* * *

The sound of the door unlocking broke the heavy silence.

All three people in the living room rose to their feet.

Jungin, who had been nervously fidgeting with his hands, swallowed dryly as he looked between Beomhyeon’s bright expression and Jungjin’s darker one.

“Hyung! What happened? What did the shaman say? Did you talk about me?”

“Yes. Thankfully, she said that spirit won’t target you again.”

“Really?” Jungin exhaled in relief as Jungjin reassured him, patting his head gently.

“Yes. Your soul has settled so firmly in your body that it can’t be taken anymore. Just to be safe, I got a few talismans as well.”

Jungjin brushed Jungin’s cheek softly, a quiet smile on his face.

His heart ached at the thought of how much his brother must have endured alone during that time.

“See? There’s nothing to worry about now.”

“Really? I can really live happily with you, with Beomhyeon, from now on?”

Tears rolled down Jungin’s cheeks as he looked up at Beomhyeon.

Seeing the same gentle smile mirrored in his gaze, Jungin smiled back, feeling his heart fill with warmth.

“Yes. We’ll protect you. You don’t have to worry anymore.”

“Yes… I will. From now on, I’m going to live happily, Beomhyeon.”

Jungjin wrapped his arms around Beomhyeon’s waist, his expression conflicted as he gazed at his sobbing younger brother.

Though he had agreed to keep what the elderly man had said earlier a secret from Jungin, as Beomhyeon had requested, his heart felt heavy.

Behind the two, who were embracing each other and laughing joyfully, Jungwoo and Jungseo noticed Jungjin’s troubled expression.

Their faces darkened slightly, as if realizing that the situation surrounding their younger brother wasn’t entirely smooth.

Their gazes fixed on Jungin, clouded with unease.

---

Since regaining his memories, Jungin had been afraid to sleep alone.

Jungwoo stayed by his side until he fell asleep, even giving him medication with calming effects.

“Is Jungin asleep?”

“Yes, he just fell asleep. He seemed really tired.”

“Well, he must’ve been through a lot emotionally.”

A heavy silence lingered before Jungseo broke it, addressing Jungjin.

“What’s going on? Is there a reason you can’t tell Jungin?”

Jungseo, frustrated by Jungjin’s silence, was about to press him further when Beomhyeon interjected.

“I’ve decided to bond with Jungin.”

“What? You bastard…”

Jungseo shot to his feet, turning sharply toward Beomhyeon.

Bonding?

He cursed himself for not eliminating the man earlier when he’d declared his intent to marry Jungin.

The act of bonding wasn’t something done lightly.

It meant sharing their lives and safety with each other. If Ki Beomhyeon were to die, Jungin would die too.

As Jungseo’s face twisted in fury, imagining the worst, he turned to Jungjin.

Seeing his eldest brother nod, he slumped back onto the sofa.

“This can’t be right… I must’ve misunderstood, right?”

Jungin couldn’t die.

Even when he’d burned with fever and his body had grown cold, the boy had always endured.

He had persevered and stayed with them, smiling brightly.

But Jungseo’s voice rose as he recalled the countless nights Jungin had turned pale, gasping for breath as if on the verge of death.

“Hyung! Say something! Damn it, is Jungin in such bad shape that he need to bond? Is he going to die?”

“Lee Jungseo, lower your voice. Jungin just fell asleep.”

Jungwoo, holding Jungseo by the shoulders to calm him, turned to Beomhyeon.

“If you bond with him… will Jungin live?”

“Yes.”

“You might die too.”

“I’m aware.”

Beomhyeon’s calm reply made Jungwoo close his eyes briefly before speaking.

“I’m selfish, and my brother is more important to me than you. I can’t stop you from making this choice.”

Despite his firm words, his hands trembled slightly.

As an older brother, he had done nothing for Jungin.

Jungwoo, who had always felt guilty toward Jungin, was now grateful yet sorry that Beomhyeon had to bear the responsibility.

“Still… thank you, Ki Beomhyeon.”

Lowering his head, Jungwoo expressed his gratitude sincerely.

