King didn't answer. He didn't even spare him a glance. He simply grabbed his car keys from the table and headed straight for the door.
"King…" Win initiated forward, but before he could take another step, Mike placed a firm hand on his arm.
"Hey, Win. Don't follow him," Mike said evenly. "He'll be fine."
Win's jaw grasped, his chest heaving with words he wanted to spill. But Mike's grip tightened, his tone sharper. "Enough. Let him go."
Win froze, torn between his instinct to chase after King and the heavy truth in Mike's voice. The door clicked shut behind King, leaving only silence and the echo of his absence hanging in the room.
King drove straight to Charlotte's house. He already knew she wasn't home yet, still at work… but he had called her on his way, and she promised she'd be back in a few minutes. So he parked outside, waiting.
Not long after, Charlotte's car pulled into the driveway. She stepped out quickly, concern already written across her face as she hurried toward him.
"Come on, let's go inside," she said softly.
Inside, Charlotte guided King to the couch in the living room, helping him settle down. She rushed to the kitchen, returned with a glass of water, and placed it in his hands.
He took a slow sip, then sat quietly, the weight of his silence heavy in the room. Charlotte didn't rush him. She waited until his breathing evened out, until his shoulders relaxed just a little.
Then, sitting beside him, she asked gently, "King… what happened?"
King said, "You know, I always thought… maybe someday a relationship could be possible between Win and me. Even though I know that day might never come, I still always hope.
"But today Mike called Win and he picked up. I don't know what Mike said, but I heard Win's reply. Win told him never to call me his boyfriend ever again.
"When I heard that, Char, I felt rejected. I was so hurt.
"It hurt so much that I decided I wanted to move out of Win's house and start living on my own, because I thought if I stayed I'd only keep hurting myself, my feelings for him just kept getting stronger.
"But when I told Win I wanted to move out, he refused. He said I wasn't allowed and told me I'm too useless to live on my own."
Charlotte listened without interrupting. When he finished, she folded him into a hug, pressing her cheek to his hair. "I'm sorry he said that to you," she murmured.
She pulled back a little and looked at him, her voice hardening with protective impatience. "But listen, King… I don't care about him rejecting you. Win is ass…" she bit off the word, choosing softer steel, "a difficult man. I wouldn't pray for you to end up with him. There are so many good men out there who would see you, love you, and not treat you like a problem."
Charlotte's expression softened, but her tone stayed blunt. "Let me be realistic with you, King. About Win calling you useless, he's not entirely wrong."
King snapped his head up, hurt and incredulous. "Are you saying I'm useless too?"
"No," Charlotte said quickly, reaching for his hand. "But listen. Look at you, your twenty-fourth birthday is almost here, and there are things you still don't do for yourself. You don't handle simple things without Win: you don't place your own orders, you don't decide what's best for your health, you don't make small independent choices. That's not because you can't, it's because he's made you believe you can't."
She leaned forward, eyes fierce. "He purposefully makes you feel helpless so you'll keep relying on him. It's a control move. You need to work on yourself. Grow up a little for you, learn to stand on your own two feet. Do that, and he'll see you're not his possession."
Charlotte squeezed his hand. "Your life belongs to you, King. Not to Win."
Charlotte's voice was steady but warm as she held his gaze. "Please, King. I know you can do it. Learn the basics, go back to work. Stop sitting at home like a full married husband waiting for Win to come back. If possible, think of a new business or start something fresh so you can stand on your own. That's how you'll man up, and when you do, you'll attract the right kind of man. A man who'll love you openly. Okay?"
King nodded slowly. "Okay… I'll try. I'll stop relying on Win. I can do this on my own."
Charlotte smiled, pulling him into a hug. They sat together, talking for a while longer until the evening shadows stretched across the room. Finally, King stood. "I should head back now, it's getting late. And I'm… alone."
Charlotte raised her brows knowingly. "You see what I'm saying? You're still scared to be alone. But don't worry, you'll adjust. I know you will."
King managed a small smile. "Thank you, Char."
They hugged again before King left Charlotte's house, carrying her words with him.
Win had been restless all evening, pacing the living room and glancing at the clock. He hadn't called King, Mike's words still echoed in his head, telling him to give King space, but his chest tightened with every passing minute. He already knew where King had gone; Charlotte was the only friend he ever turned to.
When King finally came home, parking the car and stepping inside, Win jumped up from the couch. He hurried to him, softening his tone. "Welcome back, King. Your food is waiting for you at the dining table."
But King didn't spare him a glance. "Thanks, but I'm not hungry," he said flatly, heading straight upstairs.
Win exhaled, shoulders sagging. A few minutes later, he carried a tray of food and medicine upstairs, knocking once before pushing the door open. King was already in his nightwear, lying on the bed with his back turned. Win set the tray on the bedside table and sat on the edge of the mattress.
"King," he called gently. No answer.
So he slid under the duvet beside him, leaning close until his breath brushed King's ear. His voice was a whisper. "I'm sorry, King. I know I owe you an apology. I'm really… really sorry."
But King stayed silent, his face hidden, his body unmoving.
Win sighed, desperation edging his words. "Fine… I'll let you move out. But first, please stand up, eat something, and take your medicine."
King finally stirred, his voice raw with disbelief. "You're lying. You won't let me go. You just want me to eat. I don't believe you, Win."
Win's chest constricted. He leaned closer, his words almost pleading. "I promise you, King. I'll let you move out. I'll even help you pack your things if that's what you want. But please… stand up and eat first."
King turned his head slightly, searching his face as if trying to see through him.
King finally gave in, his shoulders heavy with defeat, and sat up to eat a little, just enough to satisfy Win. Win's eyes softened as he quickly handed him the medicine.
"Here… take this."
King swallowed the pills without a word, then leaned back against the headboard, resting his palm on his stomach. He was still quiet, his silence louder than anything he could say.
Just then, King's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and relaxed a little, it was Charlotte. He answered, his voice calm.
"Yeah, I got home."
They chatted briefly, Charlotte making sure he was okay before the call ended. King sighed, ready to set his phone aside, but another call immediately came in. His heart skipped when he saw the name flashing on the screen… Mom.
He froze for a moment, staring at it, then slowly lifted his head to look at Win. His eyes narrowed, suspicion hardening his features. His voice came sharp, like a knife slicing through the air.
"Win… did you call my mom?"
Win didn't flinch, didn't even try to deny it. He answered calmly, almost stubbornly. "Yes. I called her. I told her you want to move out and live on your own."
King's chest burned as anger surged through him. His grip pulled taut around the phone, his voice breaking with fury and hurt.
"Win… I hate you."