Morning light filled the dining room when Taekyun stepped out of his bedroom.
His expression was the same as every morning calm, unreadable.
Haru was already seated at the table, shoes on, hair tied neatly, uniform straight.
She kept her gaze on her bowl, eating quietly like she always did whenever she sensed Taekyun near.
He took the seat beside her, checked his watch, and nodded once at Bora to serve him.
They ate without a word. Haru finished first, wiped her mouth with the napkin, and looked toward Bora.
Bora immediately lifted her from the chair and knelt down to adjust her schoolbag straps.
As Taekyun stood up from the table, Bora looked up at him.
"Sir… will you be joining for dinner tonight?"
His tone stayed even.
"I won't be coming back tonight."
Bora nodded politely, but Haru paused while fixing her shoes.
Her eyes flicked upstairs toward Haneul's room.
She didn't say anything, but the movement was noticeable.
Bora caught it instantly and gave a small warning glance.
Because that morning, she had already told Haru not to go to Haneul in front of Taekyun.
Taekyun didn't like Haru attaching herself to anyone.
If he noticed, he would send Haneul back without hesitation.
Haru lowered her eyes and nodded quietly, stepping toward the garden to wait for the car.
Taekyun watched her go for a second before turning to Bora again.
His throat moved slightly, like he wanted to say something but wasn't sure how.
Finally, he managed quietly,
"Look after him… if he needs anything."
Bora blinked.
"Sir?"
He didn't repeat. He just gave the smallest nod toward the upstairs hallway.
That was enough for her to understand who "him" meant.
But Bora had no idea what happened too him all of sudden, confusion settled on her face as Taekyun left for work.
(Around noon)
Bora carried a tray of food into Haneul's room.
When she pushed the door open, the curtains were still drawn.
Haneul was asleep, curled up beneath the blanket.
She frowned.
Still… sleeping?
She moved closer and gently touched his cheek.
"Haneul?"
His eyes opened sharply, his whole body flinching as he sat up too fast.
Bora stepped back immediately.
"Calm down, it's me," she said quickly.
Haneul's breathing slowed as he recognized her.
"Sorry… I"
"Still not used to people, always getting scared,"
Bora muttered lightly as she put the tray down.
"I'm not scared,"
Haneul said under his breath, avoiding her eyes.
"Mm. Get up then. Wash your face and eat something."
Bora opened the curtains slightly.
"We'll go out for a bit. You stay in this room the whole day, it's not good."
He blinked at her, And nodded.
[Meanwhile in Taekyun's company]
He checked through a stack of files inside his office. His phone buzzed the meeting reminder.
Taekyun stood, buttoned his suit jacket cleanly, and headed for the conference room.
When he walked in, all employees stood immediately.
The meeting started with the team explaining the new drug they were developing a stabilizer for Omega hormonal imbalance, something extremely common in their world.
Side effects, controlled release, long-term use, cost effectiveness everything was presented in detail.
Taekyun listened silently, tapping his pen lightly.
"What about the secondary reaction reports?" he asked.
One employee stood.
"We tested on ten Omega patients with irregular cycle symptoms.
No severe side effects recorded. Mild dizziness in two cases, resolved within thirty minutes."
Taekyun nodded once.
"And the production timeline?"
"Three months for the first batch. Six months for full distribution approval."
"Prepare the approval file,"
Taekyun said.
"And finalize the risk assessment."
"Yes, sir."
After signing the confirmation documents, the meeting ended.
(Back in his office)
He had barely sat when a knock came.
"Enter," he said.
Lihan stepped in, bowed respectfully.
"You're back already,"
Taekyun said.
"Yes, sir. Morning flight."
"Sit."
Lihan sat and immediately placed a thick folder on the desk.
"The file you requested."
Taekyun opened it, scanned the contents carefully, and closed it again.
"Everything done?"
"Yes. Exactly as instructed. And one hundred percent accurate."
Taekyun nodded slowly.
(At home – 3 PM)
Haru returned from school.
The moment she stepped out of the car, Bora sensed something was off.
Haru didn't run toward her. She didn't smile. She didn't even look up.
Bora opened her arms for a hug, ready to comfort her at once.
But Haru walked past her without stopping.
"...Haru?" Bora followed, stunned.
Haru didn't answer.
She rushed straight upstairs and pushed open Haneul's door.
Haneul was sitting on the bed with a blanket around his shoulders, lost in his thoughts from last night.
He glanced up at the sound of the door.
"Haru?"
She ran to him immediately, climbing onto the bed.
Her eyes were watery, her small mouth trembling.
Bora's voice echoed faintly from the hallway, calling her name.
Haneul froze for a second.
Then he wrapped his arms around her quickly, pulling her onto his lap.
She clung to his neck and pressed her face into his chest, sobbing quietly.
He rubbed her back gently, running his hand through her hair.
"What happened?
Haru, look at me."
But she didn't speak.
Bora reached the doorway, saw them, and stopped.
Her expression softened.
She turned around silently and gestured for the servant behind her not to follow.
She left them alone.
Haneul kept soothing her until her breathing calmed a little.
He moved her to sit facing him.
"Did someone bully Haru at school?"
He asked softly.
Haru nodded.
Haneul frowned.
"A friend?"
She shook her head no.
"Teacher punished the bully?"
She nodded.
"Then why are you still sad?"
Haru looked down at her hands. Her voice came small.
"Abba…"
Haneul blinked. A tiny smile formed on his lips despite his surprise.
"You want to see Abba(father)?"
Haru nodded again.
"Isn't he back yet?"
She shook her head.
Haneul exhaled quietly.
"Okay. Then we'll wait for Abba here, hm?"
She nodded, leaning against his arm.
Haneul began telling her stories small things from his world, simple enough even if she didn't understand half of it.
She still listened calmly.
Bora brought snacks and Haru's fresh clothes to Haneul's room.
They ate together, then Haneul changed her out of her uniform.
Both of them fell asleep afterward without realizing curled up on the bed until 7 PM.
(Around 7)
Haneul's eyes opened.
Haru was awake already, staring at him with her finger in her mouth.
"Sorry," he said, sitting up.
"Maybe because of the medicine… I didn't realize I slept this long."
Haru smiled a little.
He washed his face quickly and took her downstairs for dinner.
Bora greeted them.
"You two finally woke up,"
She said warmly.
Haru brightened and ran to her.
Bora picked her up, kissed her cheek, then set her on a chair.
"I baked chocolate muffins for Haru," she told Haru.
Haru nodded happily.
They had dinner together in the warm dining room.
(After dinner)
Haru took out her schoolbag and started her homework near the fireplace.
Haneul sat nearby, warming his hands.
Bora was gathering her things; her shift was almost over.
By 10 PM, Haru was playing a game on her tablet while Haneul stood beside her.
"Isn't her dad coming back?"
Haneul asked Bora quietly.
Bora smiled slightly at the way he said it
"Her dad."
"Oh… right. I forgot to tell you. Sir said he won't be coming back tonight."
Haneul stared at her, confused.
"Why? Did I… did I do something? Is it because of me?"
Bora raised her eyebrows in disbelief.
"No, no! Haneul, sir is busy. That's all. Don't think like that."
He lowered his eyes.
She sighed softly.
"Don't worry. Other staff won't leave. Haru will sleep with Liya tonight. If you need anything, call me."
Haneul nodded slowly.
"Okay."
He turned toward Haru again, but the weight in his chest didn't leave.
He had waited the whole day.
For nothing.
And even though Taekyun hadn't promised anything…
Haneul still felt disappointed.
As if Taekyun was the reason he kept looking at the clock.
As if Taekyun was the reason the house felt emptier tonight.