#27

The meal ended just like that.

Kwon Ki-hyuk was the first to storm out, huffing and puffing, while the father summoned his lawyer to review the will.

With a strangely calm expression, the mother led Jung-hyun to the empty drawing room. After confirming several times that no one was listening, she took both of Jung-hyun’s hands in hers.

“Jung-hyun. This is great. What a relief that the Chairman took care of your share, even in this way.”

“…….”

“I’m the one who begged the Chairman to look after our sweet Jung-hyun before he passed away.”

Jung-hyun looked down at his mother and asked quietly.

“……You begged him?”

“Yes. I told him to make sure our Jung-hyun could live without want, even if he failed to manifest as an Alpha. I told him he’s a smart boy and would hold his own anywhere. I told him every single day while he was lying in the hospital.”

“…….”

“Let’s start those Alpha pheromone injections again, Jung-hyun. Your grandfather manifested at thirty, didn’t he? Isn’t that an amazing thing?”

“…….”

“And don’t worry too much even if you can’t manifest. Your father will find you a good marriage match. You can continue to enjoy everything you have now.”

Unexpectedly, the mother’s face looked happy.

“What clothes a person wears and what food they eat is what matters most. How sorrowful and difficult it was for us back then, living in that narrow, smelly room without any proper treatment. But look at me now. I met your father and we’re living so well.”

To her, it seemed that being a laughingstock to the new son in front of the family, or frequently collapsing from neurosis and panic, didn’t matter at all.

The flashy diamond ring on her finger suddenly sparkled. Her hair and makeup, meticulously done for today, and her beautiful jade-colored dress suited her as if she had been born with them.

That was why Jung-hyun didn’t speak.

That he had never once wanted this palace-like house with over ten employees. That he had been far happier when he lived alone with his mother in that narrow, smelly room.

Considering the sacrifices his mother had made to obtain these things, those were words he could never bring himself to utter.

After seeing his mother off, Jung-hyun walked alone down the long corridor connected to the main building.

After Ki-hyuk manifested as an Alpha at the age of 21, Jung-hyun had been practically exiled to the United States at 16. It had been ten years since Jung-hyun returned to Seoul to attend his grandfather’s funeral.

At the time, Myeong-jeong was at its breaking point trying to clean up the accidents Kwon Ki-hyuk caused both internally and externally.

The father wanted a highly effective and permanent solution, and Kwon Ki-hyuk, seeing his half-brother for the first time in ten years, had come up with an idea.

“Little brother. Going home?”

Jung-hyun looked up. He saw Ki-hyuk’s face, leaning against the outside of the building and smoking.

Although Kwon Ki-hyuk and Kwon Jung-hyun did not have similar faces, they exuded a very similar aura. It was likely because they shared the same build and jawline from their father, and their style of dress was similar.

“The Chairman was quite something, wasn’t he? Making me smoke all the cigarettes I’d quit for three months because his wife was pregnant.”

“…….”

“He always gives us these little events, probably because he thinks it would be boring if his only successor lived too smoothly. He didn’t have to, though.”

Jung-hyun stared blankly at Ki-hyuk’s face as he smiled, his eyes curving. Ki-hyuk gathered phlegm and spat it on the ground before putting the cigarette back in his mouth. Then, he slowly reached out toward Jung-hyun.

“Little brother, you should at least know this.”

Long fingers traced the collar of Jung-hyun’s shirt before sliding down to the knot of his tie.

Standing with his legs apart, Ki-hyuk used both hands to adjust Jung-hyun’s tie knot, all while keeping the cigarette in his mouth.

“The fact that our little brother is eating and living well, the fact that a low-born, rootless Omega woman is called ‘Madam’… all of that….”

Ki-hyuk leaned down and whispered low in Jung-hyun’s ear.

“You have it all on the condition that you wipe my ass. Right?”

Kwon Jung-hyun’s new role was to become Kwon Ki-hyuk’s shadow.

A shadow to take the fall for the numerous atrocities Kwon Ki-hyuk committed.

In exchange for taking on that role, the father promised Jung-hyun that he would let his mother live as the mistress of Myeong-jeong for the rest of her life.

He had never thought about wanting Myeong-jeong for himself anyway. If he could buy his mother’s happiness with his own useless social status, it was actually a gain.

“Jung-hyun. You are me. You’re mine, my shadow.”

Kwon Ki-hyuk draped one arm over Jung-hyun’s shoulder and held the cigarette in his mouth. It naturally looked like an embrace. Jung-hyun looked up at his half-brother with an expressionless face.

Ki-hyuk smiled from a distance of less than a span.

“So don’t make me angry by doing things above your station.”

“…….”

Ki-hyuk flicked Jung-hyun’s cheek with a finger and then abruptly left the scene as if nothing had happened.

Watching Ki-hyuk’s receding back, Jung-hyun’s fingers twitched. Once Ki-hyuk was completely out of sight, he pressed his opposite fingernail hard into the protruding bone on the back of his hand.

