After that night,
Kan didn't disappear.
But he—
changed.
No balcony.
No sneaking in.
No quiet nights like before.
It was as if he respected her words.
"Don't come again."
So he didn't come.
For real.
But that didn't mean
he was gone.
Three days passed.
Phat lived as usual.
Work.
Home.
Sleep.
As if everything had returned to normal.
But the truth was—
it was never normal again.
Everything was quiet.
So quiet
she started to miss
even the sound of him climbing the balcony.
That day,
she was about to leave the office.
A voice called out—
"Phat."
She froze.
Her heart started racing instantly.
A familiar voice.
Kan.
She turned around.
He stood there.
Not the same.
A dark shirt.
A serious expression.
A steady gaze.
But something—
was gone.
Or something—
had been added.
"You…"
Her voice was soft.
"Let's talk."
he said.
Not a request.
But not a command either.
She hesitated.
But in the end,
she nodded.
They stood in a quiet corner of the building.
No one else.
Just the two of them.
Like before.
But not the same.
"I've thought it through."
Kan began.
Direct.
Phat stayed still.
"About what?"
Even though she knew.
She still asked.
"About you."
That answer
made her breath falter.
"I've made my choice."
he continued.
His gaze didn't waver.
"I choose you."
Silence.
Her heart pounded.
"But it's not like that anymore."
she said.
As if trying to stop it.
Kan shook his head slightly.
"I know."
"I know you chose to let go."
Those words
hit directly.
Phat pressed her lips together.
"Then why are you here?"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"Because I haven't let go."
That answer
left her speechless.
Kan paused,
then continued.
"I left my house."
The sentence was quiet—
but heavy.
Phat froze.
"What?"
"I have nothing left."
he said,
as if stating something simple.
"No position."
"No money from that deal."
"No family like before."
Each word
was clear.
"I've already lost it."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
"Because you chose me?"
Her voice trembled.
Kan nodded.
"Yes."
A simple answer.
Too simple.
Tears welled up in her eyes instantly.
"Are you crazy?"
she said,
her voice breaking.
"It's not worth it."
Kan looked at her.
Steady.
"For you, maybe not."
"But for me…"
He paused.
Then continued.
"It was worth it from the start."
Her tears fell.
She shook her head.
"But I already chose to let you go."
Those words
hurt.
Kan nodded.
"I know."
"But I never said I would let you go."
Her heart trembled.
"Kan…"
"You might choose your family,"
he said,
"but I choose you."
Those words
were clear.
Too clear to escape.
"What if I don't choose you?"
she asked,
as if testing him.
Kan gave a faint smile.
"Then I'll stand right here,"
"until you stop lying to yourself."
Silence.
Phat couldn't speak.
Because deep down,
she knew—
he was right.
Kan stepped closer.
Slowly.
But firmly.
"This time,"
his voice softened,
"I didn't climb your balcony."
"I came to you… openly."
Her heart pounded.
Because it wasn't a secret anymore.
It was
a confrontation.
"And you?"
he asked.
"Are you still going to hide?"
That question
had no escape.
And this time—
she
had to answer.