Denied Love

08.Rin's Wife

By the time the movie ended, the two of them walked out with different expressions. Praenarin remained expressionless, as usual, since she had been dragged here without really wanting to come. On the other hand,

Khemjira was in a great mood, thrilled to have spent time doing something together with her wife.

"That was so much fun! Next time, let's watch a horror movie together. I've always wanted to watch one with my lover, but I never had the chance

because I never had one. You're my first love, Khun Rin," Khemjira rambled on happily.

Praenarin suddenly stopped in her tracks, as if something had just come to mind.

"This counts as our honeymoon now." "Huh?"

Her wife blurted out, confused. Khemjira fell silent, staring at her in surprise. Just moments ago, she had been as emotionless as ever, but now, after saying that, she actually seemed to be in a good mood.

"I am coming with you today-this is our honeymoon. That's it. Tell my

father that we've gone on a trip already. After this, there won't be any other honeymoon trips because I have work to do."

As the slender woman walked ahead, Khemjira stood frozen, mouth slightly open. That was a honeymoon? Just watching a movie and strolling around

the mall?

She had planned to invite her to the beach for the weekend, hoping to see her beautiful wife in a swimsuit. But oh well... At least she was allowed to sleep next to her on the same bed now.

Not long after, Praenarin happened to run into Kiri, a man around her age.

He was an important client that required special attention, not to mention

the son of her father's acquaintance. Because of this, they had been meeting quite often lately.

"Oh, Khun Rin! What a coincidence. I didn't expect to see you here. Are you running errands?"

"Yes," she replied.

Seeing her wife chatting with a handsome businessman, Khemjira quickly rushed to her side, standing close and staring at the man as if marking her territory.

Though she was small and delicate, she was still tall enough to pull her wife into a possessive embrace-if only she weren't afraid of getting scolded.

"Are you working even on a Saturday?"

Kiri asked, glancing between the two women. He vaguely remembered that this stunning, model-like woman was the employee he had met before.

"We just had some things to take care of together," Praenarin answered with a casual smile.

Khemjira, who had been closely watching her wife's every move, suddenly felt a surge of heat rise to her face. Didn't Jay and Balloon say she was cold to everyone? Especially to men who tried to pursue her?

Or what? And this guy-just one glance at the way he looked at her wife, and Khemjira could already tell what he was thinking. Yet, her wife just smiled sweetly at him.

"In that case, may I join you? I have something I'd like to tell you," Kiri said.

Something to tell her? With that look in his eyes? He's definitely going to confess! Khemjira convinced herself in her head, then quickly grabbed her wife's wrist and stepped forward. She puffed out her chest, making it clear to the uninvited guest that she was not welcome.

"We have personal matters to take care of. You understand what 'personal' means, right? Let's go, Khun Rin."

"Khem! What are you doing?"

Praenarin protested as the taller woman pulled her away. She struggled, but Khemjira was stronger. They only stopped when they reached the arcade, a space mostly filled with children. Once they did, Praenarin yanked her wrist free.

"Let go! That was Khun Kiri, my client! How could you talk to him like that?"

"So what? It's Saturday, not a workday. And we came here together as a couple. Why would I let that guy tag along? You should've rejected him outright. Why did you stay quiet?"

Khemjira feigned innocence. A client? So what? It wasn't like they had a work meeting scheduled. The person Praenarin should care about was her- her wife, the one wearing their wedding ring.

But as Khemjira glanced at Praenarin's left hand, her heart pounded hard in her chest. No wedding ring.

Not surprising, she thought bitterly. She doesn't love me. She probably doesn't want people to know she's married.

"You're so rude! How could you call him 'that guy' like that?"

"But Khun Rin, you said this was our honeymoon. Shouldn't we spend as much time together as possible? That's why... let's go win a plushie from that claw machine. I want one to put by our bed."

Khemjira strode ahead, exchanged some coins, and picked a claw machine filled with teddy bears. Praenarin sighed but followed her anyway.

"...About last night." "What about it?"

