Asira told his father about what he had discussed with Chawit that evening. Chawit had asked him to keep the matter secret, knowing that if Anitha found out, she would likely oppose it and possibly even punish Chawit. However, the father still had his concerns.

"Are you sure that Chawit really loves our little Ploy?"

"I'm not sure either, Dad," Asira replied. "But I told Wit that if he ever thinks about playing with Ploy, I’ll make sure he regrets it. He wouldn't dare take such risks."

"Don't say that. I just want him to be sincere with Ploy. If they truly love each other, I’ll support them."

"I think Wit has thought about it carefully, because he has been with many women. If he really wants to settle down, he’ll choose someone suitable for him. Ploy knows that her mother wants her to marry Wit, so she has quietly opposed it since childhood. When Wit acted like a player, she disliked him even more."

"But can they love each other if they already dislike each other?"

"I’m not sure," Asira laughed lightly. "We’ll just have to wait and see. Mom will be happy."

"At least one of the two of you will marry someone from Ket’s family, and then you’ll be free," Tharatorn added, and Asira laughed awkwardly.

"Oh, Dad. Between me and Chalisa, and Chawit and Ploy, I think the latter pair has the highest chance. As for Lisa and me, we’ve barely spoken to each other since we were kids. She’s afraid I’ll die soon. And I think she looks so delicate and fragile like a porcelain doll, and although she’s a good person, my life would be very boring if I married her, and she wouldn't be happy either."

"I understand. It’s good that you know yourself so well now. If you think Wit is serious, I won’t stop you. But I ask one thing: don’t marry just because of wealth. If you do, neither Wit nor Ploy will be happy."

Tharatorn, being an older, experienced person, reminded Asira that a family can only withstand storms if love and understanding exist between its members. Without that, even minor storms could break the small family boat.

"You don’t need to worry, Dad. I’ll take care of Ploy, and I’ll never let Wit hurt her."

"Good, I’m relieved to hear that," Tharatorn said, patting his son’s shoulder. "But don’t just focus on taking care of your sister and forget about yourself. I’m getting older, I want to carry my grandchild before I die."

"Yes, Dad, I promise I’ll handle things quickly. How long did you wait for Mom?"

"Three years... and it was the longest three years of my life."

"Yes, for me... though it wasn’t two of the longest years, she’s the woman who makes me remember her very often. Maybe not as much or as deeply as you and Mom, but she’s not just a woman I’ll meet and easily forget."

"Mm." Tharatorn smiled and nodded slowly. "Sometimes it’s destiny, but don’t forget what I said: take your time. If she really is the one for you, you two won’t miss each other."

"Yes, Dad, I promise I won’t rush and will find the best woman to make your daughter-in-law."

"Good, I support you."

Asira smiled... and silently hoped that his feelings would become reality.

There were still many days before Dujupsorn started her work. Asira couldn’t stop thinking about her. That Friday afternoon, after work, he decided not to go to the gym or meet his friends but drove straight to Ratcha Damnoen road, enduring nearly an hour of traffic congestion. When he finally arrived at his destination, he rushed to a small bakery in front of an old two-story cement building that was about to close. He quickly called out to the shopkeeper.

"Please wait a moment."

"Are you buying some pastries? Sure." The older woman smiled kindly, and Asira remembered she was the same person who had told him about Dujupsorn receiving a scholarship to study abroad nearly two years ago.

"But there’s not much left—just some fried croissants and crispy fried bananas. The other pastries will be available tomorrow."

"Then I’ll take one of each, please." He replied to please the shopkeeper.

"Alright, please wait a moment."

Asira entered the small shop, where there weren’t many pastries left but they were arranged beautifully. On the shelf, the names of the items were written. Many shelves were empty, meaning they sold very well.

"Do you want to pick more?"

"Yes," he replied as he picked up a few pastries and took them to the small counter with the cashier.

"Hey… you look familiar. I think I’ve seen your face before."

"Yes, I’ve visited several times to support the shop."

"Ah, you’re a regular customer," the woman muttered as she pressed the numbers on the cash register.

"By the way, do you remember... that Fah went abroad to study?" he asked casually.

"Ah..." She paused and lifted her eyes from the register. "Oh, I see! Fah’s back now. She graduated with honors and has already found a job."

"Yes, I’m her senior." Asira smiled.

"Really?" The shopkeeper was taken aback by this revelation.

"Yes, actually, I was just passing by and remembered that Fah’s house was nearby, so I stopped here to avoid traffic. But does she have a house here?"

"Yes, she’s helping Grandma Pon and a few others make pastries. Let me call her for you."

"Yes, please." Asira paid for the pastries.

The shopkeeper put the money away before heading to the back of the house. A moment later, she returned with Dujupsorn. She was wearing shorts, an apron, and had some flour on her face and chin. Although she looked different from the elegant woman from yesterday, there was something charming about her appearance.

"Hello, Petch," she greeted with a bow.

