The rain had stopped by the time Sky and Tay left New’s apartment.
Neither of them spoke during the drive back.
The silence between the brothers was heavy, but neither blamed Nani for his decision.
After all, agreeing to a fake marriage with a stranger was not something anyone could accept easily.
Sky rested his head against the car window, watching the city lights blur past.
“I told you,” he said quietly.
“It was an unreasonable request.”
Tay sighed.
“I know.”
“But I had to try.”
Sky gave a faint smile.
“Don’t worry, Brother.”
“I’ll find another way.”
Deep down, however, he knew there wasn’t another way.
His father had already begun tightening the chains around his life.
Back at New’s apartment, the atmosphere was just as quiet.
Nani sat on the living room floor while Noah curled up comfortably in his lap.
He absentmindedly stroked the fluffy cat’s soft fur.
New noticed the troubled look on his younger brother’s face.
“You’ve been quiet.”
Nani smiled weakly.
“I’m just thinking.”
“About Sky?”
Nani didn’t answer immediately.
“I feel bad.”
“But… I couldn’t say yes.”
New nodded in understanding.
“No one should force you into something this important.”
Nani looked down at Noah.
“Marriage… even a fake one… isn’t something I can decide overnight.”
New reached over and gently patted his brother’s shoulder.
“You did the right thing.”
“You listened to your heart.”
Nani smiled, though the guilt in his chest remained.
The next morning…
Campus life continued as usual.
Students rushed to their lectures while clubs prepared for the upcoming university festival.
Nani headed toward the Architecture studio with his sketchbook tucked under one arm.
As he walked past the central garden, he noticed a familiar figure standing beneath the old oak tree.
Sky.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Nani hesitated before walking over.
“Good morning… President Sky.”
Sky looked at him and gave a polite nod.
“Good morning.”
An awkward silence followed.
Finally, Nani spoke.
“I’m sorry about last night.”
“You don’t have to apologize,” Sky replied calmly.
“I never expected you to accept.”
“I just…”
Nani searched for the right words.
“I hope you find another way.”
Sky smiled faintly.
“So do I.”
There was no anger in his voice.
No disappointment.
Only quiet acceptance.
That somehow made Nani feel even worse.
Just then, Noah wriggled free from Nani’s backpack and trotted straight toward Sky.
Sky crouched down automatically and scratched behind the kitten’s ears.
“You really like him, don’t you?” Nani said with a soft laugh.
Sky looked at the cat in his arms.
“I guess…”
“…he doesn’t judge people.”
Nani’s smile faded slightly.
“I don’t judge you either.”
Sky looked up, surprised.
For a brief second, their eyes met again.
Neither of them spoke.
Yet somehow, that silence said more than words ever could.
From the second-floor balcony of the Student Council building, someone had been watching the entire exchange.
Wongravee’s personal assistant slowly lowered his camera.
“I’ve found someone close to Young Master Sky.”
He immediately sent the photographs to his employer.
Miles away, inside his office at Wongravee Automobiles, Wongravee studied the images carefully.
Sky.
An unfamiliar omega.
And a white cat.
His eyes narrowed.
“So…”
“Interesting.”
A slow smile spread across his face.
“If that omega is important to Sky…”
“…then he may become the perfect piece on my chessboard.”
Far away, Nani had no idea that by simply showing kindness to the Student President, he had unknowingly stepped into the dangerous game of the Wongravee family.
The storm was no longer approaching.
It had already begun.