Chapter 24: No More Goodbyes

The airport buzzed with activity—passengers hurrying to their gates, flight announcements echoing through the speakers, the hum of suitcase wheels rolling across the floor.

Pin stood near her boarding gate, gripping her ticket tightly. Her flight to Bangkok was about to depart in less than an hour. This was it. The moment she had been preparing for. She had made all the arrangements—her new condo was ready, the project in Nam was completed, and it was time to move on.

Then why did her chest feel so damn heavy?

She exhaled sharply, trying to shake off the weight pressing on her heart. This was the right thing to do. She had to move forward.

But then—

"Pin!"

The familiar voice cut through the airport noise, making her stomach drop.

She turned sharply, and there she was—Arin, running through the crowd, out of breath, her eyes desperate and wild.

Pin clenched her jaw, already feeling her resolve weaken. "Arin, don't—"

But Arin didn't stop. She reached her, grabbing her wrist and holding on tight, like she was afraid she'd slip away forever.

"Don't go," Arin pleaded, her voice raw. "Please, Pin. I—I can't let you leave."

Pin's fingers tightened around her ticket. "We've talked about this. I need to go."

Arin shook her head furiously. "No, you think you need to go. But tell me—look me in the eye and tell me you want to leave me."

Pin's breath caught in her throat.

Arin took a shaky step closer. "I love you, Pin. More than anything. More than my pride, more than my plans, more than my own damn self. I'll do anything for you, just don't leave me behind."

Pin felt something snap inside her. She had spent so long fighting this, convincing herself that leaving was the best option. But standing here, with Arin in front of her, saying these words—she couldn't lie anymore.

She never stopped loving Arin.

And she never could.

Before she could say anything, Arin cupped her face and kissed her.

Pin's ticket slipped from her fingers as she melted into the kiss. Arin's lips were desperate, urgent, pleading. She kissed her like she needed to prove every word she had just said. And Pin—Pin let herself believe it.

She grabbed Arin's collar, pulling her even closer, deepening the kiss, surrendering to the feelings she had buried for too long.

When they finally pulled away, breathless and dizzy, Arin rested her forehead against Pin's. "Stay with me," she whispered. "I'll never hurt you again. I'll do anything for you, Pin."

Pin took a shaky breath, her fingers still gripping Arin's collar. Then, in a low, warning voice, she whispered, "If you ever leave me again, Arin, I'll kill you."

Arin chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Noted."

The final boarding call echoed through the airport, but Pin didn't move.

She didn't need to.

Her decision was already made.

She was staying.

With Arin.