Racing Against Death

“Chanyeong!”

The moment the door was smashed open, Chanyeong came into view on the bed.

He was gasping like someone drowning, unable to breathe properly.

Only broken, choking sounds escaped him, as if he might die at any second.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!”

Amid Janggun’s frantic barking, Chairman Seong Gongun checked his grandson’s condition.

‘He’s not conscious.’

This wasn’t just a nightmare.

It was as if something was crushing him, suffocating him.

“Chanyeong, wake up!”

“Hah… hah… s-save…”

That was all he could manage.

A broken plea, barely spoken.

It tore at Chairman Seong’s heart.

“Let’s get you to the hospital, my child. This is all my fault.”

‘I should never have left you alone…’

There was no time to hesitate.

He lifted Chanyeong onto his back and rushed out to the living room.

There was no room for despair.

First, he had to save him.

Everything else could come later.

If he lived.

“We need to get to a hospital! Now!”

At his desperate shout, the Alphas still lingering near the table jolted to their feet.

“What’s going on—… Seong Chanyeong?”

“…Seong Chanyeong?”

“What the hell? He was fine earlier… Why is he so pale?!”

“I’ll get the car keys.”

Joo Taegang, Yoo Iseo, Chae Yoonchan, and Baek Dojun all froze in shock at the sight of Chanyeong trembling and barely breathing.

It was Baek Dojun who managed to pull himself together first.

He grabbed his car keys.

“Whatever it takes… please, just save my grandson. Please.”

Chairman Seong clutched Chanyeong tightly, tears streaming down his face.

He was barely holding himself together.

It was late.

There was no time to call a driver.

And there was no way to make someone in this state drive.

“…Don’t worry, Chairman. I’ll take you to the hospital. Chanyeong will be fine.”

“C-Can you? I’m counting on you.”

“Of course. Let’s go.”

Baek Dojun steadied him and rushed outside, starting the car.

Behind them, the scene dissolved into chaos.

Seo Eunsu stood frozen, his hands trembling.

Seo Eunsu bit his lip until it bled.

“W-Why is Chanyeong like this? We need to call an ambulance—”

As he fumbled for his phone, Yoo Iseo stopped him.

“Get a grip, Seo Eunsu. This is the countryside. Driving is faster.”

“…Alright.”

“Don’t make things worse by panicking. You’ll just get in the way.”

The cold words stung, but they were true.

Without a license, Seo Eunsu couldn’t help.

“Let’s go, Chairman. I’ll get you to the nearest hospital as fast as possible.”

“Please.”

Baek Dojun took the wheel.

In the backseat, Chairman Seong held Chanyeong tightly.

Even when Baek Dojun tried to take him, he refused.

He wouldn’t let go.

“We’ll come too.”

“There’s no time. I’ll take him first. Follow behind.”

The others grimaced, but nodded.

“…Alright. Get him there fast. We’ll be right behind.”

Baek Dojun slammed the accelerator.

The car disappeared into the night.

“We need to go too.”

At Yoo Iseo’s words, they abandoned their meals and rushed out.

Seo Eunsu called the housekeepers as he ran.

“Auntie! Chanyeong is sick—we have to go to the hospital. Please clean up for us, I’m sorry!”

[The young master is sick?! Don’t worry, we’ll take care of it. Just bring him back safely!]

The others had cars.

Seo Eunsu didn’t.

He stood there, helpless.

‘I need to go…’

But there was no transport.

No buses.

No taxis.

Nothing.

‘How can I be this useless…’

Watching him, Chae Yoonchan waved him over.

“Come on. You’ll only worry if you stay.”

“…Thank you.”

“No need. It’s obvious.”

Seo Eunsu got in.

But his thoughts twisted painfully.

‘If only I could actually help…’

Even as an Alpha now, he felt powerless.

Watching Baek Dojun carry Chanyeong away like a hero—

he hated himself.

“You okay?”

Chae Yoonchan noticed the blood on his lips in the mirror.

“…I’m fine. Let’s go.”

But he wasn’t.

For the first time, he felt weak.

Truly weak.

He wanted to be stronger.

Strong enough to protect someone when it mattered.

Blood trickled down his torn lip.

He swallowed it.

It hurt—

like it was coming from his heart.

“Ugh…”

Chanyeong groaned the entire way.

Cold sweat poured down like rain.

Chairman Seong prayed silently—

Just hold on.

“Can’t you go any faster?”

“I’m doing everything I can, sir. If we crash, it’ll be worse.”

“…Alright.”

Even without looking, it was clear Baek Dojun was speeding.

‘Chanyeong… what’s wrong with you…’

Chairman Seong looked down at him, heart heavy with regret.

He should have run every test back then.

Should have done more.

Chanyeong’s pale face fed their worst fears.

What if—

What if this was another attempt?

‘What if he hurt himself because of me?’

‘What if we pushed him too far?’

Neither of them could stay calm.

“Ah… hhh…”

The car filled with strained breathing.

No one spoke.

“…If this was caused by his suffering… what would you do?”

Chairman Seong finally broke the silence.

“…If it’s because of us… then we’ll leave.”

“Truly?”

“We know he doesn’t want us here. If we’ve been hurting him… we won’t stay.”

“…I see.”

The question wasn’t just for Baek Dojun.

It was for himself.

‘Just wake up… Chanyeong. If I’m a burden too… I’ll leave.’

But if allowed—

he would do anything for his happiness.

“The hospital is up ahead.”

“Good. Hurry.”

Chairman Seong carried him inside.

Baek Dojun followed.

“S-save me…”

The weak, trembling plea shattered everyone who heard it.

“You’ll be fine. You will.”

Chairman Seong repeated it desperately.

He couldn’t lose him.

Not like this.

‘Don’t die… Seong Chanyeong.’

Baek Dojun felt the same.

Even if he couldn’t put it into words.