How much could he truly understand his father’s heart? But that man, Lee Jonghoon, was a person unworthy of his father’s love.
Perhaps that’s why, from the moment he learned that Lee Jonghoon was his other father, he began to dislike himself more. It made him feel inexplicably unpleasant, hateful, and pathetic.
Feeling heat rising to his eyes, making them warm, Yeonwoo pursed his lips. Wrinkling his nose bridge, he somehow cooled the heat in his eyes, then simply closed them.
***
As soon as Monday arrived, he headed to where his father was staying. Junseok seemed surprised to see Yeonwoo appearing suddenly without notice, but soon greeted him warmly. Junseok didn’t bring up his cousin Hyeonseong first, and neither did Yeonwoo.
Though he had been startled by the unexpected appearance of a former classmate, it wasn’t something that particularly bothered him. He had already erased from his mind those absurd words about being bullied because he was liked. Junseok was a diligent and good caregiver, and it would be unfair to make him uncomfortable over such matters. If someone else had been his father’s caregiver, Yeonwoo would have worried constantly while in Seoul.
Considering it just a minor happening and not wanting to dwell on it further, Yeonwoo looked at Junseok with a faint smile. Then he entered the hospital room and observed his father lying in the innermost bed. Junseok approached from the side and informed him of Younghwa’s condition.
“It’s not time for him to wake up yet. You must be tired from coming early. Shall I make you some coffee?”
“No, I’ll just take a nap beside my father.”
“Then lie down on the empty bed across from him.”
“How could I do that? I’ll just use the guardian’s bed.”
The guardian’s bed was hardly better than sleeping on the bare floor. Despite Junseok’s suggestion that he use the patient’s bed since no other patients were there, Yeonwoo declined and pulled out the folding bed by the wall. Seeing this, Junseok, instead of pressing further, brought him a blanket and pillow. Thanking him, Yeonwoo lay down with the pillow and covered himself with the blanket.
It wasn’t comfortable, but having his father nearby made him feel at ease.
“…”
The bruises on his face haven’t fully faded yet.
Junseok seemed to notice but pretended not to see. Feeling grateful, Yeonwoo placed his hands on the blanket and stared blankly at the ceiling before slowly closing his eyes. Despite the uncomfortable position, his exhausted body quickly fell into a deep sleep. Though brief, he could sleep sweetly without dreaming.
It seemed that when he slept well, he woke quickly. Opening his eyes as if he had barely slept, Yeonwoo stretched and slowly sat up. Looking over the bed, he widened his eyes when he saw Younghwa sitting up.
“Dad—”
With his knees up and both hands on the bed, Yeonwoo couldn’t hide his delighted expression.
“When did you wake up? You should have said something.”
About to call his father again excitedly, Yeonwoo hesitated. This was because Younghwa was looking somewhere with an extremely serious expression. Following his gaze, Yeonwoo eventually noticed the phone resting on his folded hands.
“…”
Realizing that his father was looking at his phone, Yeonwoo hurriedly moved his hand. After snatching the phone and hiding it behind his back, Younghwa turned toward him. Seeing the stern expression facing him, Yeonwoo unconsciously said,
“It’s not what you think, Dad.”
“…”
“It’s nothing. So…”
Yeonwoo had no idea what his father had seen or verified on the phone. He might be needlessly guilty over something his father had just been looking at. He wanted to believe that, but after mumbling, Yeonwoo slowly lowered his head and checked his phone.
There was a lengthy text message from Lee Jonghoon.
It contained criticism and insults about Yeonwoo ruining the blind date and about Seo Miyoung’s visit yesterday. And it said this was his last chance, with a hotel name and date listed. After reading the message that ended with instructions to arrive on time and properly dressed, Yeonwoo tightly closed his eyes, then opened them.
He didn’t know what face to show his father. Resisting the urge to dash out of the hospital room, he raised his head and made an awkward expression.
“Dad, this…”
“The person who sent that message is Lee Jonghoon? Why is he sending you such messages?”
“…”
“Don’t tell me, has Lee Jonghoon been contacting you?”
It would have been nice if he could casually reply, “Yes, that’s what happened.” But the words just wouldn’t come out. He had no idea how to explain everything that had happened since receiving the contact from Lee Jonghoon.
Fidgeting with his phone, Yeonwoo struggled to speak.
