Haru quietly sat on her chair, tiny hands gripping the spoon as
Bora poured milk into her cereal bowl.
She started eating with small, focused bites like she always did when trying to impress her father.
Taekyun watched her silently from the other end of the table, his expression unreadable, but his eyes softer than usual.
When Haru looked up and smiled faintly at him, something in his chest melted.
Without saying a word, he stood, fixed his tie, and left for the office.
The moment the main door shut, the house sank into its usual silence.
Inside the small basement room,
Haneul sat cross-legged on his bed, staring blankly at the floor, then at the door.
His mind wouldn't stop spinning.
Is he… really going to let me stay here?
What should I do next?
Should I tell him about Jiwon hyung?
How am I even supposed to find him now?
It had been so long since he'd last seen his brother.
Would Jiwon even recognize him if they met again?
A soft knock broke his thoughts.
The door opened, and Bora stepped in, holding a tray with warm toast, fruit, and a cup of milk.
She placed it in front of him with her usual calm smile.
"Where are you lost this time?" she asked.
Haneul blinked, rubbing his eyes like a sleepy child.
"Nowhere," he said softly, shaking his head.
Bora sat on the chair beside his bed, watching as he obediently started eating, his small bites making her want to smile.
"So," she asked casually,
"where are you going to stay after this?"
Haneul froze, spoon midair. His lashes fluttered as he looked up at her with a worried face.
"Is… is he going to kick me out?"
Bora chuckled quietly and shook her head. "No, sir didn't say anything. I was just asking."
He relaxed a little, nibbling at his toast.
"I don't have any place to stay,"
He said quietly, almost embarrassed.
"Do you know any chores?"
Bora asked curiously.
He shook his head again.
"I can draw."
Her eyes widened.
"You can draw?"
He nodded shyly while chewing.
Bora smiled warmly.
"Don't worry. If one day you can't stay here, you can come live with me."
Haneul blinked, surprised.
"With you?"
She nodded.
"Yes. I have a small flat nearby."
"Why are you helping me?"
Bora looked at him for a long moment before answering.
"Because I can see something in you," she Said softly.
"Something that might make our Haru's future brighter."
He tilted his head, confused, but she didn't explain further.
"Just eat," she said gently.
By evening, the house was unusually quiet.
The clock ticked toward six, but Haru still hadn't come back.
Haneul, now pacing in the garden, kept glancing at the gate.
The sun had already set when he rushed toward the kitchen, his expression tense.
"Nuna?" he called softly.
Bora, who was instructing the cook, turned around.
"Haneul?" she asked, seeing his anxious face.
"Haru?"
"Haru!"
He nodded quickly.
"Don't worry,"
She said with a calm smile.
"She's with sir Taekyun. They went out for dinner."
"Dinner?" he repeated in surprise.
Bora nodded.
"Yes. With Haru's aunt."
"Aunt?"
"The younger sister of Haru's mother Miss jina," she explained gently.
"Oh," Haneul murmured, lowering his gaze.
Bora smiled faintly.
"Sit down, I'll bring you something to eat. Dinner isn't ready yet."
"I'm fine," he said quickly, shaking his head. "I'm not hungry."
She didn't insist, just nodded and left him be.
Hours passed.
At eight, she peeked into his room again, holding a plate of warm food.
He was already lying on his bed, eyes closed, his face pale.
Bora sighed softly, assuming he was asleep, and left the tray on the side table before turning off the lights.
By the time Taekyun returned with Haru, it was almost nine-thirty.
Haru tiptoed into Haneul's room, her little steps light as feathers.
She saw him sleeping and smiled faintly, kissing his cheek before whispering something only Bora could hear "bye."
Then she quietly left for her room.
Taekyun, after his shower, sat in his study corner, glasses perched on his nose, working silently on his laptop.
Hours slipped by until the digital clock blinked 2:07 a.m.
Haneul woke with a sharp pain in his stomach.
He winced, clutching his middle.
His medicine it had been on an empty stomach.
The pain was unbearable.
Biting his lip, he got up from the bed, slipping on his slippers and carefully opening the door.
The house was dark and eerily quiet. Not a single servant around.
The only sound was the faint hum of rain outside.
He stumbled down the corridor, one hand pressed against his stomach, and turned toward the kitchen. Just as he entered, he froze.
Taekyun was there.
He stood near the counter, hair slightly tousled, glasses on, wearing a simple black shirt.
His sleeves were rolled up, airpods in, as he stirred a cup of coffee.
The faint light from the kitchen reflected against his sharp features.
He was speaking quietly on a video call with someone.
A small, rare smile curved his lips.
Haneul's breath hitched.
He had never seen Taekyun smile like that.
It was faint, but breathtakingly real.
He can smile like that?
The thought startled him.
His heart thumped harder as he forgot the pain for a second, just staring.
Taekyun, sensing a presence, slowly turned his gaze from the phone toward the door.
There stood Haneul barefoot, clutching a water bottle, his pale face illuminated by the kitchen light.
His eyes were wide, caught between guilt and surprise.
And just like that, the moment froze between them,
the Alpha standing still,
the Omega trembling in silence,
the night heavy with something neither could name.