* * *

Overwhelmed, Jungin left the deputy director’s office, clutching the photo as tears began to fall.

Leaning against the wall outside, he wrapped his arms around his knees and took out his phone.

He needed someone—him.

Trembling, Jungin called Beomhyeon.

“Uh… huh….”

“Jungin,” Beomhyeon answered, his voice steady but concerned.

“Beomhyeon… I’m in so much pain,” Jungin sobbed.

“Where are you?” Beomhyeon’s voice turned urgent.

“My chest… it hurts so much. I feel like… I’m going to die.”

“Hold on, Jungin.”

Hearing Beomhyeon’s voice only made the tears flow harder.

Right now, more than anything, Jungin needed him—the one person who could ground his chaotic emotions.

“Even if you hate me… even if you don’t want to see me anymore… can’t you… come to me? I’m sorry. I’m sorry for being weak… for everything, Beomhyeon.”

Sobbing uncontrollably, Jungin poured his heart out.

Time blurred as he cried like a child, until suddenly, a shadow fell over him.

“Jungin.”

Looking up through tear-soaked lashes, Jungin saw the person he had been longing for.

Reaching out instinctively, he found himself enveloped in Beomhyeon’s arms.

The familiar scent of his embrace overwhelmed him, and Jungin’s sobs deepened as he weakly pounded on Beomhyeon’s chest.

“I hate you… Why did you take so long? I was so scared… I missed you so much….”

Beomhyeon’s face darkened with guilt at the sight of Jungin’s fragile state.

Gritting his teeth, he held him close with utmost care.

“I thought… everything was my fault,” Beomhyeon confessed.

“What… do you mean?” Jungin hiccupped.

“When your heat cycle came early… it was because of me. I heard that and… I couldn’t face you. I couldn’t bear to hurt you again.”

Memories began to stir.

Jungin’s gaze shifted to Beomhyeon’s scarred palm, and flashes of a dark room, a rescue, and Beomhyeon’s desperate efforts resurfaced in his mind.

“How… could I have forgotten?” Jungin whispered, overwhelmed.

His legs gave out, and Beomhyeon quickly tightened his grip, cradling him gently.

Stroking Jungin’s damp hair, he whispered, “It’s okay. They said it’s normal to forget when you’re deeply traumatized. It’s not your fault.”

But Jungin couldn’t shake the fear that consumed him.

What if everything he remembered was a lie?

What if he had erased things too precious to lose?

“I’m scared…” Jungin murmured, clinging to Beomhyeon like a lifeline.

Beomhyeon didn’t hesitate.

He lifted Jungin effortlessly into his arms.

“Kim, bring water and a blanket,” Beomhyeon called to his driver, his voice firm but urgent.

“Y-yes, sir!” the driver stammered, rushing to comply.

Seeing Beomhyeon’s anxious care for the fragile young man in his arms, the driver’s face turned pale.

Everyone knew the stakes when it came to the youngest heir of the Yeonhwa Group.

Inside the car, Beomhyeon tended to Jungin, his hands steady despite the turmoil in his eyes.

To the world, Beomhyeon was a dominant Alpha, heir to one of Korea’s most powerful conglomerates.

But right now, all that mattered was the trembling Omega in his arms—the person who held his heart.

“Shall we go to the hospital?”

“Ah, no. I don’t want to… I just want to go home.”

“…”

Jungin tightened his grip on Beomhyeon’s hand, looking up at his dissatisfied expression.

“I want to go home. I just want to rest for a bit…”

Noticing Beomhyeon’s face darken further, Jungin spoke up first, his gaze dropping to the scarred hand he held.

His fingers clenched tighter, as if he would never let go.

“I want to go with you… together.”

“…”

Beomhyeon hesitated, concerned that staying by Jungin’s side in his still-fragile state might do more harm than good.

But Jungin was clinging to him, his small hands grasping firmly even through his pain, refusing to let go.

Beomhyeon let out a slow nod, his resolve weakening.

“Haah… good.”

Jungin relaxed in his arms, the sight of him letting go of his tension was utterly endearing.

Beomhyeon placed a gentle kiss on Jungin’s delicate forehead, like a finely crafted sculpture, then pulled him close, ignoring the startled look on his face.

