Jihyun stayed out overnight, checking into a hotel.
Jihyun walked through the front door the next morning.
Hana greeted him from the kitchen.
"Sir, do you need breakfast?"
she asked politely.
"Yeah," Jihyun muttered, brushing past her. "Make coffee first."
"Yes, sir."
He flopped onto the couch, dropped his phone beside him, and sighed.
"After breakfast, I'm taking a nap. For lunch, if Taewon comes home, just ask him. Got it?"
"Understood."
(After breakfast)
"I'm going to my room."
"Okay, sir."
Jihyun woke up late, sunlight spilling into the room as Hana knocked gently.
"Sir, it's 2 p.m. Lunch is ready."
He yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"Is Taewon back?"
"No, sir," Hana replied.
"I contacted him. He said he won't be home tonight."
"Alright."
During lunch, Hana quietly placed a glass of water in front of him, then hesitated.
"Sir, did something happen between you and Mr. Taewon?"
Jihyun looked up, raising an eyebrow.
"Ah sorry!" she said quickly, bowing.
"I won't ask again. I just I was worried."
"Why, is everything okay?"
"It's just when he came home last night, he looked really angry. He told all of us to leave. He never talks like that. Then he left again around 9 p.m., and this morning, he was already gone. He hasn't come back since."
Jihyun sipped his water.
"Let him act however he wants. He'll come back. And if he doesn't, that's fine too."
He pushed his chair back. "I'm going out. Meeting friends."
"Yes, sir."
(Four days passed)
Same routine. Jihyun would wake up late, eat, and leave. No messages. No calls. Not even a glance at Taewon's room.
Taewon hadn't returned. No one had heard from him.
But Jihyun didn't flinch. Not once did he ask. Not once did he care.
(Evening at a restaurant)
Jihyun sat across from Soobin, stabbing his pasta lazily.
"He still hasn't come back?
" Soobin asked, watching him closely.
"Nope," Jihyun replied, chewing without a care. "And I don't really care."
Soobin's jaw clenched.
"How can you act like this? Your husband disappears for days, and you're out here acting like you're on vacation."
Jihyun shrugged, glancing around.
"It's peaceful without him."
"You're saying it's better when he's gone?"
Jihyun leaned back, arms crossed.
"Yeah. I don't have to fake anything."
"You've changed, Jihyun." Soobin's voice dropped.
"Ever since your dad left, you're not the same. What are you even planning?"
Jihyun gave a sharp smile.
"This was my plan from the start. When Dad left for Japan, I decided. I'll file for divorce right in the middle of their project. I'll make him regret forcing me into this marriage. And I'll make Taewon look bad in front of everyone."
"You're insane." Soobin stared at him in disbelief.
"You're actually collecting proof?"
"He hasn't been home for four days. That's evidence, isn't it?"
"You've lost it," Soobin muttered.
"Seriously, what kind of person are you turning into? This isn't you. You were never this heartless."
"Then support me instead of defending him," Jihyun snapped.
Soobin's voice grew low.
"Do you even know what his face looked like when you walked off with Mina? When you shouted 'shut up' to both of us?"
Jihyun didn't reply.
"I'm an Alpha. I could feel his pheromones strong enough to make me nauseous. He was holding himself back. He's trying to stay beside you. He's trying to make this work. Did you ever think maybe he's just as trapped as you?"
Jihyun scoffed.
"Don't make him the victim. He's an Alpha. He benefits from this marriage. His company gets stronger. That's the only reason he agreed."
"For God's sake, Jihyun!" Soobin slammed his chopsticks down.
"Stop pushing your luck. Stop chasing Mina. Stop playing with people's lives. Have you forgotten how she insulted you when you confessed back then?"
Jihyun's eyes narrowed.
"And now you think she suddenly likes you? After five years of ignoring your messages? She's only showing up because she wants something."
"She's famous," Jihyun said defensively.
"It's hard for idols to date. Maybe she's finally ready. Maybe she really"
"You're being dumb," Soobin cut in.
"I thought you were growing up. I was wrong."
Jihyun blinked, stunned by the venom in Soobin's voice.
"You dropped out of school. You won't work in your dad's company. You won't even try to make this marriage work. And now you're chasing a girl who doesn't even belong in your world?"
"She's an Omega too, Jihyun. Also she's running toward something fame, success. She'll leave everything behind for it. What makes you think she won't leave you too?"
Jihyun shot to his feet.
"Stop lecturing me! You're supposed to be my friend!"
"I am your friend," Soobin said, standing up too.
"That's why I'm trying to stop you before you ruin everything."
"You're all jerks," Jihyun muttered, eyes misty. "Even you. Just because you're an Alpha, you think you can look down on me too."
"Don't twist this jihyun "
But Jihyun was already walking away.
He didn't look back.