The warm glow of the evening sun stretched across the sky as another busy day came to an end.
The black car slowly pulled into the driveway of the Kim residence.
Taekyun and Nayeon stepped out together after finishing another long day at the office.
Since returning to Seoul five years ago, Taekyun had devoted himself entirely to both the company and his family.
He wasn't the cold and distant man people once knew.
He spoke less now.
His expressions had softened over the years, carrying a quiet gentleness that hadn't existed before.
Inside the residence, Jina had just come downstairs.
She stood near the staircase with little Seoah sleeping peacefully in her arms, her tiny cheeks resting against Jina's shoulder.
The moment Nayeon entered, Jina walked toward her.
"Welcome home."
Nayeon smiled tiredly before leaning down, placing a gentle kiss on Jina's forehead.
She then kissed Seoah's forehead just as softly.
The little girl didn't even stir, continuing to sleep peacefully.
Jina glanced toward the entrance.
"Where's Taekyun oppa?"
Nayeon looked behind her with a small smile.
"He's coming inside."
Just then, Bora stepped out from the hallway, gently holding Taeha's little hand.
Taeha immediately smiled when he saw Nayeon.
She bent down with open arms.
"Come here, little man."
Taeha happily walked into her embrace.
She lifted him into her arms, smiling.
The little boy immediately looked around the entrance with his bright golden eyes.
"Abba... odiya?"
He tilted his head.
Where is Abba?
Nayeon chuckled softly, brushing a few strands of hair away from his forehead.
"Abba's outside."
"Wait a little."
"We'll go to him together."
Taeha nodded obediently.
Bora bowed politely.
"Welcome back."
Nayeon smiled.
"Thank you, Bora-nim."
Before anyone could continue, Jina stepped closer.
There was obvious worry on her face.
"You told....."
Before she could finish, Nayeon quietly interrupted.
"I didn't but....."
"Let Taekyun talk to her himself."
"Don't say anything yet."
Jina frowned.
"But...."
Nayeon gently cupped her cheek with one hand.
"It's okay."
Her reassuring smile slowly eased some of Jina's concern.
Nayeon then looked toward Bora.
"Bora-nim."
"Is dinner almost ready?"
Bora nodded immediately.
"Yes."
"It's almost done."
Nayeon smiled.
"Please set the table."
"We've all had a hard day today."
"Of course."
Bora smiled before heading toward the kitchen.
Just then, Taekyun's voice drifted in from the backyard as he spoke with one of the estate staff.
Nayeon adjusted Taeha comfortably in her arms.
"I'll be back."
"Put Seoah in her crib."
"And call Haru too."
"We'll have dinner together."
Jina nodded.
"Okay."
Holding Taeha, Nayeon walked toward the backyard.
The soft summer breeze rustled through the trees surrounding the spacious garden.
At the far end of the backyard, Taekyun stood beside the head gardener, quietly discussing the flower beds.
Near the stone pathway, beneath an old maple tree, bloomed a cluster of extraordinary flowers unlike any seen elsewhere.
Their petals shimmered in white, soft blue, lavender, pale pink, and gentle gold.
They were called Eonhwa Blossoms Flowers of Lingering Bonds.
An old legend said these flowers would only bloom in a home where someone with an exceptionally pure soul had once lived but had been forced to leave against their own wishes.
Even after that person was gone, the earth continued to remember them.
Every month...
Exactly three new Eonhwa blossoms would bloom in different colors.
White symbolized remembrance.
Blue represented promises that endured despite distance.
Pink carried love left unspoken.
Golden petals reflected hope for reunion.
Lavender embodied prayers whispered across worlds.
Many believed the flowers did not bloom because someone had died.
They bloomed because love had remained behind.
For the past five years.....
Without fail.
Three new Eonhwa blossoms had appeared every single month in Taekyun's residence.
The gardener carefully observed one of the flowers.
"It's blooming beautifully again this month, Sir."
Taekyun gently touched one of the petals with his fingertips.
"It always does."
His voice was calm.
Almost distant.
Before the gardener could reply
"Abba!"
A tiny voice echoed across the garden.
"Abba!"
Taekyun immediately turned around.
His eyes instinctively found Taeha, who was waving excitedly from Nayeon's arms.
A warm smile naturally appeared on Taekyun's face.
Nayeon gently placed Taeha back onto the ground.
The little boy immediately ran toward his father with tiny hurried steps.
Taekyun bent down and effortlessly lifted him into his arms.
Taeha wrapped both little arms around his neck before planting a loud kiss on his cheek.
"Abba."
He spoke seriously.
"Nuna hurt again."
Taekyun smiled softly.
Using his thumb, he gently wiped away a little saliva left near Taeha's lips.
"Haru....?"
Taeha nodded.
"Fight."
"Her friends."
Nayeon sighed helplessly.
"Ya, Taeha."
She folded her arms.
"Didn't we tell you not to report everything the moment your Abba comes home?"
Taeha blinked innocently.
"I....."
Taekyun's smile faded slightly.
He looked toward Nayeon.
"Haru is hurt?"
His tone immediately became serious.
Nayeon hesitated.
"It's just....."
Taekyun's brows narrowed.
"What happened to her?"
Without waiting for an answer, he had already started walking toward the house with Taeha still in his arms.
Nayeon quickly followed behind him.
"Wait."
"She got into another fight at school."
"Jina already scolded her enough, so I thought....."
Taekyun remained quiet for a moment before answering.
"I'll talk to her myself."
His voice stayed gentle.
Yet firm.
As he entered the residence, every staff member standing in the hallway immediately bowed respectfully.
"Welcome back, Sir."
Taekyun acknowledged them with a small nod but didn't stop walking.
He headed straight toward the staircase.
Jina stepped out of the living room the moment she saw him.
