Chapter 8: Complicated Hearts and Pretend Love

“Yeah, I don’t. Really.”

Hyunwoo gritted his teeth and glared at Seunghyuk as he spoke.

What a petty bastard.

Does he have to double-check like that to feel at ease?

Hyunwoo clicked his tongue inwardly.

How much must he not trust what I say to be so persistent even when he’s sick and not in his right mind?

Hyunwoo let out a deep sigh.

“Ha… how many times are you going to ask? I’m telling you, just believe me.”

“Hyung, I….”

“I’ll even introduce you to the person I’m dating soon.”

“…….”

Seunghyuk’s eyes widened, then shrank again.

He moved his lips as if to say something, but in the end, no words came out.

He just stared at Hyunwoo with trembling eyes.

Hyunwoo didn’t notice Seunghyuk like that and jumped up from his seat.

He walked to the dining room holding an empty mug.

After putting the mug in the sink, he rubbed his tired eyes and turned his body.

“If you’re feeling better now, go home.”

“Hyung….”

“Honestly, it’s annoying. I need some sleep too.”

Hyunwoo spoke with deliberate annoyance.

Seunghyuk had stressed him out enough with constant messages as revenge, and now he had even come to his house, making it ridiculous.

Yet… despite all that, Seunghyuk’s presence still made Hyunwoo feel complicated and confused.

Just being in the same space with him made his fingers tremble slightly while holding the mug.

He could calmly say he had no feelings in response to Seunghyuk’s earlier question, but inside, it wasn’t like that.

Hyunwoo gritted his teeth and forced his pounding heart down.

Before the regression, that is, before the accident that killed him, Hyunwoo had already mostly sorted out his feelings for Seunghyuk.

From the start, they weren’t compatible as partners.

But he had desired him out of selfishness, so it was natural things went wrong.

Hyunwoo had long realized how foolish his past actions were.

How ugly it was to cling to someone who would never look back at him.

After realizing all that, he decided to cut Seunghyuk out, yet residual feelings still lingered within him.

A person’s heart doesn’t seem to sort itself out easily.

Hyunwoo chuckled lightly, holding the ashes left from a fiery love in his chest.

At least he had acted as if nothing had happened, which was fortunate.

Otherwise, the perceptive Seunghyuk would have suspected him.

“…I’m sorry, hyung. I’ll be careful from now on.”

“Yeah, take care.”

After sending Seunghyuk off, Hyunwoo could finally catch his breath.

He tossed the windbreaker he’d been wearing into the dressing room and lay down on the bed again.

“Ha….”

Seunghyuk had said he’d be careful, but Hyunwoo couldn’t trust him.

It seemed like Seunghyuk’s condition wasn’t good.

‘I need to find an Omega actor for him quickly.’

He had to find an actor to show Seunghyuk to reassure him.

Right now, that was the only option that came to mind.

Hyunwoo rubbed his tired eyes, thinking that.

“So… your name is Lee Subin?”

“Yes!”

“Hmm….”

Why another Lee?

Hyunwoo frowned without realizing it while scanning the profile.

Under Hyunwoo’s scrutiny, Sungyun quickly found an Omega actor to show Seunghyuk.

The first impression wasn’t bad, and the subtle pheromone scent wasn’t overwhelming.

Since this was just for today, a slight mismatch wouldn’t matter.

“It’s not a difficult task, so don’t be nervous.”

“Ah, okay.”

A second-year acting student at the Korea Arts University.

Except for being a bit young, not bad.

Since they weren’t actually going to date, a slight age difference didn’t matter.

Cute, but not overly childish… and now the only important thing was acting ability.

Hyunwoo asked seriously,

“Can you pretend to be my partner convincingly?”

“Yes, I can! I’ve won several awards while in college.”

“Hmm.”

Looking at the profile, he had won several major awards in the school theater club, even as a lead actor.

Young, but capable.

No wonder Sungyun chose him.

However, his soft brown hair and slightly darker eyes reminded Hyunwoo of someone else.

Maybe Sungyun chose this appearance because it matched his taste.

‘…True, but.’

That type is ideal, but introducing him to someone resembling you might feel awkward.

Hyunwoo frowned slightly.

“I can really do it. And… I think I could do it even without acting….”

“Hmm.”

Subin blushed.

Clearly, he had some interest in me.

That made things slightly awkward.

Well, when an Omega and an Alpha meet, this is natural.

Though Hyunwoo had been immediately drawn to Seunghyuk in this world, it wasn’t like that before possession.

Possessed Juhyunwoo was similar to himself in many ways.

Dark black hair, deep eyes, slightly upturned eyes—not very pleasant-looking, but still popular.

He seemed like a cold beauty, receiving many advances from delicate men like Subin.

Being a top type himself, he didn’t reject them, but his preference was mostly for pretty faces.

If the body were slightly bigger, eyes not too intense… then it would be exactly Seunghyuk.

Hyunwoo sighed and took a sip of coffee.

“You just need to do what you’re paid for. Signed the contract already, right?”

“Ah… yes.”

Subin’s face drooped visibly.

He must have mustered courage to say something, so it must feel awkward being dismissed so quickly.

But Hyunwoo wasn’t planning to date anyone yet.

This connection with Subin ended here.

“He might ask questions because he’s suspicious. Since it’s just a month into the ‘relationship,’ if you’re unsure, just deflect—I’ll handle it.”

“Yes, understood.”

Subin nodded eagerly.

After about thirty minutes of conversation, they got to know each other somewhat.

Hyunwoo glanced at his watch.

It was about Seunghyuk’s arrival time.

He had deliberately met Subin first to explain things before Seunghyuk came.

It seemed like a wise decision.

“This should work. He should be here soon. Please do your best, Lee Subin.”

“Yes!”

Subin nodded brightly, still slightly lingering in sentiment.

At first, he thought of it as a simple part-time role during the semester, but seeing the Alpha opposite made him want it more.

The contract forbade revealing the other party’s info.

Understandably so—the Alpha in front of him would eventually run a major company.

But it wasn’t just the status.

Even if strangers met, this would be someone he’d pursue.

Subin didn’t want to waste this chance.

After separating this dominant Alpha safely, there would be no obstacles, and even a fake relationship could grow closer.

He reached out, thinking subtly.

“I… really meant what I said earlier. Hyunwoo, what about me?”

“…….”

Hyunwoo didn’t pull his hand away and looked at him steadily.

Not objectively bad-looking, personality uncertain, better to meet an Omega than another Alpha.

Society accepts Omega-Alpha pairings naturally.

But after clinging to a ruined love for five years, he didn’t want to meet anyone yet.

He wanted to work and think of nothing.

He tried to pull his hand away.

“I’m sorry, but….”

“Hyunwoo hyung.”

“……!”

If it weren’t for the cold voice above his head…

Hyunwoo swallowed nervously and looked up.

Seunghyuk had appeared, staring at Hyunwoo and Subin.