The car stopped at the massive gates, familiar from his childhood. Minjun felt everything inside him clench. He got out and looked up - the huge house loomed over him, as if crushing him with its shadow. Every window, every stone, reminded him of the coldness that had once driven him away.
The secretary opened the door and gestured for him to go inside. Minjun walked down the long corridor, which smelled of furniture polish and something sterile. There was no sound - only his footsteps echoing loudly.
In the living room, at a massive dark wood table, sat his father. His back was straight, his gaze cold, his hands crossed. He wasn't smiling.
"Minjun," he said, his voice sounding like a verdict. "Sit down."
Minjun sat on the edge of the sofa, feeling his heart pound in his chest.
"You know why I summoned you," his father continued, not taking his eyes off him. "I've been patient enough. You decided to leave, to 'build your own life.' But now I see: an alpha has appeared by your side."
Minjun flinched. His fingers clenched.
"Father... I..."
"Silence," the voice cut through the air. "Do you think I don't know? It's written all over your face. Your scents, your actions. It's all clear."
Minjun lowered his eyes. His heart tightened with shame and anger at the same time.
"You don't understand," he breathed out, but his father interrupted:
"I understand everything. An alpha is a threat to your future. Are you involved with him? If so, I can crush him in an hour."
A second hung in the air. Minjun's head snapped up, his eyes blazing.
"What...?"
"He has a store, a business, doesn't he?" his father spoke evenly, as if talking about something insignificant. "One phone call is enough. I'll cut off his supplies, revoke his lease, and it will all be over. Do you want your alpha to end up on the street?"
Minjun felt anger boiling inside him. His fingers trembled, but he kept his voice calm:
"You have no right to interfere..."
"I do," his father cut in sharply. "You are my son. And if you don't come home, if you don't live as you're supposed to - I will ruin his life. And we'll see how strong your alpha is when he has nothing."
The air seemed to grow heavier. Minjun could barely breathe. His heart was pounding, and blood was thumping in his temples.
He wanted to scream, to confess, to tell him about the baby - but the words got stuck. The shadow of fear was too great.
His father leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing through him:
"You have one week. Come back home. And forget about this alpha."
Minjun clenched his fists so hard that his nails dug into his skin. He felt his knees tremble, his anger battling with his helplessness.
"...I'll think about it," he managed to say quietly, even though everything inside him screamed in protest.
"Don't think," his father replied coldly. "Just do."
Minjun stood up. Every movement felt heavy, as if his body were filled with lead. A storm raged in his chest - anger, pain, fear. But above it all, the final words echoed: "I will ruin his life."
When the door closed behind him, Minjun barely held back from letting out a loud exhale. The world outside was sharp and cold. He stepped onto the street and inhaled the air, but it didn't help.
A scream echoed within him: "I can't ruin Hyuk's life."