Chapter Text
It was always such chaos every morning.
Two-year-old Wonhee wouldn’t stop crying until her mumma held her, and five-year-old Juhoon refused to put on his socks until his appa folded them. But the moment the two children were brought together, their grievances vanished. Juhoon absolutely adored his little sister, and Wonhee would smile right through her tears the moment her older brother began to entertain her.
“Sunoo!” Mrs. Park’s sharp voice cut through the morning air from the kitchen. “Hurry up and make the porridge! You know Grandmother cannot take her medicine on an empty stomach!”
There was no reply. Why? Because Sunoo was presently occupied with the most important duty of his day.
Bending over the bed, Sunoo pressed a gentle kiss against his husband’s forehead. The pale morning light filtering through the windowpane doused the man’s light brown hair in a golden sheen.
“Wake up…” the omega whispered, his fingers softly brushing the loose strands away from a sleeping face. “Juhoon is crying for his appa.”
His husband kept breathing peacefully, his brow completely relaxed. To Sunoo, he looked fast asleep. Little did he know.
The moment Sunoo’s attention wavered, a cunning hand shot out from beneath the heavy blankets. The omega barely had time to gasp before he was firmly hauled down onto the mattress.
“Sunghoon?!”
Sunoo found himself pinned, staring breathlessly up into his husband’s sleepy but entirely mischievous expression. With his hair sticking out chaotically and a smirk playing on his lips, Sunghoon looked like the most handsome man in the world. He truly was.
Sunoo’s hands instinctively rested against his husband's bare chest. It was late summer, and true to habit, Sunghoon still slept shirtless.
“This is how you wake me up, hm?” The alpha leaned down, burying his face in the warm, scented crook of Sunoo’s neck. “Whispering and kissing me like that… did you really think I’d just let you go?”
Sunoo giggled, his fingers already tangling in the alpha’s messy hair to smooth it out. Despite his initial surprise, his legs automatically wrapped around his husband's waist. Five years and two children will do that to you.
“Last night wasn’t enough?” Sunoo murmured, biting his lower lip as the heavy, comforting weight of the alpha pressed down on him. “You are so greedy.”
Sunghoon slid one arm underneath Sunoo’s hips and the other beneath his back, hauling the omega breathlessly close until there was no space left between them. He leaned down, his lips pressing a slow, deliberate line of marks against Sunoo's already columned skin.
“It’s never going to be enough…” Sunghoon whispered against his throat.
“Oh, Sunghoon…” Sunoo sighed, his fingers digging into the broad expanse of his husband's back.
Sunghoon lifted his head, nudging their noses together. Sunoo giggled again, closing his eyes as the alpha let their mouths melt into a soft, languid kiss.
“How fortunate I am,” Sunghoon mumbled against his lips, “to wake up seeing your face every single day.”
A barrage of loud, impatient knocks abruptly shattered the intimacy. Sunoo didn’t waste a second shoving the alpha off him. Sunghoon rolled onto his back with a groan.
Hurriedly smoothing down the collar of his blouse and patting his disheveled hair into place, Sunoo rushed to pull the bedroom door open.
Mrs. Park stood in the threshold with a thoroughly unimpressed look, a restlessly squirming Wonhee in her arms. The moment the toddler spotted her mother, she flung herself out of her grandmother’s grip with a loud wail. “Mum–mum!”
“My dear…” Sunoo shushed her softly, burying her face against his chest, utterly unable to meet his mother-in-law’s stern gaze. “…I’m here, I’m here...”
Sunghoon was already on his feet behind his mate, his hand gently stroking his daughter’s head. Wonhee paid him no mind, nuzzling blindly into Sunoo’s scent.
“Good morning, Mother.” Sunghoon offered a charming smile, playfully pinching his mother’s cheek. The older woman merely rolled her eyes.
“Appa!” Juhoon zoomed into the room, entirely unbothered by the heavy atmosphere, his untied shoes clicking against the wooden floorboards. “Appa!”
Sunghoon immediately scooped him up into his arms. “My prince!”
Mrs. Park ignored her son, her harsh glare remaining fixed entirely on Sunoo. “I called for you a long while ago. Don’t you feel any shame? Shutting the bedroom door in the middle of the morning while your mother-in-law handles your children? It is daylight, Sunoo.”
“Forgive me, Mother—” Sunoo whispered, his cheeks burning with shame. In his arms, Wonhee had completely calmed down. Beneath them, Sunghoon remained oblivious to the underlying venom, already kneeling on the floor to dutifully fold up Juhoon’s socks.
