The House I Thought I Left Behind

“Thank you for the work.”

Today, the gallery was closed, and he spent the day at a massage shop Director Ji had reserved for him.

After receiving the massage and getting up, his body felt noticeably lighter and refreshed.

So this is why people get massages, he thought as he slowly changed clothes.

Just as he opened his locker, his phone rang.

The caller was his mother.

“Yes, Mother.”

[Jaekyung, where are you?]

“Ah, I’m just outside for a bit. Is something wrong?”

[Nothing’s wrong… Could you come home today?]

“Home… Did something happen?”

[I said nothing happened. I made japchae for the first time in a while, and it made me think of you… If it’s okay, would you like to have dinner with me? And if you want, you can bring the Executive Director too.]

Being invited home out of nowhere…

Months had passed since his mother returned to Korea after taking care of Jaeyoung, but aside from a few “how are you” calls, she had never asked him to come home.

So this invitation didn’t feel entirely pleasant.

A part of him feared something might be wrong.

“He’s busy, so I don’t think he can come. I’ll go alone.”

[Alright, I’ll be waiting.]

His mother’s voice sounded strangely subdued.

Still, he tried not to overthink.

Maybe she really just thought of him because of the japchae.

Jaekyung changed clothes and left the dressing room.

Outside, the bright afternoon sun greeted him.

“I’m here, Mother.”

“Jaekyung!”

As soon as he entered the house, his mother rushed out in her socks and wrapped him tightly in her arms.

He had told himself that they should grow distant now that he was no longer a child under this roof… but the moment he was held, his eyes stung.

This house he once desperately wanted to escape—its air now felt strangely familiar and warm.

He had never imagined there could be a place worse than this.

“How have you been? Let me see your face.”

His mother’s eyes shimmered with tears.

Jaekyung gently wiped them away, but her fragile eyelids continued to tremble.

She touched his cheek, stroked his hair, and called his name again and again.

She had gotten so small.

“What are you standing there for. Let the boy come in.”

The stern, heavy voice from the living room made Jaekyung want to walk right back out.

He hadn’t expected his father to be here.

His mother glanced at him apologetically and held his hands tightly.

“Your father has been wanting to see you.”

If he wanted to see him, why hadn’t he called even once in the past year and a half?

Not even one message?

Did he never wonder how his son was living?

Jaekyung took a slow, heavy breath and stepped into the living room.

“Father. It’s been a while.”

“You ungrateful child. Did it never occur to you to wonder how your father lives?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Forget it. Sit.”

“Jaekyung, talk with your father a bit while I finish dinner. Alright?”

His mother patted his back twice and went into the kitchen.

From there, came the sound of dishes, voices, sizzling oil, and soon—delicious aromas.

Chairman Park finished reading his newspaper and folded it before taking a sip of tea and looking at Jaekyung.

“So, NI is treating you well?”

“We’re doing our best.”

“What kind of answer is that. Tch. I told you before your marriage. No matter what happens, keep your head down. If they say something, you say yes. Always yes.”

“I’m doing my best.”

“It’s not about effort. You do it unconditionally!”

His father slammed the armrest loudly.

In the past, that voice had terrified him.

Now, after enduring the suffocating silence of that other house for a year and a half… his father’s anger barely stirred him.

“I met Chairman Han recently. He’s concerned there’s still no news of a child. You shouldn’t give elders something to worry about. Once you’re married, you should prioritize having children. Especially since Executive Director Han is an only son. That family is anxious.”

Ah.

So that’s why he was called here.

Someone—Director Ji? Chairman Han?—must have hinted something to his father.

As if the pressure they were already putting on him wasn’t enough—now they were using his family.

Truly, there was nowhere left to breathe.

“I’m trying.”

“You must try! And another thing—there are rumors you and the Executive Director still haven’t done the imprinting. Do it immediately! Do you think other omegas will leave a man like him alone? There are houses lining up offering their daughters to him even as a second wife. If something happens and another omega imprints with him first, what then? You’ll be thrown aside. No, you’ll be nothing but a forgotten relic.”

He was already forgotten.

Already living like someone left behind.

Of course his father was anxious.

He had traded Jaekyung to NI in the name of business, and Jaekyung had done nothing to uphold that “deal.”

But what did they expect?

He couldn’t make a child alone.

And Han Taeseok had no interest in his heat cycle, nor any intention of waiting.

A child was irrelevant to him.

…Unless, perhaps, he already had someone else.

Another omega.

They had agreed not to interfere in each other’s private lives, after all.

But then… Taeseok always still came home.

Though he did once read online—

Apparently, cheating husbands treated their wives extra kindly to hide guilt.

Maybe that was it.

He spent the day with another omega, then returned home at night to sleep beside him out of habit.

It sounded plausible.

“Are you listening to your father?!”

His father yelled again, lecturing endlessly, but Jaekyung only sat silently, letting the words pass through him.

In the end, the japchae he ate that night upset his stomach so badly he suffered the entire night.

And he swore—

He would never return to his parents’ home again.

◆

The day of the party finally arrived.

Stylists and artists arrived at the house even earlier than on his wedding day.

He received massages, skincare, hair styling.

Then he wore the suit Director Ji had chosen—of course, a one-of-a-kind luxury brand.

Secretary Oh stood waiting to escort him.

He got into the car.

The driver was separate, Secretary Oh in the passenger seat, explaining the schedule.

“We will meet Executive Director Han in front of the hotel.”

“Yes.”

He expected as much.

He looked out the window and reminded himself not to speak more than necessary today.

A single careless word could become gossip for months.

They all pretended to be refined, but they thrived on ripping others apart.

It was safest to keep quiet.

After about an hour, they arrived at the hotel.

The door opened, and Han Taeseok stood waiting.

Even at the entrance, he could feel countless eyes.

Of course.

Their wedding had been loud and flashy.

And tonight was a party celebrating Han Taeseok’s promotion to Executive Director—NI’s marketing team would not waste such a chance.

There were journalists everywhere.

Jaekyung smiled and greeted him gently.

He stepped out and stood at his side.

Camera shutters clicked furiously.

“You came early?”

“Sorry I couldn’t come pick you up.”

“It’s fine. I know you’re busy. And you always pick me up and drop me off… one day of rest is okay.”

Affectionate.

As if they were newlyweds.

As if they were happy.

As if their life together was sweet.

“This way.”

They followed the manager inside the banquet hall, which was already overflowing with guests and journalists.

Since this was their first official appearance as a married couple, attention swarmed around them.

Jaekyung was slightly pushed by the crowd, and Taeseok quickly steadied his waist.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.”

The hand on his waist felt uncomfortable.

He forced his expression to stay natural.

When he stood upright again, he noticed the eyes of other omegas—full of envy and jealousy.

Ah.

These must be the people his father spoke about—the ones willing to become a mistress just to have Taeseok.

He wanted to say: Go ahead. Try living this life yourself.

But he simply smiled and nodded politely.

Then tightened his hold on Taeseok’s arm.

Not to show love.

But because appearances demanded it.

Though slim, Taeseok’s arm felt solid with muscle beneath his suit.

Of course.
He was an alpha.