* * *

Rummaging through a black plastic bag on the dining table, she began sorting the groceries she had brought and placing them in the refrigerator.

“I bought some strawberries and oranges earlier. I’ll put them in the veggie drawer.”

“Thanks. Jinseo will love them.”

“They’re not just for Jinseo. You need to eat too. I bet you’re skipping meals again, aren’t you?”

Seojin could only awkwardly smile in response to the question Yeonsoo had asked.

It was partly because she had hit a nerve, and partly because of his nature — he wasn’t skilled with lies or empty words.

After returning to the living room, Yeonsoo checked the time before picking up her bag.

“My sister’s asking you to come for dinner, but you’d rather not, right?”

“I guess there’s no choice.”

Seojin got up from his seat and headed toward the entrance to see Yeonsoo off.

Since Jinseo was asleep, he couldn’t accept the invitation, so he simply shrugged it off.

Yeonsoo’s older sister, Hyesoo, had been a great help to him, knowing about his circumstances, so Seojin rarely turned down her invitations.

But today was different.

Yeonsoo understood and, without saying anything more, slowly nodded her head while glancing toward Jinseo’s room.

“My sister said she’d take Jinseo along. She’s going to make something delicious. Riwoo also keeps asking when Jinseo’s coming to visit.”

“Once Jinseo’s feeling better, I’ll contact her.”

“Right. Don’t feel too pressured.”

Yeonsoo gave Seojin’s shoulder a light tap before twisting the doorknob.

Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly turned back with a serious expression.

“If you’re going to meet Cha Junyoung again, tell me beforehand. I’ll go with you.”

“It’s not that complicated.”

“It’s not complicated, so just let me know, okay?”

Yeonsoo gave Seojin a light look before waving her hand as she closed the door.

Seojin waved back and then turned toward the kitchen.

When he opened the fridge, he found three packs of strawberries and some oranges neatly placed in the vegetable drawer, likely put there by Yeonsoo earlier.

Instead of taking out the fruit, Seojin pulled out a water bottle that was almost empty and finished it off.

He felt sorry for Yeonsoo, but since Jinseo’s illness, he hadn’t had an appetite at all, and the thought of eating anything just didn’t come to him.

Back in the living room, Seojin collapsed onto the sofa.

As he rested his chin in his hand, Junyoung’s face from earlier in the day came to mind.

Compared to six years ago, his face hadn’t changed much, but his personality seemed to have completely fallen apart.

The naive hope that maybe he’d grown wiser with age, perhaps even become more mature, felt almost embarrassing now.

“Ha…”

It was no surprise that Junyoung had been shocked.

After all, Seojin had shown up after six years, suddenly throwing the news that his child was sick into his face.

He probably had no idea that he had manifested as an omega.

But it couldn’t be helped.

His biological father was alive and well, and only that alpha could help with the treatment.

What did it matter if Junyoung felt stunned or confused?

All Seojin could think about was saving the child.

After deciding to raise the child alone, Seojin had never once considered telling Junyoung about the baby.

That was why he went looking for Junyoung.

At first, he had no idea how to even start, but it turned out to be easier than expected to find out about Junyoung’s whereabouts.

Having a mother who was the chairwoman of a large corporation meant his name came up often in the news.

Yeonsoo had pulled out her phone on the spot, searching for “Cha Junyoung,” and within moments, she informed Seojin about what he was up to.

“Cha Junyoung started working as an employee at Seonwoo Department Store last September. He’s living well, totally unaware his kid is sick. What a jerk.”

The sharp words were a bonus.

“Seojin, make sure you get the child support he owes you when you meet him. Got it?”

Seojin didn’t pay much attention to Yeonsoo’s follow-up words.

The fact that Junyoung was still in Korea was all that mattered to him.

If he had moved abroad, then the pheromone treatment would have been out of the question.

But even knowing where Junyoung was didn’t make it easy to just meet him.

As Seojin was contemplating this, Yeonsoo suggested a way.

“Oh! Don’t you think Hyunho knows his number? They were in the same department, and I think they were close back then.”

Yeonsoo suggested contacting Hyunho, Junyoung’s former classmate from when they had worked on a group project together, to get his number.

Seojin had deleted Junyoung’s number right after that project ended, so he needed help.

Luckily, Hyunho did know Junyoung’s number and, to Seojin’s relief, gave it to him willingly.

The problem, however, was that Junyoung probably wouldn’t be cooperative.

“I feel like he’ll block me as soon as I contact him.”

“Knowing him, he’d do just that. Hmm… oh! Maybe you should just show up at his office?”

It made sense, so Seojin went straight to the company today.

The receptionist eyed him suspiciously but still called Junyoung’s office.

“Someone named Yoo Seojin wants to meet with you. If you don’t come down, you’ll regret it.”

Luckily, that threat worked, and Seojin was able to meet with Junyoung.

He had told Junyoung about the child’s existence and conveyed his intentions, so it wasn’t a complete loss.

Of course, Junyoung was as uncooperative as Seojin had expected.

Seojin brushed off Junyoung’s nonsensical threats and, after carefully entering the room, saw that Jinseo was still sleeping soundly on the bed.

Lying next to him, Seojin gently stroked the child’s head.

For a moment, Jinseo stirred and instinctively curled into Seojin’s embrace.

Holding the child, Seojin gently patted his back.

“Jinseo, Dad will make sure you don’t feel pain anymore.”

Murmuring this somewhat solemn promise, Seojin closed his eyes.

Perhaps now, his tension was finally easing as sleep began to creep in.

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly, holding Jinseo closer, completely relaxing his body.

He knew he’d have to meet Cha Junyoung again and have a proper conversation.

---

Junyoung had been thoroughly scolded by Team Leader Baek in the morning meeting yet again.

It had only been three months since Cha Junyoung joined the Planning Team 1 of Seonwoo Department Store, but getting berated by Baek had already become part of his daily routine.

Grinding his teeth in frustration after starting the day with another outburst of fury, Junyoung headed to the break room.

He planned to gulp down some cold water to calm himself before heading up to the rooftop garden for a smoke.

In the break room, a few employees from other teams were chatting near the showcase refrigerator, sipping on drinks.

Junyoung offered a brief nod of acknowledgment before filling a paper cup with ice and water, downing it in one go.

Tossing the cup into the trash, he briskly left the break room, drawing a few glances as he passed, though he paid them no mind and made his way toward the elevator.

Luckily, the elevator arrived quickly, sparing him from exploding with frustration before reaching the rooftop garden.

By late March, the weather had grown noticeably warmer, and the garden was bustling with people.

Avoiding the scenic spots overlooking the cityscape filled with skyscrapers, Junyoung settled into a cramped, secluded corner.

Inside the office, no matter where he went, there were always prying eyes, so this spot had become his regular retreat.

He sighed, recalling his carefree days as a spoiled rich kid, idling away time after barely managing to graduate college.

Those days seemed like a dream now.

* * *