“He’s trying to help me meet a good person.”
“…What?”
“If I marry a decent alpha from a good family, it would be beneficial for both him and my father.”
“What are you talking about?”
Yeonwoo didn’t know what he was saying either.
Pushing aside the blanket and getting up from the folding bed, Yeonwoo called out, “Dad.” At that moment, Younghwa’s body swayed greatly. Startled, Yeonwoo immediately grabbed his father’s arm to support him.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling weak? Let’s lie down first.”
“…”
Younghwa looked at Yeonwoo, who was anxiously checking his condition. His gaze soon landed on the bruise remaining on Yeonwoo’s left cheek. Realizing what his father was looking at, Yeonwoo quickly turned his head, but Younghwa was faster. After carefully touching the cheek, he promptly cupped it with his dry, cold hand.
“…Did that person do this?”
It wasn’t Lee Jonghoon but his spouse’s handiwork. Yeonwoo shook his head, saying no. But Younghwa didn’t believe him and asked again.
“Yeonwoo, tell your dad honestly. You don’t need to hide it. Did that person do this?”
“No, it’s not like that. You know how clumsy I am, always falling. I fell by myself. So…”
“Don’t avoid my eyes. Look at Dad.”
“…”
“Yeonwoo, please look at me.”
He didn’t want to look. His father probably already knew everything, so it seemed strange to face him now. He just felt a bit embarrassed, ashamed, and…
At that moment, Ho Munbeom came to mind.
What if, just what if, things had gone well with Ho Munbeom? Yeonwoo knew better than anyone that such a thing was impossible. Nevertheless, if by a one-in-a-million chance such a miracle had occurred, that person would have been kind from the beginning. If he had considered him his spouse, how much warmer and more wonderful would he have been, when his kindness was already evident after just a few meetings?
Everything that was happening to Yeonwoo felt strange to him.
Is this really right? Is this a reality he could handle alone? Yeonwoo took a deep breath and exhaled. He just wanted to exhale deeply because his chest felt tight, but suddenly it felt as if one side of his chest was blocked. Feeling a tightness inside, Yeonwoo let out a small groan, and Younghwa, greatly alarmed, called out to him in a strained voice.
“Yeonwoo, Yeonwoo??”
His father shouldn’t be alarmed.
Yeonwoo was more concerned about Younghwa’s cracked voice calling his name than his own physical condition. His complexion was turning increasingly blue, and Yeonwoo worried what would happen if he collapsed. Yeonwoo wanted to say that he was fine, to reassure him, but those words never left his mouth. Suddenly, everything went dark, and all strength left his body.
His body felt both languid and heavy. Thinking it had been a while since his body had felt this unwell, Yeonwoo slowly blinked. Then, as he raised his hand to rub under his eyes, he felt a stinging pain. Making a small sound, “Ah,” he pressed his palm against his eye, and at the same time, he felt a heavy pheromone.
‘…’
As if drawn by something, he raised his head, and there stood that man. Ho Munbeom. A name that had never been erased from Yeonwoo’s mind since he first heard it.
Just as Yeonwoo looked at him, Ho Munbeom also fixed his gaze on Yeonwoo’s face. After looking at Yeonwoo for a long time with calm eyes, the alpha asked,
‘What’s wrong with you?’
‘…Nothing.’
Only after answering did he realize why the other had asked such a question. Realizing that he had misunderstood him rubbing his eyes, Yeonwoo pointed to his eye with his fingertip.
‘I think something got in my eye…’
‘Let me check.’
Ho Munbeom moved quickly before Yeonwoo could voice his refusal.
His large hands carefully cupped Yeonwoo’s face and lifted his chin. Lowering his head over Yeonwoo’s face, the man examined his eyes with a most serious expression.
Surprised by the unexpected action, Yeonwoo held his breath. Ho Munbeom lowered his head further and created a small breeze with his lips. The moment the soft air with warmth touched his eye, it felt refreshing. When Yeonwoo closed his eye, something touched his eyelid. When he opened his eyes again, the man was rubbing his finger and straightening his posture.
‘It seems an eyelash got in. Your eyelashes are so long and your eyes are so big.’
‘…’
‘I had some business in the morning, and it took some time to handle it. I didn’t intentionally try to be late.’
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