"Yes, I came to buy some pastries," Asira replied.

"Ah, then please sit down. I’ll bring you a drink," she gestured to the small table at the back where customers could sit.

"Thank you." Asira took a seat before putting the pastries on the table. The shopkeeper closed the shop and asked for permission to help in the back while Dujupsorn served him a drink and they chatted privately.

She brought a cold lime drink and set it in front of him before sitting across from him. Just then, Asira noticed a glimmering shadow at the door behind them, and when he turned, he saw two middle-aged women standing in the dark. One approached while the other retreated into the shadows, her face hidden.

"Hello." The woman stepped forward and gave him a friendly smile.

Asira vaguely felt something odd about the smile, but he didn’t dwell on it. He stood up to greet her.

"Hello, my name is Petch."

"This is Fah’s aunt," Dujupsorn said.

He bowed to the older woman, Siripon, who observed him carefully. According to the shopkeeper, he had a certain graceful quality. After a moment, she seemed satisfied with her observation.

"By the way, Petch, what brings you here to buy pastries?" she asked.

"Ah, yes," he accepted the explanation, noticing her smile became warmer. The elderly woman, being experienced, seemed to understand things well.

"Well, then feel free to chat." Siripon stepped inside the house, leaving Dujupsorn and Asira alone.

"Do you work around here?" she asked.

"Yes, I live down the street. Every Friday, I go back to my family’s house." He corrected himself quickly, not wanting her to think he was unfamiliar with his own family.

"Oh, the Jutathep mansion," she muttered, her face showing no emotion.

"Do you know it?"

"No, but everyone knows the Jutathep family, one of the oldest in Thailand, including the famous five Jutathep brothers from the past."

"Now, they’ve all become elders." He smiled broadly.

"But there are still five younger men to carry on the name. You often see one of them in the news," he joked.

"Uncle Lek likes to call us the ‘Five Monkeys’ because we were so mischievous when we were young."

Dujupsorn chuckled lightly, finding it hard to imagine the calm man before her as a mischievous child.

"You’re lucky to have siblings to play with, to share such mischief."

"And you, do you have any siblings?"

She shook her head slightly in response.

"When my father got married, he was already older and didn’t want more children because he was worried that if he passed away, there would be no one to take care of things.” She spoke more mildly, avoiding the topic, when in reality, her father knew about her mother’s psychological issues, so he didn’t want more children. While he was still alive, he and the caregiver took turns caring for her and teaching her to understand the situation, but eventually, even she couldn’t tolerate her mother anymore. When she was old enough to take care of herself, the caregiver moved to Bangkok but still visited often.

“In the palace, children have been running around for decades. The youngest generation just became adults, but the older generation seems to be getting old now.”

“Are you talking about yourself, Petch?” She widened her eyes.

“Sort of, since I’m the first grandson in the family, just like my father was the first son in his family.”

“You’re exaggerating.” She smiled softly and shook her head. “Your life is really enviable because I’ve never had a childhood where I could just play and have fun.”

“Why is that?”

“I’m an only child, and when I was little, I only had Auntie and Uncle Chem to play toys with me.”

"It seems like you’re very close to your aunt."

"Yes, if it weren’t for Auntie…" She lowered her eyes when she thought about what her life would have been like without Siripon. “I wouldn't be who I am today.”

“If that’s the case, your aunt must be very proud that you were a good child, worked hard enough to get a scholarship, and grew up to be a brave person with a kind heart.”

“You must be mistaken about me.” She replied somewhat embarrassed.

“I don’t know, but that’s how I feel. I’ve trusted my instincts before, and they’ve always been right.”

“Does that include work?”

“Definitely.” He shrugged. “The reason I hired you is because of that instinct.”

Asira had returned, and Dujupsorn waved her hand before he got into his sleek black two-door Nissan Sport and drove away. She watched the red taillights until the car disappeared from view, then turned back towards the house. When she opened the door and entered, she had to pause when she saw her mother standing, staring intensely. The expression on her face was tense and frightening.

"Whose child is that in the Jutathep family?"

"Uh... he’s the son of Mom Ratchawong Tharatorn."

"The child of Chai Yai." Her mother's eyebrows furrowed in thought.

"You were told to find Chai Pee’s child. Why didn’t you follow orders?"

"Fah..." She hesitated before her mind began to understand. "Fah... hasn’t started working yet, Mom. I don’t even know who’s who. This person was just someone who interviewed me that day."

"And what was Chai Yai’s child doing with you? Were you secretly persuading him?" Her mother's voice was harsh, making Siripon hurriedly look over, wiping his wet hands on a dirty apron.

"What’s all this noise, Sister Wi?"

Although Siripon didn’t like his sister-in-law, she wasn’t the type to get angry easily. She always spoke very respectfully, according to her position.

"Well, it’s Fah’s little one. She hasn’t even started working, but she’s already luring men to the house."

