"SON, I heard everything from your father."
That morning, only Koo Mujin and his mother had breakfast together.
Koo Mihyeon, his second-oldest sister, left Busan early because her first class in Seoul was early.
Meanwhile, it was Koo Mido's first day at Komet Corporation as an entry-level employee. Hence, his oldest sister also had to leave early so she wouldn't be late. Their company HQ was in Busan around this time.
By the time I started working, our company was already located in Seoul.
Anyway, his father left home early because his father was nervous about Koo Mido's first day at her job.
Hence, his father wanted to make sure that his oldest sister would get to work fine.
Abeoji is overprotective of my older sisters.
"I'd love to meet the person you claimed as your Omega."
Koo Mujin nodded. "You'd love him, Eomma."
Actually, his family accepted Lee Haneum with open arms in the real world.
And it's not just because Lee Haneum was already pregnant at the time— they simply adored my husband, because why wouldn't they?
"It seems like you've fallen pretty hard for this person, son."
Koo Mujin smiled and nodded. "I'm going to marry Lee Haneum, Eomma."
His mother looked surprised at first, and then she chuckled. "Now I can't wait to meet my future son-in-law."
***
I KNOW that back, that walk, and that silhouette.
Koo Mujin was already in a high spirit when he arrived at school.
But his mood got better when he saw Lee Haneum walking alone.
Hence, he silently followed his husband.
Why is Lee Haneum wearing a hoodie, though? It's not his style.
But now he was curious to see how Lee Haneum looked in a hoodie, so…
"Haneum-ah!"
Lee Haneum stopped walking, and then he turned around.
Koo Mujin smiled and waved, but his smile immediately disappeared when he saw how his husband looked.
An eyepatch.
Bruised lips.
A cut on the cheek.
It was obvious that Lee Haneum had been beaten up.
Who the hell…!
Lee Haneum's eyes widened a bit as if he just remembered something important, and then he quickly put on a face mask before running away.
Koo Mujin, before he knew it, was already running after his husband.
I don't want to scare Lee Haneum, but my feet won't stop.
Since Koo Mujin was faster and more athletic than Lee Haneum, he just didn't catch up to him— he actually ran past him.
Oops.
Hence, he had to run backwards.
By that time, Lee Haneum was already leaning against the wall while catching his breath.
So, he has always had weak stamina, huh?
Koo Mujin just stood in front of Lee Haneum quietly, letting the Omega breathe first.
Where are we?
He looked around and realized that they were now behind the gymnasium.
It was quiet because only the two of them were there.
"Are you okay, Haneum-ah?" Koo Mujin asked worriedly. "I have water. Do you want it?"
Lee Haneum shook his head, and then he lifted his head to glare at Koo Mujin. "Why did you run after me?"
"Well, you run after seeing me."
"Tsk. I should have worn my mask from the start…"
Lee Haneum only whispered that to himself.
But Koo Mujin had sharp hearing, so he heard everything clearly.
"Haneum-ah, who did that to you?"
Lee Haneum looked at Koo Mujin straight in the eye. "I just slipped and hit my face on the door."
"Liar."
Lee Haneum had a habit of looking straight into his eye whenever he was lying.
And that was when he realized his stupidity.
I know that Lee Haneum was lying whenever he talked about his family, but I pretended not to notice because I thought he was just embarrassed to bring it up.
Maybe he should have paid more attention instead of ignoring it…
"Are you being abused by your family, Haneum-ah?"
Lee Haneum looked at Koo Mujin in disbelief. "How could you ask that, you stupid jerk?"
So, it was his family.
But who among his family members?
His mother?
His stepsister?
Lee Haneum had never mentioned his biological father before, but…
He had a stepfather, who died during his senior year in high school.
So, that old man was still alive at the moment.
Probably.
Koo Mujin clenched his hands tight.
Lee Haneum never mentioned that he was physically abused by his family.
But I should have known. I should have noticed. I should have asked.
"Don't look at me like that," Lee Haneum said awkwardly, avoiding Koo Mujin's gaze. "I was beaten up— I got hurt because I fought back. Do you think I'm the type of person who'd accept a beating quietly?"
Lee Haneum continued to blabber.
He does that whenever he's nervous.
Koo Mujin listened to Lee Haneum's lies quietly, but his mind was already somewhere else.
Actually, he wanted to punch himself.
But he held back because he didn't want to show Lee Haneum violence when the Omega had clearly just experienced one.
I'm so, so stupid.
From the moment Koo Mujin entered that world, all he thought about was seducing Lee Haneum.
About begging the forgiveness that he couldn't get from his husband in the real world.
Heck, he even thought about conceiving Koo Hajin.
I'm really selfish.
Koo Mujin hadn't looked at Lee Haneum properly until that moment.
This Lee Haneum was only seventeen years old.
And, clearly, he was suffering violence not only at school— but also at home.
Is this the part of your story that you didn't want to share with me, Haneum-ah?
"Yah. I told you to stop looking at me like I'm a poor victim. I fought and won, okay? I'm not that pathetic…" Lee Haneum trailed off, and then he sighed. "Why are you crying again, Koo Mujin?"
"I'm sorry," Koo Mujin said in a cracked voice, a lump forming in his throat. "I'm stupid, so you have to be patient with me, Haneum-ah."
Why did I only realize it now?
This Lee Haneum wasn't his husband— this Lee Haneum was a person that he needed to save and protect.
And maybe it was the reason why Koo Mujin was sent to that 'alternate universe.'
***
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