Italy was warm that evening.
Soft golden sun rested against the city roofs, children laughed near fountains, and tourists wandered through stone-paved streets.
Peace.
Calm.
Light.
But somewhere above that peaceful world…
something darker stepped off a private jet.
**Arthit Sakda.**
Black suit.
Black gloves.
Black expression.
His aura was sharp enough to silence even the wind.
His presence made the airport security step aside without a word.
Behind him, Ren, New, and Lucas followed silently.
New swallowed.
"Boss… are you sure about this?"
Arthit didn't answer.
He didn't blink.
He didn't breathe.
He only stared ahead with eyes that burned like a wounded animal's.
**Eyes that had seen Karan's photos with another man.
Eyes that could kill with jealousy alone.**
Ren tried again.
"This isn't a mission. This is—"
Arthit's voice was low, deadly.
"This is the only thing that matters."
---
KARAN'S DAY FALLS APART
Inside the restaurant, lunch service had ended.
Karan wiped the counter, humming quietly to himself.
He looked tired, yes.
But peaceful.
His life finally stable.
Lean leaned his elbows on the counter, teasing—
"You hum when you're happy."
Karan rolled his eyes.
"I hum when I'm focused."
"Sure," Lean smirked, "focused on ignoring me."
Karan laughed softly.
Lean's heart melted.
This was enough for him — these moments.
Suddenly, the kitchen doors swung open violently.
A hostess rushed inside, pale.
"Chef K-Karan…?"
Karan blinked. "Yes?"
"There's… someone asking for you."
"Who?"
She swallowed.
"I've never seen someone so— terrifying."
Karan tilted his head, confused.
Lean frowned.
"Maybe it's a critic?"
"No… he's… he's something else."
Karan shrugged.
"I'll check."
---
WHEN THE WORLD STOPPED*
Karan stepped into the main dining hall—
And froze.
His breath vanished.
His knees almost buckled.
Standing there…
in a black suit…
with dead, glassy eyes…
**was Arthit.**
Arthit.
His Arthit.
Three years older.
Three years sharper.
Three years more dangerous.
Karan's heart didn't just stop.
It shattered.
"…A-Arthit?"
Arthit didn't move.
Didn't speak.
He only looked at him.
As if seeing water after years in a desert.
As if seeing a ghost he swore he had buried.
Then slowly—
dangerously—
Arthit walked toward him.
Each step heavy, silent, suffocating.
Karan stumbled back, trembling.
"W-What are you doing here…?"
Arthit stopped in front of him.
His voice was a whisper of broken rage.
"You never told me you were leaving."
Karan's throat closed.
"I… I couldn't."
"Why?"
Arthit's jaw tightened.
"You promised you would never let me go."
Karan's eyes filled with tears immediately.
"Arthit… I—"
Before he could finish—
Lean walked between them.
"Karan," Lean whispered, pulling him back,
"Are you okay? Who is he?"
Arthit's eyes snapped to Lean.
Not with curiosity.
Not with confusion.
With murder.
Lean stiffened instantly.
Karan's voice cracked.
"Arthit, please—"
Arthit stepped forward.
Ren grabbed his shoulder.
"Boss— wait—"
Arthit shook him off like a rag.
His voice dripped venom.
"So this is him."
Lean stood his ground.
"And you are…?"
Arthit smiled coldly.
"A man you should fear."
Lean swallowed — but didn't step back.
He positioned himself protectively in front of Karan.
"And you don't decide who Karan needs."
Arthit's expression darkened.
"Oh?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Then why is he shaking behind you?"
Lean turned—
Karan was trembling violently.
Eyes wide.
Heart shattering.
Arthit stepped closer, voice almost gentle.
"Karan… come here."
Karan shook his head rapidly.
"I-I can't…"
"Why not?"
Arthit's voice cracked.
"You still love me."
Karan's breath hitched, tears falling.
"Arthit… please don't…"
Lean clenched his fists.
"He doesn't have to go anywhere—"
Arthit grabbed Lean by the collar and slammed him into a column.
Karan screamed.
"Arthit, STOP!"
Arthit's voice was a whisper of pure rage.
"Keep your hands off what's mine."
Lean gritted his teeth.
"He's NOT yours—"
Arthit's fist raised—
Karan grabbed Arthit's arm, crying—
"Stop! PLEASE!"
And for the first time—
Arthit froze.
His arm fell.
Seeing Karan's tears…
broke him.
Just the sight of them.
Arthit released Lean, stepping back slowly.
Karan fell to his knees, sobbing.
"Why are you here…? Why now…?"
Arthit knelt in front of him.
His hands shook violently as he cupped Karan's face.
"Karan…
I came because I can't breathe without you."
Karan choked on a sob.
"Don't say that—"
"It's true."
Arthit's voice broke completely.
"You left me. You left me ALONE. You left me dying."
"I had to!" Karan cried.
"I had to protect you—"
"FROM WHAT?!"
Arthit shouted, tears finally spilling.
"FROM MY FATHER?! FROM MY WORLD?!"
Karan nodded frantically.
"Yes—! Yes—!! From everything—!"
Arthit's hands fell.
He whispered like someone stabbed him—
"You promised me, Karan…
you promised you would never let me go."
Karan sobbed harder.
"I know… I know… I'm sorry—"
Arthit leaned his forehead against Karan's.
His voice was a broken whisper.
"Then why did you leave me in hell alone…?"
Karan's answer was soft.
Devastating.
Honest.
"…because I loved you."
Arthit's breath shattered.
"And I love you still," Karan whispered, shaking,
"but I'm scared of you now."
Arthit froze.
The words stabbed him deeper than any knife.
He whispered, voice barely audible—
"You're… scared of me?"
Karan cried harder.
"I'm scared of what you became…
scared of your power…
scared of losing my family…
scared of losing myself…"
Arthit closed his eyes.
Every word hit him like a bullet.
And yet—
He whispered back,
voice shaking, destroyed, begging—
"Karan… don't be scared of me.
Please.
Please don't be scared."
Lean stepped forward.
"That's enough. He's crying. Let him go."
Arthit didn't look at Lean.
He only stared at Karan.
"Karan… I will not survive this again."
Karan whispered—
heartbroken—
"Arthit… please don't make this harder."
Arthit bit his lip so hard he tasted blood.
He whispered like a dying man—
"Karan…
come back to me."
Karan shook his head silently.
Arthit's heart finally broke.
Fully.
Completely.
For the second time.
He stood slowly, backing away as if someone stabbed him.
His voice was barely a whisper—
"Then… I have nothing left."
Karan reached for him instinctively—
but stopped midway.
Arthit saw it.
Saw the hesitation.
Saw the fear.
Saw the distance.
He turned away.
Lean pulled Karan into his arms, trying to comfort him.
Arthit saw that too.
And something inside him snapped into darkness.
He whispered to himself—
"If I can't have him…
then no one will."
Then he walked out of the restaurant…
Leaving behind tears.
Shattered hearts.
A love not dead—
but bleeding.
---
END OF CHAPTER 28