Soulful (TayNew)

Soulful

Chapter 1: The Unwanted Bond

The large crystal chandelier cast a golden glow over the grand dining hall, illuminating the polished mahogany table where four people sat. Tay Vihokratana, dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. His sharp, chiseled features were devoid of emotion, his cold eyes fixed on his father, who sat across from him with an air of authority.

Between them sat a boy—small in stature, delicate in appearance, with soft brown eyes that held an innocence Tay found irritating. His soft, wavy hair framed his youthful face, and despite the heaviness of the situation, he smiled politely. New Thitipoom. The name meant nothing to Tay.

The moment he had stepped into his family home after months abroad, he had been met with this sight—his parents seated at the dining table, accompanied by this stranger. His first instinct had been to ignore him, assuming he was just some guest his parents had taken in out of charity. But then his father had spoken.

"Tay, you need to marry him."

The words had sliced through the air, absurd in their weight. Tay had barely contained his scoff, his lips curling in disdain. "You must be joking."

His father’s gaze was steady. "I am not."

Tay exhaled sharply, tilting his head back in frustration. "I don't even know him."

His mother, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, her voice softer but no less firm. "New is the son of Thitipoom Enterprises’ founders. You remember them, don't you?"

Tay frowned. The name sounded vaguely familiar, buried somewhere in the recesses of his childhood memories. His parents had once been close friends with another couple… but that was years ago. He had been too young to remember details, and besides, he had never cared enough to ask.

"What does that have to do with me?" Tay asked impatiently.

His father leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "His parents passed away in an accident. According to the company's policies, if something were to happen to them, New would inherit everything. But since he’s not of age, his husband would take control of the company until he turns twenty-one."

Tay's eyes narrowed. He could already see where this was going.

"Then find someone else," he said coolly. "I’m not interested."

His father’s expression darkened. "You don’t have a choice."

Tay let out a humorless chuckle. "You can't force me to marry."

His father’s next words, however, sent a cold chill down his spine.

"If you refuse, you will no longer be part of this family."

The weight of the statement settled over the room like a storm cloud. Tay’s grip on the chair tightened. His father wasn’t bluffing. He never bluffed.

"That includes the company," his father continued, his tone unwavering. "If you refuse this marriage, you will have nothing—no inheritance, no future in any of our businesses. You will be blacklisted from every major company in Thailand."

Tay’s jaw clenched. The ultimatum was cruel, calculated, and he knew it. His father had always known exactly where to strike to get what he wanted.

His gaze flickered toward New, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, his fingers nervously twisting in his lap. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—something hesitant, almost guilty.

Tay hated it.

He turned back to his father. "You really think I’d ruin my life for this?"

His father didn’t flinch. "You already have."

The words settled like ice in his veins.

Tay exhaled sharply, pushing back his chair as he stood. "Fine," he bit out, his voice laced with venom. "I’ll do it."

New flinched at the harshness in his tone, but Tay didn’t spare him a glance. His decision wasn’t about the boy sitting in front of him. It was about power. And if marrying New was the price he had to pay to keep it, then so be it.

But one thing was certain—he would never love him.