“Baby… drink some water…” Kinn softly urged, kneeling in front of Porsche, who was slumped comfortably on the luxurious sofa. With one hand wrapped protectively around his baby bump and the other pinching the bridge of his nose, Porsche seemed lost in a tangle of emotions.

Here he was, on the other side of a tumultuous chapter in his life, and yet, it felt like another storm was brewing on the horizon.

Just a short while ago, Porsche had been living under what felt like a never-ending curse imposed by his stepmother.

It had been agonizing, but thanks to Kinn—the man who had always been a force in his life, both a comfort and a source of chaos—Porsche had finally found some relief.

His brother and grandmother were safe, released from the clutches of their tormenter, and just like that, the burden had begun to lift from Porsche's shoulders. The oppressive weight that had squashed his spirit for months was finally easing, allowing him to breathe a little easier.

Yet, as he caressed the gentle swell of his baby bump, feeling the reassuring kicks of the twins nestled inside him, Porsche was gripped by a pang of hurt.

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks—he had suffered so much to protect his family that he hadn’t taken care of himself or his babies properly.

What good were vitamins when there was hardly anything worth eating? It wasn’t just the physical toll that was daunting; it was emotional too.

As he thought back on the countless meals he had skipped, and the selfless sacrifices he made for his brother and grandmother, it stung. Porsche had endured his stepmother’s cruelty with his head bowed low, a quiet acceptance that had become a part of him.

Now, though he was free, he couldn’t help but feel weak—weak, yet still fighting for the life growing inside him.

And then there was Kinn. The man who had orchestrated their escape from the wicked grasp of Porsche's stepmother was now in front of him, holding a glass of water and looking up at him with those warm, pleading eyes.

Kinn was a new trouble, a complicated puzzle Porsche wasn’t yet ready to tackle.

In that moment, he couldn’t help but dissect Kinn’s intentions. Was he really here to support him, or did he have a hidden agenda? Memories of Kinn’s past possessiveness slapped him in the face like a harsh wind.

Porsche had tasted the toxicity of Kinn’s love before, and with the trauma of the past fresh in his mind, he was reluctant to take that leap again. Could he really trust that Kinn’s concern wasn't laced with ulterior motives?

“Po… Baby?” Kinn’s voice broke the silence, pulling Porsche from his spiralling thoughts. The affectionate tone sent mixed signals through Porsche’s heart.

“Are you going to threaten me?” Porsche replied, his voice steady yet filled with a palpable tension that crackled in the air.

“Threaten you? No! Why would I?” Kinn’s wide-eyed response was instant, a mixture of confusion and panic washing over his face.

But for Porsche, the fear was justified. “Aren’t you just planning to keep my family hostage? Just like my stepmother?” he shot back, an edge creeping into his tone.

Kinn was no longer calm. The panic that surged within him was genuine.

This wasn’t how he envisioned this reunion—what had happened was not supposed to be twisted into a new scheme of control. Porsche could see it in Kinn’s eyes; he was truly taken aback by the accusation.

“Absolutely not!” Kinn’s voice raised in defence. “I would never—what are you talking about?”

It was a cacophony of feelings thrown into the air. Kinn’s plan had been simple in its design: rescue Porsche’s brother and grandmother from the claws of his stepmother and win back Porsche’s heart in the process.

But now, he was faced with the reality that Porsche was hesitant, suspicious of the very man who had come back to save him, whose love for him was supposed to shine through like a beacon of hope.

Kinn then understood—his mother had insisted on bringing Porsche and their unborn children back without any trouble.

“Look, Baby, I love you. I have always loved you,” Kinn stated firmly, trying to convey his sincerity with every ounce of emotion pouring from him. “I’m not here to threaten you, I swear it.”

But Porsche's uncertainty lingered. His heart ached with the weight of their history, and as he looked into Kinn's eyes, he knew he had a choice to make. Was he ready to let down the walls he’d built, to trust again after everything that had happened? Did he believe Kinn was different now?

Kinn was determined, but was it enough? Porsche's heart was a battlefield. On one side was the love that had once consumed him, the laughter and joy he’d felt when things were good. Still, on the other side, the painful memories loomed large, threatening to drown any hint of hope that had just begun to flicker alive.

Kinn’s heart pounded as he knelt before Porsche, the weight of their shared history heavy in the air between them. The glass of water trembled slightly in his hand, a physical manifestation of the anxiety swirling in his chest.

He had never been one to beg, but here he was, desperately wanting Porsche to trust him again. He could feel the warmth radiating from Porsche’s presence, even though it was overshadowed by the tension that gripped the room.

Porsche’s eyes, wide and uncertain, reflected a mix of vulnerability and defiance that tugged at Kinn’s heart. His lover, once so full of life and laughter, seemed smaller now, burdened by layers of pain that had been inflicted by people they both should have been able to rely on.

Kinn’s stomach twisted at the thought of the suffering Porsche had endured, and the acknowledgement that he, too, had contributed to that pain in the past made his heart ache even more.

This moment was not about him; it was about healing Porsche, about rekindling their bond after everything that had been lost.