Soon, the back of his hand turned red. It was because his skin had grown thin from frequent self-inflicted wounds.

His grandfather hadn’t believed that Kwon Jung-hyun would manifest as an Alpha.

He wanted to completely erase the grandson who failed to become an Alpha from Myeong-jeong.

By sending him away as a son-in-law to another family.

Jung-hyun let out a hollow laugh.

He was sick of it.

This palace-like mansion, and the vicious Alpha worship of the people in it.

Jung-hyun searched the inside of his jacket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. With hurried hands, he lit one and inhaled the smoke. Only after the acrid smoke traveled down his esophagus and seeped into his stomach did something finally settle.

One year.

Contrary to his mother’s hopes, Jung-hyun didn’t think he would manifest as an Alpha within that time.

In one year, his name would be erased from Myeong-jeong. And then? Would he be given a new role by a new family? A modest husband, a perfect show-window couple, something like that.

Jung-hyun exhaled smoke into the air. Now that he looked, white buds had formed on the magnolia tree in the garden.

It was a remarkably beautiful season for the day he was born.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the thought occurred to him that this one year might be his last chance.

The last chance to live as he wished.

“…….”

At that moment, the face of someone he had longed for alone for a long time came to mind.

He wanted to meet him.

He wanted to see him up close and talk to him.

He wanted to give him words of encouragement in person.

He wanted to drink together like old friends or buy him clothes.

And he wanted to touch him.

What naturally came to Jung-hyun’s mind was the article he had seen recently about the disbandment of the Blue Wolves.

Unconsciously, the corners of his mouth curled up.

Perhaps a person goes a little crazy when they suppress what they want for too long.

Jung-hyun could only think of his decision at that time in that way.

* * *

Shin Ho-jae took a reluctant step forward after seeing the crosswalk signal turn green.

It was the day to fulfill the contract with Kwon Jung-hyun. He had been called to a shop behind a hotel in Sogong-dong. Shin Ho-jae looked up at the sign that read ‘Tailor Shop’ and opened the door.

With a chime, the interior revealed shelves made of dark hardwood with dozens of fabrics folded, a workbench made of the same wood, and torsos dressed in suits.

“You must be Mr. Shin Ho-jae? I’ve been waiting for you.”

Soon, an elderly gentleman with neatly slicked-back hair appeared from the back. Ho-jae, bowing instinctively, took off his cap and stuffed it into his back pants pocket. He should have taken off the hat before greeting him, but he had forgotten again.

“CEO Kwon Jung-hyun said he would be about 15 minutes late. I’ll bring some tea, so please wait comfortably here.”

He tried to say that tea was fine, but by the time he turned his head, the owner had already disappeared. Ho-jae sighed softly and sat on the sofa he had been offered.

It was a drawing room with a low table and a vintage sofa. On one side, a round curtain screen that seemed to be used as a dressing room was visible.

Ho-jae slowly took it all in before lowering his gaze as if uninterested.

Even though it was only 15 minutes, he felt relieved that he didn’t have to see Kwon Jung-hyun immediately. It was only natural, as he had been hesitating since the moment he decided to come here today.

“…….”

Shin Ho-jae gripped the brim of the hat in his hand and crumpled it.

It was all because of that damn kiss.

Whenever he almost forgot, the lips and tongue that had touched him came back to mind. Even the frantic masturbation while hiding in the restroom.

Ho-jae irritably swept his bangs back. Anyone would have ended up like that after kissing a man who was so accustomed to seducing others.

“Is green tea okay? Since young people don’t usually visit, this is all I have.”

Snapping back to his senses at the owner’s words, Ho-jae reflexively answered that it was fine.

The elderly gentleman smiled warmly and placed a steaming teacup in front of Ho-jae. The delicate cup with a blue floral pattern contained a tea with a subtle green hue.

Ho-jae gripped the handle of the teacup awkwardly. The cup was so small and thin that it felt as if it would break with the slightest pressure.

He hesitated at the first scent, which felt unfamiliar for green tea, but soon curiosity won, and he lightly pressed his lips to the cup.

“…….”

It was delicious. It was green tea, but it was a tea that also tasted of berries. Ho-jae emptied the cup in just two sips.

The owner, who had stepped away for a moment, returned with a small plate holding three cookies. He smiled slightly upon seeing the empty cup.

“These are tea leaves that Jung-hyun likes, so I always keep them in stock. I’m glad they suit your taste.”

“…….”

At those words, Ho-jae narrowed his eyes and glared at the empty teacup.

“Would you like some more?”

“No. I’m fine.”

“Then please wait while having some cookies.”

Taking the plate with both hands and setting it down, Shin Ho-jae cleared his throat softly.

“…You seem to be on familiar terms with the CEO.”

“Pardon?”

“You called him Jung-hyun by his name just now.”

28 – Puck Drop