The Truth They Never Knew

“Wait a second. I’ll step outside and take this call.”

There was no way he could let the other three hear this conversation with Chairman Seong.

As Baek Dojun turned toward the door, Yui Seo spoke up.

“Who is it? Don’t tell me—it’s Eunsu?”

“No.”

“Then who could it be, for you to look that urgent?”

‘Did it show?’

So much for keeping his expression in check.

Top-tier Alphas really were ridiculously perceptive.

‘Nothing good will come from letting him notice.’

Yui Seo looked the most harmless on the surface—

But he was the most dangerous of them all.

Dojun had seen what happened to people who got on his bad side.

This wasn’t for Seong Chanyeong.

It was just…

A small favor in return for being released without conditions.

“My parents suddenly called me. It’s just annoying timing—we rarely get the four of us together.”

“…Hmm. Alright.”

Yui Seo clearly wasn’t convinced.

But he let it go.

Relieved, Baek Dojun stepped out of the room and answered the call.

“…Hello?”

[It’s me. Dojun.]

Chairman Seong’s heavy, authoritative voice came through immediately.

“Yes, Chairman. Have you been well?”

It was just a polite greeting.

But the reply came sharp and irritated.

[I haven’t. My grandson—your former fiancé, Chanyeong—has disappeared.]

“…What?”

That was news to him.

Chanyeong… disappeared?

Without even informing Chairman Seong?

Caught off guard, Dojun went silent.

The chairman’s tone hardened further.

[…You don’t know anything either?]

“This is the first I’m hearing of it. What happened?”

[I thought you might know where he went. Seems I was wrong. I should contact Secretary Choi again.]

Nothing he said made sense.

“…Was he kidnapped?”

It was a wild guess.

But it only irritated the chairman further.

[Do you think Seong Group is a joke? And does he look like someone who would get kidnapped? He’s more likely to kidnap someone himself.]

“…Right.”

That… unfortunately made sense.

Considering everything Chanyeong had done before.

“Then why did he disappear?”

[I can hardly believe it myself, but… he said he wanted to farm. Bought land and left.]

“…Excuse me?”

Farming?

As in… actual farming?

“That’s impossible. He would never say something like that.”

There was no way someone as temperamental and high-maintenance as Seong Chanyeong would choose that life.

‘…Although he did seem different that day.’

Still—

Dojun knew him too well.

Chanyeong was a city person through and through.

Farming was the last thing that would suit him.

[You’re not thinking I’ve gone senile, are you?]

“Of course not.”

He had considered it for a second.

But he lied smoothly.

[I didn’t believe it at first either. But it’s true.]

“…So he really left to live in the countryside?”

[Yes. I heard it directly from his former secretary.]

“…What if that secretary is involved?”

Honestly, that sounded more believable.

But the chairman snapped.

[I told you that’s not the case! He doesn’t have the guts for something like that.]

“…Then…”

[Chanyeong truly left to farm. The receipts and documents confirm it.]

He had even taken one of the land deeds from the chairman’s own collection.

Despite how absurd it sounded—

It was real.

“…Then why did you call me?”

[I thought he might’ve told you where he was going. I didn’t expect him to leave without saying anything.]

That…

Stung.

‘He told his secretary… but not me.’

That last meal.

It really had been just about breaking off the engagement.

Nothing more.

‘Was that why you called it the last time?’

“…That’s… frustrating.”

[Of course it is! How could he leave without telling even his family? Especially when he might be seriously ill!]

“…What?”

Another shock.

Ill?

Was that why he left so suddenly?

Why he cut everything off?

Dojun’s thoughts spiraled.

“Please explain.”

[…Forget it. It seems you knew nothing about him after all.]

“…I…”

He had no answer.

He thought he knew Chanyeong.

But clearly, he didn’t.

“…I’m sorry.”

[No need. I already know. I’ve heard your relationship wasn’t good.]

“…I see.”

All those years of pretending—

And yet it had been exposed so easily.

[Still, I believed he had at least some feelings for you. That’s why I called. I hoped… but I was wrong.]

“…I’m sorry.”

That was all he could say.

His mind was blank.

[It’s over. No need to hold onto false hope. Take care.]

The call ended.

Baek Dojun stood there, frozen, phone still in hand.

“Why so long? Did you make up a good excuse?”

Joo Yunchan nudged him.

But Dojun barely reacted.

“…I’m leaving.”

“What? Hey—!”

Ignoring him, Dojun ran toward his car.

That strange anxiety—

He was sure he could resolve it if he found Chanyeong.

Meanwhile, what was Seong Chanyeong doing?

“…Why do my ears feel itchy? Is someone talking about me?”

In his peaceful new home, he stood in front of the TV, mixing freshly picked vegetables into a large stainless steel bowl.

He added a spoonful of gochujang.

“Even after cleaning my ears, nothing… Someone’s definitely talking about me.”

He tilted his head, then tossed aside the ear pick and tissue.

Then returned to his bibimbap.

“Heh. Didn’t know there were bracken ferns in the hills nearby. Jackpot.”

These days, he climbed the mountain every day—for exercise and peace of mind.

It reminded him of hiking with his real parents.

And somehow, that gave him strength.

‘This body was already strong… but now it feels even better.’