Haneul stood beside Haru, gently wiping her mouth with a napkin after breakfast.
Crumbs dotted the corner of her lips, and she giggled as he fussed over her.
"There,"
He said lightly.
"All clean."
Haru leaned back in her chair, swinging her legs.
"Umma,"
She said happily.
Haneul smiled.
"After this, let's do some drawing, okay? We'll go out to the garden and draw flowers."
Haru's eyes lit up.
She nodded eagerly.
At that moment,
Footsteps approached.
Bora entered the dining area.
Haneul looked up.
"Oh, we're done,"
He said naturally.
"We're going to draw something outside in the garden."
He stood, reaching for Haru's hand.
"Haneul."
Bora's voice stopped him.
He turned back.
Something about her expression made his chest tighten.
Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something important, but no words came. Her eyes looked troubled, restrained.
"Yes?"
Haneul asked gently.
"Is everything okay?"
Bora hesitated, then forced a small smile.
"Let's go,"
She said.
"I have something to talk about with you."
Haneul frowned slightly.
"Now?"
"Yes,"
Bora replied quickly.
"Come with me."
A strange unease crept into his heart.
"To your house?"
He asked.
Bora nodded.
Haneul's heart sank.
Was it Taekyun?
Did something happen?
Was this because of last night?
But he hadn't done anything wrong.
Not this time.
"Can I talk to Taekyun first?"
Haneul asked softly.
"No,"
Bora said immediately.
"We have to hurry."
Haneul looked at her, worry plain on his face.
"Bora please. I'm scared.
Tell me what's going on."
Before she could answer.
"Ah, good. We do need to hurry."
A voice cut in.
Liya entered the room, fully dressed, hair neat, face arranged in practiced concern.
Anyone looking closely would notice the excitement hiding behind her worried expression.
"There must be something wrong,"
Liya continued.
"Madam is coming."
Bora's eyes narrowed sharply.
How the hell is she here?
Liya had taken leave, claiming she was sick. And yet she knew already that Mrs. Kim was coming.
Before Bora could react, Liya turned toward Haneul.
"Oh, Haneul,"
She said sweetly.
"You know Madam really hates male omegas, right?
Didn't Bora tell you?
You should hurry."
Haneul froze.
"Hates male omegas?"
Haru, sensing the tension, ran over and wrapped her arms around Haneul from behind, clutching him tightly.
Her small hands grabbed his clothes.
Haneul held her hands, confused, heart racing.
He turned to Liya.
"Madam?"
Liya smiled.
"Mrs. Kim. Sir Taekyun's mother."
Everything clicked at once.
Bora turned sharply to Liya, anger flashing in her eyes.
She understood now
why Mrs. Kim was coming,
And how.
She took a steady breath and turned back to Haneul.
"Let's go,"
She said quietly.
"We'll talk on the way."
Then, through clenched teeth, she looked at Liya.
"Take care of Haru.
We'll talk when I'm free."
Liya nodded indifferently and reached for Haru's hand.
Haru clutched Haneul even tighter.
Bora looked at Haneul and nodded, urging him.
Haneul knelt down and pulled Haru into a tight hug.
"I'll be back in a little while, okay?"
He said softly.
"I have something important to do."
He smiled despite the fear in his chest.
"When I come back, we'll have a party.
We'll watch cartoons together."
Haru pouted, then nodded.
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
"Umma,"
She whispered.
"It's okay,"
Haneul said gently.
"Go get dressed nicely.
Go to Abba's room and tell him to help you."
He brushed her hair back.
"Umma will be back."
Haru nodded and slowly took Liya's hand, glancing back at Haneul as she walked upstairs.
Bora and Haneul left together, heading toward Bora's house.
Upstairs,
Taekyun's Room
A knock echoed softly.
Taekyun opened the door.
Liya stood there, smiling.
"Sir, Haru needs to get dressed.
Bora asked me to bring her to you."
Taekyun nodded.
"If you're tired, sir,"
Liya added sweetly,
"I can help dress Haru."
Haru looked up at her father.
"Umma gone."
Taekyun swallowed.
Without looking at Liya, he said coldly,
"You can go. I'll handle it myself."
Liya smiled, masking her annoyance, and left.
Taekyun picked Haru up and carried her toward her room.
Even in his arms, Haru studied his face carefully.
Something felt wrong.
"Abba,"
She asked softly,
"괜찮아요, 아빠?"
(Are you okay, Abba?)
The question struck deep.
Taekyun's chest burned.
He forced a nod.
"네," (nae/yes)
He replied quietly.
"I'm fine."
(Bora's House)
Haneul sat on the couch, hands clenched together.
Bora removed the cap from a water bottle and poured him a glass, placing it in front of him.
"Everything you need is here,"
She said quickly.
"I'll stay at the residence tonight."
She straightened.
"Make yourself comfortable.
If you need anything, call me."
Haneul looked at her.
"Why is Taekyun's mother coming?"
Bora hesitated.
"We don't know,"
She said carefully.
"But once she leaves,
I'll come take you back."
She met his eyes seriously.
"Until then, don't go outside.
And don't open the door for anyone."
Haneul nodded, then asked quietly,
"Why do they hate male omegas?"
Bora looked at him, pain flickering across her face.
"I'll tell you later. Not now."
She turned to leave.
"Bora,"
Haneul called.
She stopped.
"Tell Taekyun,"
He said softly,
"everything is going to be fine."
Bora nodded once and left.
Haneul sat there, questions burning inside him.
Why do they hate male omegas?
Why is she coming?
His thoughts spiraled.
(Evening /Around 6 PM)
From the window,
Haneul could see the gate of Taekyun's residence.
Cars arrived.
One after another.
The Kim family had come.
His heart sank.
Then...
A knock.
He ignored it.
Another knock. Harder.
"Who is it?"
He called.
No answer.
"Who is it?"
He asked again.
"Haneul,"
Avoice called softly.
"Open the door."
Liya???
Thinking Bora might have sent her, Haneul opened the door.
Liya stood there smiling.
Guards stood beside her.
"Let's go, Haneul,"
She said calmly.
"Sir Taekyun is calling you."
But now,
Something felt wrong.
Why hadn't Bora come herself?
Why would Taekyun call him now?
Haneul stepped back and pulled out his phone.
"Let me call Bora first."
Liya's smile vanished.
She snatched the phone from his hand.
Before he could react, a guard stepped forward.
Everything happened too fast.
Haneul's vision blurred.
The last thing he heard,
"Take him straight to Gwanrim Hanok Estate."
"Madam will come tomorrow."
"She'll handle him herself."
And then.....
Darkness.