"No one can ever know that we... slept together."

Right at that moment, Khemjira successfully grabbed a teddy bear. As it dropped into the prize slot, she picked it up and shoved it into Praenarin's hands.

She had put all her effort into winning it-since today was their 'honeymoon,' she wanted to give Praenarin something. If it had been something more practical, she figured her wife probably already had it.

"I promise, Khun Rin. No one will ever know. You don't have to worry." "...Thanks."

Praenarin looked down at the plushie in her hands, then up at Khemjira's bright, beautiful face.

"Rin..."

Then, the voice she longed to hear the most, the one she could recognize instantly, called out from behind her.

Praenarin looked past her wife's shoulder and met the gaze of the woman who had once left a deep wound in her heart.

"Phai."

The moment she realized that the person calling out to her was her ex-lover- the one she still had lingering feelings for-Praenarin immediately handed

the teddy bear back to its owner and stepped toward Phai, completely forgetting who she had come with.

She left behind the person who had brought her here, standing awkwardly in the background.

"What the hell... I take my wife on a honeymoon, and out of the millions of people in this city, we just had to run into her ex?"

Khemjira muttered, glaring down at the teddy bear she had worked so hard to win. She grumbled in frustration but could do nothing except stand there, feeling abandoned, like a kid waiting for their mom to finish chatting with a friend at the market.

She could only hope this wouldn't ruin their so-called honeymoon even more.

Praenarin approached her former lover with a complicated mix of emotions in her eyes. It had been months since they had last seen each other. Ever

since they broke up, Phai had completely disappeared from her life.

Though they were still connected through social media, Praenarin never had the courage to reach out-especially now that Phai had someone new.

Now, they stood face-to-face, both tall and composed. Phai looked at her with the same expression she had on the day she ended things-a gaze that carried a hint of pity, something Praenarin could easily recognize.

"Sorry I couldn't be there to congratulate you yesterday. I had something to take care of," Phai said.

Her makeup was flawless, but Praenarin still noticed something off. A faint red mark peeked out from beneath the foundation on her cheek.

Realizing she had been caught, Phai subtly turned her face away.

"It's fine. Are you doing okay? I haven't seen you post anything lately. I don't even know what your new boyfriend looks like,"

Praenarin said, trying to sound casual, though concern was evident in her voice.

She wanted to reach out and touch Phai's cheek, to see for herself if the mark was what she feared. Had her new lover done this to her? But all she could do was ask.

"I've just been dealing with some things," Phai admitted with a faint, bitter smile.

"It's about your new boyfriend, isn't it?" Praenarin asked directly.

Phai hesitated but then gave a small, evasive nod, confirming it without saying it outright.

"You still know me so well, Rin."

"I always care about you... and only you."

This time, Praenarin reached out and took Phai's hand in hers-completely forgetting that someone might be watching.

"But, Rin... you're married now," Phai reminded her.

"It's just a business deal. A marriage for convenience. In two years, we'll get divorced."

The speaker might not have noticed the expression of the person they were talking about, but Phai did.

She was the only one who saw how the woman standing behind her ex-

lover looked at that moment. It was the same expression Rin had worn the first time Phai had asked to break up.

Because of that, Phai hesitated before gently withdrawing her hand out of respect for the woman standing behind Rin.

"But she seems to love you very much, Rin." "It's one-sided."

Praenarin dismissed it without a second thought.

"From now on, don't disappear like that again. I want to know how you're doing. If you ever feel troubled or need someone, I'll always be here."

She didn't care how Khemjira felt. From the very beginning, Khemjira had known that she didn't love her. That meant she had accepted it-prepared

herself for the heartbreak that would inevitably come.

"If I ever need someone, I'll reach out to you first, Rin." This time, Khemjira had had enough.

It was bad enough dealing with that other guy earlier. Now, she had to stand here and watch her own wife holding hands and reminiscing with her ex?

This was supposed to be their honeymoon.

It wasn't fair. Not in the slightest. "Khun Rin,"

Khemjira called out as she stepped in beside her wife, reminding her that she was still here, too.

