
"I didn't hurt anyone," Sami defended. "Yes, we inconvenienced Sonny and Chad. But that's it. And, okay, it wasn't right to keep feeding false stories to the press about Paul. I could have done much worse."
"That is a horrible defense," Will groaned.
"I didn't shoot anyone," Sami listed. "I didn't roll anyone into a river. I only marginally disturbed some lives. I only did a little bit of blackmailing. Honestly, you should be proud of me."
Will, ready to fire something scathing, paused.
"What do you mean you only did a little bit of blackmailing?" Will asked.
"Uh," Sami's eyes widened. "Nothing, nothing, don't worry about it."
"Mom, who were you blackmailing?" Will questioned again.
"No one," Sami held Will tightly so he couldn't let go. "Let's focus on you."
"No, no you need to tell me," Will demanded. "I need to know what you did."
"I didn't do anything," Sami insisted. "I just, there might have been a private investigator and I made a small trip to San Francisco. Nothing happened."
"San Francisco?" Will repeated. It took a few moments for it to click. "Oh my god, you're the reason Tori Narita is in town. Aren't you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Sami laughed.
"You're the reason she hates me so much," Will said. "The reason that she wanted Paul out of town. It was you!"
"I didn't do anything," Sami maintained. "Not yet, at least."
"Mom!" Will yelled, forcibly pulling away.
"What?" Sami threw her hands up. "What do you expect from me, Will? You know how I am."
"What did you do?" Will asked. "What dirt do you have on her?"
"Will," Sami crossed her arms. "It's fine. I've got this under control."
"Fine, I'll guess," Will said. "You wanted Paul gone, right? That's why Tori is here trying to get him to leave. So, I'm guessing you figured out her secret."
Sami's face remained impassive, giving nothing away.
"You know, you should be proud of me too," Will realized. "I did a little sleuthing myself."
"Is that so?" Sami mused.
"Yeah," Will rubbed against his wet cheeks. "I bet I can figure out Tori's secret."
"I highly doubt that," Sami smiled.
"It has to do with Paul's father," Will surmised. "His real father."
Sami lifted one eyebrow.
"And I'm guessing it has to do with John," Will said, beginning to pace. "So, either John knows who the father is and is keeping it a secret. Or, John is the father. But if he was still hung up on Grandma then," Will glanced in his mother's direction.
Sami couldn't conceal her reaction quickly enough.
"Oh my god," Will inhaled sharply, holding his breath. "Oh my god, he is. He is the father."
"I didn't say anything," Sami lifted up her hands.
"You didn't have to," Will said. "Oh my god, this is, oh my god."
It hit Will, what it really meant.
Tori lied to Paul his entire life. Paul could have known his father his whole life. Tori did lie.
Does John know? Does Grandma? When did Tori get pregnant? Why did she lie?
Will's head was spinning, he couldn't handle this.
"I-I have to go," Will mumbled. "I have to tell Paul."
"No, Will," Sami hissed. "You can't do that. You can't run off after him, chasing him down. Your husband is in the hospital. How would that look?"
"I-I don't know," Will shook his head, walking backward. "I don't care. I can't stay here anymore. I can't be here."
It felt like the walls were closing in on Will. He couldn't stay here. He couldn't face Sonny. He couldn't hold this secret. Will wouldn't become a liar too.
"I have to go," Will said. "Tell Sonny I'm sorry."
"Will," Sami reached out for him but it was too late.
Will ran down the stairs as fast as he could. Sami's screams echoing around the still space.
Author's note:
Thank you for the feedback on the last chapter and your opinion regarding the couples. I actually already have the ending planned but it was nice to know everyone's ideas as well.
Thanks for reading!