Kiet’s head snapped towards Milo, his eyes blazing with anger. “Shut up,” he hissed, the words cutting through the air like a knife. “You don’t get to ask about her.”

Milo flinched, the raw fury in Kiet’s eyes making his blood run cold. “I-I’m just worried about her,” he stammered, his voice trembling. “Please, I need to know if she’s alright.”

Kiet’s grip tightened on the armrest, his knuckles turning white. “Worried? Now you’re worried?” he spat, his voice dripping with venom. “You have no idea what your family’s actions almost cost me.”

Milo’s eyes filled with tears, the weight of Kiet’s wrath pressing down on him. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “I never wanted any of this to happen.”

Kiet leaned in closer, his face inches from Milo’s, his expression a mask of barely controlled rage. “You think your apologies mean anything to me right now?” he growled. “My daughter’s life was put in danger because of you and your family. You don’t get to feel sorry.”

Milo’s heart ached with guilt and fear, the intensity of Kiet’s anger leaving him breathless. "I am sorry," he said.

Kiet leaned back, his gaze returning to the road ahead, the tension in the car thick and suffocating. The rest of the ride was shrouded in a heavy silence, the weight of Kiet’s unspoken threats hanging over Milo like a dark cloud.

                                                                                             ***

Rattanakorn Mansion,

The car rolled through the grand gates of the Rattanakorn mansion, its imposing facade looming ahead. The vehicle came to a stop, and Kiet wasted no time, yanking Milo out with a forceful grip. Milo stumbled, his heart racing, as Kiet dragged him towards the mansion.

Inside, the opulent living room was a stark contrast to the tension between Kiet and Milo. Thanaya, sitting with her grandparents, looked up as the front doors burst open. Her eyes lit up with a bright smile as she saw her two father's enter.

“Daddy! Papa!” she beamed, her voice filled with innocent joy.

Kiet, who had been dragging Milo with a determined stride, paused at the sound of his daughter's voice. The anger in his expression softened, if only for a moment, as he glanced at Thanaya. The grandparents exchanged worried glances, sensing the storm that had yet to pass.

Thanaya’s grandmother gently wheeled her towards Kiet and Milo. “Go on, sweetie,” she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady.

Milo’s heart clenched at the sight of Thanaya, her smile like a ray of light piercing through the darkness of the day’s events. Seeing her safe brought a wave of relief crashing over him, and he felt some of the tension in his body dissipate.

Thanaya reached them, her eyes shining with excitement. “Daddy, are you okay?” she asked, looking up at Milo with concern.

Kiet’s grip on Milo’s arm loosened slightly, his gaze shifting between his daughter and Milo. The anger in his eyes flickered, momentarily replaced by a fatherly protectiveness.

“Yes, Thanaya,” Milo said softly, forcing a smile through his fear. “I’m okay. Are you alright?”

Thanaya nodded vigorously. “Yes, Daddy. I was so worried about you.”

They were about to hug each other when suddenly Kiet pulled Milo back, his grip firm and unyielding. This abrupt action made Thanaya look confused.

Kiet, noticing her expression, softened his tone slightly as he addressed her. “Your daddy needs rest, Thanaya. Go back to your room.”

Thanaya nodded, feeling a little sad but obedient. “Okay, Papa.” She then looked at Milo with a bright smile, her eyes filled with warmth and love. “See you at dinner, Daddy.”

Milo forced a smile and nodded. Thanaya’s grandparents gently wheeled her to her room, the sounds of their footsteps echoing in the quiet halls of the mansion.

“Let’s go,” Kiet said coldly, dragging Milo toward their room. Milo cast one last glance at Thanaya before being pulled away, feeling a fleeting relief at seeing her happy and safe.

Thanaya, who was being wheeled to her room, noticed her father’s angry expression as he dragged Milo away. She looked up at her grandfather, her eyes wide with worry. “Grandpa, is Papa angry?”

Her grandmother leaned down, placing a comforting hand on Thanaya’s shoulder. “No, sweetie,” she said softly, her voice soothing despite the turmoil in her own heart.  “Papa is just... a bit stressed. Everything will be fine, don’t worry.”

Thanaya’s eyes flickered with uncertainty, but she nodded slowly, trusting her grandmother’s words. “Okay."

Bedroom,

Kiet dragged Milo through the grand stairs of the Rattanakorn mansion, each step echoing with the weight of his simmering anger. As they reached the door to their room, Kiet threw it open with a fierce shove. He yanked Milo inside with a harsh shove. Milo tumbled to the floor, his body hitting the cold marble with a thud.

The room was thick with tension as Kiet stood by the door, his face stormy with fury. Milo, struggling to push himself up, glanced nervously at Kiet, who remained rigid and unyielding.

Without a word, Kiet strode towards Milo with deliberate, menacing steps. Milo’s heart raced, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. He squeezed his eyes shut, gripping his shirt tightly, his fingers digging into the fabric as he braced himself for whatever was coming.

Kiet halted a few paces from Milo, observing the trembling figure before him. His anger wavered as he saw Milo’s fear-stricken face. He knew Milo was not to blame for the chaos that had unfolded. Whatever happened at the wedding hall, he was nowhere to be blamed.

Despite knowing this, Kiet’s anger did not completely fade. His thoughts returned to Milo’s father’s defiant face and the danger Milo’s family had put his daughter in. His grip tightened as he recalled the burning rage from that moment.

Kiet stepped closer, his face hardening again, but his eyes revealed the internal struggle. He reached out, grabbing Milo by the shoulders with a fierce, unyielding grip. Milo flinched as he opened his eyes. Kiet's voice was a harsh whisper, his anger barely contained as he glared at Milo.

