Chapter 48: Leaving the Family Register

“Hyung, that’s not what it is.”

“If it’s not that, then what?”

“I… told the Chairman I wouldn’t take money from him.”

“What?”

At Hyun-jin’s words, Hyun-woo frowned.

Hyun-jin was still a student.

Of course, there are college students who live on part-time jobs without parental support.

But this wasn’t just any family—it was a conglomerate chaebol family.

There was no logical reason for Hyun-jin to refuse financial support on purpose.

Unable to understand, Hyun-woo’s expression hardened further.

“Why would you refuse that money?
What did you do so wrong?”

It wasn’t like Hyun-jin chose to be born into such a twisted household.

So why should he be the one to feel guilty?

This was clearly wrong.

But unlike the angered Hyun-woo, Hyun-jin remained calm.

As if he had prepared for this moment long ago.

“I just… want to become independent sooner.”

“Independent?”

“Yeah.”

When he was younger, simply being “family” with Hyun-woo made him happy.

Even when Hyun-woo became cold after learning they weren’t real siblings… he was still satisfied that, at least formally, they were family.

Just that alone was enough to feel he belonged in that house.

Even if Chairman Joo Moon-hyuk disapproved of him.

Even if his biological mother saw him as a stain in her life.

He endured it all.

But deep down, desire began growing.

If he could become independent.

If he could become a respectable adult, unrelated to that household.

Then maybe… he and his hyung could have a different relationship.

As graduation approached, that thought grew stronger.

“When I open my own café someday, I want to leave the family register too.”

“What did you just say?”

“I’m not really the Chairman’s son.”

“……!”

Hyun-jin said it quietly, but the shock hit Hyun-woo hard.

Of course it was natural for him to hold resentment toward Chairman Joo.

The Chairman had never shown warmth even to his real son.

So how would he have treated a child who wasn’t blood-related?

But still—refusing chaebol financial support entirely was foolish.

If anything, he should take everything he could get.

And leaving the family register entirely… would mean he and Hyun-woo would become strangers.

That was what shook Hyun-woo the most.

“Are you seriously saying that right now?”

His voice rose before he realized it.

People in the hospital lobby turned to look.

Unable to watch any further, Seung-hyuk stepped in.

“Don’t do this here.
Go home and talk.”

“…Ha…”

Regaining some self-control, Hyun-woo let out a slow exhale and turned his head away.

His arm throbbed.

Probably just his nerves.

“Hyung, I just mean—”

“Sorry, but we’ll talk later.”

“…….”

He cut him off—because if he didn’t, he would only get angrier.

He turned to leave.

Footsteps followed behind him.

Hyun-woo stopped, his tone firm.

“I’m going back alone later.
You two take the car.”

“…….”

“…….”

“Don’t follow me.”

At that quiet warning, the two stopped.

Hyun-woo walked out of the hospital.

“Ha….”

The weather was hot.

The air was heavy.

He walked aimlessly, sighing into the wind.

He never knew Hyun-jin was thinking like that.

In the previous timeline, Hyun-jin had never talked about leaving the family register.

What changed him now?

Or… had he always wanted to cut ties?

Maybe the only one who believed they were “each other’s only family” was Hyun-woo.

The real Joo Hyun-woo had pushed Hyun-jin away the moment he learned they weren’t blood related.

Even though he had treated him differently after transmigrating, that old wound wouldn’t just disappear.

He had been blind.

Hyun-woo pressed a hand to his aching chest.

“This is…”

He had walked without thinking, but he recognized the area.

The hospital was near a busy shopping district.

A large bookstore stood ahead.

Perfect place to cool his head.

He had planned to read today anyway.

Drawn in like a magnet, he stepped inside.

The store sold not only books but various goods.

Past the merchandise section, shelves of novels appeared.

The familiar smell of books slowly calmed him.

He breathed out softly and moved to the novel section.

“Still the bestsellers from five years ago….”

Books he remembered from his past life lined the shelves.

He had always kept track of bestsellers back then.

This one had even been adapted into a movie.

He hadn’t lived to watch it.

He tried to recall what books he owned now.

He couldn’t.

Too busy since returning to pay attention to his home library.

“Hmm….”

This was troublesome.

He bought every remotely interesting book back then—so most of these were already at home.

Better to look deeper for less mainstream titles.

He walked further and began browsing through rows of books.

Someday, when he became an executive, he wouldn’t have time for bookstores anymore.

Then he’d have assistants buy books for him.

So he might as well enjoy this now.

He resolved to take his time.

“Ah, hello.”

“…?”

Someone approached him just as he was absorbed in browsing.

A familiar voice.

He turned, startled.

“You are….”

“Fancy meeting here like this.”

Hwang Do-kyung smiled warmly.

Hyun-woo’s eyes widened.

The novel’s second male lead.

The man who later became Hyun-jin’s lover in the previous timeline.

Hyun-woo closed the book he was holding and forced a polite smile.

“I was rude last time.
My apologies.”

“No, I acted in a way that could be misunderstood.
I’m the one who should apologize.”

Hyun-woo looked at Do-kyung carefully.

The memory of Hyun-jin’s heat attacking him flickered through his mind.

He still didn’t believe he was at fault—but Do-kyung was currently Hyun-jin’s instructor.

So Hyun-woo responded with a professional smile.

“If it weren’t for you, Hyun-jin would have been in danger.
Thank you again.”

“He’s my student.
Of course I would help.”

“…….”

Do-kyung smiled like a benevolent teacher.

A person any outsider would admire.

The unease Hyun-woo felt before—was it just imagination?

He had re-investigated him.

And found nothing suspicious.

Someone like him should be ordinary.

Yet something still bothered him.

“Came to look at books?”

“Yes.”

“That’s unexpected.”

“…….”

Again, Do-kyung said something subtly rude.

Hyun-woo looked at him with a cool gaze.

Do-kyung laughed lightly and continued.

“Ah—no offense meant.
It’s just… you resemble the Chairman so much.
You seemed like someone who lives and breathes business.”

“Most entrepreneurs I know are avid readers.”

“True.
That is a stereotype of mine.”

Do-kyung’s gaze drifted to the book in Hyun-woo’s hand—a travel essay featuring a photograph on the cover.

“For some reason, I assume business people only read economics or self-help books.”

“Well, that is the image, I suppose.”

“To think someone who handles tens or hundreds of billions with a gesture would be picking out a little travel book.
You’re more adorable than I expected.”

“…….”

Do I keep smiling… or not.

Hyun-woo stared at him in disbelief.