That was when she noticed something.

Praenarin wasn't standing there talking to her ex with joy or excitement.

No-her face was flushed red, and she looked like she was struggling to hold back tears.

It made Khemjira's chest tighten. "I have to go now,"

Phai finally said, offering a soft smile before turning to leave.

The moment she walked away, Praenarin-who had been holding everything in-stumbled toward a nearby bench, sat down, and buried her face in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

Seeing that, Khemjira swallowed her own pain, pushing her feelings deep down inside.

Because Praenarin's feelings mattered more. "Are you okay?"

She didn't know how to comfort her. So instead, she simply sat down beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

"Khem... I want to go home now."

Praenarin finally lifted her face from her hands, wiping away the tears with her fingers.

Khemjira couldn't bring herself to argue or insist on staying any longer. She immediately stood up and offered her hand.

"Then let's go home."

Without hesitation, Praenarin reached out and took it.

Khemjira led her back to the car, feeling the warmth of her soft hand in hers.

Forget it.

She told herself to let it go.

Maybe this marriage only felt real to her.

Maybe there wouldn't even be a honeymoon. But none of that mattered.

She would throw away all the painful feelings if it meant she could hold Praenarin's heart gently in her hands.

One day, she would make Praenarin forget the pain of her past love-so that she could finally open her heart and accept the love Khemjira had for her.

.

.

Dinner ended up being at home instead of at the couple's barbecue restaurant.

Since coming back, Praenarin had locked herself away in the bedroom, while Khemjira lingered downstairs until it was time to cook.

Tonight, it was just the two of them.

Her father had already mentioned that he would be dining out with his golf buddies.

So, the only person left in the kitchen was Khwanrin, who had been assigned to cook. The other housekeepers had already gone about their own business.

"Aunt Malai told me to handle dinner tonight. Is there anything special you'd like to eat, Khem?"

Khwanrin asked while preparing the ingredients.

Khemjira glanced at the A4 paper detailing the meal plan for each day before shaking her head.

"No, this is fine. It's just me and Khun Rin eating anyway."

Looking at the three dishes Khwanrin was making, she figured it was enough. Praenarin never ate much. No matter how much food was laid out on the table, she always stuck to one or two dishes.

"Oh, P' Rin, do you know what Khun Rin likes to eat the most?" Khemjira suddenly asked.

Khwanrin paused for a moment, thinking. "I'm not too sure... Oh! Maybe omelets." "Huh?"

"I've noticed that she eats an omelet with every meal, no matter what else is on the table."

Khemjira raised an eyebrow in surprise. Just a simple omelet? That was her favorite?

But after glancing at the meal plan, it all made sense-there was an omelet listed for every meal, always placed directly in front of Praenarin.

"This is perfect! I'll make the omelet tonight." She volunteered enthusiastically.

After all, her beloved wife had cried today.

So, she was going to cook an omelet filled with love, hoping it would make her feel better.

"Khem."

But before she could even pick up an egg, Khwanrin called her name in a calm, serious tone-like she had something important to say.

"What is it?"

"I got a new job. I'll be moving out soon. I wanted to let you know in advance."

The excitement Khemjira had just felt about making an omelet for Praenarin vanished instantly.

She stood frozen, staring at Khwanrin with wide, questioning eyes. She set everything aside and slowly stepped closer.

"...Are you mad at me, P' Rin? Or are you unhappy living here? You can tell me," she asked, her voice unsteady.

But Khwanrin only smiled.

She had already made up her mind. No matter what, she was leaving. She couldn't stay forever.

Khemjira had a family now.

She didn't need a caretaker anymore, no matter how much Khwanrin wanted to keep watching over her.

"No, I just finished my studies. You have a good job now, you're married... I should find work in my own field too."

"When are you leaving? Do you have a place yet?"

"I told Uncle Wasin that I'll be moving out next week. I've already found an apartment."

