The car moved steadily through the rain.
Taekyun sat quietly, one arm resting against the window edge, the other holding an open file from work.
But he hadn't read a single line.
Something was off.
That faint scent soft, trembling still lingered inside the sedan.
"Sir?"
Lihan asked from the driver's seat, keeping his eyes on the road.
"You seem distracted. Did something happen?"
Taekyun didn't answer right away. His tone came low and flat.
"Nothing (괜찮아 / gwaenchanha)."
He flipped a page in the file, but one sheet slipped loose and floated down, landing near the front passenger seat.
He bent to pick it up.
And froze.
A pair of small legs thin, pale, wet peeked out from beneath the front seat.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned closer.
Big, trembling eyes stared back at him from the shadows.
An Omega.
The Omega looked terrified, soaked to the skin, face pale, lips parted as if ready to cry.
Then, suddenly, omega raised a shaky finger to his lips, silently pleading.
"Please(제발 / jebal)… don't tell him."
Taekyun didn't move. He just stared at him that fragile figure pressed into the shadows, the soft scent of rain and sweetness filling the space between them.
Then he straightened, placed the fallen paper back into the file, and closed it without a sound.
"Sir?" Lihan said again, glancing at the mirror. "You okay?"
"Keep driving,"
Taekyun replied quietly.
"Yes, sir" Lihan murmured.
The car continued through the dim streets.
The air was still, but something about it had changed faintly alive now,
Under the front seat, Haneul covered his mouth again, shaking.
He didn't know who that Alpha was only that his scent didn't feel dangerous.
It was warm, calm, and strange. Like something his exhausted body had been waiting for.
When he peeked again, Taekyun was staring out the window, expression unreadable.
But his hand, resting loosely on his knee, had tightened slightly.
The black sedan stopped quietly in front of the grand Kim residence.
Rain tapped against the roof in a slow rhythm, steady and cold.
Lihan stepped out first, opening an umbrella.
From inside the gates, one of the servants rushed forward with another, bowing politely.
A few others followed, lined up neatly despite the weather.
Before anyone could speak, Taekyun's voice came out calm, deep, and cutting through the rain.
"All of you, get inside."
No one questioned him.
They lowered their heads and hurried back toward the house.
He turned to Lihan, who stood waiting by the car.
"You go back too."
Lihan blinked. "Sir, but"
Taekyun's eyes lifted cold and unbothered.
"Go. And be here on time tomorrow morning."
There was no room to argue.
Lihan nodded quickly.
"Ye, sajangnim (Yes, sir)."
He stepped back, closing the car door gently before walking toward the gates, umbrella shielding his head.
Taekyun adjusted the umbrella in his hand and opened the rear door.
His voice was calm, but there was weight in every word.
"Come out."
Inside, Haneul hesitated, hands trembling.
His heart raced so hard.
When his eyes met the Alpha's, he froze.
Taekyun's presence felt heavier up close tall, broad-shouldered, sharp eyes that didn't need words to intimidate.
He crawled out slowly, one hand instinctively reaching for support.
His cold fingers brushed against Taekyun's sleeve.
The moment his touch met the Taekyun's arm, Taekyun's chest tightened.
Taekyun looked down at him soaked, trembling, eyes wide and glassy under wet lashes.
The Omega's clothes were thin, sticking to his small frame, his lips pale from cold.
"How did you get inside my car?"
Taekyun asked, voice quiet but sharp.
Haneul's voice was barely a whisper.
"I was running from them… I didn't mean to"
"Who are you?"
Taekyun cut in before he could finish.
The Omega hesitated, lowering his head.
"Haneul…"
Taekyun's eyes didn't soften.
"You may leave now."
Haneul looked up quickly, confused.
"Hu?"
"I said you can go."
"But…" His voice shook.
"Won't you help me?"
Taekyun's face didn't change.
"You shouldn't have entered my car in the first place."
The words hit harder.
Haneul's lips trembled. He gripped the sleeve of his own shirt, trying not to cry.
He looked around the gates, the empty road, the man in front of him.
He didn't belong anywhere, not even here.
As Taekyun turned slightly to leave, Haneul's voice broke through the rain.
"Wait…"
Taekyun stopped.
Haneul's throat tightened.
"Please… let me stay here. I have nowhere to go. They're after me. They'll kill me if they find me."
Taekyun's eyes flicked down to him cold, unshaken.
"Then why are you trusting me?" he asked quietly.
"What if I do the same to you?"
The Omega hesitated, lowering his head.
"Because… you're not like them."
For a brief moment, Taekyun's expression shifted barely.
His brows drew together, eyes narrowing slightly.
He leaned down, voice low near the Omega's face.
"In a few seconds, you decided I wouldn't hurt you? Are you a fool? (바보야 / baboya)?"
Haneul's breath hitched.
Taekyun straightened.
"Don't waste my time. I have work to do."
The Omega's voice broke, tears spilling down his cheeks.
"If you weren't planning to help me," he said between small sobs,
"Then why let me stay in the car? You should've exposed me from the start."
Taekyun's jaw tightened. His eyes stayed unreadable, but for a second, something flickered behind them something he refused to show.
He handed the umbrella toward Haneul.
"Go before I hand you to the police."
Haneul stared at him, lips trembling. He took the umbrella with shaking hands.
He turned and began walking away slowly,
Taekyun didn't look back.
He walked inside.
But somewhere behind the steel gates, a faint scent still lingered warm, delicate, and trembling.
Haneul didn't go far.
His shoes were soaked, his legs heavy.
He wandered along the edges of the large property, heart pounding in fear that someone might see him.
The rain softened to a drizzle.
He slipped through the side garden, small enough to go unnoticed.
Then, through the mist, he saw a small structure glowing faintly from inside.
The door was half-open.
When he pushed it gently, a bark echoed.
A white puppy stood near the entrance, tail wagging uncertainly.
Haneul crouched down, whispering,
"It's okay…."
The dog tilted its head, barked once more, then went quiet.
Its eyes softened as if it understood.
Inside, the room was warm a shelter, cozy and bright with pink cushions and soft toys scattered around.
Haneul closed the door quietly and sat down on the floor, curling up near the dog, whispering,
"Just… let me stay for a while"
Inside the house, Taekyun entered Haru's room.
A small girl sat silently, holding a white bunny plush in her hands.
Five-year-old Haru.
Her eyes brightened when she saw her father walk in.
She quickly stood and bowed.
Taekyun walked over and sat on the couch, lifting her onto his lap.
He pressed a faint kiss to her hair so light she didn't even notice.
Bora, Haru's caretaker, stood nearby, smiling softly.
"She eaten?" Taekyun asked.
Bora nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Homework?"
"Done as well."
He gave a small nod.
"There's cake in the car. Bring it and feed her."
"Yes, sir."
Bora turned and started to leave, Haru following quietly behind.
But before she could step outside, Taekyun's voice came sharp but not loud.
"Haru."
The little girl stopped, startled.
"Don't go out. It's raining. You'll get sick."
She looked up at him, small hands tightening around her bunny.
Bora turned, ready to speak, but Taekyun's expression silenced her.
"You go," he said to Bora. "Bring it."
Bora sighed softly and nodded.
"Yes, sir."
As she left, Haru walked back toward the couch, sitting beside her father quietly.
The room filled with the sound of rain and television nothing else.
The distance between them felt heavier than walls.
From the hallway,
Bora looked back once, her eyes sad.
"Sir Taekyun," she thought silently.
No matter how much you care, you're still bad at showing it.
Your silence is slowly destroying her.
I hope someday you learn to speak before it's too late… and that Haru finds her voice again.