Chapter 27: Chapter 25

PHUWIN'S POV

“Do you want something to eat?” Pond asks as he gently sets me down on his bed.

"I'm fine," I reply simply, giving him a faint smile.

“If you need anything, just let Pond know. I stocked up the fridge and pantry with food just for you,” Pond’s mom says warmly.

"Thank you so much, krub."

"Now, you two get some rest. You’ve got a long day ahead, especially you, Phu."

"Yes, krub. Thank you, and sorry for the trouble."

“It’s no trouble, Phu. We’re here for you, just like my son.”

"Thank you."

“Pond, behave. Let Phuwin rest,” his dad jokes, making me stifle a laugh.

"Dad, I am well-behaved,” Pond replies.

“Talk to the hand, son. You’re just like me, so I know all your moves. Let your baby rest, okay?”

“Yes, Dad.” Pond scratches his head, and I let out a small laugh. It’s the first time I’ve heard his dad joke like this.

As Pond walks his parents out, my smile slowly fades. They’re not the perfect family, but they’re perfect for me. And I can’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

Pond’s parents may look strict and intimidating, but they’re incredibly kind. This isn’t the first time I’ve met or spent time with them. Two years ago, before Pond left for Thailand, he introduced me to his family. Whenever he’d visit me in the U.S., they’d be the ones picking him up because he didn’t want to return to Thailand. His dad even joked that I was like an addiction to Pond because he didn’t want to leave my side. They’d tease him about being my keychain so he’d always stay close.

Back then, I imagined my family would be like this too. I thought my mom genuinely accepted us, like Pond's family does. I was wrong. My mom is homophobic, and the only reason she pretended to accept our relationship was to gain my sympathy for custody.

It was all a lie—nothing was real.

“Hey, are you okay?”

I look at Pond, and when he sits beside me, I hug him and start to cry.

The weight in my heart is overwhelming. The pain is almost unbearable. The conversation Gemini and I had earlier about his legal case against our mom keeps replaying in my head. The sound of Gemini’s sobs echoes like an alarm in my mind.

I never thought things would get to this point—that our picture-perfect family would shatter like this. Our situation is incredibly complicated, and I don’t know how much more we can endure.

Pond brought me to his place even though I wanted to stay with Gemini. I don’t want to leave my brother in this situation, but Gem assured me he’d be okay. Fourth also promised to stay with him in our condo.

Gem didn’t want me to see Dad—not right now. My emotions aren’t stable, and neither is my mind. Although my anger toward him has faded, I’m still scared. Gem fears I might do something drastic. Even after I assured him I wouldn’t, he still wouldn’t let me stay at the condo because dad might be there also.

I gave in and followed Gem and Pond’s wishes. I’ll see Dad tomorrow anyway. I need to prepare myself, as we’ll be also filing a case against our mom.

It’s hard. The guilt weighs heavily. The pain of knowing we, her own children, will put our mother behind bars is excruciating. Even Gem admitted he’s hurting over this decision, but tolerating her actions is out of the question. Wrong is wrong.

As Gem put it, just as our mom didn’t tolerate our mistakes back then, we won’t tolerate hers now. It’s painful, and it’s hard, but we have to do this. Other parents might see us as heartless, but that’s better than hiding what we know she’s done.

I tighten my grip around Pond. In this heavy situation, he’s the only one I feel I can lean on. Honestly, after everything, I don’t know how I’ll even begin to move forward. Half of me feels shattered, and the other half… feels like it’s close to breaking.

How will I even go on after this? Is there a path left for me, or is this the end? Will there be a bright future for me, or am I doomed to stay in the dark? I don’t know.

My phone suddenly beeps. I ignore it, but Pond doesn’t.

“Baby,” Pond says gently, tapping my back.

“Hmm?” I pull away from the hug and look at him. He hands me my phone.

“Gem sent you a message.”

“What did he say? Are they home yet?”

“It’s about your parents.”

I quickly sit up, grab the phone, and read Gem’s message.

I feel something inside me collapse as I read. My sanity is slipping away.

My mom was arrested in a sting operation by the NBI, and she’s now in jail. My dad was in an accident after finding out, and as of this moment, he’s in the operating room with minimal chance of survival.

POND'S POV

“Dad.”

I hold Phuwin tightly. He’s shaking and sobbing uncontrollably. I feel his body collapse in my arms, trembling with fear and sorrow.

Phuwin’s weakness is his family. After reading Gem’s message, I immediately send a warning call to my parents.