"Sister Wi, you’re overthinking. He’s higher up than Fah."

"I don’t need Fah to get involved with Chai Yai’s son. I want her to take revenge for me. The one who hurt me is Chai Pee. I want to make him suffer even more than what he did to me." The more Wilairampa spoke, the louder her voice got, almost losing control every time someone disagreed with her.

"Let Fah finish her work first, okay? Then she’ll find the person you need."

Siripon looked at his granddaughter with a furrowed brow, troubled.

"You promised your mother, Fah." Wilairampa’s voice softened as she reached out to her daughter. Dut-apsorn took her mother's hand and smiled reassuringly.

"Don’t disappoint me, okay? You’re my only hope."

"Yes, Mom." She muttered in response, then gently guided her mother inside the house, allowing Siripon to turn off the shop lights before following behind.

That evening’s dinner was delicious, but Dujupsorn’s throat was too tight to swallow any food, just as Wilairampa had only eaten a few bites of rice before quickly taking medicine and heading to bed. When Dujupsorn left her mother’s bedroom, she found Siripon waiting for her.

"I have something I want to discuss with Fah."

She nodded in response before following her maid into the large bedroom and sitting cross-legged on the floor, while Siripon sat on the bed.

"Now, tell me what happened. Why does your mother want you to find this Chai Pee's child? I don’t understand."

Although she had mentally prepared herself beforehand, when it came time to speak the truth, she didn’t know how to answer and sighed first.

"Khun Chai Pee... was my mother’s fiancé when she was still living in the Taewaprom palace. But he was oppressed by the Jutathep family, who went back on their promise to him, to the point where Khun Chai Pee chose Piangkwan, the famous star of that time."

"So that’s why Sister Wi had to be disappointed and ended up marrying Pong?"

"Yes." She nodded slightly. "My mother was disappointed and couldn’t bear the shame of staying in Bangkok, so she ran away to work in Chiang Mai, changed her name, and married Dad."

Siripon heard this and sighed lightly, but still shook his head.

"That’s all in the past. Whatever happened should just stay in the past. There's no need for Fah to go looking for Chai Pee’s child anymore."

"You know Mom’s not well. If Fah tells her no, she’ll get so stressed that she won’t be able to sleep, and her condition will relapse."

"But I don’t agree with you taking your mother’s words like that, it’s not right. What would people say if they found out, especially if they’re relatives?"

"But, what would he say about it? He’s higher up than Fah."

"Chem says that this man came to find Fah after Fah went to study in Australia, and he even hired Fah to work. And before starting work, he even came to visit again. I think he might be interested in Fah, that’s why he made up the excuse about being stuck in traffic. What would he think if you were still looking for someone else’s child in his family?"

"Whatever he thinks, it doesn’t concern Fah, because Fah doesn’t want to get involved with this family. When I’ve made Mom happy, I’ll ask for time off."

"Fah doesn’t want to get involved with him, but what if he wants to get involved with Fah? What will you do?"

"Fah would probably just tell him directly that Fah doesn’t think of him in any way other than as a superior."

"Huh... If it were that easy, that would be great. But what if Fah still can’t find that son, and then this man starts hanging around? Do you really think you can resist his attraction? A man like him has far more experience than Fah."

"Fah thinks she can manage." She replied, her voice firm, but her heart was unsettled.

"If that’s the case, then let me ask you a bit. If you meet that son, what will Fah do next? Will you destroy his life the way your mother wants?"

"Fah will do the same thing they did to Mom. The Jutathep family treated her like that, so Fah will do the same to them. To make Mom happy, because it’s the only happiness Mom has."

"Your mother isn’t well. She’s sick, with mental health problems, everyone knows that. What do you hope to achieve with this? Playing with your own feelings won’t bring anyone any good."

"No, that’s not true. At least, Fah will make Mom satisfied once. She’s waited her whole life for this moment, to get revenge on the Jutathep family for what they did to her, to her father’s family. They’re such hypocrites, a prestigious family that doesn’t keep their promises to Taewaprom. It’s too much disrespect."

"But what can Fah alone do to them?"

"Fah might not be able to do anything to them, but Fah will make them know that we’re in pain because of them. Because Khun Chai Pee didn’t keep his promise, that’s why Mom became like this, that’s why our family ended up like this. Fah had to become an orphan, had to care for a sick mother to the point where Fah nearly became as mad as she is."

The speaker’s words were filled with bitter frustration, tears flowing as every emotion finally burst out.

"When Fah took care of Mom, she cried every time her condition worsened. Fah was angry when she couldn’t help Mom. Fah’s heart broke when she saw Mom suffering because of the actions of a deceitful man from a family that everyone praised as noble, yet they oppressed a woman who had no way to fight back. Fah begged, asking to do what she had set her heart on, to repay her mother by making her happy. Fah only asks for one chance, and Fah promises that she will never become the prey of a so-called noble family like the Jutathep family, who lacks honor and integrity."