Chapter 104
Ye Jun
I didn’t even hesitate. The words just came out flat and easy, like they belonged to someone else. "Sure, dad. Whatever helps the family. I’ll be there. I’ll do whatever you need."
Dad clapped me on the shoulder, grinning wide like I’d just handed him a winning lottery ticket. "That’s my boy. Knew you’d come around. This could be huge for us. Huge." He grabbed a banana from the counter and headed out, still muttering about seating arrangements or whatever.
The second he was gone Si Woo spun on me, eyes flashing red for real this time. "What the fuck was that? ’Whatever helps the family’? You sound like a robot. You hate this shit. You were supposed to fight him on it, tell him to shove his business dinner up his ass like you always do. Why are you agreeing?"
I shrugged again, drying my hands on a towel and stepping around him toward the door. "Because it doesn’t matter anymore. One dinner. One night of playing nice. Then I’m out of your hair and everyone else’s. Easy." I didn’t wait for his reaction. Just walked away, feet moving fast down the hall even though my chest felt like it was caving in. I heard him curse behind me, something loud and frustrated, but I didn’t turn back. Couldn’t. If I did I might actually start believing the panic in his voice was real.
The rest of the day dragged like it was personally trying to punish me. I stayed in my room mostly, staring at the duffel bag in the closet and practicing my "I’m fine" face in the mirror. By the time evening rolled around I’d changed into something decent but not too try-hard, long sleeves to cover the worst of the marks, and I was downstairs when the doorbell rang. Dad was already buzzing around like a stressed bee, telling me to "look alive" one more time before he opened the door.
And there was Ohm. Pulling up in this expensive car , windows down, some loud bass-heavy music thumping out that I didn’t even recognize but it sounded expensive and carefree and everything Si Woo would hate. Ohm killed the engine, stepped out looking all polished and tall and smiling that gentle smile that made my stomach do a tiny flip I immediately hated myself for. He was carrying a bottle of something fancy, probably wine that cost a fortune, and he waved at dad first before his eyes landed on me.
I felt the secret smile creep onto my face before I could stop it. Not the big fake one dad wanted. Just a small, real one in the corner of my mouth because yeah, okay, part of me was going to enjoy this. One last night of making Si Woo lose his mind before I disappeared for good. Let him watch Ohm be all nice and patient and everything I’d described. Let him feel that red-eyed jealousy burn while I played along just enough to twist the knife. Then I’d be gone. Bag packed, bus ticket already bookmarked on my phone. Freedom.
"Ye Jun," Ohm said as he came up the steps, voice warm and easy. "You look good. Hope I’m not too early."
I laughed, the sound lighter than I felt, and shook my head. "Nah, perfect timing. Come on in. Dad’s been talking about this all day." I stepped aside to let him pass, but not before I caught Si Woo’s glare from the living room doorway. His whole body was tense, fists clenched at his sides, and that red was back in his eyes full force.
Dad was already shaking Ohm’s hand, laughing too loud, pulling him inside while I trailed behind. Si Woo moved to block my path for half a second, voice low and rough just for me. "What the hell are you smiling about? This isn’t funny."
I looked up at him, that flat tone back but with a tiny edge of sarcasm I couldn’t kill. "Smiling? Me? Must be the lights. Or maybe I’m just excited for dinner. You know, family bonding and all that. Relax, Si Woo. It’s one night. After that you won’t have to worry about me at all."
He grabbed my wrist, not hard but enough to feel the bruises from last night flare, and pulled me close enough that his breath hit my ear. "Don’t do this. We’re not done talking about this morning."
I yanked my arm free, still smiling that secret little smile because Ohm was watching from the dining room now, head tilted like he could sense the tension. "We are done. You just haven’t figured it out yet." I brushed past him, shoulder bumping his on purpose, and headed straight for Ohm because why not? One night. One last chaotic, sarcastic, heart-twisting night before I left this whole mess behind. And if Si Woo’s jealousy made him explode? Even better. At least I’d get to laugh one more time before the tears came back.
