The hospital hallway smelled faintly of disinfectant, heavy with tension.
Taesung rushed forward the moment the doctor stepped out.
"How's he?"
his voice trembled, almost breaking.
The doctor removed his mask, his tone calm but careful.
"Mr. Kang Taewon is stable.
He fainted due to extreme exhaustion and stress. But there's something we'll confirm in the next twenty-four hours.
It's something good, actually. Our senior specialist will come tonight and explain further."
Taesung blinked.
"Something good? What do you mean by that?"
The doctor only gave a polite smile.
"Please wait for the specialist's confirmation."
Taehyun bowed slightly.
"Understood, doctor. Thank you."
Mrs. Kang eyes wet.
"Can we see him?"
"Yes. He should regain consciousness soon," the doctor assured before leaving.
They entered the room quietly. Machines beeped softly beside the bed. Taemi held her mother's arm.
"Mom, drink some water. He's fine now."
Mrs. Kang brushed her daughter's hand away, shaking her head.
"Taemi, you should go back now. You're pregnant. It's not good for you to stay here so long."
"It's okay, Mom," Taemi smiled faintly.
"I haven't been with you for years. I don't want to leave."
Taesung sat beside them, resting his palm over his mother's trembling hand.
Taehyun quietly excused himself for a short walk.
Mrs. Kang's tears slipped freely as she looked at her two children.
"If I hadn't gone to Taewon's condo today, wouldn't have known you were there.
How could you be so heartless?
Never calling me even once. Am I really such a bad mother?"
Taesung shook his head instantly.
"No, Mom. You're not. We knew everything. We even visited Taewon's house once after his marriage but Father stopped us again. He cut us off every time.
We weren't even allowed to see Jihyun."
Taemi's lips quivered.
"We missed you all the time, Mom. But Dad kept pushing us away. And when I heard from Hana that Taewon was filing for divorce and Dad was arrested, we came running."
Mrs. Kang's brows furrowed. "Hana?"
Taesung chuckled softly.
"Mom, she's the cook in Taewon's house. Don't you know?
Our Taemi is a fox
she planted Hana there to watch over the family and report to her."
"Yah!" Taemi slapped her brother's arm, cheeks red.
"Shut up, you pig! You've got no brain."
Despite the pain, the siblings laughed.
For a moment, the room softened.
(Morning light spilled across the floor)
Taewon's eyes fluttered open.
He blinked, then nearly jumped Harin's face hovered directly above him.
Taemi yanked her cousin back.
"Yah! Why are you so close to him?"
Harin smirked.
"Your brother is officially single now."
"So what?!" Taemi barked, pulling Harin further.
"This is a family matter. Step aside."
Before Harin could retort,
Taesung stormed in and threw his arms around Taewon, nearly crushing him.
"Taewon-ah! Thank God you're okay!"
Mrs. Kang smacked Taesung's back lightly.
"You fool. Don't dance around like a monkey. You're a doctor, a married man, act mature!"
Taesung laughed sheepishly,
Then Taehyun entered, his expression grim. " everyone. The specialist confirmed it."
They turned. Mrs. Kang's breath hitched. "Confirmed what?"
Taehyun swallowed, his voice heavy. "Taewon is no longer an S-Class Alpha."
The room went silent.
"What do you mean?"
Taemi whispered.
"He didn't downgrade to a normal Alpha."
Taesung looked at his younger brother, his voice steady but full of awe.
"Actually, he transformed into something rarer an Enigma."
"Enigma, what?"
Gasps filled the room. Even Harin froze, her smirk fading.
Taewon lay there, staring at the ceiling, unable to process it. The word echoed in his mind like a curse,
Enigma
(Meanwhile, at the Han Villa)
Minjoon walked into the living room.
"Dad, Jihyun's visa is confirmed. His flight is Thursday, September 9th "
Jihyun descended the stairs slowly, eyes swollen, his body drained of strength.
He gave a faint smile, then sank onto the couch, laying his head on Mr. Han's lap like a child.
Mr. Han stroked his hair gently, voice soft.
"Rest, my son. You've done enough. Maybe this path will finally take you somewhere closer to the love, the support, and the life you've always wished for."
Jihyun closed his eyes, silent tears slipping down, the weight of farewell pressing harder than any law ever could.