Chapter 2

The life of Freen Sarocha Chankimha or better known as Freen has changed 360 degrees. She is now a workaholic. Her days bled into nights without much distinction, her world ruled by work emails, financial charts, and that glass office with no warmth.

The incident from several years ago—that one night and one argument—left scars so deep in her heart.

No matter what anyone said, no matter how often her friends and her family members hinted that things may not have happened the way she believed, Freen still maintains her stance that it is true without any evidence to be found.

But today, her carefully guarded solitude was about to be disturbed… again like a few weeks .

And yet, here she was. Trapped in an office with lights dimmed too low and air far too cold, because working late had become her only form of survival. She wasn’t just managing a company — she was managing the only routine that kept her from thinking about everything she had lost.

Especially her.

She hated even the shape of Becky’s name in her mind.

“No. Don’t go there. Not now,” she said to her mind.

Her fingers flew over the keyboard as if typing fast enough could stop her thinking about Becky and heal the ache in her chest,the ache she told herself was just exhaustion. But it wasn’t.

And then…

“Freen.”

Jennie’s voice cut through the silence like a slap.

Freen didn’t look up, but she didn’t need to. Jennie’s heels were already stomping across the room, followed by Tzuyu’s quieter, more hesitant steps.

“You’re doing it again,” Jennie said, folding her arms and glaring. “You’re drowning yourself in work and pretending you’re okay.”

Freen sighed, slow and sharp, her eyes still on the screen. “Don’t start.”

“I’m serious,” Jennie said, gently but firmly.

“We’ve both seen the reports. The branch in Thailand is in critical condition. If you don’t handle it yourself, no one else will,” Tzuyu said after watching Jennie and Freen.

Freen’s eyes finally lifted, cold and unreadable. “I’m managing it from here.”

“From here?” Tzuyu scoffed. “You’re overseeing a falling building through a telescope. That doesn’t count.”

“It’s easier this way,” Freen replied, her voice low, emotionless. “I know my staff well. I know what to fix. I don’t need to be there.”

“Wait! Why we change topic now? We can talk about that later. Freen’s health is more important,” asked Jennie.

“We have advised her more than 10 times and it’s useless.” said Tzuyu.

Jennie rolled her eyes.

Tzuyu stepped closer. “Freen… you can’t keep avoiding Thailand. This is your company. Your legacy. And you’re the only one who can repair what’s broken..”

“I said no,” Freen snapped, cutting her off like a blade. “I’m not setting foot in Thailand. Period.”

Tzuyu raised an eyebrow. “Even if the company falls apart?”

“I’ll handle it from this country,” Freen said firmly. “I trust my staff more than I trust being in the same air as…”

She stopped.

Tzuyu blinked. “As who?”

“No one,” Freen muttered.

The silence thickened like smoke. And just when Jennie opened her mouth again—

BANG!

The office door swung open dramatically, slamming against the wall like a thunderclap.

“Well, well, well,” said a familiar voice, playful and chaotic as always. “What drama did I miss this time?”

Freen didn’t need to look. She already knew.

Namtan walked in with her sunglasses still on, an iced matcha in one hand and mischief in her smile. She plopped herself onto the couch without invitation, exhaling like she owned the place.

Tzuyu rolled her eyes. “We’re trying to convince Freen to manage the Thailand branch herself and get enough rest.”

“Oh! Finally!” Namtan clapped once. “I’ve been saying that for months. What’s your excuse this time, Ice Queen?”

Freen narrowed her eyes. “I don’t need to explain myself to anyone.”

“Mm-hm.” Namtan sipped her drink. “It’s not like you’re avoiding the entire country or anything.”

“I’m not avoiding Thailand. I’m avoiding unnecessary distractions,” Freen said icily.

Jennie gave Namtan a warning glance  but it was too late.

“Unnecessary distractions?” Namtan echoed, smirking. “Like an old flame, perhaps?”

Freen’s jaw tightened.

Jennie stepped in. “Namtan, enough.”

But Namtan leaned back lazily, unfazed. “Come on, you can’t tell me you’ve never been curious what she’s doing now. I mean..what if she’s…”

“Don’t,” Freen said, voice dropping to a deadly calm.

The room froze.

Freen stared hard at the glass of water on her desk, her fingers clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white.

“She’s the reason I don’t want go back,” she said finally, voice sharp with old wounds.

“Freen…” Tzuyu said softly, guilt flickering in her eyes.

“I’m not going to Thailand,” she whispered. “Not for the company. And definitely not for her.”

“But if the company really needs you…” Tzuyu tried.

“Then I’ll fix it from here,” Freen said, voice steeled again. “I won’t risk walking into old memories I’ve worked too hard to erase.”

The others exchanged worried glances.

None of them dared to push further.

Because when Freen made a decision especially one rooted in pain It wasn’t just hard to change.

It was damn near impossible.

After a few moments, the tension in the room clung like humidity after a storm. The air was thick with unspoken things. Even Namtan, usually the loudest voice in the room, had gone quiet for once, her gaze fixed on Freen with a hint of worry behind her playful mask.

Tzuyu rubbed her temple. She suddenly said “You’re being stubborn, Freen. And it’s not noble anymore it’s reckless.”

“I said I’m managing it from here,” Freen repeated. “What part of that don’t you understand?”