“From now on,” he said, his tone low and stern, “you’re not allowed to go anywhere without my permission. No college, no meetings with your family."

Milo’s eyes widened in shock. “What! But—”

Kiet cut him off with a sharp, commanding tone. “No more words, Milo. This is not up for discussion. You will follow my decisions or face the consequences. Do you understand?”

Milo swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. “Yes, I understand.”

Without another word, Kiet turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, leaving Milo alone. The door closed with a decisive click, echoing in the silence. Milo sank to the floor, his heart pounding in his chest.

Kiet sighed heavily as he descended the grand staircase, each step a release of pent-up frustration. As he reached the bottom, the front door opened, and Arhit stepped inside, his face tense.

“Good evening, sir,” Arhit greeted, trying to maintain a calm demeanor.

Kiet nodded curtly. “How was the auction? Did you get the diamond?”

Arhit hesitated, his eyes dropping to the floor. Kiet’s gaze sharpened, his patience wearing thin. “Did you get the diamond, Arhit?” he repeated, his voice low and dangerous.

Arhit took a deep breath, his voice barely audible. “I’m sorry, sir. I couldn’t.”

Kiet sighed heavily, the weight of disappointment settling on his shoulders. He walked to the nearest chair and sat down, rubbing his temples. “Explain,” he commanded.

Arhit took a cautious step forward, his voice steady but filled with regret. “The other customer outbid us at the last moment. They came prepared with resources we didn’t anticipate. We tried to counter, but it was too late.”

Kiet sighed and leaned back. "It's okay," he said, surprising Arhit, who had expected a furious outburst.

Arhit, confused by Kiet's uncharacteristic calmness, hesitated before speaking. "Can I ask something, sir?"

Kiet responded with a noncommittal "Hmm," his eyes closed as he massaged his temples.

Arhit took a deep breath and continued, "Why did you want the blue diamond, sir?"

Kiet's eyes opened, and he stared at Arhit for a moment before replying, "It was a gift."

Arhit’s curiosity got the better of him. "A gift for Miss Thanaya, sir?"

Kiet’s gaze shifted toward his bedroom, a flicker of something softer crossing his features. He went silent for several seconds, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging in the air. Arhit followed Kiet’s gaze, understanding dawning upon him. The gift was not for Thanaya, but for Milo. The realization left him momentarily speechless.  He couldn't believe the rare blue diamond was intended for Milo.

Kiet stood up, his face hardening once more. “You can go back,” he said.

Arhit nodded, “Yes, sir.” He turned to leave but stopped as Kiet spoke again.

“By the way—” Kiet began, his tone casual but laced with an underlying tension.

Arhit turned back to him and said, “Yes, sir.”

Kiet’s expression darkened. “Who got the blue diamond?”

Arhit hesitated for a moment before answering. “The Second Family, sir.”

Kiet’s eyes widened in shock. “What! The Second Family?” He stepped forward, confusion etched across his face. “But I didn’t get any information about them participating in this auction.”

Arhit nodded, a look of concern on his face. “It appears they kept their involvement hidden until the last moment, sir. Their presence was unexpected, and their resources were formidable. We didn’t anticipate their bid.”

Kiet’s mind raced, the implications of this new development unsettling him. The Second Family’s sudden interest in the diamond made him confused.

“Keep an eye on them,” Kiet ordered, his voice firm. “I want to know their every move.”

Arhit nodded. “Yes, sir."

Bedroom, Later,

Kiet pushed open the door to their room and stepped inside, his demeanor more subdued than before. Milo was sitting silently on the edge of the bed, his eyes lost in thought. The tension between them hung in the air like a heavy fog.

As Kiet entered, Milo immediately stood up, his hands clenched into fists around the fabric of his shirt. Kiet’s gaze flicked over him briefly before he turned his attention to the wardrobe.

“Did you freshen up?” Kiet asked, his tone more neutral than before.

Milo nodded, his voice barely a whisper. “Yes.”

Kiet opened the wardrobe and retrieved two small boxes. He walked back towards Milo, who instinctively took a step back, a flicker of fear crossing his face. Kiet’s presence was commanding, but his expression was oddly calm.

Milo noticed the boxes in Kiet’s hands. Confusion replaced his fear as he watched Kiet approach him. Without a word, Kiet opened one of the boxes and revealed a sleek platinum ring. He held out his hand to Milo, his voice firm yet gentle.

“Hand.”

Milo hesitated, glancing between Kiet and the ring. “Why?” he asked, his confusion clear.

Kiet sighed, a touch of impatience in his voice. “Just give me your hand.”

Milo slowly extended his hand, and Kiet placed the ring on his finger with a deliberate motion. As the cool metal settled on his skin, Kiet’s gaze softened slightly.

“Don’t forget,” Kiet said, his voice carrying a weight of meaning, “we are married now. Even though we didn’t have a proper wedding, we are registered as a married couple. This ring is the proof. Got it?”

Milo nodded and stared at the ring, its platinum surface gleaming under the room’s light. A small, hesitant smile tugged at his lips as he admired the simple but elegant piece of jewelry. Kiet then retrieved the second ring from the box and slid it onto his own finger. The matching couple rings are now complete.

Kiet looked up at Milo, his gaze lingering on his face for a moment, before he spoke. “Shall we go for dinner?”

Milo nodded, a mixture of emotions swirling in his eyes. The tension from earlier seemed to ease slightly as he followed Kiet out of the room, both of them moving toward a meal that would be a new chapter in their complicated lives.