Chapter 4 A Heartless Beginning

The next day, I woke up with a heavy feeling in my heart. The spacious bedroom where I now stayed felt like a golden cage, imprisoning my freedom. Everything here seemed overly luxurious, yet it didn't make me feel any more comfortable.

I walked to the large window, looking out at the meticulously arranged garden. The morning sunlight streamed in, but it couldn't penetrate the darkness within my heart.

After showering and getting dressed, I chose the clothes the maid had prepared for me. It was a simple, elegant light-colored dress that looked polite, but it didn't make me feel like myself in the slightest.

When I came down to the dining room, I found Phupha sitting at the head of the table. His face was as impassive as ever, showing no trace of emotion, but his sharp eyes made me feel as though he could read my mind perfectly.

"Sit," he said briefly before returning to reading the newspaper in his hand.

I sat across from him. The dining room was so quiet you could hear the clock ticking. The breakfast laid out before me looked appetizing, but I had no appetite whatsoever.

"You must take good care of your father," Phupha said without looking up. "The five million baht has already been transferred to the hospital, as per the agreement."

I looked up at him with complex emotions. I was glad my father was safe, but it pained me that it came at the cost of my own freedom. "Thank you," I replied softly.

"Don't thank me," he responded coldly. "This is business, not a matter of feelings."

His words reinforced the fact that our relationship was merely a heartless contract. The only things connecting us were money and benefits.

After breakfast, I asked permission to visit my father at the hospital. Phupha nodded his permission without saying anything. The driver took me to the front of my father's recovery room.

The sight of my father lying on the hospital bed, his face gaunt, made my heart clench, the pain so intense I could barely breathe.

"Father... Linin is here," I gently held his hand, trying to keep my tears from falling. "You must get well soon, Father. Linin will always be by your side."

My father slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was still weary, but it brightened with happiness when he saw me. "Linin... are you safe?"

My tears finally fell. "I'm fine, Father. You don't have to worry."

I knew I was lying, but I had to, to ease his mind.

After that, I spent most of my time by my father's side, trying to give him water, medicine, and care for him as much as I could. I knew that the five million baht had truly saved my father's life, but I didn't know if what I had exchanged for it would be worth it.

In the evening, I returned to Phupha's mansion. A strong feeling of loneliness enveloped me. I walked up to the bedroom, silent and empty, like a lifeless space.

I picked up my mobile phone and called Kaew, my best friend.

"Kaew... how's Nong Time doing?" I asked, my voice filled with anxiety.

"He's fine, dear. He's playing with his toys right now," Kaew's voice brought me some relief. "Where are you? Your voice sounds strange."

"I'm... working out of town," I stammered. "I'll probably be here for a long time. Please take care of Nong Time for me, Kaew."

I heard Nong Time giggling on the other end of the line. My heart ached. I missed my son so much, missed the small arms that used to hug me tight.

'Mommy will come back to you as soon as possible, my child,' I whispered to myself.

The first night in this mansion was a long one. I couldn't sleep, tossing and turning on the comfortable bed, my eyes fixed on the empty ceiling. Thoughts of my son, worry for my father, and the uncomfortable feeling of being with Phupha swirled in my head.

I knew this was just the beginning of a very long year... a year where I would have to live under someone's shadow of vengeance, and try my best to keep my great secret safe.