The table was set all fancy, dad talking business already, pouring drinks and slapping Ohm on the back like they were old friends. I sat down next to Ohm because dad basically herded me there, and Si Woo ended up across from us, staring daggers the whole time. Every time Ohm said something nice to me, asked about my day in that soft way that made Si Woo’s knuckles go white around his fork, I answered with just enough energy to keep it going. Not flirty, not over the top, but enough that Si Woo was practically vibrating in his seat.
"You okay over there, stepbrother?" I asked at one point, voice dripping with fake sweetness while I passed the rice to Ohm. "You look like you’re about to pop a blood vessel. Need me to get you some water or something?"
Si Woo’s eyes snapped to mine, red flashing bright. "I’m fine. Just wondering why you’re suddenly so chatty when you were dead silent this morning."
Ohm glanced between us, brow furrowed a little, but he kept it polite. "Everything alright? If I’m causing any family tension I can. "
"No, no," I cut in fast, laughing again because the absurdity of it all hit me right in the chest. Here I was, bruises hidden under my sleeves, heart still raw from crying in the shower, packing a bag to run away, and I was sitting here poking the bear one last time. "Si Woo’s just being Si Woo. Overprotective big brother vibes, you know? Thinks every guy who talks to me is out to steal the family silver or whatever."
Dad chuckled like it was all a joke, but Si Woo looked ready to flip the table. "Not every guy. Just the ones who roll up in cars like that blasting music loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear. Trying to impress someone, rich boy?"
Ohm raised an eyebrow, calm as ever. "It’s just music. Helps me unwind after long drives. No big deal."
I leaned back in my chair, that secret smile still tugging at my lips because this was gold. Si Woo jealous, Ohm confused, dad oblivious, and me in the middle knowing I had one foot out the door already. My chest hurt with how much I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time, but I held it together. One night. Make him feel it. Then leave.
The conversation kept going, back and forth, Si Woo snapping little comments that I batted away with sarcasm that felt forced but still landed, Ohm trying to smooth everything over with that gentle alpha patience that only made Si Woo madder. I ate my food and nodded at the right times and inside my head I was already on that bus, already in some new city where no one knew me as the stepson or the toy or the bargaining chip. But right now? Right now I was going to enjoy watching Si Woo squirm. Just for tonight. Just long enough to make the leaving hurt a little less when it finally happened.
By the time dessert came out Si Woo had barely touched his plate, eyes locked on me and Ohm like he was calculating how many seconds it would take to drag me upstairs and remind me who I belonged to. I met his stare across the table, flat and tired and a little sad under all the sarcasm, and mouthed "whatever helps the family" just to watch his face twist.
He looked like he might actually say something real this time, something that wasn’t just anger or possessiveness, but dad started talking business again and the moment broke. I laughed under my breath, short and shaky, because yeah. This was it. The last chaotic dinner before I walked away for good. And if my eyes burned a little when no one was looking? Well. I’d save the real crying for the bus ride tomorrow. For now I was going to keep smiling that secret smile and let Si Woo feel every bit of the jealousy he’d earned.
The night stretched on, plates cleared, dad pulling Ohm into the study for more "talks," and me left in the hallway with Si Woo blocking the stairs again like he could stop me from disappearing just by standing there. "We need to talk," he said, voice low and rough, hand reaching for my arm again.
I stepped back, shaking my head. "Talk tomorrow. Or don’t. Doesn’t matter." My voice cracked for real this time but I covered it with another laugh, sarcastic and tired and full of all the things I couldn’t say out loud yet. "Night, Si Woo. Sweet dreams about rich pricks and what you’re losing."
I turned and headed up the stairs before he could answer, bag waiting in my closet, heart pounding with that mix of terror and freedom that made my hands shake all over again. One more night. Then I was gone. And the thought of it hurt so bad I almost wanted to laugh and cry at the same time, right there on the steps where no one could see. But I didn’t. I kept moving. Because that’s what I did. Push until it breaks, then keep going anyway. Even if it felt like my chest was splitting open the whole way.