Autumn is a second spring

140. Pre wedding shoot 2.0

For a long moment, silence hung heavy between them, broken only by the faint hum of the RV's heater. Earth's words — I am scared that one day you will get tired of giving in to me — lingered in the air, fragile and raw.

Kao finally exhaled, his tone soft but steady. "Someone only gets tired of giving in to their partner when all the sacrifices are one-sided," he said gently. "But that's never been the case for us, Earth. You have never made me feel like I was the only one trying. I know how much you have done — how much you have given up and adjusted — just to be with me."

Earth's eyes flickered but he stayed quiet, still looking unconvinced.

Kao studied him for a second before continuing. "Do you remember when we first got married? So many people called you a gold digger." His voice was calm but edged with quiet bitterness at the memory. "They said you were only with me for the money, that you were just another young guy chasing status."

Earth's gaze dropped to his lap. "Yeah... I remember."

"They couldn't imagine any other reason you would marry me — not with the ten-year gap between us." Kao smiled faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "But you shut every one of them up, Earth. You made Oura what it is today. You turned it into one of the biggest cosmetic brands in the continent — and you did that without my help. You made your own name. You made sure everyone who doubted you choked on their words."

Earth's throat tightened. "That's not fair, Phi. You supported me all the way—"

Kao shook his head. "I supported you because I believed in you. But the success? That's all you."

He reached for Earth's hand again, rubbing his thumb along his knuckles. "You haven't just been a good spouse to me, Earth. You have been a wonderful parent to our son. You have never once treated Art like he wasn't yours."

Earth's lips parted slightly. "You just said 'our son,' P' Kao. Why would I ever consider him a stepchild?"

That made Kao smile wider — an unguarded, genuine smile that softened all the lines of his face. "Exactly. That's what I am talking about. You have loved Art more than Shelly ever did. You were there for him, even when he wasn't easy to love. You gave him stability, warmth — everything he needed."

Kao's eyes grew distant for a moment as he recalled, "When Shelly got pregnant with Art, I didn't know what to do. I wouldn't have thought of breaking up with you. But you were the one who told me to. You said it was better to end things for the sake of that child's happiness. You put him first even before he was born. That's the kind of person you are, Earth."

Earth's heart clenched, his eyes misting with emotion. He could still remember those days — the sleepless nights, the heartbreak, the way he had told himself over and over that love sometimes meant letting go.

Kao smiled faintly. "You have everything I have ever wanted in a partner. You are strong, compassionate, independent. I am happy, Earth. I feel lucky every single day that you are my husband."

Warmth spread through Earth's chest like sunlight after rain. He looked down at their joined hands, Kao's firm and reassuring over his. He felt that familiar pull in his heart — the same feeling that made him fall for Kao all those years ago.

Kao's tone softened further. "You know... I have always felt guilty about how we got married."

Earth blinked, confused. "Guilty?"

"Yeah," Kao said with a small chuckle. "Vegas, remember? It was during that random business trip. It wasn't even planned. I know how much you love weddings, how you dreamed about walking down the aisle, about the flowers and the music. I took that away from you by marrying you in a rush."