This place is not Mine (chapter2)

Because the truth is…

I never expected anything from him.

“Thais.”

Grandma Jade’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“You should move to Arthit’s house today. I’ll have your things shifted from the orphanage.”

She smiled gently.

I nodded.

What else could I say?

After she left, silence filled the room again.

The truth is… I’ve been an orphan since I was six.

The orphanage is the only home I’ve ever known.

And Jack…

He’s not just my best friend.

He’s family.

We grew up together. Supported each other. Survived everything—together.

This marriage…

It’s the only way I can give something back to the people who raised me.

A hand landed on my shoulder.

I turned.

Jack.

“Will you be alright?” he asked, his voice low, worried. “I don’t know… I don’t like this. That Arthit guy—he doesn’t feel right. Who shows up that late to his own wedding?”

I let out a small laugh.

“I’m not that weak, you know.”

“It’s not that,” he said quickly. “I’m just worried about you.”

I looked at him for a moment.

Then smiled.

“You don’t have to be. I know why I married him… and I know how to handle myself.”

Jack stared at me for a second—

Then laughed softly.

“Alright. But if anything happens…”

“I know,” I said. “You’ll be there.”

We went back to the orphanage.

Home.

Father Adam was waiting for me.

We never knew his real name. We just called him Adam—like the father of all.

Because that’s what he was to us.

A father.

He looked at me… and I could see it in his eyes.

Guilt.

“Thais… I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “Because of me, you had to force yourself into this.”

I shook my head and smiled.

“Don’t be. I’m going because I want to.”

Before he could reply, the children ran toward me.

“Brother Thais! Don’t leave us!”

Their voices trembled.

Tears filled my eyes—but I held them back.

I couldn’t cry.

Not now.

I knelt down and pulled them into a hug.

“I’ll be fine,” I said softly. “And if anything happens… you’ll all protect me, right?”

“Yes!” they shouted together.

I laughed.

And for a moment… it felt normal.

After a while, it was time to leave.

A car was waiting outside.

I got in quietly.

As the orphanage disappeared from view, I leaned back and closed my eyes.

A new life.

A new beginning.

But I had no idea what was waiting for me.

At some point… I fell asleep.

“Mr. Thais… Mr. Thais.”

A voice woke me up.

I blinked slowly and looked outside.

We had already arrived.

I stepped out of the car.

A man stood in front of me, bowing slightly.

“My name is Yai, servant of the house. Madam Jade appointed me to assist you.”

“Okay, Uncle Yai,” I said politely.

His expression changed immediately.

“You may call me Yai, sir.”

I shook my head.

And said, “ don’t call me sir. And I can’t call someone older than me by name.”

For a second, he just looked at me.

Then nodded slightly.

As we walked inside…

I froze.

This wasn’t a house.

It was a palace.

Huge doors. Endless space. Cold, quiet walls.

Everything looked perfect.

But empty.

“How many people live here?” I asked.

“Three,” Yai replied.

I stopped walking.

“Three?”

“Yes.

Master… you… and me.”

“That’s it?”

He pointed outside.

“There is a smaller house. The master’s bodyguard and his secretary, Kulap, stay there.”

“Oh…”

I didn’t know what to say.

“Your room is on the first floor, right side,” Yai added.

I nodded and went upstairs.

The room was large.

Too large.

Too quiet.

I sat on the bed, trying to breathe normally.

That’s when I heard it.

A soft rustling sound.

I turned.

A document lay on the table, held down by an ashtray.

Something about it felt… wrong.

I walked closer.

And read.

A contract.

This marriage is valid for two years.

Mr. Arthit Srisuwan holds full authority.

Mr. Thais has no right to question his actions.

After two years, Mr. Thais will receive no financial claim.

My grip tightened.

I couldn’t read anymore.

It felt suffocating.

A drop of tear fell before I could stop it.

So this is what I am to him.

A contract.

Nothing more.

I placed the paper back on the table.

I didn’t want to think.

Didn’t want to feel.

I walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

Cold water ran down my skin.

Maybe it would wash this feeling away.

That night, I went to bed without eating.

I was hungry.

But I didn’t dare to ask.

Because deep down…

I already knew.

This place—

Was never meant to feel like home.

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