Chapter 72. Lee Dohyun (2)

“It’s in the basement. I’ll come up.”

After ending his call, Jaeheon stepped out of the car. Rubbing the corners of his mouth as if to smooth away the tension, he entered the lobby of a luxury villa.

With every step, Eunkyo’s words echoed in his mind,

“I might be hard to reach sometimes. My phone’s acting up. But don’t worry.”

“Want to stop by and get a new one? We’ve got time before the movie.”

“No, it’s fine. I kind of wanted to avoid some calls, anyway.”

“Someone bothering you?”

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

She insisted it was nothing, but Jaeheon knew.

He knew exactly what was bothering her.

And still, Eunkyo treated him like a kid. Yesterday, they’d been together—but today, she said he should go home and got into a cab after the movie.

He could’ve stopped her. But he’d pretended to be cool about it. Tried to act like an adult.

At his family’s villa, he rang the doorbell and was greeted by No Sanghee, his mother.

“Oh my, is it raining that much? The roads weren’t too bad, were they?”

Beaming at the sight of her son, she tugged him inside. The housekeepers welcomed him too.

“What’s the occasion? Why the sudden dinner?”

Kicking off his sneakers, Jaeheon asked as his mother gave him a mock-glare.

“No reason. I just complained that I never get to see my boys anymore. So your father called your brother and you both in. Says he’s got something to talk about.”

“Ah.”

“He’s in the study. Should be out soon. Want some coffee while you wait?”

“No thanks, I had some already.”

Jaeheon looked around the house, decorated exactly to his mother’s tastes, and took a seat on the living room sofa. Just then, a fluffy Bichon Frise bounced over and latched onto his leg.

He chuckled, ruffling the dog’s head. The little thing rolled over and wiggled for attention.

“Jangsoo, you’ve gained weight.”

At his mumble, No Sanghee—who had been setting the table—burst into laughter.

“His name’s not Jangsoo, it’s Janggun! How many years has it been and you still can’t get the dog’s name right?”

“Ah… Janggun. Still, the name doesn’t match his face. It’s too much.”

“Oh my, do you know how brave our Janggun is? Right, sweetheart? Come here, Janggun!”

Clapping in a soft, lisping tone, No Sanghee called out, and the dog that had been sitting at Jaeheon’s feet darted over to her.

Janggun had been brought home around the time Jaeheon enlisted in the military, to fill the emptiness his absence left behind.

Jaeheon’s mother, No Sanghee, was vulnerable to loneliness. She was dependent and constantly in need of love. For her, someone’s attention was proof she was loved.

But Jaeheon’s father was the complete opposite, and his mother suffered from that deep, unfulfilled need.

Eventually, she asked for a divorce, saying she was fed up with his selfish ways and his disregard for family. She handed over the papers without hesitation.

Wealth and prestige meant little to her. After all, she came from a powerful family that had built its fortune in Seongbuk-dong and was herself the chairwoman of the Hwayang Arts & Culture Foundation.

She had nothing to lose.

Still, the reason Jaeheon chose his mother as his legal guardian was simple: he didn’t want to eat anything made by his father, Seo Kyungwoo.

And that was about as far as his attachment to his mother went. She had never truly protected him like a parent should—always needing help rather than offering it.

The second husband she chose, however, was a romantic who understood her complicated personality and never stopped telling her she was loved.

“Jaeheon, you’re here.”

The door to the first-floor study, hidden behind blinds, opened, and Lee Jungsik stepped out with a bright smile.

“Hello, sir.”

Jaeheon stood and gave a polite bow. From behind Jungsik, Dohyun followed him out.

“You’re late,” Dohyun said, grinning slyly as he walked up and casually placed a hand on Jaeheon’s shoulder. With brotherly ease, he gave a little tug in the direction of the dining room.

And that’s when Jaeheon realized why the mood in the house had felt so off.

Though they were brothers, not a drop of blood tied them together. The energy between them was always completely different.

“Vacation’s coming up soon, right?” Dohyun asked.

“Most of my classes are already done. It’s basically vacation now,” Jaeheon replied with a quiet smile.

“Right… You’re graduating this year, aren’t you? Dad mentioned maybe we should all take a trip together.”

“Can’t. Too busy.”

Jaeheon brushed Dohyun’s arm off and walked into the dining room. Without being invited, Dohyun followed and took the seat right beside him.

The strange energy in the air made Jaeheon uneasy.

Three years ago, Lee Jungsik had been furious—he’d practically thrown Dohyun out to the U.S. and declared he’d never set foot in Korea again. He even swore he’d cut ties with his son altogether, and if No Sanghee hadn’t stepped in to stop him…

And now? Everything was back to normal like it never happened?

Jaeheon had a feeling. Maybe this wasn’t Jungsik’s idea at all. Maybe Dohyun had arranged this whole dinner.

What game was he playing?

“You two showing up means a lot. Sanghee’s been fussing all day, saying it’s been too long since she’s seen you both. You’ve been impossible to catch lately, and Jaeheon’s even worse,” Jungsik said with his usual warm tone, glancing at No Sanghee.

“The housekeepers prepared everything. I didn’t do much. Still, it’s so nice to have the boys home.”

“It finally feels like a real home again.”

“Exactly, sir.”

The housekeeper placed a steaming pot of ox knee and brisket stew in the center of the table, signaling the start of the meal.

“So… about that trip. We’ve been a family for years, and not once have we all gone on a vacation together,” Sanghee said cautiously, glancing between the two sons.

Dohyun jumped in first with a regretful expression.

“I actually already asked, but it sounds like Jaeheon’s pretty swamped.”

“Is it because of your senior project, Jaeheon?”

He gave a short laugh and nodded.

“You three should go. I’ll join next time.”

“That’s no fun if you’re not there… What about you, Dohyun? Do you have time?”

As if on cue, Janggun bounded over and jumped onto No Sanghee’s lap.

Dohyun watched the scene fondly and replied in a gentle tone.

“I was going to mention this later, but… I went house hunting today. I’m signing next week, so I’ll be busy moving in and settling down. Sorry.”

Jaeheon’s jaw visibly tensed.

“A house?”

The question came not from Jaeheon, but from Lee Jungsik, who had been quietly eating.

“Eunkyo had a rough time while I was in the States. You know her—Jung Eunkyo. She waited for me, trusted me. So I want to try again. We’re going to take things step by step, starting with living together.”

Left-handed, Dohyun set down his chopsticks and picked up his water glass. He ran his thumb over the ring on his fourth finger, then turned to look at Jaeheon, who had frozen in place.

“…You know her too, right, Jaeheon? Jung Eunkyo.”