By Zephyria 
30 minutes ago.
Inside the rapidly moving car, Han Seung-jae’s face reflected in the window was cold. Neon signs flashed quickly past the corners of his eyes.
Holding a tablet PC in his hand, Han Seung-jae remained almost motionless. It wasn’t that he was reviewing documents; unlike his usual self, he was unable to focus entirely.
Upon hearing that Seo Yi-kyung had visited the family home, he pondered the reason why. In truth, there was no need to think deeply about it. It must be because Seo Yi-kyung was pregnant.
“We have arrived.”
The sedan came to a halt, and Secretary Park stepped out after opening the passenger door. Even then, Han Seung-jae said nothing. Opening the rear door, Secretary Park called him once more.
“Director Han.”
Only then did Han Seung-jae glance at his wristwatch. It was already midnight. As he stepped out of the car, he handed over the tablet PC he had been holding.
“Good work.”
As he crossed the dimly lit garden and entered the house, a dark yet familiar silence greeted him. It was nothing surprising or new—something utterly mundane and entirely expected.
This wasn’t a matter of just yesterday or today. Such things were merely experiences he had endured since he was very young, to the point of becoming numb to them. Consequently, no emotion stirred within him. If anything, he felt a strong sense of displeasure at being disturbed. However, recently, even that seemed to have broken.
When did it start? He had developed a habit of looking for a certain person first upon entering the house, to the point where even Butler Do had noticed.
Han Seung-jae entered the dressing room, took off his outer coat, and curled his long fingers to pull at his tie.
He turned around, now dressed only in his dress shirt.
He hadn’t touched alcohol for a long time, but today, he felt a particular urge to have a drink. He passed the elevator and headed toward the dining room.
Clink. He dropped ice into a crystal glass and tilted a bottle of whisky. He wasn’t usually one to enjoy drinking alone. Someone who would be a good companion came to mind, but he couldn’t suggest this strong liquor to that person right now. Thus, he figured it would be better to drink a little alone before heading in.
Han Seung-jae lifted the glass, swirled it lightly, and brought it to his lips.
“When did you get here?”
After taking a sip of whisky, Han Seung-jae slowly turned around. Min Ra-hyeon, who had entered the dining room, approached him looking surprised.
“What’s this? Drinking alone? I want some too. I’m going crazy because I can’t adjust to the jet lag. I can’t sleep.”
Wearing shorts and a long-sleeved T-shirt, Min Ra-hyeon looked at the glass Han Seung-jae was drinking from, declared he wanted some too, pulled out a glass, and used tongs to add ice from the table. Holding the heavy whisky bottle with both hands, Min Ra-hyeon filled his glass and spoke.
“I went to see your mother with Yi-kyung this afternoon, and she’s still a beauty. No matter how I look at it, you don’t resemble your mother at all.”
Han Seung-jae brought the glass he held lightly to his well-shaped lips and drank. Then, Min Ra-hyeon raised his glass and added.
“But about Yi-kyung.”
Han Seung-jae’s hand, which had been at his lips, lowered.
Min Ra-hyeon took a gulp of the liquor. The amber liquid scratched harshly down his throat, feeling as if he had swallowed a flame.
“Seung-jae.”
However, unable to continue his sentence, Min Ra-hyeon broke into a fit of coughing. The fire spread instantly to his chest. He clutched his burning throat.
“What kind of strong liquor do you drink…”
“Continue what you were saying.”
The cold tone was filled with dryness.
“Ah, right. Yi-kyung is still so young.”
As if something suddenly occurred to him, Min Ra-hyeon even let out a chuckle.
“When Yi-kyung was eating, Butler Do stayed right by his side, taking care of everything, and followed him around to help him dress. He even placed the shoes on the floor and waited. He’s quite the precious little young master.”
As if that wasn’t all, Min Ra-hyeon continued without pause.
“Earlier, your mother gave you a gift. Even that small shopping bag was carried by the driver and handed to Butler Do, you know? He doesn’t lift a single finger.”
The contents were mostly accessories like ties or watches. There was no reason for it to be heavy. Yet, Seo Yi-kyung didn’t even try to carry it himself. Saying this, Min Ra-hyeon brought the glass to his lips. But just before he drank, Han Seung-jae’s low voice reached his ears.
“That’s why he’s in my house.”
The smile on Min Ra-hyeon’s face gradually faded as he pulled the glass away from his lips.
“What?”
“If he can’t even do that, he’s useless. Then there’s no need for him to be here.”
Han Seung-jae had brought Butler Do into the house to be someone Seo Yi-kyung could rely on after his environment changed through marriage, and to serve him with utmost devotion. Therefore, according to Min Ra-hyeon’s words, Butler Do was simply doing his job properly.
