The next day, the funeral was held in solemnity.
As expected of the Han family, the hall was vast, lined with rows of white chrysanthemums.
The air was heavy with incense smoke, grief thick in every breath.
At the front, a large black-and-white portrait of Mrs. Han stood framed with a ribbon of mourning.
Her smiling face stared down gently at the mourners in black suits and hanbok,
who moved in and out with quiet bows and whispered condolences.
The atmosphere was suffocating grief pressed under the weight of prestige and formality.
But Han Jihyun stood still.
He didn't move. He didn't blink. His body was rigid, his eyes hollow, as though his soul had left with her.
Mrs. Kang slowly approached. Her steps were soft, her eyes brimming with tears.
She wrapped her arms around Jihyun's stiff frame.
"Jihyun-ah,"
her voice cracked,
"don't do this. You're my soft child right. Look at your mom… she left, yes, but she's in peace now."
Her hand cupped his cheek gently.
"See? I'm here. Didn't I tell you?
I'm also your mother. Won't you look at me? If not me, then at least look at her one last time."
At her words, Jihyun lowered his gaze, finally meeting her eyes. His lips trembled, a single tear breaking loose. Mrs. Kang pulled him into her embrace.
"Oh, it's okay. Let it out,"
she whispered, rubbing his back.
The dam broke. Jihyun's chest heaved violently as a raw cry ripped from him, shaking the hall.
Minjoon rushed over, panicked, but Jihyun clung to Mrs. Kang, his sobs desperate.
"Why did she leave me?
Why didn't she talk to me?
I apologized so many times!
She promised...she promised she'd come, that she'd stay with me!"
His voice cracked painfully.
"Mom, please… I need you.
What am I supposed to do now?
I misbehaved, but I started changing.
I started living for you, so you'd be happy. Why did you leave me now?!"
He crumbled completely.
From behind, Taewon came forward, pulling him tightly into his arms. His calm pheromones wrapped around Jihyun's trembling body, soothing him in waves.
"It's okay,"
Taewon murmured into his ear.
"Calm down. Slow. Breathe. I've got you, Jihyun. Just let it out, but not like this."
Jihyun buried his face in Taewon's chest, sobbing until his strength gave out.
(Meanwhile,Later)
After the last bows had been made and the guests thanked, Taewon stood beside his father.
"Taewon," Mr. Kang's voice came low, commanding. "Come with me."
Taewon followed him into a back corridor, where the sound of mourners faded.
Meanwhile, Jihyun slipped into the restroom, splashing cold water on his swollen eyes. He tried to quiet his sobs, but on his way back, he froze.
A sharp sound cracked through the silence.
Smack!
He flinched.
Peeking from the corner, Jihyun saw Taewon standing stiff, cheek red.
Across from him, Mr. Kang's face twisted with fury.
"How dare you?" Mr. Kang thundered.
"Do you know how much I endured to deal with the Hans?
How hard I worked to control them,
to get to this point?
All the moves, all the time wasted I did everything!"
Taewon's voice rose, breaking his usual calm.
"Dad, you're going too far this time. I won't let you."
"You dare talk to me like that?"
Mr. Kang spat.
"You sound just like those useless idiot siblings of yours. Trash, all of you.
Do you think you can stop me?
Don't you know I get what I want."
Taewon's fists shook.
"And I'm telling you
I won't let you. No matter what I have to pay for it."
Mr. Kang's lips curled cruelly.
"So you've fallen for that pathetic omega?
I let him marry you even though I knew how disgusting he was. Did you forget?
It was decided he'd leave once everything was done."
Jihyun's breath hitched. His blood turned to ice.
Mr. Kang's voice deepened, sharper, more venomous.
"You're trash like your siblings. You've ruined my projects for a loser who doesn't even respect his parents.
His father is the biggest fool alive and so is he. Do you think small projects or fifty percent shares will save them? Pathetic."
Every word cut Jihyun open.
The little pieces left of his heart shattered completely.
His steps faltered as he walked forward from the shadows.
"Jihyun" Taewon's heart stopped when he saw him.
But Jihyun didn't answer. His lips trembled, his eyes hollow. He walked past them, his shoulders shaking.
Mr. Kang smirked.
"It's better he knows. At least you won't waste time with excuses now."
For the first time, Taewon's composure cracked into pure rage.
"Mr. Kang," his voice was sharp as ice,
"I'll make you regret this. I'll take over everything just watch. But if I lose him, if Jihyun leaves me because of you,
I swear I'll put you behind bars."
Without waiting for a reply, Taewon stormed after Jihyun.
For the first time in his life, Kang Taewon spoke to his father not as a son, but as an enemy.