Chapter 112: The Secret He Never Needed to Carry Alone

It would be a lie to say Doyoon never wanted to kill Han Won-ju for tormenting Seunghyun. But he had zero intention of doing anything Seunghyun would hate.

Seunghyun had hammered into Hyung-ju never to do bad things—how could the person right beside him do worse?

Yet Seunghyun believed it without a shred of doubt.

To him, Doyoon was utterly untrustworthy. The fleeting high from Seunghyun’s drunken peck now felt idiotic.

Hyung never cared if I was his real brother or not. I was the only one obsessed and anxious…

He knew it already, but the confirmation shattered his heart. The brief hope felt pathetic. He couldn’t face Seunghyun for a while.

Of course, had he known Noh Jae-sik would kidnap Seunghyun days later, he wouldn’t have entertained such stupid thoughts.

Unconscious, Seunghyun lay on a huge bed, eyes closed, breathing shallow. An IV dripped into his arm; bandages and gauze wrapped his body. Already pale, he now looked ghostly.

In Seonjeong Hospital’s most luxurious top-floor VIP suite stood three doctors, Doyoon, and Shin Mi-sun—all grim. The last doctor finished checking.

“Lost more blood than expected, mild friction burns on his back, dehydration. Rest well and he’ll recover. Lucky he was found before it worsened.”

“No complications?”

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Dismissed. Keep this strictly confidential.”

The doctors bowed out. The second the door closed, Shin Mi-sun collapsed into a chair. She sat by the bed, tenderly stroking unconscious Seunghyun’s forehead. Doyoon watched, face stiff, then spoke.

“Send Noh Jae-sik’s psych evaluation to the police fast. He’ll blab to the cops about being hyung’s father. Can’t silence him completely, but label him mentally unfit. Media will explode soon.”

“…Right.”

Doyoon stared at the back of her head.

“Genuine question—why let him live all this time? You could’ve handled him.”

“…”

She stiffened, then gave a self-mocking smile.

“…Never thought he’d do this to my own child.”

Doyoon watched her.

“You had expectations.”

“…”

“…Must’ve been hard.”

She glanced back briefly, said nothing, and left. Doyoon hadn’t expected an answer; he didn’t stop her.

Suddenly the vast single room held only Seunghyun and Doyoon.

Doyoon gazed at the bed, sat in Shin Mi-sun’s chair, and lightly touched Seunghyun’s hair.

“Who told you to get hurt like this.”

No major surgery needed—pure luck. Doyoon memorized the dry lips, purple bruises, roughened skin. He traced the gauze on Seunghyun’s cheek, muttering:

“Someone so precious just to look at…”

Noh Jae-sik’s phone and laptop were already with Hyung-ju—everything related to Seunghyun’s birth deleted. Unless he had a USB or timed email elsewhere, the future was safe. Doyoon would confirm through interrogation later.

From the police: Noh Jae-sik had already told Seunghyun he was his real father. Expected, but hearing it made rage unbearable.

Still, Seunghyun never imagined this when searching for his bio-dad. Doyoon wished he could erase the memory and hire a decent lookalike to play the part.

Idiots always cross the line.

He couldn’t predict how he’d handle Noh Jae-sik. He wanted to kill him.

Doyoon gently stroked the back of Seunghyun’s hand with his finger.

If hyung never knows…

Just say he vanished.

But then hyung would stay anxious…

Doyoon kept brainstorming ways to dispose of Noh Jae-sik without Seunghyun knowing.

If Seunghyun wanted, Doyoon could make him disappear without a trace.

If Seunghyun wanted it buried forever, Doyoon could play dumb till death.

He knelt on the floor, rested his head on the bed, and placed Seunghyun’s limp hand on his own head.

So wake up soon. I’ll do whatever you want.

He closed his eyes, feeling the faint pulse.

Seunghyun opened his eyes on the second day.

Doyoon watched muted TV news. The screen flashed: [Haewon eldest son Choi Seunghyun rescued 8 hours after kidnapping]. The anchor calmly explained: 100 billion ransom demanded; perpetrator with prior murder convictions, fugitive abroad, ran out of money, planned the crime. Doyoon crossed his arms, checking nothing beyond the pre-agreed company statement leaked.

A soft groan behind him. Doyoon sprang up, knelt by the bed. Seunghyun’s eyes blinked slowly.

“Hyung…! You’re awake?”

Seunghyun looked dazed. Seeing himself reflected in those dark eyes, every moment of focus returning felt miraculous.

He stared silently, then rasped:

“…Hospital?”

“Yes.”

His eyes darted—confused.

“How?”

“I saved you.”

Seunghyun’s mouth formed an O.

“…How?”

Doyoon smiled playfully.

“I’m an adult now.”

Shin Mi-sun had given Noh Jae-sik’s location, but the real savior was the ladybug keychain tracker Doyoon gifted Seunghyun. He’d mention neither.

Seunghyun asked dreamily:

“…How long was I out?”

“Two days.”

“Work?”

“Took leave. Drink water.”

Work first thing? Doyoon frowned slightly, pressed the button to raise the bed 30 degrees, handed him water. Watching him drink:

“You’ll be hungry. I’ll order porridge.”

Seunghyun weakly tugged Doyoon’s sleeve as he turned. Anxious eyes looked up.

“…How many people know I’m like this?”

Doyoon smiled small.

“The whole nation. It’s all over the news. Delayed it two days, though.”

“…”

“Disappointed I’m the only one here?”

“N-No!”

“Reporters are swarming—hard for visitors. Group’s suppressing media. Mother and noona visited yesterday. Grandfather’s wheelchair kept him away.”

Seunghyun’s face darkened. Doyoon worried he waited for Choi Young-gil, but:

“…Sorry for what I said.”

“What?”

“The yakuza thing. Wanted to apologize first if we met again.”

He looked truly dejected. Doyoon’s heart melted; he sat again, gazing at him.

“I’m sorry too, hyung. Acted alone without telling you.”

Seunghyun looked up cautiously.

“Did you… meet the kidnappers?”

“Obviously. Put them in jail.”

Seunghyun’s grip tightened briefly.

Doyoon sensed it instinctively: Now he’ll mention Noh Jae-sik.

Seunghyun looked desperate, anxious. His lips parted, closed, parted again. Doyoon waited, focused.

Then—out of nowhere:

“Can I… stay here until I’m fully healed?”

What?

Doyoon’s face twisted. The odd question sparked deep displeasure.

“Huh?”

Seunghyun lowered his head, voice small.

“You… know everything now, right?”

Doyoon blurted, baffled:

“…What’s this about?”

Seunghyun glanced at him, shrinking.

“You didn’t hear anything from Noh Jae-sik?”

Of course Doyoon knew more about the man than Seunghyun did. Then a thought flashed:

No way.

He thinks I’ll kick him out after learning the secret?

Seunghyun peeked at Doyoon’s face, voice barely audible:

“…Sorry for everything. I’ll go far away and live quietly so I won’t bother you anymore.”