(Seojoon's pov)
I sat alone in the bar, the glass in my hand shaking ever so slightly. The amber liquid sloshed against the sides as I stared at nothing, the weight of what I'd agreed to pressing down on me like a vise.
I had promised. I had promised I'd protect them—Dohyun, fragile as he was, and Jihwa, who had always been reckless with his own heart. I had told myself it was only temporary, that it was a means to an end. But the truth was far uglier.
Kang Taejun. That name was already a scar on my mind. I had sold myself, in the most personal way imaginable, to someone who didn't care about me, someone whose idea of control and power would make every fiber of me ache. And I couldn't tell anyone—especially not Dohyun or Jihwa. They didn't deserve this. They didn't deserve to see me like this.
I pressed the glass to my lips, tasting the bitterness, tasting my own fear disguised as alcohol. I actually did it. Did it with Kang Taejun.
Every thought of Dohyun's trembling hands, every small smile that used to soothe him, twisted inside me now. I didn't want that omega to suffer like I did. I had to endure humiliation, exhaustion, maybe worse, all so that he could have a normal life—so that his trauma wouldn't deepen. I had to become something I hated, something that made me question my own worth, all for them.
I thought of Jihwa too. Always bold, always protective, always hiding his own vulnerabilities. He wouldn't understand why I'd agreed to this. He'd probably hate me for it if he knew. Well he is my son, so I do hope he'll understand.
The thought made my chest tighten.
And yet… I couldn't back out. Not now. Not when I'd promised them safety. Not when Dohyun still flinched at shadows, still shied away from happiness. I had to endure, even if it broke me.
I closed my eyes and imagined Dohyun's smile, that faint little curve that always reminded me why I fought to survive in the first place.
"You'll never know," I whispered to the empty bar, voice hoarse. "How far I'll go… to keep them safe."
My own hands trembled as I set the glass down. I hated this. I hated Kang Taejun. I hated myself for agreeing. I hated that protecting those I loved required me to give pieces of my own body and soul to a man who saw them as just… power.
But there was no other choice. I clenched my fists, forcing the trembling down.
I will endure. I have to.
Because Dohyun deserves to heal. Jihwa deserves to live without fear. And if my suffering could make their lives easier, then I would take it.
I would swallow every shred of pain, every humiliation, every violation, and wear it like armor. And they would never know.
Not yet.
Because they don't deserve to see the cost of my promise.
I waited for his arrival until I realized I had to go to his office.
As I entered, I was irritated.
The room smelled faintly of leather and expensive cologne, a carefully curated scent that was supposed to put me at ease. It was his disgusting pheromones. It did the opposite. I stepped in, heels clicking softly against the polished floor, heart hammering under the weight of what I'd agreed to.
Kang Taejun didn't bother to rise. He reclined in his chair, one arm draped over the backrest, that same infuriating smirk curling his lips.
"So…" he drawled, eyes scanning me like I was some object on display. "How are they?"
I kept my expression blank. "They're fine."
"Hmm. Fine," he repeated, tapping his fingers against the desk. "And what about you, Seojoon? Enjoying our arrangement?"
I clenched my jaw. "I manage."
He laughed softly, almost mockingly. "You manage. That's… admirable. For someone who had so little, you've survived remarkably well. I almost… respect it."
My stomach twisted. Respect it? You abandoned me. Left me to fend for myself while you built a perfect life with Minji and that child. You think I've forgotten?
"You know, I could make it easier for you," Kang continued, eyes gleaming with amusement. "If you're willing to bend a little more, be a little… more cooperative."
I felt my hands tighten into fists beneath the desk. "I do what I must," I said coldly, forcing my voice to remain steady.
"Protecting them," he mused, leaning forward. "You're a good man, Seojoon. A loyal man. And loyalty… Well, it's a trait I like. But don't mistake loyalty for weakness."
I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. "I'm not weak."
