Hana broke the silence first, her voice hesitant. "That boy... he's really Mr. Jeon's son?" Daehyun let out a long, exasperated sigh, setting the glass down on the coffee table with a soft clink. "Yes, Hana. Hard to believe, isn't it? Mr. Jeon is respected, composed...

but his son..." He shook his head, frustration creeping into his voice. "I don't know where that boy gets his behavior from." Hana's eyes softened as they landed on Taehyung, whose small frame seemed even more fragile in the midst of the heavy conversation.

Her heart clenched at the sight of him, standing so still and quiet. She reached out, her voice breaking as she spoke. "Taehyung, baby," she said gently, her tone laced with concern. "Don't be scared. We're here for you. Your dad already spoke to Mr. Jeon,

and he promised to take care of everything." Taehyung didn't reply, his gaze fixed on the floor, his shoulders tight with an invisible weight. "Taehyung," Daehyun said, his voice steady but carrying an underlying command. "Come here."

Taehyung hesitated, but after a long moment, he shuffled toward his father, his movements hesitant and small. Daehyun gently reached out, taking Taehyung's hands in his, his grip firm yet comforting. "Look at me," Daehyun instructed.

Slowly, Taehyung lifted his gaze, his wide, tear-filled eyes meeting his father's steady, serious expression. "I trust you," Daehyun said, his voice calm yet resolute. "More than anyone else in this family.

So, I need you to be honest with me. Is there anything going on between you and that alpha?" Taehyung's eyes widened in shock, and he immediately shook his head. "No, Dad! I swear, there's nothing going on," he insisted, his voice cracking. "I didn't even know who he was until

two weeks ago. He's just... always there. No matter where I go, he's there. But I didn't think he'd actually... do something like this. I didn't know…" Hana's brow furrowed, concern knitting her features. "Taehyung, why didn't you tell us sooner?"

Taehyung bit his lip, his hands trembling in his father's. "I didn't know what to do," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "And I didn't want to make you and Mom worry because of me." Daehyun shook his head, his grip tightening in a gesture of both strength and reassurance.

"Taehyung, you're our son. If something's wrong, you come to us. Always." Taehyung nodded quickly, his eyes brimming with unshed tears, but before anyone could say more, the shrill ring of the landline broke through the tense silence.