“Hurry up and come to the kitchen,” Mrs. Park ordered sharply. “I cannot feed this entire household alone.”
“Y-yes…” Sunoo nodded hurriedly, shifting his daughter securely onto his hip.
The moment the older woman turned on her heel, Sunoo turned around and pouted deeply at his husband. Sunghoon stared back, a little distracted by Wonhee, who was sleepily trying to pull Sunoo’s blouse down. Though she had been weaned a few months ago, the comfort habit still remained.
“I told you to wake up!” Sunoo stomped his foot, making the baby in his arms bounce and giggle. “Now I’m the one who got scolded!”
“Darling—” Sunghoon tried to reach out to soothe him, but Juhoon chose that exact moment to tug on his arm, struggling with his shoelaces.
Left without an ally, Sunoo turned and hurried out of the room with stinging eyes, leaving a deeply regretful alpha behind.
Downstairs in the dining area, Mrs. Park naturally did not miss the opportunity to prolong her grievances.
Sunoo balanced his daughter on his hip while carefully pouring steaming porridge into Grandmother’s bowl. The old lady gave him a delightful, warm smile, just as she always did.
“In my day and age…” Mrs. Park emphasized each word purposefully, chewing her food slowly. “We wouldn’t dare look at our husbands during the daylight hours. But look at the youth now… shutting the bedroom doors even though the whole house is awake—”
“Oh, come on, Mum!”
The interruption came from Minju, who swiftly slid into the dining space. She wound a playful arm around Sunoo’s waist, pulling him close. “My brother is still madly in love with his omega—how is that Sunoo’s fault?!”
Sunoo flushed a deep crimson, casting his gaze down at the floorboards.
“Quiet!” Mrs. Park warned, pointing her fork sharply at her daughter. “And is this the hour to finally wake up? Would it kill you to rise early and help your mother in the kitchen?”
“I was studying all night!” Minju whined, reaching out to coax her niece into her arms. Wonhee shook her little head, burrowing deeper into Sunoo’s chest. Sunoo hid a soft giggle behind his palm.
“Oh yes, we see how much you study,” Mrs. Park scoffed. “Remind me again why you failed half your subjects this term? I should already start looking for a proper husband for you, since that is how you will end up regardless.”
“Mumma…” Minju muttered, looking away meekly. “Don’t insult me in front of everyone.”
“Sit down, my dear,” Grandmother Park said gently, pulling her granddaughter into the seat beside her. “Sunoo, my dear, you too. Come, let us eat together—”
But just as Sunoo pulled out a chair to sit, Mrs. Park’s sharp voice stopped him. “What do you think you are doing? What about your husband? You mean to eat before serving the alpha of the house?”
Sunoo immediately froze, dropping his gaze. “Of course not, Mother.”
“We all know you come from a very wealthy family, where these things were normal." Mrs. Park remarked, her voice dripping with the same old prejudice, “But we’re different. It does not mean you are permitted to forget your basic duties as a mate—”
“Good morning, everyone.”
Sunghoon briskly walked into the dining room, already dressed in his crisp daytime attire. Juhoon was nestled comfortably in his arms, happily messing up the alpha's neatly tied necktie.
Sunoo was instantly by his husband’s side, pulling back his chair and carefully arranging his breakfast plate. “Juhoon, go sit next to your auntie, go on.”
The five-year-old skipped over, warmly welcomed by Minju and Grandmother, who immediately lifted him onto the bench between them.
“What’s wrong?” Sunghoon whispered softly, sensing the tension, but Sunoo ignored the question. He quietly buttered Sunghoon's toast and sliced his boiled egg. The moment Sunoo spun around to retreat back to the kitchen, a firm hand caught his wrist.
“Where are you going?” Sunghoon stood up, guiding Sunoo toward his own vacated seat. “Sit down and eat.”
“But Wonhee—”
“Hand her over to me.” Sunghoon gently transferred the little girl into his own strong arms. “Now, sit. I can manage my own plate.”
Minju laughed obnoxiously into her toast, while Grandmother threw a wink across the table at Sunoo. Mrs. Park merely shook her head in deep disappointment, returning to her meal.
The domestic chatter resumed, but halfway through the breakfast, the air in Sunoo's lungs completely turned to ice.
From across the table, Mrs. Park had stopped eating. She was quietly slicing an apple, but her eyes were entirely zoned in on Juhoon. Her brows were furrowed tightly, her gaze darting intensely over every contour, every line, and every feature of the five-year-old boy’s face.
She was looking for a resemblance. She was trying to match a face.
