Chapter 96: The Night That Fell Apart

At last, after managing to send Hyun-jin away, Hyun-woo let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Thankfully — or perhaps unfortunately — Cha Kwon-oh didn’t seem particularly interested in her.

In the original story, his attention toward her had only begun after learning that she was Joo Hyun-woo’s younger sister.

So, as long as he didn’t know that here, things were fine.

Still, it had been a shock.

Of all people, why did Hyun-jin have to come looking for him — not Seung-hyuk?

It would’ve been much better if Seung-hyuk had walked in instead.

Could this be the influence of the original plot again?

In the original story, Hyun-jin’s birthday event involved meeting several male leads.

Maybe the story itself was pulling strings to make sure those encounters happened.

Come to think of it, Hwang Do-kyung also said he had an appointment at this hotel tonight…

Maybe the “event” wasn’t over yet.

The thought made Hyun-woo’s head ache.

If Hwang Do-kyung suddenly showed up too, it would completely ruin Hyun-jin and Seung-hyuk’s evening together.

No way. Absolutely not.

He’d worked so hard to make this day perfect — to fix what he’d ruined before the regression.

He couldn’t let anything mess it up this time.

“Do you like that Omega?”

“…What?”

“The way you’re desperate to keep her out of sight — looks to me like you care about her quite a bit.”

“……”

And there he went again — talking nonsense.

Now he was pretending to read minds.

Hyun-woo sighed.

“Ha… I don’t see why I’d discuss my personal life with you, Director Cha.”

“Oh really?

Then I’ll just assume whatever I want.”

“……”

This lunatic.

Hyun-woo clenched his jaw and glared at the smirking man.

“I told you, we’re just acquaintances.”

“Ah, right.

Just an acquaintance you brought to a hotel on a Friday night?”

“You—!”

“You’ll drop her soon anyway, won’t you?

That’s how you operate.”

“……”

Kwon-oh stared straight at him, that smug knowing look in his eyes.

Hyun-woo let out a short, disbelieving laugh.

“What did you just say?”

“Even if you get married someday, it’ll be to that arrogant heir from Gaha Group.

You wouldn’t seriously stay with a low-class Omega like that.”

“What are you even—”

“She looked like the type who’s been around Alphas plenty.

Pretty enough, but I’ve seen better.”

“……”

Kwon-oh’s tone dripped with arrogance.

Hyun-woo’s eyebrow twitched violently.

He knew — rationally — that the man was only trying to provoke him.

Kwon-oh would say anything to get under his skin.

But knowing that didn’t make it easier to stomach.

*What?

That she’s been with Alphas?

My Hyun-jin?*

Insulting his precious sister — that crossed a line.

Hyun-woo’s blood boiled.

“Are you finished?”

“Oh?

Touchy.

What, got feelings for her now?”

“I don’t care what you say about me.

But leave others out of it.

You’re making yourself look pathetic.”

“Pathetic?

Me?”

“Yes.

Utterly pathetic.”

He said it clearly, emphasizing every word.

Kwon-oh’s face twisted in fury.

How ironic — he could insult others freely, but couldn’t take it himself.

Hyun-woo looked at him coldly.

“Didn’t think you’d be that attached to the Omega.”

“Ha, stop spouting—”

“If I’d known, I might’ve taken her for myself first.

What a waste.”

“……”

“How good must she be for Director Joo Hyun-woo to lose control, hmm?”

Snap.

Something inside Hyun-woo’s head broke.

Crash!

Before he even realized it, he had Kwon-oh by the collar, slamming him to the tiled floor.

Voices shouted around him.

“Hyung!

Hyung, stop!”

“Hyun-woo hyung!

Let go of him!”

“……!”

Hyun-woo blinked, snapping back to himself.

He released his grip and stumbled to his feet.

“Haa… haa…”

“Ugh…”

At least he hadn’t punched him.

He’d only grabbed and shoved him down — but his pheromones had flared instinctively.

Kwon-oh’s face had gone pale.

“You okay, hyung?”

“Y-yeah…”

Still catching his breath, Hyun-woo glanced down at the man on the floor.

