The living room was too quiet.
Kan stood in the middle of it,
his gaze steady.
In front of him
was the woman he called "Mother."
And beside her—
another man.
His stepfather.
The atmosphere didn't need explanation.
It was clear from the moment he was called in.
"This matter of yours,"
his mother began.
Her tone was calm—
but sharp.
"With the daughter of the Thanakulwong family."
Kan didn't respond.
"I know everything."
Silence fell.
His stepfather let out a soft laugh.
"Not very good at hiding things, are you?"
The tone sounded teasing—
but the eyes weren't.
Kan glanced at him,
then looked back at his mother.
"So?"
A short answer.
His mother held his gaze.
"You can't be serious about that girl."
Direct.
No room left.
Kan stayed still.
"Why?"
"Because it's not appropriate."
The answer came quickly.
His stepfather leaned back in his chair.
"That family already has plans."
"The arrangement is about to happen."
"If you interfere now…"
He paused,
then smiled.
"It's just playing at the wrong time."
The word "playing"
hit hard.
Kan's hand clenched.
"I'm not playing."
His voice was low.
His mother let out a quiet sigh.
"Then that's even worse."
That made him pause.
"You're being serious about something that has no future."
His stepfather added immediately,
"Or do you really think you can bring her into this family?"
The tone was calm—
but laced with disdain.
Kan didn't answer.
Because the question
was obvious.
"Listen to me,"
his mother continued.
"If you want to have something with her,"
"I don't mind."
Silence.
Everything stopped.
"But know your limits."
"She can only be something temporary."
The words were clear—
and cruel.
Kan stood up immediately.
The chair scraped loudly.
"Mom."
His voice was low—
but shaking.
"Don't talk about her like that."
His mother looked at him,
calm.
"And how is it any different?"
She shot back.
His stepfather laughed softly.
"A girl like that…"
He paused.
"In the end, that's all she'll ever be."
Kan stepped closer.
His gaze changed instantly.
"I said don't talk like that."
His voice wasn't loud—
but sharp.
The stepfather fell silent.
His mother looked at her son
for a long moment.
Then said—
"You're choosing, aren't you?"
The question needed no explanation.
Kan didn't answer immediately.
But his eyes
never wavered.
"If you choose her,"
his mother continued,
"then you have to be ready to lose everything."
Silence grew heavier.
"And if I don't?"
Kan asked.
His mother answered at once.
"Then everything stays."
Simple.
Clear.
His stepfather added lightly,
"Think carefully."
"Your whole future—"
"for one woman."
Kan let out a quiet laugh.
There was no humor in it.
"For me,"
he said,
"she's not just 'one woman.'"
Silence fell again.
"I've never seen her as a toy."
His voice was steady.
"And I won't let anyone treat her like one."
His mother closed her eyes.
As if she already knew.
"Then you've made your choice."
Kan nodded.
Slowly—
but clearly.
"Yes."
That answer
had no way back.
His stepfather sighed.
"Still a child."
His mother said nothing more.
She only spoke softly—
"Then be ready to face the consequences."
Kan didn't respond.
He turned away—
and walked out.
Without looking back.
For the first time,
he chose
not his family—
but her.