Dunk, a 20-year-old uni student, never forgot the stranger who saved him when he was twelve. Joong, now a 28-year-old CEO and secret agent, never forgot the trembling boy who held his hand. When fate brings them together again, Dunk feels a strange familiarity- but Joong knows exactly who he is. Because Dunk wasn't a coincidence. He was Joong's first memory, his hidden promise, his quiet obsession.

Dunk has loved his stepfather, Joong, in silence since he was sixteen, though Joong has always kept him at arm's length, annoyed by Dunk's innocence and stubbornness. Now seventeen, Dunk feels invisible in a household dominated by his baby sibling and his mother's attention. In an attempt to protect his heart, he begins to distance himself-but his absence only makes Joong notice him more, stirring possessiveness, jealousy, and feelings he thought he could never have for his stepson. As family responsibilities, illness, and forbidden desire collide, Dunk and Joong find themselves caught between duty and longing in a tension-filled, slow-burning romance.

🔥 PROLOGUE - "Before the Fall" Joong had never needed a bodyguard this close before. He had a team-faceless men in suits who lingered outside his university gates, rode in cars that tailed discreetly, whispered into hidden mics about routes and rendezvous and security zones. But this was different. This wasn't just proximity. This was permanence. The new bodyguard stood by the grand windows of Joong's penthouse suite, staring out at the skyline like it was a threat. His shoulders were square, broad, coiled like he could spring at any moment. He hadn't smiled once since stepping in. His name was Dunk Natachai. Special Forces background. Silent. Sharp. Unflinching. And terrifyingly beautiful. Joong sipped his orange juice at the breakfast table, eyes flicking upward from behind the rim of his glass. Watching. Studying. The angle of Dunk's jaw. The way his black shirt strained against muscled arms. The glint of the earpiece catching morning light. Unreachable. Untouchable. Joong couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. "This is going to be fun," he whispered to himself, heart already too warm for his own good. He didn't know it then, but someday- That same man would bleed for him. Kill for him. Come for him like hellfire through steel and smoke. And Joong would fall in love with the fire that saved him.

The room smelled faintly of ink and stale coffee. Joong sat stiffly under the yellow light, hands resting on the cold steel table, answering the inspector's questions with steady precision. He had nothing to hide-or so he thought. Across from him, Inspector Pond tapped his pen against the file. "You said you left the bar around midnight. Alone?" Joong nodded. "Yes." The door opened before Pond could press further. A tall man stepped inside, confident without being intrusive. His tone was smooth, casual, as though he had every right to interrupt. "Not alone," the stranger corrected, sliding a glance at Joong. "He was with me." Pond frowned, pen frozen mid-tap. "And you are...?" "Dunk," the man supplied, offering a polite half-smile. "We shared drinks. Then we left together. You can check the bartender-he'll confirm. I walked him home myself." Joong blinked. He didn't know this man. He had never seen him before. And yet Dunk's words carried the weight of truth, every syllable deliberate, leaving no space for suspicion. Pond studied them both for a moment, then leaned back in his chair. His instincts itched, but the alibi was too clean, too precise. Finally, he scribbled something in his file. "...Alright. You're free to go."

Joong was always the perfect heir-wealthy, arrogant, and consumed by an obsession for Dunk's love. But when Dunk chose Archen, Joong's world shattered. Broken, angry, and drowning in his own scars, he never thought he would feel anything again. Until fate pushed him into Natachai's path. Sassy, unapologetic, and untamed, Natachai is everything Joong isn't-and everything he doesn't want. Their worlds collide in chaos, their clashes burn hotter than fire, and what starts as irritation becomes something Joong never imagined. Without even trying, Natachai begins to heal the cracks Joong hides behind his pride. And slowly, painfully, Joong realises-love doesn't have to be chains. Sometimes, it's the stranger you never asked for, who sees right through the walls you built. This is no longer Joong's story of obsession. It's his story of healing. Of hate turned to love. Of Joong and Natachai.

Their story began in darkness-war, hatred, and pain tearing them apart. Joong's relentless obsession and ruthless actions only deepened Dunk's anger and sorrow. Yet, as fate bound them together in marriage, neither could escape the other's presence. What started as forced companionship turned into reluctant understanding. Slowly, Dunk's heart, guarded by grief, began to soften, while Joong's obsession transformed into care and devotion. Through countless trials, misunderstandings, and silent sacrifices, their love grew stronger. In the end, the walls between them crumbled, and hatred gave way to trust. Their bond, forged in fire, became an eternal love neither time nor turmoil could break.

