“Hello.”
“What, what…?!”
“Do whatever you want. Who wouldn’t know that you’re my mother? The more you act out and cause scenes, the better for me. Having a mentally unstable parent tends to garner sympathy, even for someone from a wealthy family.”
“…Mentally unstable? Are you, are you calling me mentally unstable?”
“Yes. Aren’t you? Just looking at what you’ve done to me shows you’re not normal.”
Momentarily stunned, Heo Yeongran let out a mocking laugh. For a moment, she seemed amused, as if thinking ‘you’re still going on about something that happened so long ago?’ Leaning her face out the window, Yeongran smiled and called his name gently, “Beom-ah.”
“Don’t do this. Back then, I was shortsighted. You were maturing faster than others your age and seemed so grown-up, so I thought it would be fine. Do you think I deliberately tried to ruin you? You’re my proud son…”
“You just needed an accessory—an ultra-dominant alpha to make yourself look better. That’s why you deliberately tried to force a one-sided imprint on me when I was just a child, using a dominant omega.”
“…”
“You didn’t try that criminal act just once—you attempted it multiple times. And on your own son who was still an immature child.”
These days, even married couples rarely practiced imprinting. The perception had spread that such relationships were unreasonable, creating both physical and emotional bonds that constrained each other, and cases of abuse had increased.
Yet Heo Yeongran, in the midst of her divorce proceedings, had attempted to force a one-sided imprint on young Munbeom using a dominant omega. She probably thought it possible because even an ultra-dominant alpha was still a child. Her attempt failed spectacularly, with terrible consequences.
Munbeom had attacked the dominant omega who was flooding him with pheromones. Due to his immature ability to control his own pheromones at a young age, the omega’s pheromone glands were completely destroyed by his attack, bringing them to the brink of death. They barely survived, but for a dominant omega, damaged pheromone glands were practically a death sentence.
He felt no remorse for that omega who had participated in such an unreasonable act for Heo Yeongran’s money. Nor did he feel sorry for Yeongran, who made a couple more attempts afterward, or for the other omegas whose pheromone glands were similarly damaged.
Ironically, the omegas who took Heo Yeongran’s money received even more from Chairman Ho Jaejung. What they had done was criminal, but it couldn’t be revealed. If what Yeongran had done to her grandson became known, it would be nothing more than juicy gossip for people to feast on.
Knowing how this would be consumed by the public and judging that it wouldn’t help Munbeom’s future at all, Ho Jaejung used his money and power to somehow resolve everything. This was ultimately why Yeongran was forced to leave the country and why Munbeom didn’t remain in Korea.
Yeongran’s resistance was fierce when the divorce left her expelled from Korea and unable to meet Munbeom, but she was no match for Ho Jaejung.
Nevertheless, she didn’t give up.
It made no sense to her that after giving birth to such an exceptional ultra-dominant alpha like Ho Munbeom, she couldn’t even set foot in Korea. Once Munbeom inherited Ho Moon Group, she could live like a queen.
Yeongran whispered in the gentlest voice she could muster:
“Beom-ah, how long are you going to bring that up? You’ve grown older, but you’re still childish inside. That’s why you still resent me for something you should have forgotten long ago.”
Yeongran subtly reached out and grabbed Munbeom’s wrist. Then she quietly released her pheromones. Though it was meant to persuade Munbeom, the scent was inappropriate to direct at one’s child. A thin line formed between his brows, but Yeongran paid no attention.
“I came back because your maternal grandmother is ill. Shouldn’t you see off an elderly person who could pass any day now? That’s what a dutiful child does. I’m not an unfilial person like you.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. I can visit my grandmother after she passes away. Besides, she would prefer my visit over yours.”
“…”
“It seems you’re an unwanted burden to them too.”
Despite returning after more than ten years, no one welcomed Heo Yeongran.
Even though they didn’t know the details, the fact that she had been practically driven out of the country was enough for people to keep their distance. She had always been someone who caused problems, and they didn’t want to get involved and be troubled.
