Milo's father kneeled on the ground outside, lost in thought about the dire situation his son was in. He had begged Kiet and pleaded with him, but it had been to no avail. The weight of the family's past and Kiet's vendetta loomed over them like a dark cloud. But as he knelt there, a new resolve began to form within him. He couldn't let Milo suffer for his mistakes. He couldn't let his son be trapped in a life of torment.

Slowly, Milo's father stood up, his legs shaky but his resolve firm. He walked back into the house, his heart heavy yet filled with determination. Inside, his wife and Nuea were huddled together, tears streaming down their faces. The sight broke his heart even more, but it also steeled his resolve.

"Let's protect Milo," he declared, his voice filled with a newfound strength.

Nuea looked up, his eyes red and swollen from crying. "What do you mean, Father?" he asked, his voice wavering.

Nuea wiped his tears, a glimmer of hope sparking in his eyes. "What are we going to do, Father?"

Milo's father took a deep breath, his mind racing with possibilities. "I don't know yet, but I will do whatever it takes to stop this wedding."

His wife looked at him, her own tears slowing as she listened to his words. "Are you sure we can stop this?" she asked, her voice filled with both hope and fear.

"I will make sure to stop this wedding," he said, his voice unwavering. 

Nuea nodded, his own determination growing. "I'm with you, Father. We'll find a way to protect Milo."

Milo's father placed a reassuring hand on Nuea's shoulder. "Together, we will. We will find a way to save Milo from this nightmare."

As the three of them stood together, a newfound sense of purpose filled the room. They would fight for Milo, no matter the cost. They would not let him be bound to a life of suffering.

Milo walked out of his room, his bag slung over his shoulder, ready for another day at college. As he descended the stairs, he noticed Thanaya sitting in her wheelchair, speaking with a maid.

"Where is Papa?" Thanaya asked, her voice tinged with a childlike curiosity.

The maid replied with a gentle smile, "He is at work, miss."

"When will Papa return?" Thanaya continued, her innocent eyes wide with anticipation.

"By evening, miss," the maid assured her.

As Milo reached the bottom of the stairs, a servant approached him. "Sir, shall we tell the driver to drop you off?"

Milo shook his head. "No, I'll manage."

Thanaya's gaze shifted to Milo, and her curiosity piqued. She kept looking at him, her eyes following his every move. Their eyes met, and for a moment, there was a silent exchange between them. Milo was about to walk out when he heard Thanaya's small voice behind him.

"Are you really going to marry my papa?" she asked, her tone filled with innocent wonder.

Milo turned to look at her, a gentle smile spreading across his face. He walked towards her and kneeled down so they were at eye level. "Yes, I am," he said softly.

Thanaya tilted her head, her brow furrowing in confusion. "But I still don't understand how two men can marry each other. All my friends' parents are men and women."

Milo's smile widened as he placed a reassuring hand on her arm. "Nowadays, men can marry men too," he explained gently. "Love isn't just for men and women. It's for everyone, no matter who they are."

Thanaya's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she absorbed his words. "So, you love my papa?"

Milo's smile faltered, and he looked away, unable to answer. He couldn't tell a child that he was bound to this marriage by circumstances.

Thanaya noticed his hesitation and tilted her head, concerned. "What happened, Uncle?"

She quickly corrected herself, her face lighting up with realization. "Oh no, you're not my uncle, right? Since you're marrying Papa, what should I call you?"

Milo wondered, lost in thought, when Thanaya's eyes brightened with an idea. "I can't call you Mommy since you're a man. How about Daddy?"

Her smile widened, and hearing "Daddy" from Thanaya hit Milo with a pang of unexpected emotion. He blinked, trying to process the feeling.

"Don't you like it?" Thanaya asked again, her voice small and unsure.

Milo smiled gently, squeezing her hand. "No, I love it. You can call me whatever you want."

Thanaya's face lit up with joy, her smile stretching from ear to ear. "Alright, Daddy."

Thanaya then noticed the bag on Milo’s shoulder and asked, "Are you going for work?"

Milo shook his head again. "No, I’m going to college to study."

Thanaya beamed up at him. "Then have a good day, Daddy." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

Milo was taken aback for a moment, his heart warming at her gesture. A genuine smile spread across his face as he kissed her forehead in return. "See you later, Thanaya."

As Milo walked out of the Rattanakorn mansion, he smiled, feeling a newfound warmth. It was the first time he had smiled genuinely since arriving here.