Hearing Han Seung-jae’s words, Min Ra-hyeon smiled as if to push away the awkwardness. However, Han Seung-jae’s speech was relentless.
“And you too.”
“….”
Clack. Han Seung-jae set his glass down on the table. The glass wasn’t even half empty. He had already lost his taste for the drink.
“Have you forgotten? The reason I let you into this house.”
On the day Min Ra-hyeon visited, Han Seung-jae had let Seo Yi-kyung in first and then spoke with Min Ra-hyeon. Secretary Park was also present during the conversation between Han Seung-jae and Min Ra-hyeon.
—Yi-kyung is still alone, right?
Han Seung-jae had brought Min Ra-hyeon into the house for Seo Yi-kyung’s sake. Contrary to Min Ra-hyeon’s words, although Seo Yi-kyung now hung out with Jin Seon-yu, Han Seung-jae thought that having only one Omega, Jin Seon-yu, by his side was insufficient. Furthermore, Jin Seon-yu was not the type to meticulously take care of others.
“…I know his name, and his status is verified.”
Han Seung-jae’s voice spread through the silent dining room. Min Ra-hyeon swallowed hard. He could only stare breathlessly at Han Seung-jae’s chilly eyes. Somehow, he didn’t seem like the Han Seung-jae he knew. He was excessively unfamiliar. Even when he had caused that commotion this morning, Han Seung-jae hadn’t worn this look in his eyes.
Han Seung-jae continued as he moved his steps.
“And another thing. You should speak accurately. That wasn’t my gift. There’s no way you wouldn’t know that.”
Min Ra-hyeon wore a bitter expression, whether he was smiling or not.
Meanwhile, Han Seung-jae left the dining room.
Min Ra-hyeon downed the liquor in his hand like water and frowned due to the stinging in his throat. Ugh!
Han Seung-jae’s parents had a poor relationship. And having grown up watching that, there was nothing like affection or warm family exchange between Han Seung-jae and his mother. Han Seung-jae had practically been raised by Butler Choi.
Knowing this, Min Ra-hyeon never mentioned things like him resembling his parents in front of Han Seung-jae.
* * *
Step, step. The steady sound of footsteps gradually grew quieter and then stopped in front of the door.
As Han Seung-jae silently opened and closed the bedroom door and entered, a bed with a thick duvet caught his eye.
Seo Yi-kyung was lying on his side with his eyes closed. Han Seung-jae sat on the edge of the bed and looked down at him quietly.
Was it because he had only touched and kissed him in the study this morning, without doing anything more? Han Seung-jae’s nerves were on edge to a sensitive degree. Judging by the steady sound of Seo Yi-kyung’s breathing, he seemed to be in a deep sleep.
Perhaps it was for the best. For Seo Yi-kyung.
“…Are you awake?”
The silence that had spread over the bed was shattered. Han Seung-jae reached out and turned on the lamp on the nightstand. A light that couldn’t be compared to the fragmented light seeping in from the terrace illuminated the bed.
As Han Seung-jae leaned his upper body forward, a deep shadow stretched long across Seo Yi-kyung’s face. White skin, delicate features that seemed as if they could fit in one hand. And Seo Yi-kyung still had his eyes tightly shut. However, his reddened lower lip was bleeding, as if he had been biting it.
“Or were you not sleeping?”
Han Seung-jae reached out and gently brushed Seo Yi-kyung’s lower lip. A bright red drop of blood sat clearly on the crushed lip at the tip of his long index finger.
Looking at his fingertip, Han Seung-jae spoke.
“Open your eyes.”
“….”
Was it an illusion that Seo Yi-kyung’s breathing was hurried and trembling slightly? Even if it wasn’t, it didn’t matter to Han Seung-jae.
“You heard me. Hiding like a little mouse.”
Then, Seo Yi-kyung slowly lifted his eyelids. Long eyelashes drooped endlessly, creating shimmering shadows beneath his eyes. They curled up bit by bit, and Seo Yi-kyung’s clear pupils were fully revealed.
Seo Yi-kyung, who had been pretending to sleep all along, felt his heart thumping violently. Just like when he had seen Han Seung-jae and Min Ra-hyeon facing each other in the dining room earlier.
Seo Yi-kyung let go of the duvet he had been clutching and slowly raised his upper body. Perhaps because Han Seung-jae had brushed it with his fingertip, Seo Yi-kyung’s lips were the color of blood.
Han Seung-jae grabbed Seo Yi-kyung’s chin with his long fingers. Before he knew it, another red drop of blood had squeezed out of the lower lip.
“How much did you hear?”
Seo Yi-kyung’s lips, which had been stubbornly pressed together, parted loosely.
Seo Yi-kyung recalled Min Ra-hyeon’s voice that he had overheard in the dining room. A soft and cheerful tone, intimate as if calling someone he had known for a long time.
“Seung-jae.”