Dhevaprom: Kwanruetai

Chapter 31

The past is the hardest thing to change—it's already happened, unalterable. All that's left is for those in the present to come to terms with it. Chatklao resigned himself to this truth.

"I can't believe we spent so long searching for Khun Amarthee, only to find she had quietly changed her name and moved to Chiang Rai."

Chatklao had finally pieced together the story. Mom Luang Martee had lost her case and didn't get the alimony she had hoped for. Broken, like a bird with clipped wings, she decided to marry Kawee when he entered her life. But without love in the equation, Kawee eventually succumbed to despair, overworking himself to death. This left Khwanruethai in the care of her brother and Martee. The next day, Chatklao took the matter to consult Mom Rajawongse Phuttiphat.

"I never expected this. Martee's life is tragic—she must have been devastated to end up as General Phinit's mistress."

"After everything happened, did you ever speak to Khun Amarthee, Father?"

"No, I never got the chance. Martee was furious with me after Grandma Yai Eiad declared the engagement contract void because she became General Phinit's mistress. Heartbroken, she tried to claim as much as she could from the general to make up for it."

"Unfortunately, the general would never divorce Khun Ying Ampai," Klongkaew added. She felt a twinge of guilt, knowing she had been the root cause of all this. Though Martee had once schemed to send her to General Phinit, every action Martee took was born of heartbreak and disappointment.

"What should I do, Father?"

"Should I speak to her on your behalf?"

"Would that help, Khun Chai?" Klongkaew interjected. "If you approach her, it might only anger her further. She might even resent Chatklao more."

"It's ironic, really. We searched every corner for the Devaprom family heir, only to discover that the woman Chat is so taken with is Martee's daughter."

"I'm sorry, Chat. This is all my fault. I'll talk to Martee myself."

"No, Kaew. If you go, it'll be the same."

"Then what should we do? I don't want to be the reason our son's love falls apart."

"I believe Chat needs to speak with Martee directly. Only sincerity can resolve this."

"Yes, Father. This is my responsibility. Khwanruethai is my heart, and I'll do whatever it takes to win over Khun Amarthee. But first, I need to talk to Khwan and find out if this is really why she's upset. No matter what, I won't let her go. I'll prove to Khun Amarthee that I truly love her daughter, even if I have to go through fire and water."

Meanwhile, Khwanruethai was too preoccupied with Maiseek's situation to think about Chatklao. That afternoon, Samlee came to her for advice.

"How do you know those men belong to Phaoleang Songphon?"

"At first, I wasn't sure—I only vaguely recognized them. But this morning, I snuck over to his house to check."

"What? Samlee! Why would you do something so dangerous without telling me?"

"Don't worry, Phii Thai. Let's focus on what to do. Tonight, Maiseek is supposed to work for Phaoleang, and I have a bad feeling it's illegal."

"If that's true, then the gambling den Maiseek went to must also belong to Phaoleang."

Samlee hung his head, guilt weighing heavy. He blamed himself for not stopping Maiseek before it was too late. Everyone in the district knew Phaoleang was involved in illegal businesses, though the details remained murky.