Kwon-oh looked shaken.

When their eyes met, Seung-hyuk immediately stepped between them, shielding Hyun-woo.

With Kwon-oh out of sight, Hyun-woo finally felt a sliver of relief.

“Damn it…”

Kwon-oh adjusted his disheveled tie with an irritated grunt, glaring at Seung-hyuk and Hyun-jin.

“Ha.

So you’re here too, Lee Seung-hyuk?”

He ground his teeth again.

There was a long history of bad blood between them.

Seung-hyuk glared back, unflinching.

The air crackled with tension — one wrong move and they’d both explode.

Buzz, buzz.

The sudden vibration of a phone broke the silence.

Kwon-oh clicked his tongue and pulled it from his pocket.

His secretary’s name flashed on the screen.

He sighed through his nose.

“Let’s just say… this didn’t happen.”

“……”

He tossed the words over his shoulder at Hyun-woo.

Hyun-woo immediately understood.

He was referring to their previous encounter — the hotel incident.

Now that Hyun-woo had snapped first, he wanted to call it even.

Without waiting for a reply, Kwon-oh turned and walked out.

The room fell quiet.

The three of them stood still, exchanging uncertain looks.

“Uh… should we go back to the room?”

“Yeah…”

They returned, silent.

Hyun-woo, still lightheaded from alcohol and adrenaline, leaned on Hyun-jin for support.

“Should we go to a hospital?

The ER should still be open.”

“No… I’ll be fine after some rest.”

“Still…”

“……”

Hyun-woo reached out, ruffling her hair gently.

“Don’t worry.

I’ll head home.

You two stay and enjoy the rest of the night.”

“No way, I’m coming with you.”

“But the cake—”

“We’ll do it at home later.

Let’s go now.”

“Wait, I—”

Hyun-woo looked helplessly at Seung-hyuk, silently begging for help.

*The suite!

You still have to go to the suite with her!*

That was the message in his eyes — but Seung-hyuk avoided his gaze.

“……”

*Damn it.

Completely ruined.*

Dragged along by Hyun-jin, Hyun-woo could only sigh.

The birthday event he’d so carefully prepared had fallen apart completely.

“I thought we still had medicine left, but it’s all gone.

I’ll run out and buy some!”

“No, Hyun-jin, really—”

“I’ll be right back!”

“……”

She darted out of the room before he could stop her.

Hyun-woo sat on the bed, staring at the closed door in silence.

“Don’t mind her.

Just lie down.

Want some cold water?”

“Uh… sure.”

Even now, Seung-hyuk was fussing over him, tending to him like a nurse.

Taking the glass he offered, Hyun-woo took a slow sip, lost in thought.

Where had it gone wrong?

Everything had been going so well.

Then Kwon-oh had to show up and ruin it all.

Hyun-woo gripped the cup tightly.

“You okay?

Feel sick?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“If you feel like throwing up, tell me right away.”

“……”

He sounded so calm — too calm.

Hyun-woo fell quiet, then hesitated before speaking softly.

“…Sorry.”

“For what?”

“Because of me… the event got ruined.”

“Oh.”

It took Seung-hyuk a second to realize what he meant.

Then, shrugging slightly, he said,

“You don’t have to apologize.”

“But—”

“We wouldn’t have gone to that suite anyway.

Not me, not Hyun-jin.

You still don’t get it?”

“……!”

Hyun-woo’s eyes widened.

He stared at Seung-hyuk, voice trembling.

“You… you knew?”

So he already knew — that Hyun-jin’s heart wasn’t his anymore.

That she’d fallen for someone else.

Maybe even for Hwang Do-kyung.

Hyun-woo’s chest throbbed painfully.

“Wait, think about it.

You can’t just give up like—”

“From the start, it was never me and Joo Hyun-jin.”

“What?”

“You know that, don’t you?”

“……”

His tone was calm, like still water — but the words struck like a stone.

Hyun-woo couldn’t breathe.

Seung-hyuk’s lips parted again.

“I…”

“Don’t.”

“……”

“Don’t say it.”

Unable to hold it in any longer, Hyun-woo bowed his head, his voice barely above a whisper.