Taekyun handed the coat to Haneul without looking at him.
His jaw tightened, eyes fixed somewhere else.
"Go. Wear it outside," he said.
Haneul nodded quietly and stepped back. But as he turned, his eyes lifted once again to the wedding photo above the bed.
Just one more second. Just one more look.
Then he left.
Inside the room,
Taekyun sat on the edge of his bed and pressed both hands to his temples.
What am I doing?
Why am I letting him stay?
I need to throw him out.
His heartbeat throbbed too loudly.
Anger crawled from his chest to his throat.
His brother was the same.
Entered my house.
Got close to Harin in the name of friendship.
And in the end, he didn't protect her.
Because of them, I lost her.
His breath hitched.
How can I let him live here?
I should kill him or throw him out.
He stood abruptly.
His jaw locked tight as he stormed out of the room.
But by the time he stepped outside, Bora had already arrived and taken Haneul with her.
Their car was pulling out through the side gate toward the city. He couldn't even see them anymore.
Before he could react, a loud crying echoed from inside the house.
Haru.
He turned immediately.
She stood near the main door, clutching her teddy, eyes red, staring outside toward the garden.
She had seen Haneul leaving. Her small shoulders trembled as she cried louder.
Liya tried holding her, but Haru shoved her hands away.
"Mongi… mongi…"
She whispered through tears.
Taekyun walked toward her. Liya stepped aside as he picked Haru up.
"Haru. Quiet."
Just that one sentence and she froze.
She heard the anger in his voice.
Her breath hitched, eyes going wider, and she pushed herself off him, sliding down to the ground. He let her down.
Then, for the first time in her life, Haru showed pure rudeness
She threw her teddy bear at Taekyun's chest and ran away crying.
The servants gasped.
Liya's mouth fell open.
Taekyun's blood boiled instantly. His steps sharpened as he followed her. His hand raised, ready to.
But Liya and two servants rushed in front of him.
"Sir, please! I'll handle her! She's just in a bad mood!"
Haru stood behind them, staring at her father with heartbreak swelling in her little chest.
Her eyes were swollen, her lips trembling in a pout that almost broke.
Taekyun inhaled sharply, stepped back, turned around, and walked away.
He entered his study and shut the door hard.
A vase shook, fell to the floor, and shattered.
He pressed a hand over his face.
What the…
What am I doing…
Let him come.
He'll be the one paying for this.
Because of him everything is happening.
His voice cracked inside his own head.
Ahhh Haru…
(In the Car)
Traffic was heavy. Sunday roads filled.
Haneul stared out the window, his hand pressed over his stomach.
"I'm not feeling well,"
He whispered.
Bora glanced at him.
"Haneul, sir told me to buy you warm clothes. Why would you go back now?
We'll be quick."
But Haneul didn't move. He remained still, the air around him hotter than before. Sweat beaded on his neck.
His fingers shook.
Why am I getting hot…
This isn't cold…
Is this my heat cycle?
He pressed a hand over his chest.
"Go back," he said suddenly. "Please."
Bora hesitated but turned the car.
(Back Home)
As they entered through the gate, Haru's crying voice echoed from inside the house.
Haneul stepped out of the car just as Haru ran down the stairs, tears overflowing. She rushed straight to him.
He froze.
She collided into him with a shaky hug, crying so hard she hiccuped.
"Haru"
Haneul wrapped his arms around her, stroking her back with trembling hands.
Her whole body shook with sobs like she had been crying for a long time.
Liya came down the stairs, pale.
She looked at Bora.
"What happened?"
"Sir Taekyun… he raised his hand on Haru."
Bora's eyes widened in shock.
"What? Why would he? He never.
He never in his whole life.
He kills people who lay a hand on her.
Why would he…?"
Liya nodded.
Haneul heard every word.
His heart pushed into his throat.
"Where is he?" he whispered.
Liya answered softly,
"Study room."
Haneul's eyes filled immediately.
He looked once at Haru's swollen eyes, then handed her to Bora gently.
And then he walked.
(Study)
He opened the door so hard it hit the wall.
Taekyun stood up instantly, face still dark with anger.
Before he could speak, Haneul walked straight to him and hit his chest with his hand.
"Why did you scare her?!"
Taekyun didn't even get a second to react.
Haneul kept pushing him, his breath shaking.
All Taekyun could see was Haru behind him, now silently watching.
Haneul's voice cracked.
"Do you even know how much it hurts when someone close to you is lost?!
Why are you doing this to her?"
"You're… you're so unkind. You don't deserve closeness."
The servants behind them stared with wide eyes.
Liya covered her mouth.
Taekyun's jaw twitched.
"Get out," he said.
Haneul blinked.
"…Me? Why would I"
"I said get out of this house."
Haneul's tears spilled instantly.
Haru grabbed Haneul's coat from behind, crying again.
Taekyun grabbed Haneul's wrist tightly.
"Who are you to question me? I never wanted you here. Never."
Haneul stared at him with burning, heartbroken eyes.
"You're really bad," he whispered.
"You're no different from them.
And the more I learn about your past… I pitied you. But now I think you deserve it."
Taekyun's eyes darkened.
"Who are you," he said sharply,
"To speak in my business?"
Haneul took the coat off and threw it to the floor.
Then he turned.
Bora held Haru tightly as Haru screamed through tears:
"Mongi! No! Abba! No!"
But Haneul walked out with burning skin, teary eyes, breath shaking like something inside him was splitting apart.
His heat rising with every step.
"I really hate this world"