Accidentally Married

51. Again?

The guest room door creaked open as Saifah steped aside, his voice low but firm. "You can stay here. The room's already prepared for you."

Jui didn't say a word. He walked past him, shoulders tight, his silence louder than any accusation. Saifah watched him with a sinking heart. Since they left the hotel, Jui hadn't spoken once, not even a stray complaint. It was the silence of someone building walls—high, unshakable, impenetrable.

Saifah cleared his throat. "Whatever I did... it was for your own good." The words felt clumsy as they left his mouth, flimsy against the weight of Jui's silence.

Just then, the doorbell chimed. Clip, his secretary, stepped inside, carrying Jui's luggage. His usual briskness faltered the second his eyes flickereded to Jui—something uneasy in that look. "Khun Saifah, the bags," he said, setting them down carefully, almost apologetically.

Saifah nodded. "Did you settle everything at the hotel?"

Clip hesitated. His glance darted to Jui again, then back to Saifah. "Khun Jui... already settled everything before I could."

Saifah stiffened, eyes narrowing slightly before he dismissed Clip with a wave. When the door clicked shut behind him, Saifah turned toward Jui, frustration simmering beneath his calm voice. "Why would you do that? You could have let Clip handle it for you."

Jui finally looked at him, eyes sharp and cold. His voice cut like ice. "When I am completely capable of taking care of my own expenses, why would I rely on you?"

The words lodged deep in Saifah's chest. He opened his mouth, then shut it again, sighing heavily as Jui disappeared into the guest room without another glance.

Minutes later, Clip returned, a slim file clutched in his hand. "Khun Saifah, I found what you asked for."

Saifah took it, flipped it open—and felt the blood drain from his face as his eyes darted over the contents. His expression hardened with each page, jaw clenching until his teeth ache. His hands trembled with anger—not at Jui, but at what he is reading. By the time he reached the last page, he was seething.

Without thinking, he stormed down the hall, shoving open the guest room door.

Inside, Jui let out a sharp scream, clutching his half-buttoned shirt to his chest. His cheeks flamed in embarrassment, eyes wide with shock.

Saifah froze. Heat rushed up his neck, his ears burning as if they had caught fire. He stammered, "I—I'm sorry," and slammed the door shut, pressing his back to it, mortified.

For a moment he just stood there, breathing hard, his face so hot it could scorch the walls. What the hell was that? He cursed himself silently.

When the door finally creaked open, Jui stood there sulking, his shirt now neatly buttoned. His glare could cut glass. "What was so important that you had to burst into my room?"

Saifah bowed his head slightly, voice heavy with regret. "I didn't think you would be changing. I was just in a hurry."

Jui folded his arms. "Were you never taught how to knock?"

"I said I was sorry," Saifah repeated, softer this time. "I didn't mean to—"

"What were you in such a hurry for, then?" Jui interrupted, irritation dripping from every syllable.

Saifah lifted the file, his expression grim. "Why didn't you tell anyone your lunatic ex has been stalking you?"

The words land like a slap. Jui's eyes widened, his face blanching. "You... you investigated me?"

Instead of answering, Saifah pressed on, his voice tight with restrained fury. "That man showed up at your home, tried to assault you. And you kept quiet? Why didn't you tell anyone?"

Jui swallowed hard, masking the tremor in his chest with a stony expression. "That's none of your business. Stop being so nosy."

Saifah ignored the barb. "Do you really think moving into a hotel and filing a restraining order is enough to keep you safe? Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?"

Jui's eyes flashed. "This is what ordinary people deal with, Khun Saifah. Not everyone has guards, walls, and power to shield them. You wouldn't understand."

For a moment, silence. Then Saifah whispered, almost helplessly, "What is your issue with me?"

"I don't have an issue," Jui snapped, "I just don't want to get involved with you."

Saifah exhaled slowly, like he was trying to steady himself. Then, with quiet conviction, he said, "We are engaged now."

Jui froze. His lips trembled before he forced them steady. "That engagement means nothing."

Saifah stepped closer, locking eyes with him. "It means something to me."

The room fell silent, the air so thick it's hard to breathe. Saifah could hear his own heartbeat hammering in his ears, waiting—hoping—for something in Jui's gaze to soften. But it doesn't.

Finally, he said, "I will handle your ex. Until then, stay here. It's safer than any hotel."

Jui let out a bitter laugh. "Safer? At least in hotels no one barged in while I was changing."

Saifah took a step forward. Jui instinctively step back. Another step, another retreat—until Jui's back collided with the wall, and Saifah loomed close, hands braced on either side of him.

Jui gulps, his breath quickening as Saifah lowers himself to eye level. His voice is low, earnest, almost pleading. "It was an honest mistake. I am sorry. I will never make you uncomfortable like that again. I would never force you into anything you don't want. Take all the time you need. I will wait—just... give us a chance."

Something in his tone made Jui's chest twist painfully. But just as quickly, fury surged. He shove Saifah away with all his strength, sending him stumbling.

"How many times do I have to tell you?!" Jui's voice cracked with rage and something far more fragile. His eyes glistened with unshed tears as his fists shake. "I am not interested in you! Why can't you leave me alone?"

Tears spilled down his cheeks. His breathing came in sharp, uneven gasps. With trembling hands, he clawed at the engagement ring on his finger, yanking desperately, but it won't budge. The harder he pulled, the more it dug into his skin.

"Jui—stop!" Saifah rushed forward, grabbing his hands gently but firmly. "You will hurt yourself. Please—calm down."

"Let go of me!" Jui screamed, thrashing in his grip, face blotched red with anger and despair. "Let me go!"

"Please..." Saifah's voice softens, almost breaking. He held Jui still, watching the tears stream down his face. "All I am asking for is a chance."

But Jui shook his head violently, summoning what little strength he has left. He shoved Saifah with all his might, eyes burning with grief. "There is no way I will ever let you be part of my life! Everything I have now—I bled for it. I worked for it. I won't let you trample it... never again!"

The words hit Saifah like a blow. His mind spun. Again? What does that mean?

But before he could ask, Jui was gone—slamming the bedroom door so hard the walls seemed to shake.

Saifah stood frozen in the empty hallway, chest heaving, his hands still tingling where they held Jui's. His thoughts whirl, colliding painfully against each other. He replayed Jui's words, his tears, his fury.

"Never again."

The phrase echoed in his head, relentless, tearing at his sanity. He had no memory of ever crossing Jui before they met at Sak's party. No encounter, no history. So why did Jui speak as if he had already destroyed his life once before?

The silence in the house is deafening. Saifah pressed his fist against his chest, trying to calm the ache spreading inside him.

For the first time in a long while, he felt completely lost—confused, hurt, and terrified of the truth buried in Jui's words.