Shattered (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 11: The Forbidden Affair

The days following Pond's reluctant promise to cut Dunk out of his life were a blur of uncertainty and strained silence. Phuwin had tried to find solace in the decision, hoping it would mark the beginning of their healing process. But deep down, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was still amiss. The tension between them lingered, heavy and oppressive, like a storm waiting to break.

Phuwin watched Pond closely in the days that followed, searching for signs that his fiancé was staying true to his word. At first, it seemed as though Pond was making an effort. He came home earlier, spent more time with Phuwin, and even went out of his way to reassure him with small gestures of affection. But it all felt forced, as if Pond were going through the motions rather than truly mending the rift between them.

And then, slowly but surely, the familiar signs began to reappear.

It started with the small things. Pond would receive texts late at night, the screen of his phone flashing briefly before he hurriedly turned it face down on the nightstand. He began working late again, claiming that the demands of his job were growing, though Phuwin noticed that the details of these supposed work obligations were always vague, lacking the specificity that had once reassured him.

Phuwin tried to dismiss the growing unease, telling himself that he was just being paranoid, that Pond was trying to rebuild their relationship. But as the days turned into weeks, it became harder to ignore the signs that Pond was slipping back into old habits.

One evening, Phuwin returned home earlier than usual, hoping to surprise Pond with a quiet dinner together. But as he entered their apartment, the empty silence that greeted him sent a chill down his spine. Pond's jacket was draped over a chair, his shoes carelessly kicked off by the door, but there was no sign of him anywhere in the apartment.

Phuwin's heart began to race as he called out Pond's name, his voice echoing through the empty rooms. There was no answer. His pulse quickened as he glanced at the clock on the wall—6:45 PM. Pond had said he would be home by 6:00. Where was he?

Unable to shake the feeling of dread that settled in his chest, Phuwin picked up his phone and hesitated for a moment before dialing Pond's number. It rang several times before going to voicemail, the automated message a cold reminder of the distance that had grown between them.

Trying to stay calm, Phuwin sent a quick text: "Hey, where are you? I thought we were having dinner together tonight."

He waited, his anxiety mounting with every passing second. After what felt like an eternity, Pond finally replied, but the response was brief, almost dismissive: "Got caught up at work. I'll be home late. Don't wait up."

Phuwin's heart sank. The words felt like a blow, confirming the fears that had been gnawing at him for weeks. He knew Pond was lying—he could feel it in his gut. The carefully constructed facade that Pond had built around their relationship was crumbling, revealing the painful truth that Phuwin had been dreading.

Despite his promise, Pond was still seeing Dunk.

Phuwin's mind raced with thoughts of what Pond might be doing, where he might be. The image of Pond with Dunk, the easy chemistry between them, the way Dunk had touched him—it all came flooding back, each memory more painful than the last. Phuwin's hands shook as he set his phone down, unable to process the betrayal that seemed to be unfolding before his eyes.

The doubts that had plagued him before returned with a vengeance, but now they were tinged with a deeper, more profound hurt. Phuwin had given Pond an ultimatum, had asked for the one thing he thought would save their relationship. But now, it was clear that Pond had chosen to disregard that ultimatum, to continue the deception that was tearing them apart.

As the days passed, Phuwin grew more distant, withdrawing into himself as he struggled with the knowledge of Pond's betrayal. He found himself avoiding Pond whenever possible, unable to bear the thought of confronting him and confirming what he already knew in his heart. The distance between them grew, the love they had once shared feeling more like a fading memory than a present reality.

Pond, sensing Phuwin's growing detachment, tried to bridge the gap with reassurances and affection, but it only made Phuwin feel more isolated. He could see through the facade, knew that Pond was trying to maintain the illusion of normalcy while continuing to live a double life.

Phuwin's sleep became restless, haunted by nightmares of Pond with Dunk, the images so vivid that he would wake up in a cold sweat, his heart pounding. The stress began to take a toll on him, manifesting in the dark circles under his eyes and the constant knot of anxiety in his stomach. Even his work began to suffer as he found it increasingly difficult to focus, his mind constantly returning to the betrayal that had shattered his world.

Yet, despite everything, Phuwin couldn't bring himself to confront Pond. The fear of what he might discover, of hearing Pond confirm his worst fears, kept him paralyzed. He was trapped in a limbo of doubt and despair, unable to move forward but too terrified to face the truth head-on.

Phuwin had always believed that love could conquer anything, that their bond was strong enough to withstand whatever challenges came their way. But now, as he stood on the precipice of losing everything, he realized that love alone might not be enough to save them.

The relationship between Pond and Dunk continued to intensify, growing in secret, fueled by the lies that Pond told to maintain the illusion of his commitment to Phuwin. The web of deceit grew more tangled, ensnaring them all in a trap of their own making.

And as the days turned into weeks, Phuwin found himself standing at a crossroads, torn between confronting the man he loved and fearing the devastating truth that would inevitably come to light.

But one thing was certain: the longer this went on, the more their relationship withered, choked by the lies and betrayal that had become its foundation. And deep down, Phuwin knew that if something didn't change soon, there might not be anything left to save.