She was about to explain everything.
Before she could speak
Nayeon gently held her arm and quietly shook her head.
"Let him talk to Haru first."
Jina looked upstairs with worry in her eyes.
Then gave a small nod.
"Okay."
Knock.
Knock.
Taekyun stood outside Haru's bedroom before gently knocking on the door.
Without waiting long, he slowly opened it and stepped inside, Taeha still resting comfortably in his arms.
The room was quiet.
Haru sat at her study desk with her back straight, writing something neatly in her notebook.
The moment she noticed Taekyun, she immediately put down her pencil.
She stood up at once and bowed politely.
"Abba."
Then she lifted her head, looking directly into his eyes without avoiding his gaze.
Taekyun quietly closed the bedroom door behind him.
He gently placed Taeha down on the floor.
Taeha immediately wandered toward Haru's shelves, happily looking at the toys inside the room.
Taekyun walked over to Haru's bed and sat down.
His eyes fell on the familiar teddy bear lying beside the pillow.
He picked it up absentmindedly, gently brushing the wrinkles from its little shirt before setting it beside him.
After a moment, he stood again and walked toward Haru.
She had grown so much.
The little girl who had once barely reached his waist now stood almost to his chest.
Without saying anything, Taekyun gently took hold of her injured hands.
He carefully examined the fresh bandage wrapped around it.
Then his gaze shifted to the bruise near her jaw and the cut on her lower lip.
His brows knitted together.
Very gently, he brushed his fingertip against the bruise.
"Does it hurt?"
Haru quietly shook her head.
"No."
Silence lingered for a few moments.
Finally, Taekyun spoke in a calm voice.
"You got into another fight?"
Haru lowered her gaze.
Then gave a small nod.
"She pushed me first."
Taekyun looked at her.
"She?"
"There were five of them."
Haru answered softly.
"They're the same students."
"The ones who keep bullying Eunseo."
Taekyun remained silent.
His expression revealed nothing.
After a moment, he asked,
"Did you inform your teacher first?"
Haru slowly shook her head.
"I didn't."
"Why?"
"It was break time."
"I went back to the classroom because I was looking for Eunseo."
"When I got there....."
"They had surrounded her."
"They wouldn't let her leave."
"I tried talking to them first."
Her fingers unconsciously tightened together.
"But they pushed me."
"And they were...."
She paused.
Looking down.
"Calling her a jinx again."
Taekyun quietly listened.
"And then?"
Meanwhile, Taeha had picked up Haru's teddy bear and accidentally dropped it onto the floor.
Without interrupting the conversation, Taekyun bent down, picked up the teddy, dusted it off, and quietly placed it back on Haru's bed.
Only then did he look back at her.
Haru continued.
"When they pushed me....."
"My hands scraped against the floor."
She glanced at the fresh bandages.
"Then...."
"They grabbed Eunseo's hair."
"I stood up....."
"And I punched one of them."
"Then another."
"One of them hit me in the face."
She hesitated.
Before quietly admitting,
"And I used my pheromones."
The room fell completely silent.
Taekyun slowly lifted his eyes.
His calm expression had disappeared.
"You used your pheromones."
His voice remained low.
"On other students?"
Haru nodded weakly.
"There were three omegas...."
"And two recessive alphas."
Taekyun slowly closed his eyes for a brief moment before taking a long breath.
When he spoke again, his tone remained gentle.
But noticeably firmer.
"Haru."
"How many times have I told you."
"Never use your pheromones to overpower someone."
"Especially those physically weaker than you."
"You are an alpha."
"Your strength exists to protect."
"Not to intimidate."
"Not to make others feel inferior."
Haru immediately lowered her head.
"I'm sorry, Abba."
Taekyun stood from the bed.
His decision came without hesitation.
"I'll go to school with you tomorrow."
"And...."
He looked directly at her.
"For the next week...."
"You won't be meeting Eunseo."
He bent down, lifting Taeha back into his arms.
"Let's go."
Haru's eyes immediately widened.
She quickly stepped in front of him.
"Abba."
"I'm sorry."
"But I only did it to save...."
Taekyun quietly interrupted her.
"Saving someone."
"Isn't done the way you did today."
His voice wasn't loud.
Yet every word carried weight.
"You defended your friend because she was being hurt."
"I understand that."
"And I don't blame you for protecting her."
"But....."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"You had no right to use your pheromones."
"Not when you still don't have complete control over them."
"If your pheromones had damaged another student's scent gland."
"Do you understand how serious that could have been?"
Haru bit her lip.
"Yes."
Taekyun continued.
"An alpha's first responsibility."
"Is learning restraint."
"Strength without control becomes danger."
Silence filled the room.
Haru slowly stepped closer.
Her voice became unusually small.
"Abbuji...."
"Please."
"Anything but."
"Don't stop me from meeting Eunseo."
"She...."
Taekyun looked at her quietly.
"I know."
"I know she doesn't have parents."
"But she's not alone."
"Her uncle and aunt are raising her."
"They're her guardians."
"They love her."
He gently adjusted Taeha in his arms before walking toward the door.
Without turning back, he spoke calmly,
"Come downstairs."
"Dinner is ready."
Then he opened the door and walked out of the room.
Haru remained standing where she was.
She lowered her eyes quietly.
"Yes, Abba."
She didn't argue anymore.
Because she already knew.
This wasn't the first time.
The first time she had fought, Taekyun had only scolded her.
The second time, he had asked the school to discipline her properly.
But after realizing that punishment alone changed nothing.
He had chosen something that affected her the most.
Whenever she crossed the line.....
He temporarily stopped her from meeting Eunseo.
Not because he wanted to separate them.
But because he wanted Haru to understand.
That protecting someone also meant learning how to protect them in the right way.