The sun was low over the city when Arthit stepped out of his car in front of the elite private studio where Arshiya's company held its photoshoots. It was quiet except for the sound of assistants moving equipment, fixing lights, preparing sets.
Arthit wasn't nervous — but he felt the weight of what this meeting meant.
The end of years of business expectation.
The end of his family's plan.
The beginning of something he actually chose — **Karan**.
He walked inside.
A staff member bowed quickly.
"Master Arthit, Miss Arshiya is waiting."
He nodded and entered the private lounge.
There she was — **calm, elegant, and composed**, dressed in a white blazer, flipping through fashion boards. She did not look surprised to see him.
"Arthit," she greeted smoothly.
"What brings you here? You usually text first."
Arthit didn't sit.
"I need to talk to you."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Serious tone. Interesting. Go on."
He took a breath.
"We need to end the engagement contract."
Arshiya didn't react for a full three seconds.
Then she closed her folder gently.
"End…?"
Her voice was soft.
Almost too soft.
"Yes," Arthit said calmly. "I've already prepared the alternate contract proposal. Your brand will—"
She suddenly stood up.
"So that's it?" her voice sharpened.
"No warning? No discussion? Just 'Let's end it'?"
Arthit held her gaze.
"It's the only honest choice."
Arshiya stepped closer, eyes narrowing.
"Honest? For whom? Your family? Or for yourself?"
Arthit didn't look away.
"For myself."
Her jaw clenched.
"I knew you didn't love me," she said bitterly.
"I knew this engagement was just business. But I… I didn't expect you to end everything like you're dismissing a meeting."
Arthit exhaled slowly.
"Arshiya… I'm not trying to hurt you."
"Hurt?" she scoffed. "Do you think my heart is involved? No. This affects my brand. My schedule. My image. My future contracts."
Her voice lowered.
"Why now? Did something… happen?"
Arthit's silence answered her question.
Arshiya crossed her arms, expression tightening.
"It's someone else, isn't it?"
Arthit didn't answer.
She laughed once — sharp, cold.
"I knew it. You didn't care before. But suddenly you want out? That means you met someone."
She stepped closer, voice icy.
"Who is it, Arthit?"
He finally spoke.
"It doesn't matter who. What matters is this is the right decision."
Arshiya's voice cracked with anger.
"You think I'll let you end this contract just because you found some new… obsession?"
Arthit's expression darkened.
"It's not an obsession."
"Then what is it?" she demanded.
Arthit's voice softened, almost painfully honest.
"Someone I… love."
Arshiya froze.
She expected many things — excuses, justifications, negotiations.
She did **not** expect love.
"…You?" she whispered.
"You love someone?"
"Yes."
She stared at him, disbelief softening into something else.
"And this person… is important enough for you to go against your father? Against your own family's future?"
Arthit nodded once.
"He's worth it."
Arshiya blinked.
"He…?"
Arthit didn't hide it.
"Yes. A man."
Her lips parted slightly, shock flickering on her face.
"So that's why…" she whispered.
"No wonder you never touched me. Never even looked twice."
She rubbed her forehead.
"Arthit… why didn't you just tell me earlier?"
Arthit sighed.
"I didn't want to drag you into something messy."
Arshiya let out a small, tired laugh.
"Well… too late for that."
There was a long pause.
Then she dropped onto the lounge sofa, staring at him thoughtfully — anger fading, replaced by reluctant understanding.
"Is he… someone important?" she asked softly.
Arthit's voice was gentle, honest.
"More than you can imagine."
She looked away.
"You're serious. Truly serious."
He nodded.
Arshiya leaned back and finally said,
"…Fine."
Arthit froze.
"What?"
"I accept the contract termination," she said quietly.
"I won't fight you. I won't ruin anything."
Arthit's eyes softened.
"Thank you."
"But," she added sharply, "I want protection.
From media backlash.
And from your father."
"You'll have it," Arthit promised.
Arshiya studied him a long moment.
"You really are different around this person," she murmured.
"This is the first time I've seen you… human."
Arthit cracked a faint smile.
"He makes me human."
Arshiya couldn't help but smile back — sad, but genuine.
"Then go fight for him," she said softly.
"Because someone like you… doesn't get chances like this twice."
Arthit bowed his head slightly.
"I appreciate that."
She waved a hand.
"Just don't make a mess of it. I refuse to see headlines about Sakda Heir Caught Between Two Lovers."
Arthit smirked.
"I'll handle everything."
"I expect nothing less."
She smirked back.
"And bring him one day. I want to see the guy who made the unbeatable Arthit Sakda fall in love."
Arthit froze slightly, a rare shyness flickering.
"…Maybe."
Arshiya laughed.
---
## **Later That Night – Karan's Side**
Karan stood behind the restaurant, taking in fresh air.
Something had been bothering him for days.
Arthit's tension.
The strange silence.
The distance.
"Why do I feel like… something is happening without me knowing?" he whispered.
He didn't know that at this very moment, Arthit was fighting an entire empire for him.
He didn't know Arthit had ended a major engagement contract.
He didn't know someone had chosen him over wealth, power, and legacy.
He only felt an ache in his chest — an instinct whispering that something big was about to change.
---
## **Meanwhile – Arthit, in his car**
He pulled out his phone and typed a message he rarely sent:
**"Karan… are you awake?"**
And when Karan replied seconds later:
**"Yes. Why?"**
Arthit smiled faintly
—a smile only Karan could bring out—
**"I need to see you."**
---
END OF CHAPTER 15