"...Thank you for taking care of me all this time. You're like a real sister to me, P' Rin. When the time comes, you have to let me send you off, okay? And we must stay in touch."

Khemjira blinked rapidly, trying to hold back tears.

Just hearing that Khwanrin was leaving made her feel so lost. Only one more week...

They had spent years together-living, eating, and doing so many things side by side. Now that Khwanrin was leaving, she couldn't help but cry.

The taller woman stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Khwanrin, hugging her tightly like the big sister she had always seen her as. She sobbed quietly, overwhelmed by the thought of separation.

But Khwanrin didn't return the embrace.

She simply placed her hands gently on Khemjira's waist, holding back her own tears.

This was the moment she had always feared. But she had been preparing for it for a long time.

Just as they stood there in that bittersweet embrace, Praenarin happened to come downstairs to get a drink from the kitchen.

And she walked in on the sight of her wife hugging her nanny.

She quickly ducked behind the doorway, peeking at them from her hiding spot.

The way Khwanrin looked at Khemjira... Anyone who saw those eyes would know. Anyone..but her fool of a wife.....

"Oh, sure... That brat can go hugging someone else, but when I talk to Kiri, she throws a fit?"

She muttered bitterly to herself, her face heating up for no reason.

Then she turned and stormed back upstairs. Why should she care? Who Khemjira hugged or didn't hug had nothing to do with her. Not one bit.

After dinner, Khemjira went back to their bedroom.

She placed her stuffed bear at the head of the bed before heading into the bathroom for a shower.

Her wife had just finished hers, stepping out with that fresh, clean scent that was so inviting. Hopefully, once she was done, she could cuddle her again- just like last night.

While Khemjira showered, Praenarin lay on the bed, scrolling through her phone.

Then her eyes landed on the stuffed bear, sitting between their pillows. She picked it up and held it, staring at it like it was actually Khemjira. "I talk to Kiri, and you throw a tantrum..."

She muttered, pinching the bear's ear in mock frustration.

"But you can go hugging some other woman? You jerk. Just die already." At that moment, the bathroom door swung open.

Khemjira stepped out in the same pajamas as last night, catching her wife hastily placing the bear back where it was.

She narrowed her eyes.

"What are you doing? Is something wrong?"

"No."

"But I saw you holding the stuffed animal... Have you given it a name yet?" Praenarin paused, glancing down at the innocent-looking plushie.

A name? It was just a stuffed toy. Did it really need one? "Salty Pig."

"...Huh?"

"I'll name it Salty Pig-so it rhymes with Khem. That way, when you annoy me, I can smack Salty Pig instead."

Khemjira blinked, then let out a small laugh. "Alright then. Salty Pig it is."

She lost interest in the conversation and made her way toward the bed, where her wife was already lying.

But just as she was about to climb in, Praenarin pushed her back with a hand against her stomach.

"Stop. What do you think you're doing?"

"...Lying down?" Khemjira tilted her head in confusion.

But her wife wouldn't let her. Instead, Praenarin got up, grabbed a pillow, and shoved it into her hands.

"You're not sleeping with me anymore. Your bed is over there. Take the pillow."

Khemjira stared at the pillow in her hands, then followed her wife's gaze to the couch at the foot of the bed.

"...Wait a minute. Last night, we cuddled, we kissed, we-"

"Stop! No means no!"

Praenarin snapped, jabbing a finger in warning before Khemjira could finish that sentence.

Khemjira shut her mouth, though her expression screamed, That makes no sense at all.

Just last night, they had fallen asleep wrapped around each other. Her wife had curled up under the blankets, looking so adorable that Khemjira had woken up early just to watch her sleep.

"I want to know why." "There's no reason." "...Alright then."

Khemjira didn't argue.

She just took her pillow and obediently went to the couch.

Praenarin blinked, a little thrown off by how easily her wife gave in. She had looked so curious, yet she hadn't pushed for an answer.

...Well, whatever.

It was better this way.

If she let Khemjira back in bed, they might end up doing homework again, and after last night, she needed to recover.

.

