Tine didn't talk with Wat for the entire day. He slept in the guestroom and went to college in the morning. Wat was ashamed at how he had acted last night. He needed to apologize to Tine but more than that he needed to get him away from his father and Watson. The thought wouldn't let him sleep at night. They could hurt Tine to make Wat miserable.
Tine was right. He couldn't live his life like this. He was actually a coward for not even trying to break free. Maybe if it was only about him, he would just continue to live like this but now that Tine is involved too, he can't just sit still. He needed a plan and some help. He quickly got dressed and scheduled a meeting with someone he was sure would help him out.
Wat reached the cafe and ordered a latte while waiting for the man to arrive. He came after 5 minutes and took the seat opposite of Wat. Wat opened his bag and took out photos and a pendrive. He gave it to the man and they talked for about 3 hours. Satisfied with the way things were going, he left for home.
It had been several days since that day and things had changed drastically. Alex had contacted other shareholders and arranged for board meeting. He had acquired some executives and Sarawat's share so he became the major shareholder instead of Wat's father. This was enough to make him the chairman.
He contacted police and prosecution and gave them all the evidence and testimonies he could gather. It wasn't that difficult because Watson and Wat's father never really thought about covering up their crimes. They were sure that Wat would never dare to fight back. On top of that, sludge funds that his father and Watson were managing was dug up too which guaranteed them longer sentence in jail.
Trial was still going on and it wasn't going to be easy but at least Wat had taken the first step. Alex was giving him full support. Tine hadn't talked to Wat yet. After their fight he had gone to visit his grandma. He was too angry to deal with Wat. Wat thought it would be good to keep Tine away from all this until he could sort it out. Wat decided to first handle this mess and it would be his apology to Tine. He didn't tell him about all this. At first he wasn't sure it would even work. He didn't want to get Tine's hopes up.
Tine was hurt when Wat didn't even try to apologize or stop him. He infact told Tuned to stay there for as long as he wanted. It made him quite angry. He came back after a week and came to know about everything Wat was trying to do alone and reprimanded him.
"Wat, how could you not tell me?"
"I thought-"
"I don't care what you thought. I'm your husband. I have right to know. How could you go through all this alone? How can you expect me to just sit and watch you struggle alone? Whatever you're going through, it's my burden too."
"I wasn't sure whether it would even work."
"Doesn't matter. I still want to be there for you. I'm so proud of you for mustering the courage to do this. It must be so hard yet you're trying your best. How did you do this? "
"I contacted Mr. Alex, my uncle and major shareholder of our company after my Dad. I told him everything. I showed him those pics and video Dad got from Watson along with some other evidences."
"What evidences? "
"Every time Dad and Watson would beat me up badly that I had to go to hospital, I had my pictures taken. The doctor also agreed to give testimony if needed. I had recorded Watson and Dad threatening me many times and also when Dad confessed he had framed Jin."
"Wat-"
"I thought about what you said that day and I tried to think it from your perspective. If you're in this situation, I wouldn't be able to just sit and watch either. I can't go on living like this. To be honest, at times it doesn't even feel like I'm living. It hurts and is unbearable. I wonder why I even bother breathing. But still I don't wanna give up on this life. No matter how shitty it is, it's my life. Why should I give up on it because of someone else?
But just living in this hell isn't right either. I have decided if I'm going to live, I better make it worth my while. I wasn't angry at you that day. I was angry with myself. Why can't I muster enough courage to fight back? Why am I so weak? I look at you and realize it must be quite unbearable for you too. You must be having a hard time because of my incompetency."
"Don't you dare say that about yourself. I'm so lucky to have you by my side. You deserve so much more than you think. I want to give you all that. I was angry with you yet I understood what you meant. I could see the struggle in your eyes and that made me sad and furious at the same time.
You wanted to fight back because it hurt like hell yet you're scared it may hurt far worse if you did. The choice was scary and painful. I wanted you to lean on me for support. But I forget that for someone who never had anyone wipe his tears, it must be hard to cry in front of others.
You wanted to break apart in front of me yet you're scared that I won't pick up the pieces. It breaks my heart. You don't have to stay strong in front of me, Wat. You can cry and scream all you want."
Wat hugged him tightly because no amount of words could explain how grateful he was to have Tine in his arms.
After a month, Watson and Wat's father were arrested and further investigation took place. Court hasn't passed any judgement yet but it was going to be in Wat's favor.
Wat broke down crying when he heard about their arrest. Tine patted him on back as he continued sobbing.
"Now that I'm free I realize how easy it was. How easily I broke free from that hell. It makes me feel so stupid. Why did I endure all that? Why didn't I fight back? Why didn't I do this sooner? It hurts me so much to think that I wasted 7 years going through all that. Seven years, Tine. Why?
All those hours of crying and sobbing in pain, feeling disgusted with myself, hating my existence, wanting to die every second. It all seems so useless. I didn't have to go through it yet I did because of my stupidity. All those years of pain and humiliation seems so meaningless now. What was I doing all this time? I don't know why but this freedom breaks my heart more.
Tine, w-why did I c-continue to live w-with a knife in my h-heart when I could have taken it o-out?"
"If I could meet the 13 years old Sarawat, I would hug him tightly and tell him it was going to be okay. I would tell him how precious he was and that he deserves all the love in the world. I would tell that child how much I love him. I'll tell him he was the strongest person I know.
Sarawat, when I think about all those years you had no one who would hug you and love you. Who would wish you birthday or give you gifts. Who would take you to restaurants or cafe or for movies. Who would wish you good morning and night. Who would praise you or appreciate you. When I think about a child who had no one to hold his hand and tell him that love wasn't something you had to beg for. I feel this unbearable ache in my chest."
"It's all because of you. Because of you I dared to take this step. Because of you I'm free from that hell. If I hadn't met you, I would still be rotting away. You saved me, Tine."
"No, Wat. You saved yourself."