Inside Timothy's office at the mansion, the atmosphere was quiet except for the soft rustling of papers.
"I heard your two brothers fought," Timothy said, his eyes scanning the documents spread across his desk.
"It wasn't that serious. Uncle Raon and Uncle Shin already disciplined them," TJ replied, organizing the files they needed to review and sign for the week.
"Good."
TJ glanced at his father. The resemblance was uncanny—almost unsettling. The man before him looked exactly like the one in the painting.
"You've been staring at me for a while now," Timothy said without looking up. "Is there something you want to say?"
TJ hesitated, then closed the folder in his hands.
"Dad… are you really not from the Serolf Empire?"
Timothy's pen paused mid-signature.
"You and Mom both said you're from this world, but…" TJ trailed off.
"Are you doubting me?" Timothy asked calmly.
"I'm not, Dad. But… I saw someone. In a painting."
Timothy set his pen down and finally looked at him.
"A painting?"
"When I was in the Serolf Empire, I stumbled upon a ruined mansion. I had nowhere else to go at the time—the empire was in the middle of a war. That place became my refuge." TJ swallowed. "While exploring, I found an old painting. And…"
He stopped.
Timothy's grip tightened slightly.
"And what?"
"The person in that painting… looks exactly like you."
Silence filled the room.
Timothy leaned back and smiled faintly. "Just a coincidence. I've never been to that place before. Your mom said something similar once, but I'm not that person. I was born in this world. That's the truth."
"Duke Gilmesh Wolfsbane."
The air shifted.
Timothy's expression darkened. That name… he hadn't heard it in a very long time.
"Dad," TJ continued, his voice steady, "my uncles and Mom—they all have counterparts. Both here and in the Serolf Empire. They were transmigrated."
Timothy raised an eyebrow. "So you're implying I'm one of them too?"
TJ clenched his fists. "Yes. You're my father. I knew it the moment I saw that painting. The feeling I had while looking at it… I'm sure of it. That man is you."
For a moment, Timothy said nothing.
Then he laughed softly.
He really is my son, he thought. Sharp as ever.
Timothy sighed, stood up, and walked toward TJ. He placed both hands on his son's shoulders.
"Yes… I am Gilmesh," he admitted quietly. "But you must not tell your mother, your uncles… or your older brother Cedie."
TJ frowned. "Why? Why keep it from them?"
"Because the moment they find out…" Timothy turned away, his voice lowering, "they'll hate me enough to kill me."
He moved to the couch, sat down, and lit a cigarette. Smoke curled into the air as he exhaled slowly.
"Why would they do that?" TJ asked, confusion evident in his voice.
Timothy's gaze grew distant.
"Because Duke Gilmesh Wolfsbane… was their enemy." He paused. "In our previous world, I was the villain."
The room seemed to grow colder.
"In my pursuit of power, I led a rebellion," he continued. "My goal… was the throne."
And with that, Timothy began to tell the story of their past lives.
TJ listened in stunned silence as his mind processed everything.
"I tried to kill your uncles," Timothy continued, his voice calm but heavy. "Especially Mikhail and Isaac. And your mother… I tried to kill her too when she refused to marry me and bear my heir."
"You tried to kill Mom?" TJ shouted, disbelief etched across his face.
"That was in the past," Timothy replied, unfazed. "I failed… and I died at the hands of your Uncle Mikhail. I thought that was the end of me. But then… I woke up here, in this world."
He leaned back, exhaling a thin stream of smoke from his cigarette.
"I was given a new life. I became the mayor of this city and decided to leave everything behind. I thought… perhaps God had given me a second chance." His gaze grew distant. "And then I saw your mother."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"At first, I thought it was just coincidence—that someone in this world resembled Aria so perfectly. I believed she might be my karma… that my purpose here was to atone for everything I had done." He took another drag. "So I planned to get close to her. To find out if she, too, had been transmigrated."
TJ remained silent, listening intently.
"But then your mother had an accident," Timothy went on. "She lost her memories. And… I took advantage of that." His voice lowered. "I thought it was an opportunity—a way for us to start over."
"What happened next?" TJ asked, now seated across from him on the couch.
"Your uncles appeared," Timothy said. "Just like me, they had regained the memories of their past lives. They began searching for Kaye." A bitter smile crossed his lips. "But I was selfish. For the first time, I had the chance to be with her. Why would I give her up?"
He looked away.
"So I hid her from them. But nothing stays hidden forever. Her memories eventually returned… including everything from the Serolf Empire. They found each other again." He let out a quiet breath. "And once more… I became the villain."
TJ frowned. "But you never told them the truth about yourself?"
"I never will," Timothy said firmly. "They hated Gilmesh. The moment they recognized me in this world, they tried to kill me. If you were in my place… would you still confess?"
TJ slowly shook his head.
"I made them believe I was someone else," Timothy continued. "That I was born in this world like any ordinary man. I begged your mother for forgiveness… after everything I did. After I… got her pregnant while keeping her hidden from them."
He stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.
"Our story isn't like the others," he said quietly. "I made her suffer. I hurt her deeply. And I carry that guilt every day." A faint, bittersweet smile appeared on his lips. "That's why I chose to change—for her… and for you."
He turned to TJ, his expression softening.
"And I'm grateful… that your mother found it in her heart to forgive me. To accept me again."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"So you must never tell her about my past life. Never tell any of them that I am Gilmesh." His voice dropped, heavy with warning. "Because if they find out… it will be the end for both of us."
TJ felt a chill run down his spine.
"Just imagine the hatred in your mother's eyes," Timothy continued. "When she realizes she bore a child with her enemy… Do you think she would still accept you?"
TJ swallowed hard, then nodded.
"I understand, Dad," he said quietly. "I promise… I won't tell anyone."
Timothy smiled, satisfied.
"Good."
He stood and gently patted TJ's head before walking out of the office. Moments later, he stepped onto the balcony, his eyes fixed on the darkening sky.
His hands slowly clenched into fists.
They will never find out…