.

Several hours passed.

In the middle of the night, Praenarin woke up for no reason. She glanced at the clock, 1 AM.

She carefully sat up, making sure not to make a sound, and tiptoed toward the couch-where she had banished her wife.

Right now, the bedroom was freezing. But under the blanket, it was just the right amount of warmth.

Except... she had forgotten to give Khemjira one.

Now, the taller woman was curled up on the couch, hugging herself like she was freezing.

"Khem."

Praenarin poked her arm to wake her up. No response.

Khemjira just swatted her hand away and turned her back on her, clearly annoyed.

Praenarin sighed, then went to her old bedroom and grabbed a spare blanket.

If she left her like this, freezing all night, and she froze to death, she would end up a widow.

"I'm not worried about you, okay? I just don't want your ghost haunting me,"

She whispered before draping the blanket over Khemjira and heading back to bed.

Within seconds, the woman on the couch stirred.

A small, delighted smile appeared on her face as she tightened her grip on the blanket.

She had been awake the whole time.

And now, she could sleep even more peacefully, knowing that her wife still cared.

.

.

As a wedding gift, Khemjira's father-in-law had given her a separate allowance from her salary, along with a car.

Today, she drove it to work.

And whether it was an accident or intentional, just as she was about to enter the office, another car came speeding in and barely missed her.

She had to step back to avoid getting hit.

It was so close that if the driver had been just a little more careless, she would have been run over.

"Didn't someone used to drive you here? Why are you suddenly driving yourself?"

The driver was Ji, her team leader.

Ji parked in a hurry and walked over, chin held high, her tone laced with meaning.

Khemjira didn't leave. She waited, expecting an apology for nearly running her over.

"I have a car now," she answered casually. "I didn't want to trouble anyone."

Ji narrowed her eyes.

"Let me ask you something. What did you do before coming here? Why was my boyfriend fired for no reason, only for you to take his spot?"

She looked harmless-her face was sweet, like a leading actress in a drama. But her eyes screamed villain.

And from the way she spoke, she was already accusing her. "Oh? No reason?" Khemjira smiled coolly.

"Did you ever ask your boyfriend why the company let him go? A company this size doesn't just fire people without a reason."

They were standing in the employee parking lot, where others were arriving for work. Khemjira wasn't worried.

She wasn't alone, and Ji wouldn't dare cause a scene.

"Oh, please. They clearly made space for you. Who are you really? Why did you have to steal someone else's job?"

Khemjira let out a short, mocking laugh.

"How old were you when your brain stopped developing?" Khemjira genuinely wondered.

Because Ji's brain clearly hadn't kept up with her age.

Did she seriously believe a company would fire someone for no reason just to make space for one person?

If that were true, Ji's boyfriend would've already taken the company to the labor department.

"I don't know if I took anyone's job or not," Khemjira said with a pleasant smile.

"But either way, let's just mind our own business, okay? We're on the same team, after all."

And with that, the tall woman walked away, leaving Ji fuming. Ji knew that girl had stolen her boyfriend's position. She couldn't touch her professionally, but personally?

She was definitely an enemy now.

Khemjira felt uneasy as she walked to her office. People were gathered in small groups, whispering, glancing at her.

It was weird.

When she reached her desk, she saw a few senior colleagues huddled around Balloon and Jay's desks, deep in conversation. She quickly set her bag down and joined them.

"Morning, everyone!"

"Oh! Khem, congratulations on your marriage!" Jay grinned. "Thanks!" she said, but her curiosity got the better of her. "So, what's all the gossip about? Something happened?"

"It's about Boss Rin," Jay said.

"She got married last Friday, right?

Now, everyone's trying to guess who her husband is! Who could be the lucky guy who married into 124 KT Design?"

All eyes turned to Khemjira, their smiles teasing. She swallowed nervously. She had to stay calm. She had promised Rin that she wouldn't tell anyone unless she wanted to reveal it.

She hadn't even posted any wedding photos online. If this secret got out, it wouldn't be from her.