Porsche’s hold on his belly tightened momentarily as if attempting to shield their unborn twins from the chaos of their present. He opened his mouth to respond, but the words seemed caught in his throat, weighed down by conflicting emotions.

The agony of the past lingered. What Kinn had done—all the rage, the possessiveness, and the fear that had almost cost them everything—loomed large in Porsche’s mind.

“Why would I threaten you, Baby?” Kinn’s voice was laced with desperation. The panic in his eyes reflected his genuine concern, a flicker of earnestness that illuminated the depths of his soul.

He couldn’t bear the thought of Porsche believing that he was like his stepmother, a puppet master tugging strings while holding a family hostage. “I swear to you, I only want to keep you safe.”

There was a moment of silence. The air hung thick with unspoken words, with pained memories and half-formed intentions. Porsche remained silent, his brow furrowed as he searched Kinn’s face for the truth. Could he really believe him?

The accusation had slipped from his lips instinctively, a defence mechanism honed from months of manipulation and terror at the hands of someone he had once trusted.

“I just want to be free,” Porsche finally admitted, his voice breaking. “I want my family to be safe, and I want to protect our babies. But I can’t do that if you’re going to turn into another monster in my life.”

Kinn’s heart shattered at the pain in Porsche’s voice, the desperation lacing his words. He could see the flicker of anxiety and fear dimming the warmth in Porsche’s eyes, and it felt as if a knife had been twisted in his gut. How had they come to this? How had love become so entwined with fear and uncertainty?

“You ’re free now,” Kinn said softly, leaning closer, hoping to bridge the gap between them.

“You’re free from her. Trust that I won’t do anything to take that freedom away from you. I want to help you, I want to be there for you. Just please…give me a chance.”

Porsche hesitated, every fibre of his being screaming for caution. He wanted to believe, wanted to feel the comfort of Kinn’s embrace, but the scars ran deep.

He had fought too fiercely for freedom just to be shackled again. Yet, in Kinn's eyes, he saw flickering sparks of sincerity, a desperate hope that mirrored his own yearning for reconciliation.

“I don’t know if I can trust you,” he confessed, his voice a whisper now, taut with emotion. “You hurt me, Kinn. You hurt me in ways that…I’m not sure I can forget.”

Kinn’s heart sank at the weight of those words, but he couldn’t let that despair consume him.

“I know. And I’ll spend every day proving to you that I’m not that person anymore. I’ve changed, Porsche. Please… just let me show you.”

A flicker of consideration crossed Porsche’s features, and Kinn’s heart leaped. He carefully extended the glass of water toward him again, his gaze pleading.

Porsche looked down at the water, the simple gesture suddenly carrying the weight of their fractured love. Just a few months ago, he had been hiding from everything, trying to protect his family, trying to protect himself. Now, he faced a choice between the fear of the past and the hope of what could be.

He reached out, hand trembling, and grasped the glass from Kinn’s hands. As he raised it to his lips, their eyes locked, and for a brief moment, the air was thick with possibility.

“Please come with me, Baby… Let’s go home… Please…” Kinn’s voice trembled with desperation as he pleaded with Porsche, his lover, to take a step back into his life.

But Porsche, with his head turned away, couldn’t bring himself to accept Kinn’s invitation. The air was thick with unspoken words, and the tension between them felt almost palpable.

Kinn knew he was the problem here. He was the storm that had raged through their relationship, leaving destruction in its wake. The mistakes he had made, fueled by uncontrollable anger, were the very chains that bound Porsche’s heart away from him.

It’s a tough pill to swallow, realizing that the person you love most is keeping their distance because of your own flaws.

Kinn had spent countless nights reflecting on his actions, grappling with the weight of his regrets. But he had changed—at least he hoped he had.

All he wanted was a chance to prove himself to Porsche, the love of his life. He yearned to be a good father to their unborn children, to create a home filled with warmth and laughter instead of the chaos he once brought.

Kinn’s heart ached with the thought of Porsche and their future together. He envisioned a life where he could provide for them, where Porsche wouldn’t have to eat leftovers or settle for less.

Kinn wanted to shower Porsche and their children with all the luxuries in the world, to give them everything he had missed out on Porsche's childhood.

But right now, all he could do was stand there, begging for Porsche to take a chance on him again.

“I… I can’t…” Porsche’s voice was barely a whisper, the pain evident in his eyes as he continued to look away. Each word felt like a dagger to Kinn’s heart, and he felt a pang of hurt wash over him as Porsche rejected him once more.

“Po… I… I… Please…” Kinn’s voice broke, tears spilling down his cheeks.

“Trust me just once. I have changed, love,” he sobbed, feeling utterly helpless.

Porsche’s heart twisted at the sight of Kinn, the majestic man who had once been his everything, now reduced to tears and desperation.

“Kinn… Please… I just want to stay alone for a bit… until I… adjust… Don’t cry, please…” His voice was thick with emotion, and he couldn’t bear to see Kinn in such a state.

