Autumn is a second spring

166. Act 2.0

Fluke stood rooted to the spot, his father's words crashing into him one after another until his ears rang. For a moment, he couldn't even breathe.

"A contract marriage?" Remi whispered, her voice sharp with disbelief as she turned toward Thas. "What are you talking about, Phi?"

Thas didn't look at her. His gaze stayed fixed on Fluke, steady and unflinching. "You heard me. Ohm blackmailed him into it. Used the triplets as leverage. Their DNA. Threatened to expose everything unless Fluke signed."

Fluke's head snapped up. "That's not—"

"You don't need to defend him," Thas cut in coldly. "I have looked into everything. Ohm Thitiwat Ritprasert is not the man you think he is, Remi. He saw an opportunity and took it. That's all."

Remi shook her head slowly, as if trying to wake herself from a nightmare. "No. Ohm wouldn't—Fluke, say something."

Fluke opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Thas continued, voice calm, almost gentle. "My lawyers will handle the rest. Ohm's paternity over the triplets, the paperwork, the separation. All you need to do is sign the divorce papers. Be good. Listen to me just this once, Fluke. You will thank me later."

The room felt too small. Too tight.

Tears blurred Fluke's vision as they spilled over, sliding down his cheeks without his permission. His chest hurt like it was caving in. When he finally spoke, the word barely made it past his lips.

"No."

Thas frowned. "What did you say?"

Fluke swallowed hard, his voice shaking but clearer this time. "I said no, Dad."

Annoyance flickered across Thas's face. "What is wrong with you? I am doing this for your future."

"My future," Fluke repeated hoarsely. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. "You don't get to decide that anymore."

Thas's eyes darkened.

Fluke lifted his head, meeting his father's gaze through tears. "No matter how our marriage started, P' Ohm is the person I chose. He is the person I love. I already threw him away once for you. For this family." His voice cracked, but he didn't stop. "I am not doing it again."

Remi inhaled sharply.

"Ever since I was a kid," Fluke went on, something raw and buried finally breaking free, "I tried to be what you wanted. What both of you wanted. I studied. I obeyed. I compromised. I smiled and said I was fine even when I wasn't." His shoulders trembled. "I am done."

Thas opened his mouth, but Fluke didn't let him interrupt.

"This is my life," Fluke said firmly. "I respect my responsibilities. I have never once thought of abandoning the family or the company. But that doesn't mean I will give up everything I love just to fit into the role you chose for me."

He wiped his face with the back of his hand, then shook his head. "I am not divorcing P' Ohm. I am staying married. I am raising our triplets with him. And if you try to stop me—" his eyes hardened, something unfamiliar and fierce flashing through them, "—don't forget that I am a Siripongthon too. Push me again, and my blood will show its colors."

The silence that followed was heavy and brittle.

Thas's jaw tightened, his teeth grinding together, but he didn't say another word.

Remi stepped closer to Fluke and placed a hand on his arm, her eyes shining with pride and relief. She nodded once, silently telling him she stood with him.

Fluke looked back at Thas one last time. "I am going to pretend this lie of yours was never exposed," he said quietly. "It's Earth's wedding. I won't ruin it." His gaze sharpened. "But after this wedding, stop everything. Go back to the company. No more stunts."

Then he turned and walked out, not waiting for an answer.

The moment he stepped outside the cottage, the strength drained from his body.

His strides slowed, each step heavier than the last, until he finally stopped altogether. His chest ached, his thoughts spiraling into chaos. He couldn't understand it—how his father could do this, why he would go this far.

The image burned behind his eyes: Thas collapsing to the floor after their argument, clutching his chest, his face twisted in pain. The fear had been immediate and paralyzing. The guilt had followed, relentless. Those memories still haunted his dreams.

And now he knew it had all been an act.

The realization made his stomach churn.

While his father had been "hospitalized" and undergoing "physiotherapy," Fluke had been drowning. Rivals had descended on the company like vultures, hijacking projects, sabotaging deals. He had taken everything on himself, day after day, barely sleeping, barely breathing.

He couldn't lean on his mother—she knew nothing about the business. Earth had been planning a wedding, and Fluke refused to burden him. And Ohm... Fluke closed his eyes.

He knew Ohm would have helped. Without hesitation. That was exactly why Fluke hadn't told him. He couldn't risk Ohm becoming a target too.

The doctors had warned him again and again—Thas's condition was fragile, they said. Avoid stress. Avoid triggers. So Fluke swallowed everything and carried the weight alone.

And it had cost him everything.

His relationship. His friendships. His career. Himself.

Yet Thas stood there now, unapologetic, talking about divorce like it was nothing.

Fluke sank down onto the paved pathway, his knees finally giving out. A sob tore free from his chest as the tears he had been holding back for so long finally spilled out. He covered his face with his hands, crying openly, helplessly.

He didn't know how much time passed. The sky darkened above him, the air cooling as evening settled in. His legs went numb from sitting on the ground, and when he tried to stand, they buckled beneath him.

He would have fallen if a pair of hands hadn't caught him.

Fluke looked up, startled—and froze.

Ohm

Ohm crouched in front of him, eyes soft as they took in Fluke's red, swollen face. Whatever he saw there made something flicker across his expression, but he masked it quickly.

"Well," Ohm said lightly, "I did say you look sexier when you cry, but I didn't mean you had to greet me like this every time we meet."

Fluke let out a shaky breath, looking away.

Ohm chuckled, helping him steady himself. "You know, you really don't need to put in this much effort to seduce me. All you have to do is give consent."

Guilt twisted painfully in Fluke's chest. He knew Ohm knew. He always did. And yet Ohm was pretending, giving him space he didn't deserve.

Fluke tried to pull away. "I can—walk."

His legs betrayed him again.

"Oh, no you don't," Ohm said, and before Fluke could protest, he was scooped up into Ohm's arms. "Earth and P' Kao's bachelor party is starting soon. Guests are arriving. Earth will murder us if we're late."

"I said I can walk," Fluke muttered weakly.

Ohm didn't budge. "Save your energy," he replied easily. "You will need it to hit the dance floor."

As Ohm carried him away, Fluke closed his eyes, the warmth of those familiar arms undoing him completely. For the first time in a long while, he let himself lean into it—into the person he had always wanted, the person he refused to lose again.