Story Description: In the opulent kingdom of Varethis, where golden festivals light up the skies and royalty rules without question, one boy hides in the shadows of silk and celebration - unseen, unloved, unwanted. Dunk - the quiet, kind-hearted step-son of a noble house - is treated as less than a servant. Forced to cook, clean, and serve in silence while his stepmother and stepbrothers bask in riches, his only crime was being born to the wrong mother. To them, he is dirt beneath their shoes - and during the kingdom's grand spring festival, they plan to finally rid themselves of him. But fate has other plans. From the royal balcony, Crown Prince Joong - ruthless, feared, and infamous for his cold heart - spots a lone boy among the crowd, skin kissed by moonlight, hands calloused from labor, eyes holding something too pure for this world. He doesn't know his name. Doesn't care about his blood. All he knows is one thing: "Find him. He belongs to me now." And when Joong learns of Dunk's cruel family, he doesn't just take him - he buys him. A deal is made. A life is stolen. And a crown claims its lamb. But Joong didn't expect softness to feel like fire. And Dunk never imagined captivity could look like freedom. This is a story of obsession, royalty, and a love that shouldn't exist. Because the crown prince doesn't fall in love. He owns it.

[𝗗𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗝𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗹] 𝗙𝗹𝘂𝗳𝗳 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘁 | 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆☡ When Dunk falls for a boy who is eight years younger than him, that too cause of a kiss the boy give him in his childhood. ~What will happen? Does the younger one love Dunk? ~Will Dunk's love fulfill? -DunkJoong centric. -PondPhuwin -EstWilliam. -BoomAou.

A billionaire CEO, A boy, A baby and a secret. It was suppose to be another stressful workday day for Joong. With his brother Pond and his brother-in-law Phuwin. But fate had another plan. A boy, washed with blood and a baby in hold came running and banged on his car window. Crying. Bleeding. Desperate. And something in Joong said stop him. And he did. That was the start of a boy's life being protected by His fate - His Protector. - Dunk Natachai, A sun himself suddenly shut himself in dark because of an accident. An accident where his life turned upside down. An accident where he meet his Anchor. - Joong Archen, A billionaire CEO, cold, stone-hearted, tight-lipped, merciless as every person expected him to be. Without his family no one can ever make him worried. But a single boy's tear made his heart winch so much-it hurt-made his world crumble. A baby's small hand on him made his heart so full-made him smile like no one can. So now, he took an oath - he will bring his sun back and love his little sunflower forever. Can Joong do it? Or his sun's light will be lost in Darkness? **This story contains mpreg** **A lots of Medical condition - Stab, Blood, Surgery, Stitches, Bruises.** (Not a Dark Romance.) Support roles: Pond Phuwin Gemini Fourth First Khaotung Dew Tee (Only mentioned in chapters) [Other couples as temporary roles] ✨ Achievement ~~(Out of = /) #1 in hurt (/93.2k) ~ 7.1.26 #1 in First (/34.9k) ~ 13.5.26 #2 in cry (/16.3k) ~ 4.5.26 #1 in Dunk (/877) ~ 3.3.26 #4 in JoongDunk (/1.94k) ~ 1.1.26 #1 in DYTD (/31) ~ 13.5.26 ~~Srabony

STORY DESCRIPTION Joong Archen lives a quiet life built on responsibility and sacrifice. Between university, endless work shifts, and caring for his sick mother, love has never been something he has time to think about. Dunk Natachai lives in a completely different world. Rich. Carefree. Untouchable. For Dunk and his friends, everything can become a game. Even love. What begins as a cruel bet to make Joong fall in love soon becomes something far more dangerous than Dunk ever expected. Because the quiet boy he thought would be easy to win over is carrying wounds, burdens, and loyalty deeper than anyone can see. Joong slowly begins to trust him. To believe him. To love him. But when the truth behind Dunk's game finally comes to light, the damage it leaves behind may be impossible to repair. Because some betrayals don't just break hearts. They destroy them. And sometimes the cruelest punishment for playing with someone's love... is realizing too late that they were the only person you ever truly needed. A story of trust, betrayal, pain, and a love that must fight through regret to survive.