Chapter 10 The Hidden Truth

The new morning began with a heavy heart. I had decided that I would try to make Phupha understand the lingering past. Learning about Nong Pete and the tragedy of the Worathana family changed my perception of Phupha. He wasn't just a ruthless CEO seeking revenge; he was also someone who carried immense pain and loss.

Today, Phupha didn't leave for work early as usual. He was sitting in the living room, reading a newspaper, his gaze distant as he stared out the window.

"Mr. Phupha?" I approached him slowly, my voice so soft it was barely audible.

He turned to look at me, his impassive face making it impossible to read his thoughts. "What is it?"

"I... can I talk to you?" I mustered the courage to speak.

He nodded slightly, remaining still, not inviting me to sit. I stood there, feeling nervous.

"I... I've read about your family... and about Nong Pete," I began slowly. "I'm sorry for what happened."

Phupha's eyes changed subtly. The coldness vanished for a moment, replaced by an unexplainable emotion, akin to deeply hidden pain.

"It's good that you know," he said calmly, yet with a certain firmness. "So, what now?"

"I want to explain about that day," I tried to keep my voice from trembling. "I didn't intend to hurt Nong Pete or scare him. I truly tried to help him, but I was young then, and so shocked I didn't know what to do."

Phupha was silent for a moment. He stood up and walked to the window, turning his back to me.

"You don't need to explain anything," he said flatly. "What's done is done."

"But I truly didn't mean to," I tried to explain again. "I understand you must be very angry and hate me, but please believe me."

Phupha turned back to face me, his face devoid of a smile. His sharp eyes stared at me coldly. "Do you think your explanation will make everything better, Linin?"

His words felt like a knife cutting through my heart. I knew it was hard to make him believe, and hard to erase the deep-rooted misunderstanding he had held for so long.

"I just... don't want you to misunderstand me," I replied faintly.

"That's not your only mistake, Linin," Phupha said, his voice sending a chill down my spine. "Do you remember what else you did to me?"

I instantly lowered my gaze. Images from four years ago flooded back. I remembered leaving him without a word, vanishing from his life with a great secret... the secret of Nong Time.

Silence enveloped the room again. Guilt and shame overwhelmed me until I could barely stand.

"I... I'm sorry," I managed to say with difficulty. "I accept all responsibility."

Phupha sighed softly before walking back to sit on the sofa. He didn't say anything further, but his silence made me feel even more uncomfortable than any words could have.

I knew that our current relationship was far more complicated than I had imagined. It wasn't just a contract marriage to repay a debt, but also pain and vengeance from the past that still haunted us both.

I slowly walked out of the living room and headed to my own room. I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were filled with worry and sorrow.

'What should I do next?' I asked myself. I didn't know if I could fix the mistakes of the past, and I didn't know if I could make Phupha understand and forgive me.

That night, I couldn't sleep again. Thoughts of Phupha, the past I tried to forget, and the hidden truth swirled in my head all night long.