Jihyun come home late.
Taewon waited in the living room.he pretended to read, but hadn't flipped a single page in an hour.
The door opened Jihyun stepped in looked at the Taewon and said flatly "goodnight "
He walked past him. And shut his bedroom door without a word more.
Taewon stared at the door and left to his room.
"Fine"
The next morning, Taewon sat at the dining table with his laptop open, coffee half drunk, and eyes still stuck on his screen.
"Hana," he called without looking up.
"Did Jihyun wake up?"
"No, sir," Hana replied
"I knocked. He said he's sleepy and not feeling well."
Taewon stood immediately and headed to the bedroom. Inside, Jihyun lay curled up, sound asleep.
"Taewon placed his hand on jihyun forhead."
"No fever."
Taewon stepped out and glanced at Hana again.
"When he wakes up, make sure he eats breakfast. Tell him to take his meds, too."
"Yes, sir."
"And let him know I took appointment in hospital. Ask him to go with the driver to the hospital and get his hand checked again."
"Understood."
"I'll be coming home in evening "
"Yes,sir"
With that he left.
By noon, Jihyun finally came downstairs .
"Harin!" he called cheerfully.
"Yes, sir?"
"I need your help. Which outfit should I wear tonight?"
He pulled out two shirts .
"Be honest
purple or white? I need to look super handsome."
"Where are you going sir?"
Harin asked with a smile.
"Mina's concert. Duh."
"Ohhh," Harin chuckled.
"Then go with the purple one. You'll look cute."
"Right?" Jihyun grinned. "Perfect."
He turned to head back upstairs when Harin asked,
"Sir, don't you want lunch?"
"Nothing! I'll be eating out. And I might not come home tonight."
"Ah, alright."
Jihyun left soon after, dressed to stand out.
That evening, Taewon returned home, loosened his tie and headed straight for shower afterward he sit down and called his friend at the hospital.
"So?" he asked. "How's Jihyun's hand? He went for the bandage removal today, right?"
The dr .seo scoffed. "Are you kidding me? I've been waiting all day. He never came."
"What?"
"Why would I lie? I'm on night shift now and still waiting because you asked to do it personally for your dear wife."
Taewon clenched his jaw. "Alright."
He ended the call and stormed toward kitchen .
"Hana!"
"Yes, sir?"
"Where is Jihyun?"
"Oh, sir he went out around noon. Said he's going to Mina's concert.
Taewon jaw flinched "alright"
"Also he said he won't come home tonight."hana said.
Taewon stopped. "What did you say?"
"That's what Mr. Jihyun said."
He turned grabbed his keys and walked out again. "
"Hana ,Don't worry about dinner. You and the driver can head home."
"Yes, sir."
Driving through the night city, Taewon called his secretary.
"Jisoo. Find out the venue of Mina's concert. Text it to me."
"Yes, sir."
A moment later, the message came through. He sped toward central Seoul.
On the way, he dialed Jihyun.
No answer.
Taewon pulled up outside the venue just as the concert ended.
He spotted him walking out with his friends, He looked happy. Carefree.
The kind of happy Taewon rarely got to see.
He stepped out of his car and approached them.
Jihyun noticed him first and stopped walking. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I heard you weren't coming home tonight."
Wonyoung suddenly said "He's not. He's going with Mina"
"Wonyoung," Soobin muttered, elbowing her hard.
Just then, a staff from backstage called, "Jihyun-shii! Mina is waiting for you!"
"Coming!" Jihyun called back, turning his head slightly.
Taewon stepped forward. "You're going somewhere with her?"
"Yes. I'm" Jihyun said, arms crossed.
"So what?"
Taewon look around.
" come with me first. Let's talk."
"Why?"
"Stop being reckless," Taewon said. "You haven't met her in years and now you're heading out alone with her at night?"
"I don't need your permission."
"She's an idol. Do you know how quickly that can turn into a scandal?"
"Then let it," Jihyun snapped. "It's not like I'm sneaking behind your back."
Soobin stepped between them. "Jihyun, let's not do this here. Go home. See her later"
"Stop acting like my dad," Jihyun hissed.
"All of you."
And without looking back, he turned and walked inside.
Taewon didn't follow.
He just stood there, fists clenched, heart heavy.
Inside, Mina was waiting near the backstage lounge.
"You came!" she said brightly.
"Oh ,yes"
"Your concert was amazing," Jihyun replied with a shy smile.
"I'm glad. I wasn't sure you'd come."
"Oh ,it's not like that"
"Let's go. I made reservations."
They walked together through the back exit,
In the car, she glanced at him.
"So I heard you're married?"
He scoffed. "Yes but not for long, divorce soon"
"To Kang Taewon, right?"
Jihyun looked at her. "You know him?"
"We met once in Shanghai. He attended a brand event there. I was their ambassador."
"That was kang Group?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, I didn't realize."
"It's okay. Honestly, I was surprised when I found out he got married. And to you, of all people."
"Why?"
"Because he seemed too cold Also is handsome for someone like you. He's like you know"
Jihyun nodded.
Mina looked at him. "So, divorce right?"
"Hu ,yes"
"Good. Then let's meet again soon.I'll text you the location. There's somethings important i need to say"
"Okay."
But something inside him felt off as he agreed.
Like he was chasing something that didn't exist anymore.