[Haru's Room]
Bora stood quietly outside Haru's room, hands folded in front of her apron, waiting.
The door opened.
Taekyun stepped out first,
Haru beside him, already dressed neatly for school.
Her backpack hung slightly crooked on her shoulder.
Taekyun bent down, gently rubbing her hair, his movements slow and careful.
His eyes then lifted to Bora.
"Get her breakfast,"
He said calmly.
"She'll go to school after that."
Bora nodded immediately and took Haru's small hand as Taekyun walked downstairs without another word.
The moment they were alone, Bora leaned down and pulled Haru into her arms, lifting her up tightly against her chest.
"Oh, Haru-ah,"
She murmured, holding her close.
"Never act like this again."
Haru didn't speak.
"I know it's hard,"
Bora continued softly.
"But if you want umma to stay, you must let him be with abba."
Haru nodded slowly, resting her head against Bora's shoulder.
Bora kissed her cheek gently, then leaned closer and whispered into her ear, voice playful but warm.
"You know….. if you allow them,"
She whispered,
"they'll marry.
Like how the bear got married in the story I told you.
And then"
Her voice lowered teasingly,
"you'll have cute little siblings just like you."
Haru's head snapped up.
"No,"
She said immediately.
"No."
Bora chuckled lightly and hugged her tighter, rocking her a little.
"Oh, Haru. Okay, okay.
You won't have any, alright?"
Haru relaxed slightly.
Bora pressed her lips together, shaking her head with a sigh.
"This girl will give me a heart attack someday,"
She muttered.
Then her expression softened.
"But who cares,"
She whispered.
"For my Haru, for my Haneul, and for my sir
I can die a thousand times."
Holding Haru securely, she carried her downstairs for breakfast.
(Taekyun's Office)
(3:00 PM)
The meeting room was silent except for voices reporting one after another.
Taekyun sat straight in his chair, shoulders broad, posture firm.
His expression was cold, unreadable, eyes sharp as he listened to each staff member carefully.
One of the researchers stood and spoke.
"Sir, this formula is designed for children between the ages of eight and fourteen who have just manifested their secondary gender."
He swallowed and continued.
"It mainly controls pheromone instability and reduces fever during the early manifestation period."
Taekyun lifted his gaze slightly.
"Will it work in all heats,"
He asked,
"or only during the first heat or rut?"
Another employee responded immediately.
"Sir, it is most effective during early heat specifically the first heat of any individual."
Taekyun nodded once.
"Experiment results."
A file was placed in front of him.
"Here, sir.
The trial on a twelve-year-old female omega during her second heat showed ninety-five percent effectiveness."
He turned a page.
"The second case a nine-year-old dominant alpha during his first rut showed seventy-seven percent effectiveness."
Another page.
"And the last case an eight-year-old recessive omega it worked one hundred percent, stopping the heat within one day."
Taekyun carefully reviewed the documents, eyes scanning every line.
He nodded again.
"Limitations?"
One of the directors spoke.
"So far, all experiments have shown positive feedback.
Even in the strongest rut case, effectiveness remained at seventy-seven percent."
Taekyun acknowledged it silently.
His phone buzzed.
Jina.
Again.
He ignored it.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
Lihan entered and bowed.
"Sir."
Taekyun gave a small nod.
Lihan leaned closer and whispered.
"Mr. Kim and Mrs. Kim are asking you to come to Gwanrim Hanok Estate immediately."
Taekyun's phone buzzed again.
Jina.
Lihan continued quietly.
"The servant from Kim Residence also called.
Miss Nayeon is already on her way.
They want to see both of you."
Some of the staff glanced at Taekyun curiously.
He stood up slightly.
"Get the car ready,"
He told Lihan.
"I'll come in ten minutes."
Lihan nodded and left.
Taekyun turned back to the staff and motioned with his hand.
"Continue."
The meeting resumed.
Files were handed to him one by one.
He signed them without hesitation.
The directors looked relieved, even pleased.
One of them hesitated before speaking.
"Sir…... tonight, can"
Another director continued nervously.
"Our department worked hard on this project all month. The staff were hoping"
Taekyun turned to his secretary.
"Cover everything for tonight,"
He said.
"Company expense."
He then looked back at them.
"Dinner is on the company."
Their faces lit up immediately.
"Thank you, sir."
Taekyun stood, buttoned his coat, and left the meeting room.
[Outside the Company]
Inside the car,
Taekyun called Jina.
Her voice came trembling.
"Taekyun, are you hearing me?"
"What happened?"
Her breath shook.
"Mother blocked all of Nayeon's accounts. Only her personal bank card is working.
She called Nayeon and said if she wants everything back, she has to come home or they'll destroy her."
She paused.
"She left in anger to Gwanrim Hanok Estate. She left me behind."
