A Vihokratana's tragedy

23. Brother

Gun knocked on the door to his son-in-law's room. "Are you there, Bright?" he called softly. A faint hum of acknowledgment prompted him to push the door open. Bright lay propped up against the headboard, his face pale and framed by exhaustion. The tension was palpable in the room. The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room.

"Win had to head to the clinic today," Gun said, his voice carrying a hint of apology. "His assistant's on holiday, so he's got his hands full." Bright gave a short nod, averting his eyes. Despite their silent war, Win still took care to inform Bright about his errands-an act that kept their strained connection intact. Even in their quarrels, Win couldn't neglect Bright's health.

Gun approached with a tray in his hands. "I'm on breakfast duty today," he said with a forced lightness, setting the food down carefully. "My son insists I take good care of you."

"Thank you, Pa." Bright's lips curled into a small smile, but it lacked warmth. His eyes told a different story-one of fatigue and loneliness. Gun's heart sank. Both Win and Bright wore their exhaustion like heavy coats. Whatever had happened between them was taking its toll, and as much as Gun wanted to stay out of it, he knew he had to intervene.

"Bright," Gun said, his tone turning gentle but firm. "What happened between you and Win?"

Bright flinched, caught off guard by Gun's bluntness. He hadn't expected him to be so direct, though the tension in the household had grown impossible to ignore. Except, perhaps, for Chimon, who seemed oblivious in the way only children can be. Bright saw a glimmer of opportunity. Gun was a good man, and if he played his cards right, he could gain an ally in mending-or manipulating-things with Win.

"Pa, I-I don't know how to say this," Bright stammered, dropping his gaze. He reached for Gun's hand, squeezing it with just the right amount of desperation. "Please, just listen to me. I need you to understand... Please, Pa."

There was a flicker in Bright's eyes that suggested vulnerability, but beneath the surface, his mind was calculating. Bright needed Gun on his side, and he knew just how to tug at his father-in-law's heartstrings. Gun leaned in, concern etched into every line on his face. Whatever lay beneath their fight, he was determined to find out.

"I know I'm being selfish with this, Pa," Bright said, his voice low and tinged with a mix of guilt and vulnerability. He glanced away, unable to meet Gun's eyes. "I-I kind of tried to push Win into making a decision."

Gun's eyes narrowed slightly, his brow furrowing-not quite sure if it was confusion, disbelief, or a mix of both. But he remained silent, waiting patiently for Bright to continue.

"It's almost two years since we got married," Bright continued, his voice trembling just a little. "You know how much I love him. And... I know he loves me too." There was a pause, heavy and fragile. "I just wanted us to start a new chapter, Pa. I wanted us to have a child-to bring that joy into our lives. I got so wrapped up in the idea that I kept bringing it up, over and over."

The truth burned on Bright's tongue, and he swallowed hard. He had only thought about adopting yesterday, a desperate attempt to anchor Win to him, to make it harder for him to walk away. Call it old-fashioned, but Bright believed this could work-if only Win would agree. He sighed, feeling the weight of it all pressing down on him.

"Forcing a decision isn't the right way, boy," Gun said, his voice firm but laced with empathy.

Bright nodded, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "I figured that out-the hard way, Pa." He forced a half-smile that didn't reach his eyes.

Gun leaned back, his expression softening as he took in his son-in-law's pain. "Bright," he said gently, "sometimes, when we love deeply, we stumble trying to protect it." He reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Bright's shoulder. "You'll figure this out-together." He tried to silently promise to talk to Win and ease the tension. With a comforting squeeze, Gun rose and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.