Reaching out, Porsche gently wiped the tears from Kinn’s face, their eyes locking in a moment that felt both tender and heartbreaking. “Please don’t cry, Kinn…”

“You said you don’t want to come with me… it means you don’t trust me…” Kinn’s voice was small, his heart aching as he also wiped Porsche’s tears away, trying to bring a smile back to his face.

“No… I didn’t say that…” Porsche replied, a small smile creeping onto his lips despite the heaviness in the air. He couldn’t help but enjoy the sight of Kinn’s pouty face, the mighty businessman reduced to a childlike state of vulnerability.

It was a rare sight indeed, one that he knew no one would believe if he told them.

“You… you… you said…” Kinn stammered, his expression a mix of confusion and hope. He looked so much like a whining puppy, seeking comfort from its mother, and Porsche couldn’t resist the urge to smile.

“I said I want to be alone. I didn’t say I can’t come with you… I just need some time to settle my mind, that’s all.” Porsche’s explanation seemed to light a spark in Kinn’s eyes, and he realized that maybe, just maybe, there was still hope.

“Oh… I… I understand, Baby. You need time… yes… yes… stupid me…” Kinn’s face broke into a wide smile, and he took Porsche’s hands in his, placing small, tender kisses on them. Porsche felt a rush of warmth wash over him, a blush creeping up his cheeks at Kinn’s shameless affection.

But ..

But suddenly, Porsche's smile vanished. How could he possibly plan to live a life alone when he was penniless?

The reality of his situation hit him like a cold wave, dragging him down into a sea of despair. Once a shining star in the acting world, he had tasted the sweet nectar of fame and fortune, only to have it all stripped away from him in the blink of an eye.

His father, a man who had taken all his hard-earned money, had left him with nothing but the bitter taste of betrayal. And now, with children on the way, Porsche felt the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders.

He remembered the day vividly when he had decided to use the little money he had saved secretly from his father to bring his brother and grandmother to safety.

It was supposed to be a new beginning, a chance to create a family unit that he had longed for. But instead, he found himself trapped, a hostage in his own home, with the walls closing in around him.

His stepmother had taken everything—his belongings, his passport, his money—leaving him with nothing but a few tattered clothes.

As he sat there, lost in thought, he glanced at Kinn, the man he loved, who was kneeling before him and showering kisses all over his palms. Kinn looked like he had just won the lottery, his face bright with joy and affection.

But for Porsche, the smile had long vanished, overshadowed by the harsh reality of his financial situation. How could he allow himself to be happy when he felt so utterly defeated?

"Kinn..." Porsche's voice was barely a whisper, tinged with the weight of his worries.

"Yes, baby..." Kinn replied, his gaze fixed on Porsche's sorrowful eyes, searching for the cause of his distress. He seemed to sense the turmoil within Porsche, his concern is evident as he gently caressed Porsche's baby bump, a gesture of love that made Porsche's heartache.

"Are they hurting you, my love?" Kinn asked softly, his fingers tracing delicate patterns on Porsche's belly, trying to soothe not just the child within but the man he adored.

Porsche looked up, meeting Kinn's gaze, filled with warmth and care. Yet, doubt lingered in the back of his mind. Was Kinn genuinely changed? Could he trust him after everything that had happened?

Porsche longed for the affection Kinn was showing him now, wishing it had come sooner. Perhaps if Kinn had been this loving from the start, they might not be in this situation. Maybe they could have avoided the suffering that had become a part of their lives.

"Kinn, I... I don’t have any money... I am... I am penniless," Porsche admitted, his voice trembling as he looked down in shame. Once the highest-paid actor in the industry, he felt like a ghost of his former self, haunted by the memories of his past success. The shame of his current state was suffocating.

But Kinn, unfazed by Porsche's distress, pulled out his phone and opened his mobile banking app. He thrust the device into Porsche's hands, urging him to take a look.

Porsche's eyes widened as he stared at the screen, the numbers almost blurring together as he tried to comprehend the sheer magnitude of the balance displayed before him.

"Kinn... this much zeroes??" Porsche stammered, astonished. The amount was astronomical, far beyond anything he had ever earned as an actor. It was a staggering figure that made his heart race and his mind spin.

"Take all the money , my love. What is mine is yours," Kinn said, a soft smile playing on his lips as he watched Porsche's reaction. The warmth of his words wrapped around Porsche like a comforting blanket, but the enormity of the situation was still sinking in.

"This... this much?" Porsche could barely form the words, feeling overwhelmed. He had once earned millions, but this was a different realm altogether. Kinn’s wealth was beyond his comprehension, a stark contrast to the financial abyss he found himself in.

"Your lover is a billionaire, love," Kinn said with a playful wink, clearly enjoying Porsche's astonishment. But Porsche's heart was heavy with mixed emotions. Could he really accept this? Could he allow himself to depend on Kinn's wealth when he had always prided himself on being self-sufficient?

"Kinn, you..." That was all Porsche could manage to say before the door to their hotel room burst open with a loud bang, interrupting their intimate moment. The sudden noise jolted Porsche back to reality, and he felt a rush of anxiety wash over him. What now? What fresh chaos awaited them?