Milo finally managed to dress himself, though his hands still shook slightly. He took one last deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart, and then made his way downstairs, his footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway.

As he reached the bottom, he saw Kiet waiting, his expression unreadable. "Let's go," Kiet said, his voice steady and commanding.

                                                                                       ***

Outside the Wedding Hall,

Milo's parents and Nuea stood anxiously outside the small wedding hall, their faces etched with worry and determination. Milo's father glanced at the entrance, his jaw set with steely resolve.

"Is it really happening?" Nuea whispered, his voice tinged with both fear and hope.

Just then, the sound of a car engine drew their attention. Kiet's sleek black car pulled up, its tires crunching on the gravel. The door opened, and Kiet stepped out, his expression composed and unreadable. He walked around to the passenger side and noticed Milo still seated, looking tense and hesitant.

Kiet leaned down, his voice low and commanding. "Why aren't you getting down?"

Milo looked at Kiet, then glanced nervously at the entrance of the hall. With a deep breath, he finally stepped out of the car, his movements slow and reluctant. They began to walk towards the hall together.

From across the driveway, Milo's parents spotted him. Their faces lit up with a mix of relief and anxiety. They rushed towards him, calling out his name.

"Milo! My son!" his mother cried, her voice filled with emotion.

Milo heard their voices and turned, a smile spreading across his face as he saw his parents. "Mom!"

He took a step forward, ready to run to them, but Kiet stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

Milo's mother glared at Kiet, her eyes blazing with anger. "Atleast let me meet him."

Kiet's gaze was cold and unyielding as he faced her. "You can meet him after the marriage," he said, his voice flat and final.

Without waiting for a response, Kiet tightened his grip on Milo's hand and began to drag him towards the hall. Milo's father watched, his fists clenched in helpless fury, as his son was pulled away.

"I will make sure to stop this wedding, Kiet," Milo's father muttered under his breath, his voice low and filled with resolve. "Just wait and see."

The heavy door of the wedding hall closed behind Kiet and Milo, the sound echoing in the silence that followed. Milo's parents and Nuea stood there, their hearts heavy with worry and determination, preparing themselves for the battle ahead to free Milo.

Kiet dragged Milo into the hallway just as the wedding was about to commence. The tension between them was palpable, with Kiet's grip on Milo's hand unwavering and firm.

As they approached the entrance, two elderly figures emerged from the side. The old man, with a stern expression and silver hair, and the old woman, her face lined with worry, advanced towards Kiet.

The old man’s gaze fell sharply on Kiet's hand, which held Milo's tightly. “I thought you finally loved someone genuinely,” he began, his voice filled with disapproval, “but it looks like I was wrong.”

Kiet's irritation was evident as he glared at the couple. "This is none of your business," he replied coldly. "But since you're here, let me introduce you." He turned to Milo, his tone begrudgingly formal. "Milo, these are Thanaya's maternal grandparents."

Milo, trying to muster some semblance of composure, bowed slightly and greeted them. 

"Sawadee krub," he said softly.

The old couple acknowledged Milo with polite nods and said, "Sawadee."

Just then, Thanaya appeared, wheeled in by Arhit. Her face lit up with a bright smile as she spotted her grandparents. “Grandpa! Grandma!” she called out excitedly.

The grandparents’ faces softened instantly upon seeing Thanaya. The old woman’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at her granddaughter in the wheelchair. “Oh, my dear,” she said, reaching out to hug Thanaya. "What happened?"

The old man, still slightly concerned, addressed Kiet. “What happened to her? Why is she in a wheelchair?”

Arhit stepped forward, his expression serious but reassuring. “Thanaya met with an accident, sir. But she’s recovering well. It’s just a precaution."

"How did this happen, Kiet?" The grandpa galred at Kiet.

Thanaya, sensing the worry in her grandparents' eyes, chimed in innocently, "Grandpa, I’m fine, really! Papa and Uncle Arhit take good care of me."

Her grandparents hugged her gently, their eyes filled with both love and concern. "Oh, darling, we’re so glad you’re okay," her grandfather said, his voice choked with emotion.

Thanaya's grandmother stroked her hair lovingly. "You’ve been so brave, my little butterfly."

Milo looked at the interaction between Thanaya and her grandparents, feeling a pang of sadness. Despite the harshness of his situation, seeing Thanaya so happy and loved gave him a small measure of comfort.

Kiet glanced at Arhit, his expression tense. "How much time is left until the ceremony?"

Arhit checked his watch and responded, "We still have ten minutes, sir."

Kiet nodded, his grip tightening on Milo's arm. "See you in ten minutes," he said to Thanya's grandparents before dragging Milo away.

Kiet led Milo down a corridor and pushed open the door to a bridal room. The room was beautifully decorated with white roses and delicate drapes, but the atmosphere felt stifling. Milo’s heart raced as Kiet’s grip on his arm remained firm.

Kiet turned to face Milo, his expression cold and commanding. "Stay in this room until the ceremony begins. Do not leave, and do not try to meet your parents."

Milo nodded nervously, his eyes wide with apprehension. "But—"

Kiet cut him off sharply. "No buts, Milo. Stay here." With that, Kiet turned and walked out of the room, the door closing behind him with a resounding click.

Milo stood in the middle of the room, feeling utterly alone. He could hear the faint sounds of guests arriving and the muffled chatter from outside, but in this room, it was eerily silent. He walked over to the vanity mirror, staring at his reflection. His hands were still trembling slightly, and he took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself.