                                                                                          ***

R Arts and Antiques, Bangkok

Kiet's sleek black car pulled up in front of the R Arts and Antiques office in downtown Bangkok. As he stepped out, his presence commanded attention, and the employees greeted him respectfully. His demeanor was composed yet authoritative, casting a shadow of influence wherever he went.

Walking through the bustling office with Arhit by his side, Kiet acknowledged the greetings with a nod. He was focused, his mind already on business matters, as they headed towards his private office.

"Arhit, what's the latest update?" Kiet inquired, his voice low but demanding.

Arhit kept pace with Kiet, swiftly summarizing the day's developments. "Sir, we've finalized the preparations for the upcoming auction. The highlight piece is the Blue Diamond, which we acquired last month. It's generating significant interest among potential buyers."

Kiet paused mid-step, his interest piqued. "The Blue Diamond?"

"Yes, sir," Arhit said as he adjusted his pace to match Kiet's measured stride.

"So, it's finally here, huh."

"That's right, sir. The auction is scheduled for next week, and we expect it to fetch a record price."

Kiet nodded thoughtfully. "Handle it carefully, Arhit. Ensure everything is in order. This auction must proceed flawlessly."

Arhit nodded in acknowledgment. "Understood, sir. I'll oversee the final preparations personally."

"Good," he said, entering the office.

Rattanakorn Mansion, Evening,

Kiet walked inside the house, his mind preoccupied with the day's events and his thoughts on the blue diamond. As he stepped into the hallway, he heard the sound of Thanaya's giggling echoing through the house. Puzzled, he followed the sound.

He rounded the corner and froze, his eyes widening in surprise. There, in the living room, were Thanaya and Milo, both smiling and laughing. Thanaya was seated in her wheelchair, and Milo was kneeling next to her, holding a picture book they were looking at together. 

Milo's smile was radiant—a beautiful, genuine expression Kiet had never seen before. For a moment, Kiet was captivated by the sight. It was a smile he found himself wanting to see every day.

But then, the memory of Milo's father's face flashed through his mind, bringing with it a rush of anger. His hands clenched into fists, the warmth he felt a moment ago replaced by a cold fury.

He strode forward, his expression darkening with each step. The sound of his footsteps made Thanaya and Milo look up. Thanaya's eyes lit up when she saw her father, but Milo's smile faded as he noticed the stormy look on Kiet's face.

"Sir," Milo began, but Kiet cut him off, his voice low and dangerous.

"What is going on here?" Kiet demanded, his eyes boring into Milo. 

The tension in the room was palpable, and even Thanaya seemed to sense the shift, her giggles dying down as she looked between her father and Milo.

Milo stood up slowly, trying to keep his composure. "We were just reading a book together," he said calmly, though his heart was racing.

Kiet's gaze flicked to Thanaya, who was watching them with wide, innocent eyes. He forced himself to take a deep breath, unclenching his fists. He couldn't let his anger show in front of her. 

"Thanaya, it's time for your dinner," he said, his tone softer but still strained.

Thanaya nodded, sensing the tension but not understanding its cause. "Okay, Papa," she said quietly.

In the dining room, the tension was palpable. Kiet took his seat at the head of the table, with Milo and Thanaya on either side. The meal was served by the house staff, and they began eating in silence.

Thanaya, broke the silence. "Daddy, can you pass me the salt, please?"

Milo's heart warmed at the affectionate term, and he passed her the salt with a smile. "Here you go, Thanaya."

Kiet paused mid-bite, his fork hovering in the air. He turned his gaze to Thanaya, a puzzled look on his face. "Daddy?" he repeated, his voice carrying an edge of incredulity. "Why do you call him Daddy?"

Milo's smile faded, feeling the weight of Kiet's stare. He glanced at Thanaya, who looked up at her father with innocent eyes.

"You're going to marry him," she explained sweetly. "I can't call him Mommy since he is a man, so he will be my daddy too, right, Papa?"

Kiet's jaw tightened, and he directed a piercing glare at Milo. The room seemed to grow colder, and the air was thick with unspoken tension. Kiet's eyes shifted back to Thanaya, and he forced a tight smile.

"Finish your dinner," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The rest of the meal continued in silence, the only sounds being the clinking of cutlery and the occasional murmur from Thanaya. Once they were done, Kiet called over a servant. 

"Take Thanaya to her room," he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument.

The servant nodded and approached Thanaya's wheelchair. As she was being taken away, Thanaya looked back at Milo and Kiet with a bright smile. "Good night, papa. Good night, Daddy."