“Why? I didn’t even get a chance to talk to Dad,” Phuwin cries.

“Your dad will survive. You’ll get a chance to talk to him,” I say, gently positioning him so he can sit up and hug him tightly.

Phuwin just shakes his head. I hold his head and plant a soft kiss on it. I don’t know how else to comfort him aside from holding and kissing him. Based on Gem’s message, the chances are slim, and I don’t know what to say.

“What happened?” my mom asks, entering my room, with Dad right behind her. They both look worried, and they already see Phuwin as another son.

“Their mom was caught in an NBI sting operation about an hour ago, and their dad is currently in the operating room after being in an accident,” I explain.

“How did that happen?” Dad asks, while Mom goes to Phuwin, hugging him and rubbing his back.

“He had an accident after finding out what happened to his wife,” I reply.

“Oh my goodness,” Mom murmurs, hugging Phuwin and gently rubbing his back.

“Am I a bad person? What did I do wrong? I was a good son. Yes, I got into trouble, but as far as I remember, I… I never did anything wrong,” Phuwin cries, his voice cracking.

Mom gently pulls back, wiping his tears. I support him from behind to help him sit comfortably.

“You’re not a bad person, and you never will be. You’re a good son, Phuwin—you and Gem. Don’t blame yourself for this. What happened with your mom was bound to happen eventually. And as for your dad, let’s pray for him, okay?”

“I want to go to the hospital. I want to see Dad.”

“We’ll go. Your mom and I will change, then we’ll go,” Dad says.

“Thank you.”

“Pond, we’ll meet you downstairs after we change,” Mom says.

I nod.

Once they leave, I turn to Phuwin. Seeing him like this is heartbreaking, but all I can do is hold him and be there for him.

Fate can be cruel, and the joke it’s played on Phuwin and his brother is severe—a kind of joke only they can endure alone.

I help Phuwin change into one of my shirts and pants. He’s staring blankly as I dress him, tears flowing endlessly. After I change, I send a quick message to Fourth to check on Gem’s condition. His response worries me more.

Fourth doesn’t know how to handle Gem’s breakdown. He says Gem is like a zombie—silent, yet crying, as if all emotions have drained from him.

“Let’s go, baby.” I help Phuwin stand, put a jacket on him, and lead him downstairs.

My parents are waiting in the living room. My mom helped me guide Phuwin into the car. The moment he’s inside, he clings to her hand and cries like a child. Dad drives, and I don’t even attempt to drive. I'm too distracted by worry for Phuwin and Gem.

The ride is silent except for Phuwin’s soft sobs and the notifications on my phone. Fourth and I keep texting each other; he’s anxious about Gem. Gem’s mom keeps calling, but Fourth is too scared to answer. Boom is also with them. He's the one driving the car.

Fourth and I arrive almost simultaneously. Phuwin is back to being withdrawn, and Mom and I help him out of the car. When I see Gem, my heart shatters. He’s as lifeless as Phuwin—emotionless, tears streaming, but his expression is empty.

We exchange looks before we enter the hospital. Dad arranges for two wheelchairs for Gem and Phuwin as soon as we get inside. He also arranges for a doctor to monitor them, ensuring they’re okay, even if they break down.

About 15 minutes later, Joong and Dunk arrive with Dunk’s parents. Boom is video-calling Aou, who insists on coming, but we refuse; the situation is too intense and it's not good for Aou.

We all sat in silence, waiting for the operation to end. Dad managed to get some information about what was happening inside, and the news was grim. There are now three doctors in the operating room, one of whom is a neurosurgeon. The impact caused a skull fracture, and blood has started pooling internally, worsening his condition. We also learned that their father has other underlying health issues, adding further complications. His chances of survival are extremely low. Even if the operation is successful, his time is still likely very limited.

Our silent is broken by a phone ringing.

“Phi Pond,” Fourth says, holding Gem’s phone.

“Who is it?” I ask, though I already know who it is based on Fourth expression.

“It’s their mom,” Fourth whispers.

As I was about to reach for the phone, Phuwin suddenly stood up and took it from Fourth. We were all taken aback, but I quickly steadied myself and stood beside Phuwin, gently holding his arm.

Phuwin answered the call.

"What do you want? Dad’s in the operating room, fighting for his life. Are you happy now? There’s a high chance he won’t make it. You’ll finally be single for real. If that makes you happy, then stay quiet there in your cell. Sleep all you want, because you’re not getting any help from us. And if anything happens to Dad, don’t expect forgiveness from me or my brother."