(After a week)
Taesung adjusted his stethoscope and checked Jihyun's pulse carefully.
"You can move, right?" he asked softly.
Jihyun gave a small nod. His face was pale but steady. Slowly, with Minjoon at one side and Taehyun on the other, he stood from the bed.
Taesung observed his movements, his voice calm but firm.
"It's good now. You can go home. But listen minjoon,
if he feels even a slight headache, contact me immediately. Watch his food three meals a day, no skipping.
Only the food I've approved for him. And his medicine, on time, no excuses.
There's nothing to worry about; his reports are clear. The back fracture will take some more time, but it's not too severe."
Minjoon nodded quickly, committing every word to memory.
As they walked out, Taesung glanced at Taehyun with a teasing edge.
"You're somehow connected with the Hans, aren't you?"
Taehyun smirked, replying with quiet confidence.
"Soon to be. I'm going to connect very closely with them."
The car ride back was heavy with silence. Minjoon tried, asking Jihyun small questions about his comfort, about food, about rest but Jihyun's lips stayed closed.
His gaze stayed outside the window, unmoving. Since Minjoon had told him about their father's death, Jihyun hadn't spoken a single word more than necessary.
Taehyun drove quietly, glancing at him through the mirror but not pressing.
When they reached Han Villa, the servants greeted respectfully. The old house nanny hurried forward, smiling with maternal care.
"Jihyun-ah, I've set a room for you downstairs. Go and rest there. I'll bring some food soon."
Jihyun gave a quiet nod and walked slowly toward the room.
Minjoon stepped forward, about to speak again, but Taehyun caught his wrist gently.
"Let him rest first."
Later, in the living room, the two sat on the couch. Taehyun handed Minjoon a glass of water.
Minjoon exhaled deeply.
"You know I didn't want this to happen to him. I told him about Dad because I couldn't stand watching him like that. I… I thought it was the right thing."
Taehyun set the glass aside and took Minjoon's hands firmly. His tone was steady.
"I know you didn't mean harm. You're not wrong. You did what was best for him. But his brain is still processing everything. Let him be on his own time.
He'll talk when he's ready."
Minjoon's gaze dropped, his voice low.
"I just don't want to lose him too."
Taehyun squeezed his hands reassuringly before standing.
"you won't,"
After a while Taehyun said,
"I need to go to the office. Taewon's not available, and Harin called there's a lot of work waiting."
Minjoon's brows drew together.
"Where is Taewon?"
"He left four days ago for Itaewon,"
Taehyun answered casually.
Minjoon's expression shifted. "Why?"
"As far as I know, he rarely goes there except for work. But during his rut, he usually stays in his apartment until it ends."
Minjoon nodded faintly.
"Hm"
Taehyun bent closer, his voice low and firm.
"But I don't go anywhere since I met you. I swear, I'm sincere to you."
A small smile tugged at Minjoon's lips. He turned his head slightly, hiding the warmth in his eyes.
"Go now. Handle the work. I'll look after Jihyun."
"Ok, my little chairman But from tomorrow, no skipping the office you'll work daily."
Taehyun said with a grin, grabbing his coat.
Minjoon watched him leave, then glanced toward the quiet hallway where Jihyun's room was. His heart clenched.
Please come back to us soon, Jihyun.
In his room, Jihyun lay flat on his back, the thin pillow cooling where his tears had soaked through. inside his chest a storm raged.
Tears spilled steadily, warm and endless, and with each drop a question rose up to meet it.
Dad and Mom they left me alone. I have no one.
I loved Mina she used me, spat on me, left.
I loved my parents they left me
For Taewon, When I finally began to open up, I was betrayed by the people who were supposed to build my future.
Why does it always end like this?
Am I the one who's wrong?
Am I the one who keeps choosing the wrong road, the wrong people?
Every time I reach for something real, it slips away and leaves a hole that keeps getting bigger.
Minjoon hyung found Taehyun.
Mother and father left and are together now. Friends went back to their lives.
Maybe Taewon also found someone new. And me I'm the one left on the edge, again.
Do I even deserve to keep going?
If I vanish, will anyone notice?
Who would I be without all this pain?
The questions piled on until they blurred like rain on a window.
He pictured names and faces Mina that turned to a blade, his parents' distance, Taewon's cool profile and the image of being unwanted pressed into him like a weight.
I am a failure,
For a moment he let himself be small not the son of a chairman, not the ex-husband of anyone, not the brother anyone expected him to be. He closed his eyes and let the sobs come, leaving them raw on the pillow.
He didn't move. He only thought, in a voice so small he would barely hear it himself, What now?