Autumn is a second spring

147. Family dinner

Kaew's heartbeat quickened the moment she stepped through the tall carved doors of the Dechaphattanakun mansion. Even though she had grown up away from her parents, this place had always held a strange familiarity — something between home and a museum of memories. The marble floors gleamed, the air smelled faintly of lemongrass and polished wood, and the distant chatter of maids echoed from somewhere inside.

But before she could take in anything else, her gaze collided with Earth's.

His expression softened instantly, surprise blooming into warmth. Kaew felt her throat tighten. Earth opened his arms almost at the same moment she began walking toward him, and the two met in a tight embrace in the middle of the foyer.

"You are really here," Earth said, his voice muffled against her shoulder as he hugged her closer. "Jie... finally."

She chuckled and patted his back. "I told you I would make it. Congratulations ja, Earth."

Earth pulled back, his eyes moist but bright. "Thank you, Jie. How was the flight?"

"Long, but I slept well." She shrugged, brushing aside the travel stiffness. "I am not tired at all."

The maids politely stepped forward to take her luggage upstairs, but Kaew barely noticed — she was busy soaking in the sight of Earth, the happiness radiating from him in a way she hadn't seen before.

"Where is the other groom?" she asked teasingly. "Or did he run away last minute?"

Earth opened his mouth to reply, but Kaew's attention snapped sideways when she spotted a familiar figure walking down the staircase.

Kao.

Her older brother grinned so widely that his eyes nearly disappeared. He didn't bother with words; he simply rushed over and wrapped Kaew in the kind of hug that lifted her slightly off the floor.

"You are home," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "Kaew... God, you are really here."

She laughed breathlessly. "You are glowing, P' Kao. Should I be jealous of Earth stealing all your time?"

Earth swatted Kao lightly on the arm from behind, and Kaew grinned. "Feels like yesterday I was consoling P' Kao on my wedding day because he was missing you so much. And look at you two now — a grand wedding."

Kao's ears went red instantly. "Why are you bringing that up?" he muttered, glancing at Earth, who stared back with an amused smile. "Let's just... go inside."

The trio moved toward the living hall, the chandelier overhead washing them in warm yellow light. Before Kaew took two steps inside, she heard hurried footsteps and a squeal.

"P' Kaew!"

Dream barreled into her, arms thrown around her waist. The youngest cousin clung to her like a koala.

"I missed you," Dream whined dramatically. "Thank god you are here. I was being suffocated being around all these men."

Kaew laughed and stroked Dream's hair. "I am here now. You won't be alone."

Dream beamed, and Kaew lifted her hand to pat her cheek — only to be intercepted by another pair of arms.

Boun.

He gave her a tight but warm hug. Kaew reached up to pinch his cheeks playfully. "Why are you being so stiff? Loosen up a little, Boun, or you will end up like Ohm—"

She stopped.

Because Ohm was standing right behind Boun.

Kaew's smile froze. Ohm didn't respond to her startled greeting; he just hummed under his breath, expression unreadable, slid his headphones over his ears, and walked straight to the corner couch. He sank down, shut his eyes, and tuned the world out — or pretended to.