* * *

[Alright. I’ll see you there on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Seonjeongneung Station, White Bean.]

Junyoung banged his forehead against the steering wheel.

He had tried slapping his cheek and pinching his thigh, but nothing changed.

He didn’t get the result he wanted.

Is that kid really mine? Did Yoo Seojin not lie? Is everything he said true…?

“Ah… I’m screwed.”

A voice full of frustration slipped from Junyoung’s lips.

He never expected this.

He didn’t even imagine that such a thing could happen from a moment he didn’t even clearly remember.

He had always assumed that because Yoo Seojin was a Beta and he was an Alpha, nothing like this could happen.

At that time, Seojin, who had no pheromones, was just trying to fight off his own rut, but it turned out that Junyoung had gotten aroused by Seojin’s newly-emerged Omega pheromones.

Junyoung had been proud of not succumbing to his Alpha instincts back then, but the truth was different.

‘Hey, you… You said you were a Beta. How could…?’

‘I thought I was, too.’

‘What the hell are you saying?’

‘I think I might have gone into rut that day…’

Junyoung hadn’t been in rut for a Beta—he had been in rut because of Seojin’s newly-emerged Omega pheromones.

But even now, nothing was certain.

Neither he nor Seojin remembered what really happened that night.

They both woke up naked in bed, and the bed was a mess, so they just pieced things together from the situation.

“…”

As his thoughts continued, Junyoung suddenly sat up straight.

He remembered a warning his mother had given him long ago.

“Junyoung, there are some things you can’t undo. If you cause a scandal, we’ll all go down. The stocks you have, the credit card I gave you—they’ll all be worth nothing in an instant. Do you understand?”

Junyoung shivered, a cold sweat running down his back.

His mother’s words had always been effective, reminding him of the importance of keeping his position and wealth.

Growing up as the youngest in the family, spoiled and treated like a treasure, Junyoung had always been able to get by without much trouble.

But now, out of nowhere, an unexpected son had appeared.

A son who was already five years old.

He realized now that he had already done something that could ruin everything.

“Fuck… What do I do now?”

Now he understood why Seojin hadn’t gone straight to his parents or the media.

Why he hadn’t flinched even when Junyoung threatened to sue him for blackmail.

It was because the child, Yoo Jinseo, was indeed Junyoung’s own blood.

Seojin might be planning to go to the media or his parents with this news.

“Ah… I’m fucked.”

If he had known, he would have just done a quick test for confirmation instead of all this.

Feeling humiliated by his past actions, Junyoung slammed his forehead back into the wheel.

But then, the pain made him stop, and a single tear slipped out.

Sighing, he checked Seojin’s message once more.

There was something different about this message.

It felt oddly like Seojin was holding back, a shift from the aggressive tone from the day they first met.

Junyoung couldn’t help but wonder if Seojin might not be so angry anymore.

Perhaps he wasn’t planning to go to the media or to his parents, at least not yet…

Junyung pressed the inside of his lips with his teeth, lost in thought, before eventually sighing and leaning back.

It felt like all the blood had drained from his body.

His limbs were devoid of strength, and a chill seemed to swirl around him.

He tossed the test results onto the passenger seat carelessly and sat there for a long time, letting out deep sighs. It was all he could do.

---

Perhaps because it was the weekend, the café was crowded, even at this odd hour.

Seojin, who had arrived thirty minutes earlier than the time Junyung had suggested, glanced around the space briskly.

What if there was nowhere to sit?

Fortunately, someone near the entrance was standing up with a tray.

Seojin quickly walked over and slid his backpack onto the chair to claim the spot.

Relieved to have found a seat, Seojin opened his bag and pulled out his wallet.

Knowing Junyung wouldn’t arrive early, he decided to order his coffee and wait.

Seojin approached the kiosk and ordered a venti-sized iced Americano.

He was sure talking to Junyung would leave him parched, so he intentionally ordered a large.

It was also to calm himself, knowing how hard it was to control his emotions around Junyung.

While waiting for his coffee, he sent a message to Junyung, letting him know he had arrived and was seated near the entrance.

The coffee came out faster than expected, and as soon as he returned to his seat, his phone vibrated.

He thought it might be Junyung, but it was a message from Yeonsoo.

[Yeonsoo: (Photo)]

[Yeonsoo: Jinseo didn’t even get a fever and had so much fun today!]

[Yeonsoo: They must’ve been exhausted, lol. Both of them knocked out as soon as they got in the car.]

Seojin smiled softly at the messages and held his finger on the screen to zoom in on the photo.

It showed Jinseo and Jaewoo, who was Hyesoo’s son and Jinseo’s closest friend, fast asleep in their car seats.

[Thanks. I’ll contact Noona separately.]

[Yeonsoo: Sure thing. You said you’re meeting at five, right?]

[Yeah, it won’t take long.]

Seojin had left Jinseo in the care of Jaewoo’s family, who were planning a trip to the kids’ café that day.

Though he worried about Jinseo’s condition potentially worsening, it broke his heart that the child hadn’t been able to play freely since falling ill.

Yeonsoo had reassured him, insisting that she’d take care of Jinseo and that Seojin should take the chance to relax for once.

Thankfully, it coincided with his meeting with Junyung, making it a convenient arrangement.

When Yeonsoo realized the meeting was with Junyung, however, she had been visibly frustrated.

[Yeonsoo: Ugh, I should’ve gone with you and raised hell!]

[I’ll handle it. Don’t worry.]

[Yeonsoo: Got it. Don’t stress about Jinseo, and take your time talking.]

[Thanks.]

Raising Jinseo had come with plenty of help from those around him.

Seojin was deeply grateful but also felt guilty.

He kept these feelings stored carefully, both in his head and heart, promising himself he’d repay them someday.

After taking a deep breath, Seojin swiped through the photos Yeonsoo had sent of Jinseo.

Sliding down a play structure, grinning brightly in the ball pit with Jaewoo, focused while stacking blocks, and striking a peace sign in front of a giant dinosaur model.

Each photo showed Jinseo enjoying himself, bringing a smile to Seojin’s face as well.

At that moment, a shadow loomed over Seojin’s table.

Only after saving the photos did he look up and harden his expression.

If it weren’t for Jinseo’s illness or the need for treatment, he wouldn’t have to face this detestable person at all.

“Are you going to sit?”

Seojin asked Junyung, who was still standing and looking down at him.

Only then did Junyung avert his gaze and pull out a chair to sit across from him, looking unusually tired.

Not that it mattered to Seojin.

He sipped his coffee through a straw, calming the anger that was already starting to bubble up.

From the moment he decided to meet Junyung, he had resolved to set aside his pride and focus solely on Jinseo.

Emotions had no place in this conversation.

If Junyung didn’t help, Jinseo’s condition wouldn’t improve.

The doctor had explained that while symptoms like fever could be managed with medication, the underlying issue had to be addressed, or Jinseo’s situation could become critical.

Focus on Jinseo.

As long as Jinseo got better, Seojin wouldn’t have to see Junyung’s face ever again.

‘Just a few more months.’

Seojin took a deep breath and pulled a file from his bag.

* * *