"I'm going there,"
Taekyun said immediately.
"I'm coming too,"
Jina said quickly.
"I'm already on my way from Itaewon. Nayeon must be there by now.
Please help her."
"Don't worry,"
Taekyun replied calmly.
The car sped toward Kim Residence.
(Gwanrim Hanok Estate)
After an hour,
The car stopped in front of the residence.
"You stay here,"
Taekyun told Lihan.
"We'll leave soon."
"Should I prepare your condo instead if it gets late?"
Lihan asked.
"No,"
Taekyun said.
"We'll go back.
Haru and Haneul aren't feeling well."
Lihan nodded.
And Taekyun entered the house.
The staff hurried forward, taking his coat, bowing deeply as they led him inside.
His jaw tightened as he walked toward the living room.
Then he heard Nayeon's voice.
She was shouting.
He composed himself and stepped in.
Mrs. Kim stood in front of the couch, rigid with fury.
Mr. Kim sat on the couch, staring down at the floor, disappointment heavy in his posture.
Nayeon stood across from them hair cut sharply like a wolf cut, sleeves rolled up,
watch on her wrist, ring gleaming on her finger, coat draped over one arm.
Her stance was calm, daring.
A sharp sound echoed.
Mrs. Kim slapped Nayeon so hard her head turned to the side.
Nayeon looked up and saw Taekyun.
His jaw clenched.
Mr. Kim lifted his head.
Mrs. Kim turned, eyes burning.
Nayeon straightened, holding her jaw, anger blazing.
Before Taekyun could bow, his mother shouted.
"You both are full of shit.
Useless, stupid children."
Veins stood out on Taekyun's neck.
Instead of bowing,
He walked straight to Nayeon's side.
Nayeon smirked coldly.
"If we're like this, it's all because of you,"
She said.
"You don't even deserve to be called a mother."
She looked at her father.
"Isn't that right, Dad? All this trash we inherited it from both of you."
Mrs. Kim raised her hand again, but Taekyun caught it mid-air.
"That's enough,"
He said coldly.
"Beating her won't solve anything."
Mr. Kim stared at him.
"So now you stop us?"
He said sharply.
"I called you here to tell me clearly about your omega."
Nayeon scoffed.
"Let her slap me,"
She said.
"This old woman can't handle her anger anyway. She'll die."
"Nayeon,"
Taekyun warned.
"Enough."
Mrs. Kim spoke firmly.
"It's final. This is your father's and my decision.
Both of you will obey for the sake of the Kim family."
"I don't want to marry Jina,"
Taekyun said calmly.
Mr. Kim stood up.
"Don't act up.
Haven't we tolerated her enough?"
He pointed at Nayeon.
"Now you too?"
Nayeon stepped forward.
"Loving someone doesn't mean we forgot who we are,"
She said coldly.
"For your sake, I won't leave her.
I'll leave you instead."
Taekyun spoke next.
"I never said no to anything before,"
He said.
"But this is my right.
I have a daughter now.
I'm not alone anymore."
Mrs. Kim scoffed.
"Look at this, Mr. Kim.
Our children aren't ours anymore."
Mr. Kim's voice hardened.
"It's final. Nayeon, you're coming home.
And next Sunday Taekyun and Jina will marry."
Nayeon laughed sharply.
And moved forward, her steps sharp against the marble floor.
"What the heck
what kind of humans are you?"
Her voice cut through the room.
"Not only your own children, but another girl too? Jina?
You're forcing her into this as well?"
Her eyes burned.
"You didn't even bother asking her."
Mrs. Kim turned slowly, her expression cold, almost amused.
"We raised her after Harin's death,"
She said flatly.
"And she was never Harin's blood-related sibling to begin with."
She paused, repeating the name as if it held power.
"Harin."
Her gaze hardened as she continued,
"For us, she's a servant.
And we have every right to decide what to do with what belongs to us."
Nayeon's blood boiled instantly.
Her jaw clenched so tight it ached.
Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms.
For a moment, she couldn't even speak.
Before she could explode,
Taekyun's voice cut in low, sharp, filled with restrained fury.
"No matter what you say, Mother,"
He said, stepping forward,
"from now on, I won't obey your decisions anymore."
The room went still.
He turned and reached out, gripping Nayeon's hand firmly, grounding her.
"She's my sister,"
He continued, his voice unwavering. "Because of you, we've already been torn apart enough."
Mrs. Kim stared at him in disbelief.
"I won't do anything that makes me lose her," Taekyun said.
"As for Jina I have nothing to do with her."
Nayeon's fingers tightened around his.
"From now on,"
He went on,
"I'll support both of them on my own."
He lifted his gaze, meeting his mother's eyes without flinching.
"And I hope from today you won't interfere or make decisions about our lives anymore."
Mrs. Kim let out a sharp laugh.
