𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Inside the warehouse, the first thing that hit them was the stench-damp concrete, rust, and something sour that made William wrinkle his nose.

"Ugh," he muttered, waving a hand in front of his face. "Does nobody air this place out? Smells like death had lunch here."

Sky, however, walked forward with calm precision, his expression unreadable, his steps echoing against the hollow space. He moved as if the stink, the atmosphere, the trembling bodies tied to the chairs at the center of the room-none of it mattered.

Four men sat bound together, their faces pale, their clothes stained with sweat. One of them, the leader, shook as he tried to answer before Sky even spoke.

"Who sent you?" Sky's voice was steady, unhurried.

"The... the Sersongwittayas," the leader stammered, eyes darting away.

Sky gave a single nod, as if he already expected it.

They were hitmen, hired for a job. A job they hadn't questioned-until now. None of them had known who was in the car. And if they had known it was Sky Wongravee Therapakyun, heir of the Therapakyun empire, they would have never touched the deal. The thought chilled the leader more than the ropes cutting into his wrists.

Sky's eyes lingered on them for a beat longer, then he asked casually, "Work for me?"

The men looked at one another, stunned.

William arched a brow, incredulous. "Really? You want these guys? Hitmen-for-hire types-aren't these the kind who'll stab us in the back for pocket change?"

Sky didn't even look at him. "Where would they go if they betray us? Everyone knows what happens to traitors." His tone was calm, almost soft, which only made it more terrifying.

The men's heads bobbed quickly, desperate, eager to nod. Sky smirked faintly at their submission, then turned away without another word.

"Done here," he said, striding back toward the entrance with William owing at his side.The men looked at one another, stunned.

Outside, Amol was waiting, stone-faced as ever. Prim, on the other hand, was hugging her tablet like it was a life vest, wide-eyed as the warehouse door creaked open.

Sky's voice cut through the night air. "Get their bio data. Make them work out of the city," he ordered Amol.

Amol simply nodded, already pulling out his phone to make arrangements.

William, of course, couldn't resist. He leaned down slightly toward Prim, his lips twitching into a grin. "Still think this is just a paperwork job, sweetheart?"

Prim jumped, glaring at him with pale cheeks.

"I-I never said-"

"Relax," William chuckled, patting her shoulder just enough to make her stiffen. "Stick with us long enough, you'll get used to dead men walking."

"Not funny," Prim muttered, though her trembling hands gave her away.

William only laughed, striding back to the car where Sky was already sliding into the backseat. Prim scrambled after them.

As the engine hummed to life, William glanced at Sky. "Home now?"

Sky's gaze stayed fixed out the window, his tone unhurried. "No. Hirunkit mansion."

William's lips curved knowingly. "Ah, off to see your queen?"

Sky didn't answer. But in his head, the thought whispered clear as day-

𝘐𝘧 𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵, 𝘮𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯.

𝑨𝑻 𝑯𝑰𝑹𝑼𝑵𝑲𝑰𝑻 𝑴𝑨𝑵𝑺𝑰𝑶𝑵

As soon as they stepped inside the Hirunkit mansion, Papa Book came rushing forward, nearly tripping over his own slippers in the process. Without hesitation, he pulled Sky into a strong embrace.

"Sky," Papa Book said, voice carrying both relief and exasperation, "you've gotten thinner, haven't you? And that brat-he's giving you trouble again, right? I've already heard about what happened today."

Sky returned the hug, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's fine," he said simply, his calm tone betraying nothing of the chaos from earlier.

"It's fine?" William echoed dramatically, flopping onto the couch like he owned the place. He tossed an arm over the backrest and gave Sky an exaggerated look of disbelief. "If he runs a bulldozer over you, you'll still say it's fine. Honestly, I think you like suffering at this point."

Prim sat down primly across from him, still pale from the night's events. She straightened her skirt and muttered under her breath, "Sir always says it's fine... but it never is."

Sky turned his head and shot William a sharp glare. But William, grinning like a devil, only leaned back further, enjoying every second of it. "Don't look at me like that. You know I'm right. Papa Book, you should scold him properly-your favorite son-in-law is out here risking his neck for love."

Papa Book gave William a long-suffering look, though the corners of his mouth twitched with restrained amusement. He sighed and patted Sky's shoulder firmly. "Ignore him. Still... don't just let everything slide, Sky. I know you can handle yourself, but that doesn't mean you should let Nani's tantrums go too far. He cares for you too much, that's the problem."

Sky lowered his eyes slightly, hiding the smile that crept onto his lips at the mention of Nani. "I'll handle it."

"Handle it?" William chimed in again, stretching lazily. "No, no-you'll spoil it. That's what you'll do."

Sky threw him another glare, sharper this time, but William only laughed.

Papa Book's hand lingered on Sky's shoulder, his eyes softening. "You're too calm for your own good. One day, I'll knock some sense into him if you doesn't first," he teased, though his tone was rich with affection. He had always treated Sky as if he were his own son, never once making him feel like an outsider.

Before Sky could respond, another familiar voice called from behind.

"Already gathered in the living room and no one told me?" Dad Force walked in, his presence steady yet warm. His eyes swept over the group, lingering a little longer on Sky and William. "I heard what happened today.Nani has given us a scare again, Sky."

Sky inclined his head respectfully, but before he could answer, William sprang up from the couch with a grin. "Ah, Dad Force! At least someone here won't glare at me for existing."

Force chuckled, pulling William into a firm hug before doing the same with Sky. He had never treated William any differently than Sky both boys were precious to him in their own way. To the family, Sky was more than just a guest; he was theirs.

"Good, everyone's here," Papa Book suddenly declared, clapping his hands together. "I had sweets prepared earlier. You know I can't have my boys here without feeding them properly."

At once, William's eyes lit up like a child's, his earlier weariness forgotten. "You're serious? What kind?" he asked eagerly, already half-rising from the couch.

Papa Book shook his head fondly. "Sit down, I'll have it brought out. You'll see soon enough."

Force chuckled at William's excitement before turning back to Sky. His expression softened. "Nani's in his room. He's been sulking all evening, waiting for you. If you don't go now, he might declare war on the whole mansion."

William snorted. "What do you mean might? He already did earlier."

Sky rose from his seat calmly, adjusting his sleeves. "I'll go."

The sound of William happily pestering Papa Book for sweets faded behind him as Sky made his way down the grand hallway of the Hirunkit mansion. His footsteps were calm, deliberate, but inside, a restless current churned.

Every painting, every antique vase, every chandelier gleamed under the soft golden lights, yet none of it mattered to him. Not the grandeur of the mansion, not the lingering scent of polished wood - only one thing mattered. One person.

His Regina.

Sky's lips curved faintly, though his eyes burned with something far more dangerous than warmth. He could handle bullets, blades, and betrayals without flinching. Yet His love is Enough to make him bleed the city dry if Nani ever asked.

To the world, he was untouchable - Sky Wongravee Therapakyun, feared and respected. But when it came to Nani, he was nothing more than a man hopelessly in love, willing to kneel if it meant keeping his Regina's crown shining.

He paused outside the familiar mahogany door, his hand hovering just above the brass handle. Even now, after all this time, there was a strange rush in his veins - anticipation, devotion, possession all tangled into one unbearable ache.

Sky inhaled slowly, steadying himself. If Nani was angry... if Nani was sulking... then Sky would bear it. He would bear anything.Because Nani had the right to his anger, his moods, his storms. Sky would take it all - and still worship him after.

With that, he pushed the door open.