Seo-jun sat quietly in Min-jae's study room, typing away on his laptop. Across from him, Min-jae was also buried in his work, papers stacked neatly beside him.
Earlier that afternoon, Hye-mi had stopped by Tae-hyun's house to pick up the kids.
"Hello, Mr. Cha," she greeted warmly, holding the children's hands. "I'll be taking them with me. They have school tomorrow."
Tae-hyun's smile faltered, a trace of sadness in his eyes. "Ah, that's too bad. I wanted to play with them a little longer."
Seo-jun and Min-jae stood nearby as Hye-mi glanced briefly at Seo-jun, then gently tugged the kids toward the door.
"See you soon!" the kids chirped, waving their hands. Tae-hyun waved back, forcing a smile. "Send them here again when the holidays come."
"Of course," Hye-mi agreed with a smile.
Once they left, Tae-hyun sighed, his expression crumpling. "The kids are so sweet… I miss them already."
Min-jae frowned. "Father, stop acting like a child." With a sharp tug on Seo-jun's arm, he added, "Come on. Let's get to work in my study."
By 7 p.m., the room smelled faintly of fresh coffee. Tae-hyun came in, balancing a tray with three cups. He placed one in front of Min-jae, then set the others down on the low table before sitting beside Seo-jun on the sofa.
Leaning close, Tae-hyun lowered his voice. "Seo-jun… you smell a little like an Omega right now."
Seo-jun stiffened, his cheeks flushing red. "S-sorry… I'll try to control it better."
Tae-hyun's lips curled into a sly smile. "Does Min-jae know?"
Seo-jun shook his head quickly. "No."
"Good," Tae-hyun murmured, leaning closer until his breath tickled Seo-jun's ear. "Tell me… do you have a mate?"
Seo-jun's face turned crimson. "N-no. I'm single."
"What a shame," Tae-hyun chuckled softly, his tone teasing.
Min-jae's pen stilled. He glanced up, his jaw tightening. "Father, let Seo-jun focus on his work."
Tae-hyun raised his cup with a casual shrug. "I'm just chatting. Don't be so stiff."
Min-jae stood abruptly, taking his coffee with him. He sat down across from them on the opposite sofa, his gaze flicking between his father and Seo-jun. His irritation was obvious. Why does Father have to sit so close to him?
Seo-jun closed his laptop for a moment and reached for his coffee, smiling politely to ease the tension. Min-jae watched him, but his mood only soured further.
Breaking the silence, Tae-hyun chuckled. "So, Seo-jun—your dad is pregnant, isn't he? What do you think—boy or girl?"
Seo-jun blinked, then smiled faintly. "I'm not sure. But… I think it would be nice to have a little sister."
Min-jae's head snapped toward him. "Wait—your dad is pregnant?"
Seo-jun nodded with a small smile. "Yes."
Min-jae's gaze darted to his father. "And how exactly do you know that?"
Tae-hyun leaned back leisurely, a knowing grin on his face. "Of course I know. His father and I are old friends."
Min-jae froze, stunned. "What…?"
—
Do-hyun was in his apartment, sweat dripping down his face as he finished a tough workout in the small gym at the end of the hall. He set the dumbbells down with a grunt, rolled his shoulders back, then sat on the bench, catching his breath. Reaching for his water bottle, he gulped down the cold liquid, eyes flicking to the mirror in front of him.
His reflection stared back—sharp jawline, strong shoulders, and a body sculpted to perfection. A sly smile tugged at his lips.
"Damn… what a sexy man," he muttered with a low laugh. "Seo-jun won't be able to resist me."
But his smug moment shattered when the front door burst open.
"Do-hyun!"
He flinched, startled, nearly dropping his bottle. His mother stormed into the apartment, heels clicking against the floor, her purse swinging sharply at her side.
"What do you think you're doing?!" she barked, eyes narrowing at him.
Do-hyun stood quickly, wiping sweat from his brow. "I was just working out."
Her gaze swept over the dumbbells, then back to his flushed face. "Oh. I thought you were… with someone."
She tossed her purse onto the coffee table and sat down heavily on the sofa, arms crossed in frustration. A moment later, the door opened again, and her secretary walked in, standing silently behind her. He handed her a sleek tablet.
Without a word, she shoved it into Do-hyun's hands. "Look at these girls. Choose one."
Do-hyun scrolled lazily through the profiles, barely paying attention. He handed the tablet back with a careless smile. "Mother, I don't want to date anyone."
Her expression hardened. "You little bastard. Just choose one!"
The secretary stepped forward nervously. "Madam, please… calm down."
But Do-hyun only chuckled, leaning against the wall with an infuriatingly smug look. "You know, I'm just like Father. You can't force me into this."
That single sentence was enough to make her snap. She grabbed her purse and swung it at him, hitting his shoulder with surprising force.
"Ungrateful child!" she shouted, fury blazing in her eyes.
"Madam—please!" the secretary rushed forward, gently pulling her back.
With an exasperated huff, she yanked her arm free. "Don't stop me!" She stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her.
The secretary hesitated, then bowed his head toward Do-hyun. "Young master, please don't take her words to heart." He gave a polite nod and followed after her, leaving the place in silence.
Do-hyun stood alone in the quiet apartment, rubbing his sore shoulder where the purse had hit. He exhaled slowly, a wry smile ghosting across his lips.
"…Seo-jun," he murmured under his breath.