The food in Sunoo’s mouth instantly turned to sand.
Like clockwork and sacred duty, Sunoo always followed his husband all the way to the front door to see him off. The young omega stood on his toes, his brows furrowed in absolute concentration as he adjusted Sunghoon’s necktie. Sunghoon, meanwhile, was entirely occupied with staring at his face.
“How is it possible?” the alpha murmured, a soft groan of disbelief slipping from his lips.
“Hm?” Sunoo fluttered his eyes upward, meeting his husband's warm gaze.
“How do you manage to get prettier with every passing day?” Sunghoon’s hands slid down to anchor firmly around Sunoo’s hips, pulling him flush against his chest. “It doesn’t even look as though you’ve given me two children.”
Sunoo giggled, wrapping his arms tightly around his husband’s neck. “And why is that?”
"You look exactly as you did the day I married you and brought you home." Sunghoon squeezed him closer, letting his leather work bag slip from his fingers to thud against the floorboards. His hands wandered down with a playful, familiar press, making Sunoo gasp and giggle again.
“Shall we pretend that you did?” the omega teased softly, a coy smile playing on his lips. “That I am your youthful, lovely new mate seeing you off for the very first time? Just like those initial days.”
“Hm.” Sunghoon hummed, leaning down to press his forehead against Sunoo's. “I don’t have to pretend. Every single day with you feels entirely new—and entirely better.”
“I love you, Alpha…” Sunoo whispered, letting their mouths melt into a deep kiss. “I love you so much.”
“I love you more than you could ever imagine,” Sunghoon murmured against his lips. He cupped Sunoo’s face, a sudden, mischievous glint flashing in his sharp eyes. “I have a surprise planned for tonight.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“You’ll see.”
“Appa!” Juhoon came barreling down the hallway, dragging his heavy schoolbag behind him, closely trailed by a waddling, determined Wonhee. “We’re going to be late!”
The couple laughed, reluctantly breaking their embrace.
Juhoon immediately dropped to his knees in front of his baby sister, hugging her tightly. Sunoo leaned back against his husband’s broad chest with a soft sigh. Sunghoon bent his head, pressing a tender kiss into the crown of Sunoo’s dark hair as they watched their children. It was, without a doubt, the most beautiful sight in the world.
“Don’t trouble mumma today, promise?” Juhoon patted Wonhee’s head with all the gravity of a protective older brother. “If you’re good, I will give you candy when I return.”
Wonhee nodded frantically, her tiny hands clutching his shirt. “Junie!”
“Juhoon!” the five-year-old whined, puffing out his cheeks.
“Junie!”
“Come along, my prince,” Sunghoon chuckled, retrieving his work bag and taking Juhoon's satchel. “We really must go. Say goodbye to your mumma.”
Sunoo leaned down to catch a sloppy kiss from his son. “Bye, mum!” Juhoon patted Sunoo’s head in return, adopting an amusingly adult expression. “Take care of yourself.”
Wonhee received a flurry of dramatic, noisy kisses from her appa, making her squeal with hearty laughter.
Sunoo stood at the threshold, waving enthusiastically as his husband and son walked down the cobblestone path toward the waiting motorcar. Wonhee’s lower lip began to tremble as she watched her brother leave, but Auntie Minju swooped in from the hallway, scooping the toddler up into her arms with a loud, distracting cheer.
Sometime after noon, while Sunoo was resting in his bedroom with his daughter fast asleep against his chest, his mother-in-law’s sharp voice summoned him from downstream.
Sunoo carefully tucked the light linen blanket around Wonhee, shifting her gently into her wooden cot. Buttoning the collar of his linen blouse, he smoothed down his skirts and quietly descended the stairs.
Seated prominently in the drawing room was Sunghoon’s paternal aunt. Sunoo’s heart gave a nervous flutter. He quickly checked his reflection in the hallway mirror—pulling his skirt down to a respectable length below his knees and checking his buttons.
“Hello, Aunt,” Sunoo said softly, bowing deeply.
The older woman remained entirely unfazed, her sharp, judgmental gaze scanning every line of the young omega's face. She had never liked him. From the moment their match was proposed, she had spoken out against it. After all, Sunghoon and Sunoo’s marriage had been arranged under a shroud of sudden convenience.
“Hello,” the aunt finally drawled, elegantly crossing one leg over the other. Behind her, Mrs. Park balanced a silver tray loaded with tea and biscuits.
“Sister, please, have some tea.”
“I honestly feel quite pity for you,” the aunt remarked lazily, looking past Sunoo. “Working so tirelessly at your age, despite having such a young, able-bodied son’s mate in the house.”