“Can you listen to me?! The board is threatening to freeze operations in the Bangkok branch,” Tzuyu said, her voice gentle but firm. “There was a leak—something about tax records and loss mismanagement. They want a full audit.”

Freen stilled. Her heart dropped half an inch.

“Who told you that?” she asked slowly.

“I got a call,” Tzuyu said. “From Mr. Jirawat. He said if the CEO doesn’t appear in Thailand to take direct control within the next seventy-two hours, they’ll push a temporary closure.”

Freen stared at the floor. Her shoulders slumped for the first time all night.

“They’ll do it,” Jennie added. “You know them. And if they do, everything you built from nothing will be gone.”

Namtan put her drink down. “So… are you finally going to stop being dramatic and go, or should we pack your suitcase for you?”

Freen stood slowly.

“You all planned this,” she said, eyes narrowing. “You cornered me.”

“No,” Tzuyu said. “We’re trying to rescue you.”

There was silence.

Freen finally spoke, her voice quieter than usual. “I’ll go.”

Jennie blinked. “Wait… you will?”

“I’ll go to Thailand,” Freen said, each word heavy like iron. “But I’m going for the company. Not for the past.”

“Fair enough,” Namtan said, casually pulling out her phone. “I’ll call the airline. You’re booked on the next flight.”

“You already booked it, didn’t you?” Freen asked dryly.

“Yes. It’s a first class.”

—
Becky’s side

It was already late into the night, but Becky’s villa showed no signs of sleep.
The living room looked like a toy store.

Pillows flew like clouds caught in a storm. Giggles echoed, cartoon voices filled the air, and three little whirlwinds ran in circles.

In the middle of it all sat Becky — cross-legged on the floor, glued to her laptop. Her brow furrowed as she scanned a dense report, trying to keep her focus sharp. But behind her, the chaos rolled on like a thunderstorm she’d learned to live with.

“Operation Hide-The-Remote is a go!” Fastian shouted, leaping over the armrest and vanishing behind the couch.

“Where is it?” Fahnareeh chased after him, tripping over a pillow and laughing as she scrambled up. “I can’t reach it!”

Fastian sat on the sofa immediately and hide the remote on his back.

“Be careful, Nong Naree,” said Fosbein.

Fahnareeh just nodded her head.

Fosbein looked around them. It was in a very messy state. He said patiently, “if Mom sees the mess, she’s going to—”

“—join us!” Fastian interrupted, popping his head up dramatically like a mischievous gopher. “Right, Mommy?”

Becky didn’t even turn around. “Only if I don’t lose my mind first, Tian.”

She didn’t need to be curious about what the situation was like behind her, in front of her it was already in a mess condition. Where all the toys and pillows were scattered.

Fahnareeh lay down next to Fastian. Becky gave her a quick glance, she put a big pillow on her side so Naree wouldn’t fall down beside her.

Fastian turned to Fahnareeh and whispered, “That means yes.”

Fosbein finally gave in with a small sigh and walked over, he stand in front of Fastian. “Give me the remote.”

“Nooo!” shouted Fastian.

Becky finally had enough. She snapped her laptop closed with a decisive clap.

“That’s it. Remote. Now.” Her voice had that mom-tone — calm but with just enough edge to freeze time.

Fastian handed it over like he was surrendering treasure. “Fine…”

Becky took it without a word.

“Tonight, we’re watching We Bare Bears. But first — clean-up time. Toys in the baskets. Pillows here on the couch.”

“Mission Clean-Up is a go!” Fastian declared like it was a military op.

“Sir, yes sir!” Fahnareeh saluted, crawling toward the toy box.

“Can I be Grizzly Bear?” Fastian asked.

“Only if you finish cleaning,” Becky said, already pulling out the mattresses and folding out the blankets from the closet.

“Mommy’s watching with us!” Fahnareeh squealed, her eyes wide with excitement.

Becky nodded slowly. “I need a break too, princess.”

The triplets cheered in unison, scrambling like ants to fix the chaos they’d created. Within minutes, the toys were shoved back into their bins, and the pillows were arranged into a neat pile that looked a little like a fort.

Becky laid the mattress down in the center of the room.

The triplets sat on the mattress like they were claiming land.

“Mommy, are we sleep here today?” Fosbein asked.

“Of course.” Becky turned off the lights, leaving only the TV’s glow. “Scoot in, everyone.”

As We Bare Bears started, Becky lay between them. She pulled the blanket over their little bodies and gently combed her fingers through Naree’s soft hairs.

The noise turned into soft chuckles now.

Fastian was the first to fall asleep, his cheek squished against Becky’s side.

Fosbein lasted the longest, blinking up at the screen until his lids grew too heavy. “Goodnight, Mommy,” he murmured sleepily.

“Goodnight, Rox.”

As silence took the living room, Becky sat still in the gentle hush of their breathing.

And then, as if summoned by the stillness, a familiar name brushed the edges of her heart.

Freen.

The name still ached, even if she never said it aloud anymore.

Becky glanced  at her sleeping children. Freen didn’t know about them.

Freen didn’t know — because Becky had never told her.

And tomorrow would just be another day where that secret lived between them.

Or… maybe not.

Becky turned off the television  and closed her eyes, her heart quietly whispering something she hadn’t let herself say out loud in years.

I miss you.