> 19 <

Next Day

Morning — Pond wakes up to see Phuwin sleeping peacefully right in front of him.His eyes linger on Phuwin’s face… a faint smile touches his lips. Last night’s moment flashes in his mind for a second, and he drifts off into that thought.

But the moment he catches himself, he quickly gets up and heads to the bathroom.

A little later, he comes out freshened up, walks to the bed, and gently shakes Phuwin’s shoulder.Pond (softly): “Wake up… we have to go to the office.”That’s all he says before heading downstairs.

Phuwin slowly wakes up, goes to the bathroom, and gets ready before coming down. They have breakfast quietly — only the sound of cutlery on plates, no conversation.

In the car — Pond driving, Phuwin looking out of the window. Neither of them dares to meet each other’s eyes.

Suddenly, Pond speaks:Pond: “Uh… about last night—”

Phuwin instantly looks at him but quickly interrupts:Phuwin: “Uh… today I need to go shopping. And… we’ll have dinner outside.”Pond (with a faint smile): “And what else?”Phuwin: “That’s… that’s all.”

Phuwin turns back to look outside the window, and a soft smile appears on Pond’s lips.

When they reach the office, they both go straight to their cabins — working with their hands, but their minds are stuck on last night.

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Time Skip – Lunch Time

Pond opens the door to Phuwin’s cabin with a casual expression.Pond: “Come on, let’s go.”Phuwin (putting his pen down): “Where?”Pond: “You said you wanted to go shopping. Let’s go home first, have lunch… then we’ll head out.”Phuwin: “Hmm… okay.”

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Home – Afternoon

After freshening up, they both sit together at the dining table for lunch.Pond: “Shall we go now?”Phuwin: “We just had lunch… let’s rest for a bit and then go.”Pond: “Okay.”

Once in the room, Phuwin lies down on the bed instantly, as if all his tiredness is finally catching up.Pond sits down on the bed too, just watching him.

Suddenly, the door opens without a knock — Namtan walks in, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor.

Pond (raising an eyebrow): “What happened? Don’t you know how to knock?”Namtan (mocking): “Don’t lecture me about manners, Pond!”

Her face holds the perfect mix of anger and hurt.She takes a step forward and yells:Namtan: “What’s going on here? Why did you even marry me if you were going to ignore me?”Pond (calmly): “You were the one who said yes to the marriage.”

Phuwin, sitting quietly in the corner, just watches the two of them.

Namtan (sharp tone): “I know exactly who’s poisoning your mind… I want a new house. Right now. You will live with me there, not here.”Pond (straightforward): “If you want to stay, stay… but I’m not coming with you.”Namtan (raising her voice): “Are you out of your mind?! I’m your wife! And you spend 24 hours with this boy… you even sleep with him!”

Pond’s patience snaps in an instant. That icy cold look fills his eyes.Pond (low, firm): “Namtan… enough. That’s enough.”

In her rage, Namtan says something bad about Pond’s father — but before she can finish the last word… SLAP!

Pond’s hand lands on her cheek.For a second, the room is dead silent.Phuwin freezes in shock, his breathing quickening.

Pond (furious): “Don’t you dare talk about my father! Do you understand?!”Namtan (angry): “I hate you, Pond! You’ve changed!”Pond (coldly): “Go outside and hate me then.”

He grabs her arm, drags her to the door, shoves her out, and slams it shut.

When he turns back — Phuwin is still sitting there, his eyes full of unspoken questions.

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Other Side – Namtan’s House

Namtan storms out of Pond’s mansion, heels clacking angrily against the ground until she reaches her own house.

She goes straight to her mother, Nattaya.Namtan (angry, trembling voice): “Mom!”

Nattaya (worried, standing up): “What happened, Namtan? My baby… why do you look like this? What happened?”

Namtan (crying and yelling): “Mom, Pond… slapped me!”

Nattaya (shocked and furious): “What?! How dare he… he slapped you?! And you didn’t say or do anything?”

Namtan (restless, breaking voice): “Mom… what could I do? He’s changed. He’s not the same anymore. He… he raised his hand on me.”

Nattaya (cold, dangerous tone): “I’ll talk to him. I’ll show him his place. Who does he think he is… doing whatever he wants? I’ll go to his house and talk to his father. I’ll tell him to control his son… or it won’t be good.”

Namtan (gritting her teeth): “Mom, do whatever it takes… but please, get that Phuwin out of his life! As long as he’s there, Pond will never be mine. He’s the real root of all the trouble.”

Nattaya (determined): “Then something must be done.”

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Other Side – Pond & Phuwin

A little later, Pond and Phuwin wake up from their rest. They get ready casually, as if nothing happened.

Phuwin (smiling faintly): “Shall we go?”Pond (light smile): “Let’s go.”

The moment they leave the house, the mood lightens. Music plays in the car, and Pond sneaks side glances at Phuwin while driving.

At the mall, they shop together — Pond picks out things for Phuwin at every store, and though Phuwin blushes a little, he secretly enjoys it.They try sunglasses, buy matching jackets, share fries at the food court.

Laughter, teasing, random selfies… the stress of the day just fades away.

By evening, their hands are full of shopping bags, but their faces carry a relaxed, satisfied smile.

Outside the mall, the soft orange glow of the sunset falls on their faces — as if the world’s noise has faded, leaving only the comfort of each other’s company.