Sunoo quickly intervened, taking the heavy tray from his mother-in-law’s grip to pour the tea himself.
Mrs. Park let out a sarcastic laugh. “Well, sister, it is what it is. My dear son brought home an omega from such an aristocratic family. He is simply not accustomed to the heat of a kitchen.”
Sunoo clenched his jaw, staring hard at the porcelain teacups to blink away the sudden sting in his eyes. Even after five years, he remained an outsider to Sunghoon’s mother.
“Still?” the aunt asked, sipping loudly. “Sunoo, you mean to say you still haven’t mastered basic culinary skills?”
The omega shook his head, forcing a polite smile. “I have learned, Aunt. I am simply not nearly as talented as Mother.”
“And what of the household chores?” the aunt pressed on. “The scrubbing? The laundry?”
“My dear Sunghoon has hired two servants for those menial tasks,” Mrs. Park chimed in, laughing airily. “How could he possibly allow his delicate omega to rough his hands?” She sighed heavily, shaking her head. “My poor Sunghoon… half his hard-earned salary is squandered on such unnecessary luxuries.”
“In our day and age…” the aunt sighed dramatically, “we took immense pride in managing our households, didn't we? We handled the cooking, the cleaning, the washing, and the rearing of the children all on our own.”
The two women shared a loud, mocking chuckle.
“Well, well… let us not speak too harshly. Sunoo comes from a very respectable, wealthy lineage. Of course he would be unaccustomed to real labor—”
“Yes, quite like our Minju,” Sunoo interrupted softly, unable to endure another syllable of their coordinated cruelty. He lifted his chin, staring squarely at his mother-in-law. “We wouldn’t want her to be burdened by heavy household labor either, would we? I only pray that Minju’s future husband cherishes her just as deeply, regardless of the family status she brings with her.”
Mrs. Park’s eyebrows snapped upward, her jaw hardening into a rigid line.
“My word, it seems you took our little chat to heart,” the aunt hummed, swirling her tea. “We were merely joking, child.”
Thankfully, Grandmother’s arrival cut the cruel conversation short. Sunoo swallowed hard, forcing down the sob threatening to break from his chest. Even so, a bitter sob already burned at the back of his throat; it was always like this, a tireless trial of his patience.
But in five years of marriage, he had never once complained to Sunghoon about his mother's bitter words. His own mother had given him that vital piece of advice: never complain about a mother to her son. It is a battle an omega can never win.
Grandmother Park entered the room, grumbling as she beat her cane against the Persian carpet. “My own daughter visits and doesn't even bother to come greet her mother?”
Minju entered the drawing room right behind her, dressed in her modern academy uniform. She carried a familiar wrapped parcel in her hands. Sunoo’s eyes widened slightly.
“Brother forgot his lunch bag on the entryway table, Mother,” Minju sighed, completely bypassing her aunt. “But I have to catch the tram for the academy right this second.”
“Let me take it,” Sunoo said quickly, stepping forward to relieve her of the parcel. “I will bring it to his office.”
“Really?” Mrs. Park rolled her eyes. “And who will care for your daughter while you wander into the city?”
Grandmother Park huffed, waving her hand dismissively. “I shall tend to my dear little princess. Now go, Sunoo. Do not let my Hoonie starve at his desk.”
Sunoo smiled gratefully, bending down to press a soft kiss against Grandmother's wrinkled forehead before making his escape.
Sunoo and Minju left the house together, walking briskly toward the street tramway station. Sunoo had dressed carefully, wearing a soft, butter-yellow collared blouse and a crisp white skirt that flowed elegantly below his knees. His long, dark hair fell loosely down his back, held back from his face by a large, matching yellow silk bow.
He had intentionally avoided his mother-in-law’s gaze on his way out. He had dressed up entirely for his alpha, and only his alpha. The mere thought of how happy Sunghoon would be to see him walk into his office brought a flush of excitement to his cheeks.
Minju sighed heavily as they walked. “Sunoo… you are too beautiful. You make me look plain standing right next to you. In fact, you make everyone look plain.”
Sunoo shushed her gently, playfully pinching her cheek.
“I mean it! You must teach me how to look like you!”
“Minju, please…”
But deep down, Sunoo knew she wasn't entirely exaggerating. The moment they stepped onto the public tram, nearly every head turned to catch a glimpse of the striking omega. Perhaps he should have brought Wonhee along; a child in his arms usually acted as a shield against the intense stares of strangers.