The guests had arrived at the wedding hall. It wasn't a grand affair; just a few close individuals gathered, including Milo's parents and Thanaya's grandparents. The atmosphere was thick with tension and unease.

Nuea glanced at his father nervously. "Dad, are you sure you're going to do this?"

Milo's father, his face set with determination, replied, "This is the only way to stop the marriage."

Nuea mumbled to himself, "I don't feel good about this."

Meanwhile, in another part of the hall, Thanaya looked up at Arhit, her eyes wide with concern. "Uncle, I want to go to Daddy. He must be alone, right?"

Arhit shook his head gently. "No, Miss. Thanaya. You are the flower girl, and your role is about to start. You need to stay here."

But Thanaya's persistence was unwavering. "Please, Uncle. I want to go to Daddy. He is all alone."

Arhit sighed, knowing he couldn't deny her earnest plea. "Alright, but just for a moment."

He wheeled her towards the bridal chamber, the soft sound of the wheels barely audible over the distant murmurs of the guests. As they approached the door, Arhit knocked softly before opening it. Inside, Milo sat on a chair, his head bowed and his hands clasped tightly in his lap.

"Daddy!" Thanaya called out, her voice filled with joy and relief.

The moment he saw Thanaya, his face lit up with a faint, but genuine, smile.

Milo stood up and moved towards her, kneeling down to her level. "Thanaya! What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you," she said, reaching out to touch his hand.

Suddenly, Arhit received a call. He looked at Milo and said, "Please take care of the miss. I will be back after attending to this call." 

Milo nodded, and Arhit walked out, closing the door behind him. Thanaya looked at Milo again, her eyes full of concern. "Daddy, are you okay?"

Milo smiled, though it was a bit strained. "I'm fine, Thanaya. Just a bit nervous, that's all."

"Don't worry, Daddy. Everything will be okay," Thanaya beamed at him.

"Thank you, sweetheart," Milo said, feeling a bit comforted by her words.

As the comforting silence settled between them, Thanaya's small hand reached up to touch her hair, and her expression suddenly turned anxious. "Daddy, my butterfly clip! It's gone!"

Milo frowned slightly, looking at her hair. "Your butterfly clip?"

"It's my favourite clip," Thanaya's eyes welled up with tears. "It's gone, Daddy! I can't be the flower girl without my favorite butterfly clip. Please, Daddy, you have to find it."

Milo's heart ached seeing her so upset. He kneeled beside her, gently brushing her hair back. "Hey, it's okay. I promise I'll find it for you."

"Really?"

"Yes, just stay here, alright? I'll look for your clip."

Thanaya nodded, her tears threatening to spill over. "Please hurry, Daddy."

Milo stood up, determination in his eyes. "I will. You stay right here and wait for me."

He left the room, the urgency in his steps evident as he began searching the nearby areas. The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity as he looked everywhere he could think of.

Meanwhile, back in the bridal chamber, Thanaya looked around the room, her eyes wide with wonder at the decorations and flowers. The soft light reflected off the delicate arrangements, momentarily distracting her from her worry.

But just as she began to feel a little calmer, a faint smell of smoke caught her attention. She turned her head and noticed a small flicker of flame in the corner of the room. Panic surged through her as the fire began to spread quickly, consuming the decorations.

"Papa!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face as the flames grew higher. "Papa! Help me!"

Her screams echoed in the room, but the thick walls and closed door muffled her cries from reaching anyone outside. The flames danced closer, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Thanaya's heart pounded in her chest as she realized she couldn't get out on her own. Her plastered leg prevented her from moving freely, trapping her in the wheelchair.

Tears streamed down her face as she screamed louder, hoping against hope that someone would hear her. "Help! Papa! Daddy! Please, someone help me!"

Outside, a worker passed by the hallway and noticed smoke seeping out from under the door of the bridal chamber. Her heart skipped a beat, and she rushed to open the door. As she swung it open, she was met with a wall of flames and the sight of Thanaya trapped in the wheelchair, surrounded by the growing fire.

"Oh my god!" she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Without wasting another second, she turned and sprinted towards the wedding hall, her footsteps echoing in the hallway. "Fire! There's a fire in the bridal chamber!"

Milo, who was looking for the butterfly clip, froze in shock. "What! Fire?"

The worker burst into the hall where Kiet and the guests were mingling; she shouted, "Fire! There's a fire in the bridal chamber, and a child is trapped inside!"

Everyone gasped in shock. Kiet, engaged in conversation with guests, was equally stunned, as were Thanaya's grandparents, who stood up in alarm. The guests erupted in a murmur of panic and confusion.

"A child?" Kiet repeated, his voice laced with horror. "Thanaya!" He shoved past the guests, his face a mask of determination and fear, as he raced towards the bridal chamber.

Milo's father was also taken aback; he couldn't believe there would be a child inside the bridal chamber.

"How could there be a child?" Nuea stated this in shock.

But Milo's father clenched his fists and steeled his resolve. "This is the time to get Milo out of here," he said, determination hardening his voice.

"But Dad, the child..." Nuea began, his concern evident.

Milo's father glared at him, his eyes fierce. "This is the only chance we have, Nuea."

Nuea swallowed hard, his eyes darting between the chaos around them and saving Milo. The air was thick with smoke and panic, and every second counted. He took a deep breath, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. As the flames roared in the bridal chamber and the frantic cries for help echoed through the hall, Nuea knew there was no turning back.

"Let's save Milo," he mumbled to himself clenching his fist hard.