---

Evening – Thanwan Mansion Hall

The grand hall feels tense. The chandeliers give off a warm light, but there’s a strange chill in the air.On one side sits Nattaya with an angry Namtan beside her, and across from them is Mr. Sorachai.

Nattaya (slamming her hand on the table, sharp tone):“Mr. Sorachai! Control your son… do you know what he’s done to my daughter today? He slapped her!”

Sorachai (tired, looking directly at her):“Nattaya, leave. Don’t drag me into this. This is between your daughter and Pond… what can I do? Please, just go for now.”

Nattaya (standing up):“No! Call your son. We will talk today, Sorachai!”

Sorachai (warning tone):“Nattaya… there’s no need to create drama here. Pond isn’t here right now, so just leave.”

Nattaya (eyes blazing, slight smirk):“He’ll come… and I’ll leave only after that. How dare he raise his hand on my daughter?!”

The argument drags on.Mrs. Amara, Mrs. Rasee, and Virat are also in the hall, but no one intervenes — only a heavy silence hangs between Nattaya’s words.

---

[DOOR OPENS]

A little later, Pond and Phuwin walk in, shopping bags in hand, smiles still lingering from the mall.

But the moment they sense the atmosphere… Pond’s smile fades to seriousness. Phuwin, right behind him, looks confused.

The moment Nattaya sees Phuwin… a spark of recognition flashes in her eyes.

And then—

Thud!The shopping bags slip from Phuwin’s hands and hit the floor.Tears well up in his eyes, his voice trembles:Phuwin: “Mom…”

The hall goes dead silent. Everyone is in shock.No one can understand what’s happening.

Nattaya, in her heart, says: “So… this is the boy.”

Mr. Sorachai (shouting): “Pond! Take Phuwin upstairs!”

Pond instantly grabs Phuwin’s hand and starts leading him away.

Phuwin (struggling): “Pond, let go! I… I need to go to Mom!”Pond: “Phuwin, she’s not your mom. Let’s go upstairs!”

Pond keeps pulling him toward the stairs, while Phuwin tries to break free.

Behind them, Sorachai shouts angrily:“Get out of my house, both of you!”

Nattaya (arms crossed, smirking):“Why, Sorachai? I haven’t even finished talking yet.”

---

Other Side – Pond’s Room

Pond drags Phuwin in, still holding his hand.

Phuwin (tearful, pulling his hand away):“Pond, let go! That… that was my mom downstairs!”Pond: “Phuwin, listen to me. She’s not your mom, she’s Namtan’s mom!”Phuwin (tears falling, voice full of pain):“Pond… she is my mom. Please, just let me go to her!”

Pond goes quiet for a second, then in a softer tone:“Okay… calm down. Look, Dad told me to bring you here. Just stay quiet… I’ll take you to meet her.”

He gently hugs Phuwin.Phuwin’s crying slowly eases, but the ache in his breathing still lingers.

---

Other Side – Hall

Nattaya and Namtan eventually leave.

---

Night – Mr. Pat & Phuwin

Mr. Pat had been called over by Sorachai.Phuwin sits in front of his father, raw emotions in his eyes.

Phuwin (broken voice):“Dad… that was my mom.”

Mr. Pat (serious):“Phuwin, she’s not your mom.”

Phuwin (angry, tearful):“Dad, why did you lie to me that my mom had died? She’s alive! And she is my mom!”

Pat (deep breath):“My son… she wasn’t your real mother. She was your stepmother. Your real mother… when you were born… at that very moment…”

Phuwin’s eyes widen in shock, his voice trembling:“What do you mean, Dad…?”

Pat (softly):“Yes, son. Your real mother passed away when you were born.That’s why I remarried, so someone could take care of you… but this woman… she was never good to you. When you were little, she tortured you so much… you might not remember, but I never want her shadow near you again.”

Phuwin (crying):“I understand, Dad… but please… just once… I want to meet her.”

Pat (firm):“Phuwin, try to understand. She never loved you. You will not meet her.”

Phuwin lowers his gaze. The room fills with heavy silence.They talk for a long while before Mr. Pat finally leaves.

---

Time Skip – After Dinner

Pond comes into the room. Phuwin is standing by the window, the darkness making the sadness on his face even deeper.

Pond (softly):“Why didn’t you eat dinner?”

Phuwin (quiet tone):“I’m not in the mood.”

Pond walks up to him, gently turns his face toward himself, wipes away his tears, and pulls him into a tight hug.

Pond (whispering):“Phuwin… please don’t cry. I can understand what you’re going through. Seeing your mom after years… when you thought she was gone…”

Pond pauses for a moment, then says:“Dad told me everything. She was your stepmother… but she’s not part of your life anymore.”

Phuwin (hugging back):“Pond… for me, she’s still my mom. I… I want to talk to her. But Dad is refusing.”

Pond (soft smile):“Forget all that… first, stop crying.”

He leans back slightly, looking into Phuwin’s eyes:“Come on… let’s have dinner.”

Phuwin (shaking his head):“No… I’m not in the mood.”

Pond just takes a long breath… and stays there with him.

After a while, they just stand together like that.

Then Pond says:“Come on, let’s get to bed now.”Phuwin: “Hmm.”

They both lie down on the bed.Pond runs his fingers through Phuwin’s hair and says softly:“Now go to sleep.”

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