Author's POV - The Next Morning:

Sunlight streamed through the windows-signaling a new beginning.

In the dining room, Mom and Dad waited for the boys to join them.

"Wichian usually wakes up early. I'll go check on him," Mom said, getting up. But before she could, Wichian slowly descended the stairs in his high school uniform.

"Are you feeling okay?" she asked.

"I was just tired from yesterday, Mom. I'll be fine."

"It's your first day here. You'll get used to it," Dad said with a smile. "By the way, have you seen Wit? Is he up yet?"

"I... didn't-"

Before Wichian could finish, Sorawit appeared on the stairs-wearing the same school uniform.

Both boys froze.

They hadn't expected this.

"Oh! You're in the same school?" Dad laughed. "That's a surprise! Maybe you've met already?"

"No," they both said-at the same time. A bit too loudly.

Mom and Dad blinked in shock.

"I mean... I've never seen him," Wichian said awkwardly. "I'm in my final year."

"And I just started high school," Sorawit added flatly, giving his new stepbrother a side glance.

"Oh, I see! Then you'll still have a semester together," Dad said cheerfully. "Maybe this will help you two become real brothers!"

The boys forced polite smiles-for their parents' sake. But they both knew...

They had breakfast together, but the atmosphere was heavy. An air of discomfort lingered between them. Dad slowly looked up and noticed both boys were focused solely on their food, avoiding eye contact with anyone. He gave Mom a subtle signal, hoping she'd say something, but she simply shook her head and turned away from the request. Left with no choice, Dad knew he had to break the silence.

"Wit! When did you arrive home last?", asked Dad. " Past midnight. I was with my friends", replied Sorawit. Dad just nodded and left the chat slide. 

When they were about to finish their breakfast, "Wit, you can take Chian along with you to school," he suggested. "It'll help you two get closer-and he can also give you academic advice."

Sorawit's expression turned cold. He looked up sharply and said, "I don't need anyone's advice. I'm good on my own." He stood up, washed his hands, and walked off toward the entrance, where his friend Tor waited on a bike to pick him up.

Wichian and his parents watched in disappointment. His mother glanced at her husband with silent questions neither of them could answer. Then they turned to Wichian-who looked completely unbothered, finishing his food without a word.

"Wichian, the car is waiting at the entrance," Dad said gently. "The driver will pick you up in the evening too."

Wichian paused, unsure. He didn't want that, but he also didn't dare reject the offer. He looked to his mother for help, but she avoided his gaze. She knew if their eyes met, he would ask for support-and she couldn't bring herself to give it.

He felt betrayed.

"I... actually..." Chian stammered, trying to find his voice.

"Wichian, I know you still haven't accepted me as your family," his stepfather interrupted softly, "but keeping distance will only cause more problems. Take your time to accept us-but please don't reject these small gestures. I'm doing this for my son."

Chian felt a pang of guilt at the man's gentle plea. Lost in thought, he finally nodded, stood up, and walked silently toward the waiting car.

His parents exchanged a relieved smile. Dad hugged Mom tightly, as if they'd accomplished something meaningful.

-

At school, the car drew attention.

Everyone recognized it as Sorawit's-but they were surprised by who stepped out. A few students recognized Wichian from the final year, but most didn't

Guy 1: "Who is that? Why's he getting out of Sorawit's car?"

Guy 2: "No clue. I saw Sorawit come in with Tor today."

Guy 1: "Then who is that guy?"

Guy 3: "That's Wichian. Final year student."

Guy 1: "Really? Why'd he come in Sorawit's car?"

The whispers spread quickly. Wichian heard fragments of it, but he wasn't the type to explain himself. He simply walked straight to his classroom, where only a few students had taken their seats. He sat down quietly in the front row.

-

The School Canteen - Sorawit's POV:

The canteen buzzed with the usual noise-chatter, trays clattering, the smell of greasy food in the air. I was halfway through a joke with Tor when Pete came crashing in like he'd run a marathon.

"Wit... Wit... I just saw-Wichian getting out of your car! What's going on?"

My smile froze.

The joke died in my throat, and suddenly, I couldn't even hear the noise around me. Just the pounding in my ears. He did what?

My grip on the spoon tightened until it nearly bent. Nails dug into my palm, grounding me before I said something reckless.

"Wait... did that guy actually come in your car?" Tor asked, glancing between me and Pete.

"What does he think of himself? First he took away my dad, then my home, now my car", Sorawit fumed it anger.

"Why did Wichian came in your car?" Pete asked, clueless as always.

Tor hesitated, probably realizing he'd just lit a fuse. "becaue, now he is our Sorawit's stepbrother," he muttered.

I felt Pete's eyes on me. "So... you've officially got a big brother now?"

That did it. I looked up-just once. One look was enough to shut him up. My expression must've said everything I was thinking. Say one more word and see what happens.

I turned back to my plate, but I wasn't hungry anymore.

"He took my dad. He took my house. Now my car, too?", I fumed in anger. 

I could feel Tor watching me carefully. "But... what can you do?" he said quietly. "He's your brother now. If your dad finds out-"

"I don't care about my dad anymore," I snapped.

The words came out raw, but they felt right. I clenched my fists harder, staring at the blank white plate like I could burn a hole through it.

He took the only happiness I had in my life.

Fine.

I'll take everything from him.

Piece by piece.