"Have a sweet dream, sweetie," Milo said gently, forcing a smile for her sake. 

Bedroom,

As Kiet entered his room, Milo followed quietly behind him, their footsteps muffled by the plush carpet. The tension in the air was palpable, with each moment heavy with unspoken words and unexplored emotions. Kiet began to remove his clothes, his movements deliberate yet tinged with a quiet intensity.

"I'm sorry." Milo's voice broke the silence, hesitant and filled with remorse.

Kiet paused, turning to look at Milo with a quizzical expression. "What are you sorry for?" he asked, genuine curiosity coloring his tone.

Milo hesitated, his words coming out in a rush. "Thanaya, she called me Daddy. I didn't ask her to call me that. She came up with it on her own."

Kiet sighed softly, his gaze softening. "It's okay," he replied gently. "I'm happy that she accepted you."

Milo looked at Kiet with surprise, not expecting such understanding from him. He had braced himself for reproach or distance, not this unexpected acceptance.

"I thought you would be angry," Milo admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kiet met Milo's gaze steadily, his expression unreadable. "Why should I be angry?" he asked calmly, unfastening his watch and setting it aside. "It's not like you committed a sin."

Milo blinked in surprise, the unexpected gentleness in Kiet's voice taking him aback. This was a new experience for him; he had only ever seen Kiet's cruelty and harshness.

"I just thought..." Milo stammered, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the right words. "I thought you would be upset."

Kiet's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "I have no reason to be," he said simply.

Milo's heart pounded in his chest, a mix of confusion and relief flooding through him. He had braced himself for Kiet's anger, but instead found himself faced with an unexpected kindness. It was disarming, leaving him unsure of how to react.

"Get my pajamas," Kiet said suddenly, breaking the moment of introspection. His tone was light, masking the underlying tension with practicality.

Milo nodded quickly, moving to the wardrobe without hesitation. He fetched Kiet's pajamas, handing them over silently. As he did, their fingers brushed briefly, a fleeting touch that sent a jolt of electricity through Milo's veins. As Kiet took the pajamas, his gaze softened, and memories of Milo's beautiful smile flood his mind. Without thinking, he stepped closer to Milo, his hand gently lifting to touch Milo's lips.

Milo gasped softly, his eyes wide with surprise. "What... What are you doing, sir?" he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kiet blinked, confusion flickering across his face. "Sir? Why am I... your sir?" His brow furrowed, searching Milo's face for answers.

Milo met his gaze, cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and something unspoken. Kiet's expression softened, his thumb tracing Milo's lower lip tenderly. 

"Did you forget your husband's name?" he asked quietly, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability.

Milo nodded slowly, swallowing hard. "No," he whispered.

Kiet's touch grew bolder, his hand cupping Milo's cheek gently. "Then tell me," he urged, his voice husky with emotion. "What's your husband's name, Milo?"

Milo hesitated, his breath catching in his throat. "K-Kiet," he admitted, his voice trembling.

Kiet's heart skipped a beat at the sound of his own name on Milo's lips. He leaned in closer, their faces inches apart. His gaze fell to Milo's lips, remembering the curve of his smile and the warmth of his laughter.

Unable to resist any longer, Kiet closed the gap between them, his lips capturing Milo's in a kiss that was both tender and intense. It started slowly, a hesitant exploration of each other's warmth and desire. Milo responded eagerly, melting into Kiet's embrace, their bodies pressing closer together.

The world around them faded into insignificance as they lost themselves in each other—a whirlwind of emotions, longing, and unspoken words finding solace in the language of their shared kiss. Time seemed to stand still as they surrendered to the undeniable pull between them, each kiss deepening with hunger.

Kiet pulled away slightly, his breath mingling with Milo’s as they stood there, still wrapped in the aftermath of their kiss. He looked into Milo’s eyes, searching for any hint of resistance or fear but finding only a mix of confusion and reluctant acceptance.

"I am impressed," Kiet said softly, his voice filled with a strange gentleness that contrasted sharply with his usual commanding tone. "You’ve accepted your situation."

Milo, still reeling from the intensity of the kiss, found it hard to process Kiet's words. Kiet’s grip on Milo’s waist tightened slightly, pulling him closer. He leaned in again, his lips finding Milo’s with renewed urgency. The kiss was deeper this time—a promise and a possession all at once. Kiet’s hands roamed possessively over Milo’s back, holding him tightly.