* * *

Although Lee Jungin claimed he wasn’t in Korea, the lack of an international call indicator and his clear awareness of Jungin’s current situation suggested he was likely nearby.

Turning his gaze to Jungwoo, who asked cautiously, Jungin set down his cup and spoke.

“Do you know who Madam Jang is?”

“…What?”

It was a name Lee Jungin had mentioned earlier, almost in passing.

Madam Jang.

There was a good chance she was involved in his scheme.

As soon as Jungin brought up Madam Jang, he noticed his brothers’ faces twist in discomfort.

That reaction confirmed his suspicion.

“Madam Jang. You guys know who she is, don’t you?”

“…Have your memories… come back?”

As he thought.

He hadn’t misheard.

Locking eyes with the visibly shaken Jungseo, Jungin gave a small nod and spoke quietly.

“Not everything, but… bits and pieces.”

“I see.”

Glancing between the hesitant Jungseo and Jungwoo, his eyes landed on Jungjin, who wore a hard expression.

After some internal deliberation, Jungjin finally spoke with a deep frown.

“She’s our mother.”

“…What?”

Jungin hadn’t expected that.

Their mother?

“…Your mother?”

Lee Jungin, born the illegitimate son of Chairman Lee, had lived with Madam Jang.

He could vividly recall Lee Jungin’s despondent face whenever he complained about not wanting to go home.

‘Dammit. How did I miss this before?’

The family member who tormented Lee Jungin was undoubtedly Madam Jang—the mother of his brothers.

“You probably didn’t know, but our mother recently returned to Korea.”

“…Oh.”

“So, if you’re okay with it, you should stay in Jaan-dong for a while. Or I can arrange a hotel for you.”

“I…”

Before Jungin could finish, Beomhyeon gripped his hand tightly, his resolve unshakable as he interrupted.

“Jungin will stay with me. It’s safer that way.”

Though his three brothers’ faces darkened, the weight of the situation held their tongues, leaving them to glare daggers at Beomhyeon.

“…Fine. That’s probably for the best.”

The tension in Beomhyeon’s hand eased at Jungin’s agreement. Had he been nervous?

“…Alright. I’m working on it, so I’ll come pick you up soon.”

Jungjin’s expression remained grim as he spoke, his face betraying his self-reproach.

Watching him, Jungin tried to reassure them.

“I’m fine. The chairman treats me well, and the house is comfortable.”

“I’ll make sure to thank Chairman Ki personally.”

“Okay…”

Uncomfortable with the strained atmosphere, Jungin awkwardly gulped down his now-cold tea.

A silence heavy with unspoken truths lingered between them.

“Let’s get going.”

Beomhyeon finally broke the silence and stood, prompting Jungin to follow suit.

He turned to his brothers before leaving.

“I’ll be heading out now.”

“Alright, Jungin. Take care.”

“Keep in touch, and let me know if you need anything.”

“I’ll send over anything you need through Driver Kim tomorrow.”

Despite their reluctance, his brothers gave warm farewells while glaring coldly at Beomhyeon.

“You thief. If you so much as lay a finger on Jungin, you’re dead meat.”

Unable to hold back, Jungseo spat out the warning.

Jungin, avoiding their gazes out of guilt, couldn’t suppress a small laugh.

“You look good when you smile.”

“Thanks.”

Blushing under the weight of their stares, Jungin fidgeted with his earlobe before nodding shyly.

“We’ll be off now.”

Holding Jungin’s wrist lightly, Beomhyeon bowed politely to the three men before leaving the lounge with him.

“Since we’re out, how about dinner before heading home?”

Feeling lighter, Jungin shook his head as they waited for the elevator.

“No, we should eat at home. Otherwise, Dad will eat alone.”

“You seem to like Chairman Ki a lot.”

Beomhyeon’s frown deepened as he stepped into the elevator, clearly displeased.

“Huh? Well, of course, I like him. Why wouldn’t I?”

“Like him?”

“Huh? Oh… obviously, I l-like him…”

Jungin’s matter-of-fact tone only soured Beomhyeon’s mood further.

The possessiveness of a dominant alpha flared within him.

“Hey, hey…”

Why did he keep getting closer? Beomhyeon’s face neared, leaving Jungin no room to escape.

“Lee Jungin.”

“Wait… hold on, uh—”

Backed against the elevator wall, with nowhere left to flee, Jungin could feel the cold surface against his back as his breath hitched.

“I’m your fiancé.”

“….”

“So, you’re only allowed to like me.”

The fresh, crisp scent of Beomhyeon surrounded him, making his skin prickle where they touched.

Jungin froze, heart racing, until the elevator chimed, signaling their arrival at the first floor.

Seizing the moment, he shoved Beomhyeon’s shoulder and hurriedly left the hotel, his face burning.

Climbing into the car for their ride home, he kept his mouth firmly shut.

“I’ll head in now.”

Before Beomhyeon could stop him, Jungin dashed into his room.

Leaning against the door, he exhaled deeply as his heart continued to pound.

“I need to avoid him for a while…”

Seeing Beomhyeon too often would surely be detrimental to his heart.

Still feeling the heat on his face, Jungin sat at his desk, pulling out neatly organized stationery and a notebook to lay out the situation.

1. Lee Jungin is alive.
2. He intentionally switched bodies and disappeared (likely because of Madam Jang, the brothers’ mother).
   • Was it due to domestic abuse? (Still uncertain. Investigate further.)
3. Lee Jungin despises his family, including his brothers.

If it was indeed abuse, did Jungjin, Jungwoo, and Jungseo also play a role, or were they bystanders?

Lost in thought, Jungin tapped his cheek with the pen before scrawling his next course of action.

“File a missing person report.”

If Lee Jungin hadn’t died, there wouldn’t be a death certificate.

That left the option of filing a missing person’s report.

Relieved to find a way forward, Jungin set his pen down, his head aching from the mental effort.

Jungin tucked the notebook deep into the bottom drawer and then collapsed onto his bed.

Exhaustion washed over him, a delayed consequence of a restless night before.

With a bit of time left before dinner, Jungin closed his eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.

---

The noise outside woke him.

Groaning, Jungin shifted uncomfortably before eventually sitting up, his heavy-lidded eyes scanning for his phone.

“What time is it…?”

A vague memory of a dream flitted through his mind, though the details escaped him.

The sticky sweat clinging to his skin was more vivid.

It was earlier than the alarm he had set, but staying in bed seemed pointless.

With a sigh, Jungin decided to take a shower.

After tidying up his bedding, Jungin stepped into the bathroom.

The cool cascade of water poured over him, washing away the sweat and fatigue.

He let out a satisfied murmur, “Ah, this is nice.”

The cleansing water seemed to ease his worries, leaving him in a better mood.

After drying his hair, Jungin realized something: he hadn’t brought fresh clothes.

His eyes darted around, landing on the damp clothes discarded on the floor.

Why does luck always turn its back on me?

He bit his lip and sighed.

“Haa… Should I just make a run for it? No one’s around anyway…”

The distance to his room wasn’t far, but the thought of running into someone made his stomach churn with dread.

Resolving that he couldn’t stand there forever, Jungin wrapped himself tightly in a large towel.

“Please, please let no one be there,” he muttered a desperate prayer, twisting the doorknob.

Peeking into the hallway, he let out a relieved breath when he saw it was empty.

However, just as he stepped out, someone called from behind him.

“Lee Jungin.”

Jungin froze.

Turning his head, towel clutched tightly in both hands, he met the sweat-slicked gaze of Beomhyeon, fresh from his workout.

“W-wait, hold on…!”

Jungin stammered as Beomhyeon walked closer.

* * *