Twilight of Shadows | LingOrm (GxG)

SEVENTEEN

Earn sat across from Atid, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. The room felt smaller today, heavier, like the air itself was pressing down on her chest. She took a slow breath, trying to find the words that refused to come easily.

"Babe," she began, her voice quieter than usual. "I can't stop thinking about my father lately."

Atid leaned forward slightly, concern settling in his expression. "What brought this up?"

Earn swallowed hard, her voice thick with the weight of the past. "He trusted people he shouldn't have. He thought he was building something good for us, you know? But then the Worachai family—" Her voice caught, and she looked away. "They used him. Took everything."

Atid's eyes softened, understanding that this wasn't just a story about the past—it was about everything Earn was holding onto now. She was peeling back a layer he hadn't seen before.

"He trusted them, you know? He believed in their promises, and in the end, they left him with nothing. My mom..." Earn paused, her voice trembling. "She's never been the same."

Atid nodded slowly, his gaze steady and gentle. "That was a long time ago, Earn. You've come so far since then."

Earn bit her lip, her hands tightening into fists in her lap. "But I feel like I'm living it again." She finally looked at him, her eyes raw with emotion. "I am starting to love Lada, but... she's connected to that world. To the same people who destroyed my family."

Atid's brow furrowed, his voice low and reassuring. "Lada's not like them. She's different."

"I know," Earn whispered, her voice barely holding steady. "But every time I'm with her, I can't shake this feeling. Like I'm walking the same path my father did. What if I end up losing everything again?"

The room fell silent, the weight of her words settling between them like a heavy fog.

Atid's hand found hers, his touch grounding her. "Earn, you're not your father. And Lada... she's not the people who betrayed him. But if this is making you feel like you're trapped, you've got to trust your instincts. You've always known when something isn't right."

Earn's eyes filled with tears she didn't want to fall. "I thought I could push the fear away. But it's always there, this shadow. And now... I'm scared." Her voice broke, and she dropped her head. "I'm scared of losing her. But I'm even more scared of what staying with her might do to me."

Atid squeezed her hand gently, his voice steady. "Cry, Earn. Let it all out."

That was all it took. The tears she'd been holding back finally broke free, spilling down her cheeks as her body shook with the weight of them. Atid sat there, quietly letting her feel it all, his hand never leaving hers.

After a moment, he spoke softly, "You ever heard that saying? Right person, wrong timing."

Earn nodded weakly, wiping her eyes. "Yeah, I have... And I think that's what this is. I love her, Atid. But I need to end this now before I get in too deep. Before it hurts even more."

Atid leaned closer, his eyes full of empathy. "You need to talk to Lada, Earn. Be honest with her."

Earn nodded, her chest tight with the weight of the decision. "I know. It's just... hard. I wish things were different."

Atid pulled her into a hug, his voice soft against her ear. "I know. But you're not alone in this. You've got me, your mom, and so many people who care about you. Whatever happens, you'll get through it."

Earn clung to him, her tears finally slowing. Deep down, she knew this was the right choice, even if it felt like tearing her heart apart. Sometimes, love wasn't enough, and the timing just wasn't right.