Minju disembarked first, waving enthusiastically before running toward the grand gates of the academy.
Half an hour later, Sunoo stepped into the grand, polished corridors of the government building where his husband worked as a senior auditor. The office was located on the third floor. Sunghoon had brought him here on several occasions for formal evening parties, so the clerical staff recognized him immediately.
“Hello, everyone,” Sunoo greeted them with a graceful bow. “My husband forgot his lunch today. Could someone please direct me to his desk?”
“Right away, Mr. Park! Follow me!”
Sunoo was escorted down a brand-new, carpeted hallway. He blinked in surprise, realizing his husband must have officially moved offices following his recent promotion.
“Is he occupied, sir?” Sunoo asked the clerk, Jaeyun.
“Not entirely,” Jaeyun replied with a warm, reassurring smile. “It’s just that a new high-ranking officer arrived today to oversee our entire department. He is currently having a private briefing with your husband, since Sunghoon is our senior-most auditor.”
Sunoo’s chest swelled with immense pride. “Then I shall wait out here.”
The omega stepped to the side, bowing his head politely as Jaeyun knocked gently on the frosted glass door and peeked inside. “Sir, someone is here to see you.”
“Send them in,” Sunghoon’s distracted, commanding voice echoed from within. Sunoo hid a small giggle behind his palm, charmed by his husband's professional tone.
Jaeyun stepped aside, bowing out. Sunoo waited for a single heartbeat, taking a breath before stepping into the cool, shadowed room.
The moment Sunghoon lifted his head from his ledger, his stern, professional expression instantly melted into a bright, radiant smile.
However, Sunoo’s eyes were instantly drawn away.
A man sat directly across from his husband, his back turned to the door. At the sound of Sunoo's entry, the man's head cocked slowly to the side, thick, silky ginger hair shifting in elegant waves over the high collar of his uniform.
Sunoo took a hesitant, trembling step forward. His gaze locked onto the dark navy fabric of the high-ranking military uniform, noting the dangerously casual, powerful way the man occupied the space.
“Sunoo? Officer, this is my beloved mate.” Sunghoon stood up immediately, stepping around his desk to approach his omega. He wound a warm, protective arm around Sunoo’s waist, pulling him securely to his side.
“Is that so?” the officer murmured. His back remained turned, his gloved fingers casually spinning a heavy brass paperweight on the desk. “I have heard a great deal about him.”
Sunghoon’s brow furrowed, his eyes darting down to his mate. He froze. Something about Sunoo had violently changed. Every drop of color had entirely drained from the omega's face. His lips parted, but no sound came out—it was as if the air in his lungs had instantly turned to ice.
The officer finally stood up. He turned around, slowly, deliberately.
Sunoo took a frantic, staggering step backward, a sharp, choked gasp escaping his throat. The neatly wrapped lunch parcel slipped from his paralyzed fingers, crashing uselessly against the floorboards.
Lee Heeseung fully faced them.
“Hello, Sunoo,” Heeseung said smoothly. He extended a gloved hand forward, his dark eyes locking onto Sunoo’s terrified gaze. “I am Officer Heeseung. Although…” He took a slow step closer,, knowing smirk playing on his lips. “…do we truly require an introduction?”
Five Years Ago: September, 1910
A seventeen-year-old Sunoo wept uncontrollably, his face buried deep against a warm, solid chest. The rain poured in sheets around them.
“Why… why…?” Sunoo whimpered, his weak fists striking futilely against the dark fabric of the alpha’s coat. “Why must you leave me?”
The alpha held him tighter, anchoring him against the storm. The young, forbidden couple hid beneath the sweeping branches of an ancient banyan tree, the crack of thunder overhead echoing the desperation tearing through their hearts.
“Just take me with you!” Sunoo begged, his voice breaking. “I love you so much, Heeseung.”
“I am so sorry…” Heeseung whispered, fighting back his own tears. “But you must let me go. I have no choice.”
“Why can’t I stay with your mother? Your sister? Let me wait for you in your home!”
“I promised you I would return to marry you, didn't I?” Heeseung pulled back slightly, cupping Sunoo’s rain-slicked face in his trembling hands. “You will wait for me, won’t you?”
Sunoo nodded frantically, closing his eyes tightly as his lover bent down to seal the promise with a desperate, breathless kiss. “I promise. I will wait.”
On that rain-drenched afternoon, born of youthful recklessness and childish desperation, Sunoo had built the foundation for the biggest lie of his entire life.
Or perhaps, the most beloved miracle of them all.
His beloved lie. His Juhoon.