#49

While he was at a loss for words, his mother pushed past Jung-hyun and began climbing the stairs to the second floor. On the second floor were Jung-hyun’s study, his dressing room, and… in the innermost room, the bedroom where Shin Ho-jae lay naked.

The mere thought of it made him feel as if the world were turning black before his eyes. His mother was not the type of person to tolerate him rolling around with a man. Jung-hyun hurriedly chased after her and stepped in her way to block her.

“Mother. There is nothing up there.”

“If there’s nothing, then it should be fine for me to see. It’s stranger that you’re acting like this.”

“Mother.”

“Then why don’t you try telling me the truth? What were you doing? What on earth were you doing that you kept your mother standing outside for over five minutes!”

“……I told you. I was in a meeting.”

“Is it a woman? Did you bring a woman into this house? Jung-hyun, I won’t get angry, so tell me straight. Which family is she from? Surely it’s not that stupid bitch from the pheromone center?”

“…….”

“I heard from the director today. That Omega bitch is still working there just fine. Didn’t you say last time, Jung-hyun, that you would handle it?”

“…That was.”

“…I’m sure my son had his reasons. Right? But haven’t I told you time and time again? You must be most careful of those Omegas whose backgrounds are unknown.”

“…By any chance, did you see Ki-hyuk hyung today? I told you that if you take the things he says to heart, it will only make things harder for you, Mother….”

At that moment, a sharp pain stung his cheek. Jung-hyun opened his mouth slightly and took a step back.

“Even you look down on your mother now. You’re acting exactly like the men of the Kwon family.”

His mother, who had been on the stairs, had struck his face while shaking off his hand. Unfortunately, a large ring on her finger must have grazed his cheek, as the area burned.

His mother seemed not to have noticed, her hand trembling slightly.

“How could you do this to your mother? After everything I’ve done for you…!”

“…Mother, I’m sorry. I was wrong.”

Jung-hyun carefully wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her toward him. She was less than half his size.

The reason she felt so small was simply because he had grown, but whenever he felt that fact, the guilt toward her—which had accumulated in layers for a very long time—would rear its head.

Jung-hyun’s childhood had been punctuated by his mother’s sacrifices, so it was inevitable.

“Jung-hyun, Jung-hyun. You shouldn’t be like this. You must not. You are my proud son.”

His mother’s hand gripped Jung-hyun’s arm. He felt as if his body, which had floated momentarily while by Shin Ho-jae’s side, had been caught by that hand and dragged back down into the deep waters.

It became slightly difficult to breathe. Of course, he wasn’t underwater, but inside a house where air flowed perfectly. It was a foolish thought.

“You must never do what your brother or father did, sowing your seed anywhere. Absolutely not. I will never tolerate the sight of some low-life bitch crawling into Myeong-jeong claiming she’s pregnant with your child.”

“…….”

“Never, not even if dirt enters my eyes.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Jung-hyun whispered in a low voice that he understood, and asked her to please let go of her anger. It was just as her ragged breathing was beginning to calm down.

A small thump sounded from the second floor. It sounded as if something had been dropped.

His mother abruptly pulled away and looked first toward the sound, then at Jung-hyun’s face.

Her expression looked as if she were about to explode. Jung-hyun hurriedly denied it.

“It’s nothing.”

“What do you mean, nothing?”

“It’s not what you think… Mother!”

With a face like a demon, she shoved Jung-hyun away with all her might.

“I need to see the face of whichever bitch it is.”

The sound of her climbing the stairs sounded exceptionally loud, and she finally reached the second-floor hallway. The door right in front of her was the study, and further in were the dressing room and the bedroom.

Without hesitation, her feet headed for the innermost room.

“Mother, there’s no one there.”

“I’ll know if there is or isn’t once I see…!”

Then, she flung the bedroom door open. Jung-hyun couldn’t bring himself to move forward and froze right there in the hallway.

He felt cold sweat pooling in his palms. Forgetting he was in front of his mother, he felt a strong urge to bite the back of his hand until it bled.

However, his mother’s reaction was somewhat strange. Barely realizing this, Jung-hyun also slowly scanned the inside of the room.

The room was tidied up perfectly, as if nothing had happened. There wasn’t even a trace of Shin Ho-jae having been lying there. Jung-hyun swallowed hard and spoke.

“…See. There’s no one here.”

“But earlier, clearly….”

“CEO?”

Then, a voice that should not have been heard sounded from behind him. Jung-hyun felt the hair on his neck stand up.

Shin Ho-jae’s voice came from the hallway, outside the bedroom.

“Oh my…. Athlete Shin Ho-jae?”