Yeongran was already very irritated by the uncomfortable attitude and subtle ostracism from the people she had met since entering the country. When Munbeom pointed this out, she could no longer contain herself and immediately raised her voice.
“Why are you calling me ‘you’?! Address me properly! I am your mother!! Do you think the parent-child relationship can be severed so easily by your behavior?! Don’t be ridiculous! I gave birth to you! You are mine! When you become the chairman of Ho Moon Group, I should naturally get my share! I’ll take what’s mine!!”
Yeongran grabbed the handles with both hands and shook them violently. The man sitting in the driver’s seat looked pale with shock as she threw a fit, screaming “Get out of my way!” and “Open the door!” like a madwoman. Munbeom watched Yeongran glaring at him with white eyes, and smiled briefly.
Truly, nothing had changed about her. No, perhaps she had become even more vicious, knowing that no matter what she did, he wouldn’t accept her. Knowing what kind of person she was, there was nothing to be disappointed about, but it was quite a talent to make someone feel so disgusted every time they saw her face.
If she had done nothing, wouldn’t he have taken care of her anyway?
Feeling his already scarce patience completely depleted, Munbeom opened his mouth.
“When I become chairman, the first thing I’ll do is shut that mouth of yours.”
In that moment, his sharply honed pheromones poured over Heo Yeongran. Stubbornly clinging to the door, Yeongran gasped loudly in surprise and lifted her head, but before that, her eyes rolled back. After collapsing completely into the back seat, she trembled and then went limp. Watching this, Munbeom muttered:
“This is as far as my tolerance goes. Live with your wits about you.”
Then he bent down to look at the man sitting in the driver’s seat. As soon as their eyes met, the man inhaled sharply and hunched his shoulders. Munbeom said:
“If you retrace your path, two vehicles will follow you. Follow their instructions. And about what you’ve seen and heard here today…”
“I, I know nothing! I didn’t see or hear anything, I don’t know anything! I know nothing!”
“You can spread it around if you like, but the moment it reaches my ears, things will get unpleasant.”
“…Yes, yes, yes!”
“Someone will be monitoring you for a few years. Understand that it may be uncomfortable.”
The man couldn’t say anything to this declarative statement. He could only nod and say he understood.
Nevertheless, Munbeom maintained his stern gaze as he straightened up and briefly said, “You may go.” The man hurriedly drove off, afraid Munbeom might detain him again. The tires kicked up gravel with a loud noise as he sped away. After confirming the vehicle’s departure, Munbeom swept back his hair. The stiff, neatly combed hair felt somehow unpleasant. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned around.
Yeonwoo was inside the cafe.
If possible, he had wanted to prevent Yeonwoo from encountering his mother. He hadn’t expected her to act so quickly.
By nature, she only judged people by their family background and circumstances. If someone didn’t meet her standards, she wouldn’t show the slightest interest. Despite this, the fact that she deliberately tried to contact Yeonwoo meant she definitely had other thoughts.
As always, trying to manipulate people with her innate arrogance.
It wasn’t surprising, considering she was the kind of person who, even after being driven abroad by his grandfather, persistently tried to approach him by using people somehow. But why was it that things that hadn’t bothered him much before now felt so unpleasant and disgusting?
There was nothing more troublesome than family—those who should be on your side and whom you should trust and rely on for life—becoming worse than strangers. Until now, he had left dealing with his mother entirely to his grandfather, but he thought he should pay more attention himself from now on. With these heavy thoughts, Munbeom moved forward.
When he opened the cafe door and entered, the spot where Yeonwoo had been standing just a moment ago was empty. After confirming no one was there, he turned his head and moved as if drawn by something.
Yeonwoo was in the secret inner space that he always used whenever he came here.
With his back perfectly straight and both hands clasped on the table, Yeonwoo’s profile looked paler than usual. Even though he must have felt Munbeom’s gaze, he pretended not to notice and kept staring at the table. Slowly, he raised his head.
The moment their eyes met, the corners of Yeonwoo’s eyes quickly turned red with moisture. The moment Munbeom confirmed Yeonwoo’s undisguised affection for him, he was standing right in front of him.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