"Ah," he said, smirking wider, "but you were weak once, weren't you? Left alone, abandoned, broken…hurting your own child.. And yet here you are, playing the strong protector. I suppose you've learned well."
Learned well? I survived because I had to survive! I wanted to spit the words out, to scream at him for living the life he stole from me. "You don't get to lecture me about surviving."
He raised an eyebrow, amusement still flickering in his gaze. "Oh? And why not?"
"Because you abandoned me!" I snapped, the words barely contained. "You left me alone when I had nothing, and now you come here, expecting me to play along, to endure for your amusement. You think I forgot all the years I suffered while you built a life with her? With that child of yours?"
Kang Taejun's smirk faltered slightly, just a twitch at the corner of his mouth. "Careful, Seojoon. That tone… you know how dangerous it is to anger me."
"Dangerous?" I hissed, leaning forward, voice low and dangerous. "I'm already angry. Do you think I don't remember? Do you think I don't hate you for everything you've done? For what you've left me to endure?"
He leaned back, expression shifting to mock offense. "Ah… I see. The old wounds still bleed. But remember, Seojoon, you chose this. You are here because of your loyalty, not because you're powerless. You agreed to this arrangement, and every decision from this moment is yours to make—or break."
"I agreed to protect them," I said, teeth gritted. "Not to save your ego. Not to be used by you while you laugh at your life of comfort. I agreed to protect them, and I'll endure whatever it takes for them. Nothing more. Nothing less."
He chuckled, low and bitter, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Very well. But don't think I won't push you. I will. I enjoy testing limits. And you, Seojoon, are a perfect subject."
I rose, straightening my back. "Then test me all you want. But remember this—I am not yours. I am not a plaything. I endure for them, not for you."
His eyes glinted, almost curious, as if this challenge intrigued him. "We'll see, Seojoon. We'll see how far your loyalty—and your pain—will carry you."
I walked out, keeping my mask intact, even though every step felt like it was crushing me. Every glance, every word from him reminded me of the years I had lost. But I couldn't falter. I couldn't show him how much it hurt.
For Dohyun. I don't want any omegas to suffer like I did.
For Jihwa. My beloved star.
Because no one else would.
Later on I decided to go home
The door creaked as I stepped inside, my shoulders stiff from the meeting with Kang Taejun. My hands were still trembling slightly, adrenaline coiling in my chest like a living thing.
"Dohyun?" My voice was low, cautious, almost afraid to disturb the calm.
I froze. He was sitting at the small kitchen table, sunlight filtering through the blinds, a piece of bread in his hand. He looked… normal. Smiling faintly, even. Somehow lighter than the last time I'd seen him. I thought he was in the hospital.
I blinked. "What… what are you doing here?"
Jihwa, leaning casually against the counter, looked up at me. His expression was calm, almost unreadable. "The doctor said he can leave. He's discharged. He's staying with us."
Something in my chest tightened—not fear, not relief, but a complicated knot of everything I couldn't put into words. I wanted to run to him, check if he was really okay, but I couldn't. I had to stay composed, had to show strength even if I felt weak inside.
Dohyun's eyes met mine for a brief second, and for a heartbeat I saw the shadow of the boy I had helped remember, the one who had endured so much. He smiled faintly again, and the weight in my chest eased just a little. That small curve of his lips—so fragile, so tentative—was enough to quiet the storm raging in me.
"Stay… stay here?" I asked, voice tight.
"Yes," Jihwa said simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "He's fine. We'll take care of him."
I swallowed hard, every muscle in my body tense. "I… I just—" My throat tightened. "I need to make sure he's okay. I can't—"
Dohyun's gaze softened, though he didn't speak. His small, quiet composure was almost defiant in its simplicity. And somehow, that was enough.
I exhaled slowly, letting the tension slip just a little. "Alright. Stay… stay with me, then. I'll… I'll be here too."
Jihwa's eyes flicked to me, sharp, almost challenging. But he didn't say anything, just gave a subtle nod. I understood. We were all here for him, together, in our own ways.