Unexpectedly, a look of pleasure appeared on his mother’s face upon seeing him. Unable to properly grasp the situation, Jung-hyun stupidly stepped aside half a pace.

Turning slowly, there really was Shin Ho-jae standing there. He was fully dressed in the t-shirt and training pants he had arrived in.

“My goodness. You are Athlete Shin Ho-jae, right? I didn’t expect to see you like this. I am Jung-hyun’s mother.”

“Hello.”

Shin Ho-jae gave a polite bow and glanced, making eye contact with Jung-hyun. Jung-hyun stood there with his mouth half-open, unable to say a word.

“So the guest you mentioned was Athlete Shin Ho-jae. Jung-hyun, why didn’t you just tell me? I had no idea…. By any chance, did you hear my voice…?”

His mother asked with a slightly anxious look. She seemed concerned that Shin Ho-jae might have heard the commotion up until now.

“No. What were you talking about?”

“As long as you didn’t hear, it’s fine.”

At that answer, his mother’s face relaxed considerably.

“My goodness, I’ve always wanted to thank you, but I can’t believe we’d meet like this. If I had known, I would have put more effort into my appearance. I just came in the clothes I wear to step out in front of the house. Jung-hyun didn’t tell me a thing….”

“You look alike.”

“Hmm?”

When his mother tilted her head at the abrupt response, Shin Ho-jae had a momentary look of ‘oh no’ on his face. Then, after hesitating, he added:

“I mean, you are truly beautiful. Because you and he look alike….”

“Oh my.”

It seemed he had tripped over his words while trying to compliment her and say they looked alike.

Thanks to that, the tension filling the room dissipated. With a face completely brightened, his mother stroked Jung-hyun’s cheek as if boasting.

“My son is handsome because he takes after me. When he was young, people often said he was the spitting image of his mother… Oh, Jung-hyun. Why is there a scratch on your face?”

Her worried eyes turned toward Jung-hyun. Jung-hyun gave a faint smile.

“I must have scratched it somewhere. I’m fine.”

“On such a handsome face…. Make sure to apply some ointment.”

“I will.”

“By the way, were you and Athlete Shin Ho-jae close enough to be coming and going from the house?”

“It’s not like that; Athlete Shin just came over today for a meeting. …Something like that happens about once a week.”

Jung-hyun looked at Shin Ho-jae, signaling him to go along with the story. Fortunately, he didn’t deny it and remained standing there. Though he didn’t exactly confirm it either.

“Ah, it’s because of the pheromones? Right?”

Then, his mother looked at Shin Ho-jae with a bright expression.

“I was worried that we were asking a difficult favor, but my goodness. I’m truly grateful that you help us every time.”

Then, she grabbed his hand firmly.

“I’m a trait-bearer too, so how could I not know? Pheromone extraction must feel unpleasant and worrying. If our Jung-hyun manifests, it will all be thanks to Athlete Shin Ho-jae. I’ll make sure to reward you properly then.”

“…….”

It seemed his mother believed that Shin Ho-jae visited this house once a week for pheromone extraction.

The problem was Shin Ho-jae. Jung-hyun looked at Shin Ho-jae’s face, unable to tell what he was thinking despite his own anxiety.

Since he was someone who had shown such aversion to pheromone extraction, Jung-hyun was suddenly worried about how he would react to his mother’s statement.

However, as if sensing this worry, Shin Ho-jae gave a very polished answer.

“There is no need for that. Compared to how the CEO helped our team, this is nothing.”

“Oh my.”

His mother smiled broadly and looked back at Jung-hyun. Jung-hyun unconsciously curled the corners of his mouth.

“I’ve heard a lot from Jung-hyun that you’re a wonderful athlete, but seeing you in person, you’re even better. By any chance, Athlete Shin, do you have a girlfriend? I know a very lovely Omega young lady….”

“Mother, I’m sorry, but our meeting was cut off in the middle.”

“Oh, that’s right. You said you were in a meeting, and I completely forgot. I’m sorry for interrupting so suddenly, Athlete Shin.”

“Not at all. You could stay longer if you’d like….”

“Then I’d feel bad. Jung-hyun, you don’t need to come out. Driver Kim is waiting in front. I’ll contact you later.”

After a final goodbye to Shin Ho-jae, his mother left through the front door with an elegant smile.

Only after watching his mother get into the back seat under Driver Kim’s escort did Jung-hyun cross the small garden and return into the house.

Fatigue washed over him as if he had fought a war, but this wouldn’t be the end of it. Jung-hyun closed the front door and slowly lifted his head.

In the middle of the hallway, Shin Ho-jae was waiting for him with his arms crossed. Jung-hyun unconsciously wore a faint smile on his face.

“You’re good with elders. You saved my life.”

50 – Puck Drop