For the first time in days, fatigue began to creep in as Beomhyeon closed his eyes.

Whether Jungin realized it or not, the faint sweet scent he emanated was intoxicating.

Beomhyeon wished time would stop here forever.

Feeling the hesitant pats on his back, he pulled Jungin closer, as if he could shield him from the world.

Listening to Beomhyeon’s heartbeat, Jungin’s unsettled emotions gradually found peace.

As Beomhyeon fell into a quiet sleep, Jungin gently stroked his cheek, his gaze lingering on him.

Seeing how much more worn and pale Beomhyeon looked compared to himself, Jungin’s heart ached.

Running his fingers over the roughened skin, Jungin sighed deeply.

Watching Beomhyeon sleep so soundly, he quietly closed his eyes, letting his exhaustion catch up to him.

It wasn’t long before Beomhyeon awoke, noticing he wasn’t at the hospital but at home instead.

His expression tensed immediately.

“We need to go to the hospital.”

“There’s no need. I’m fine now.”

“Jungin.”

Beomhyeon’s throat tightened, his body trembling slightly.

He knew better than anyone that the hospital had no cure for his condition.

“If I get sick, just come to me. That’s all I need.”

For Jungin, Beomhyeon’s presence worked better than any sedative or doctor.

He inhaled deeply, taking in Beomhyeon’s cool, refreshing scent, even though his pheromones were no longer detectable.

“You’ll come to school tomorrow, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Then you’ll pick me up?”

“If you want me to.”

Before Beomhyeon could change his mind, Jungin eagerly nodded, his lips curving into a soft smile.

“I just… want to be with you.”

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Normally, he’d have felt too embarrassed, but Jungin decided to be shameless this time.

He tightened his grip on Beomhyeon’s hand, sighing softly.

Even though he knew his brothers would worry if he didn’t come home soon, he couldn’t let go of Beomhyeon just yet.

“Young master, Youngwoo asked if he should come pick you up.”

“Already…?”

Jungin’s shoulders drooped as the time to part drew near.

Reluctantly opening the car door, he leaned in to hug Beomhyeon’s waist.

“You have to come pick me up tomorrow. I’ll be waiting, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Promise me. And text me when you get home. Stay on the phone with me until I fall asleep.”

Beomhyeon laughed, watching how Jungin clung to him like a cicada on an old tree.

He didn’t want to let go either.

He caressed Jungin’s cheek softly before pressing a kiss to his forehead.

“Wh-what are you doing…!”

“You don’t like it?”

“…No, I like it.”

Jungin’s toes curled in his sneakers at the sudden kiss.

Flustered, he fanned his reddened face and quickly changed the subject.

“I really have to go now. If I’m any later, my brothers will worry.”

“I’ll take you.”

“No, you can’t! If my brothers see you…”

Jungin shook his head firmly, imagining how his brothers, who despised Beomhyeon, might react.

They had only just reconciled, and he didn’t want to stir up trouble again.

“I’ll call you when I get there. And… can we video call later instead of just talking?”

“I’ll call you first.”

“Okay…”

Leaning into the warmth of Beomhyeon’s hand for a moment, Jungin reluctantly climbed into the car.

“Be careful on your way home.”

“You too… sleep well, Beomhyeon.”

Jungin leaned his head against the seat as the car sped off, wishing it would move just a little slower.

Watching Beomhyeon’s figure grow smaller in the distance, he rolled up the window and sighed.

“I already miss him…”

He never imagined he could like someone this much.

The lingering sweetness of Beomhyeon’s kiss on his forehead made him bow his head in a mix of longing and shyness.

“I like you, Ki Beomhyeon.”

He liked him so much.

His kind touch, his warm gaze, and the way he cared for him.

Since realizing his feelings, Jungin had wrestled with one thought: Could he tell Beomhyeon the truth about himself?

The fear of being abandoned, of being alone again, had kept him silent.

But now, Jungin was certain.

Even if he revealed the truth, Beomhyeon would still care for him.

With that decision, a weight lifted from his chest.

His expression lightened, and he resolved to tell Beomhyeon everything soon.

* * *