"Wow,"
She mocked.
"So both of you are just going to leave us like this?
After everything we sacrificed?
After we destroyed our entire lives for you?"
Mr. Kim stood abruptly, the sound of the couch scraping behind him.
Without another word, he turned and began walking out of the room.
Mrs. Kim followed his movement with her eyes, then looked back at them.
"Listen carefully,"
She said coldly.
"If you're acting like this just because of those two puppets in your lives Jina and that Omega"
Her lips curved into a thin smile.
"Then I'll make sure to take you back.
I'll destroy both of those new masters you've chosen."
Nayeon snapped.
She stormed forward, stopping just inches from her mother.
"Don't you dare,"
She hissed.
"Don't."
Her voice dropped, deadly calm.
"Or I'll forget whatever little relationship we still have.
I won't even hesitate to burn you alive, Mother."
Mrs. Kim smiled.
"Go on,"
She said softly.
"Don't forget you're my child. I'm not yours."
Then her gaze shifted to Taekyun.
"And you,"
She added,
"no matter what you say, don't forget the lie you told us."
Taekyun's eyes darkened.
"You will bear the consequences,"
She continued.
"For hiding your Omega."
Taekyun turned fully toward her.
"Mother,"
He said, his voice firm,
"it's not that easy for anyone to even touch let alone reach
my Omega."
His grip on Nayeon's hand tightened.
"I won't allow it. Not for anyone."
His eyes met hers without fear.
"Even if it's you."
Without another word, he turned and walked out, pulling Nayeon with him.
[Outside]
The evening air felt heavy.
Lihan hurried forward as the car pulled up.
Taekyun stopped and looked at Nayeon.
"For now, going abroad will be difficult,"
He said.
"You should stay in Itaewon with Jina.
And Stay in contact with me."
Nayeon met his gaze, her expression cold, guarded.
"Thank you,"
She said quietly.
"For helping today."
She hesitated, then added,
"If your condo is free, I'll go there.
Mother blocked all my cards.
Even people came to take my apartment."
Taekyun nodded.
"I'll inform the staff."
He turned to Lihan.
Lihan immediately stepped forward and handed Nayeon three cards.
"These are for now,"
Lihan said.
"Unlimited "
Nayeon stared at them for a second, then accepted them.
"Thank you,"
She said.
"I'll return them once
I get things back under control."
Taekyun nodded just as a taxi stopped nearby.
Jina jumped out, running toward them.
"Nayeon-ah!"
Nayeon turned just as Jina threw her arms around her.
"Why did you leave me like that?"
Jina asked.
"Do you know how scared I was?"
Nayeon hugged her back tightly.
"What are you doing here?"
She asked.
"Didn't I tell you to stay there?"
She pulled back and noticed Taekyun.
"Oh"
Jina immediately went to him and hugged him.
"Thank you so much,"
She said.
"I knew you'd help.
Thank you for holding her."
Taekyun froze, clearly stunned.
"Mm,"
Nayeon's jaw tightened.
She pulled Jina away from him sharply.
"I think you forgot something,"
Nayeon said coldly.
"You can't just hug everyone."
Jina flinched and nodded.
"Sorry,"
She murmured.
"I just got carried away."
Taekyun nodded briefly and got into his car.
The car drove off.
Nayeon turned to Jina.
"Get in,"
She said.
Jina hesitated.
"Can't we go with Taekyun tonight?
Please."
"No,"
Nayeon replied.
"We're going back to Itaewon."
"I didn't even meet Haru,"
Jina said softly.
"I miss her. It's late, and I'm tired"
Nayeon shot her a cold glance.
"Who told you to follow me?"
"You left so angrily,"
Jina said.
"I got scared."
Nayeon exhaled sharply.
"It's not like I was here to kill someone."
Jina looked up at her, pleading.
"Please, handsome."
Nayeon looked down at her for a long moment.
"Get in the car first."
Jina nodded quickly.
They left.
[At 7 p.m.]
Taekyun's car entered his residence.
Lihan glanced at the mirror.
"Sir, Miss Nayeon's car is coming this way."
"Let them come,"
Taekyun replied.
Moments later,
Nayeon's car pulled into the parking area.
She hadn't visited this house in five years.
Staff and guards stood quietly, watching.
Jina and Nayeon stepped out.
Taekyun was already there.
Nayeon spoke casually, masking everything beneath her tone.
"It's Jina,"
She said.
"She wants to see Haru."
Taekyun nodded.
The staff bowed deeply as Jina entered, smiling brightly and bowing back.
Nayeon walked beside Taekyun, glancing around.
"Quite a lot of staff,"
She remarked.
"Good."
Whispers followed them.
"Is that Miss Nayeon?"
"She resembles Sir so much"
"They look more like brothers than brother and sister "
"She's so handsome."