Overwhelmed with emotion, he choked up, tears falling as he whispered.

“I’ll repay this debt to you for the rest of my life. Thank you, Ki Beomhyeon.”

Starting with Jungin, everyone became united for his sake.

They discussed plans, decided who would stay by his side, and organized shifts.

Before they knew it, it was late into the night.

“It’s late. Everyone, go get some sleep. Beomhyeon, you too.”

“Yes.”

“If you go into Jungin’s room, I’ll kill you.”

Though grateful to Beomhyeon, Jungseo’s clumsy way of expressing himself came out as a gruff remark before he left the room.

---

After everyone had retired to their rooms, Beomhyeon, fresh from a shower, spotted Jungjin smoking on the terrace.

He approached quietly.

Sensing Beomhyeon’s presence, Jungjin, staring off into the distance, spoke.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“You seem deep in thought.”

“Yeah…”

Beomhyeon’s guess was correct.

Jungjin’s mind was tangled with doubts about whether the plan they were carrying out was truly right.

“I’m still not sure if this is the right thing to do. My brother is precious to me, but you’re also someone Chairman Ki treasures like his own life. Is this the right choice? Or is it just my selfishness again?”

Though this was the only way to save Jungin, Beomhyeon was still so young, not much older than Jungin himself.

And with the unresolved matters regarding their mother, Jungjin couldn’t shake the unease of risking both their lives.

“Right now, just think about Jungin.”

“Ki Beomhyeon…”

“And don’t worry. I won’t die so easily. Extreme dominant alpha… there’s only one in Korea, isn’t there? You know the average lifespan of alphas like me.”

At first, Jungjin hadn’t liked Beomhyeon.

His initial coldness toward Jungin, followed by his sudden change of heart and devotion, had annoyed him.

Even jealousy had crept in when he noticed Jungin’s growing affection for Beomhyeon.

“I’ll live much longer than you brothers. That way, I can have Jungin all to myself someday.”

But over time, Jungjin had realized they were in the same boat.

And Jungin truly cared for Beomhyeon.

The sparkle in Jungin’s eyes when he was with him was unmistakable—the look of someone deeply in love and loved in return.

“We’ll see. I’m confident in my own health too.”

“Then let’s compete to see who lives the longest.”

Late into the night, Beomhyeon subtly comforted him.

He was a thoughtful young man, one Jungjin could trust with his brother.

It was clear Beomhyeon loved Jungin as much as they did.

Making up his mind, Jungjin rubbed his face and looked up.

“I’ll tell Chairman Ki myself.”

“No, I’ll do it. It’s the right thing.”

“…Alright.”

“And if you’re worried he’ll oppose it, don’t be. No matter what happens, I won’t give up on Jungin.”

For a moment, Jungjin thought that if he had been as strong as Beomhyeon in the past, he could’ve protected Jungin better.

With a short nod, Jungjin dismissed him to rest, lighting another cigarette.

As Beomhyeon opened the terrace door to leave, he paused and turned back.

“And that night… when Jungin called, it wasn’t your fault.”
“….”

Jungjin’s eyes wavered slightly at the mention of that night.

They had been on a plane, returning to Korea after striking a deal with Madam Jang, worried about Jungin’s worsening condition.

Though Jungin had accused him of ignoring the calls, Jungjin had listened silently, burdened by guilt, without offering excuses.

“Jungin would think the same. So don’t blame yourself too much.”

“…Yeah. Thanks.”

“And… Jungin would be upset if he knew you were smoking. He might even threaten to skip meals unless you quit.”

A faint chuckle escaped Jungjin’s lips.

Snuffing out his cigarette in the ashtray, he watched Beomhyeon’s retreating figure and let out a long sigh.

“Our Jungin does have good taste…”

Having someone like Beomhyeon by Jungin’s side was truly a relief.

Though bittersweet, Jungjin felt a mix of comfort and gratitude.

Running a hand over his face, he threw the remaining cigarettes into the trash.

Even if he couldn’t be Jungin’s number one, he wouldn’t let anyone take second place.

* * *