Spring welcomed back the flowers and green grass, birds returning to the city in flocks. Jet stood on Han's balcony, watching them soar. Han joined him, smiling.
"We made it through spring," Jet murmured as he watched the sky.
"Yes," Han replied, his voice soft. "We finally made it."
Jet chuckled, stepping back inside. "The fact that I was an Omega and you were an Alpha… I came from a wealthy family, and you were just a typical villager."
Han smirked. "Yeah. The Heavens must've flipped a switch—probably wanted a fresh story this time."
Jet nodded, amused. "I guess it is interesting."
Han leaned down and placed a light kiss on Jet's head. "But our positions haven't changed," he teased.
Jet rolled his eyes but smiled.
The doorbell rang through the house. Han didn't look surprised. They walked downstairs together to answer it.
A woman in a suit stepped inside. Her dark hair, cut into a sharp wolf cut, framed her face. She carried herself with confidence—until the door clicked shut behind her. Then, she let out a dramatic groan, stretching her back.
"Your mum is killing us," AJ complained.
Han shrugged. "You work for her. That's not my problem. Any updates?"
AJ shook her head, then noticed Jet. She held out a hand. "You must be the so-called Ron. Smart move, using a fake name."
Jet blinked before shaking her hand.
"I should introduce myself. The name's AJ—Alice Joyceson. I worked for Yau Han's mother before I realized how twisted she was and switched sides. You're the boyfriend, aren't you?"
Jet hesitated for a second but nodded. AJ grinned before getting back to business.
"You already know Victor is trying to stir up rumors. It's spreading like wildfire." She pulled out her phone. "My entire feed is flooded with you two. I traced Victor's post—he was the first to leak this picture."
"We noticed," Han said dryly. "They keep getting him wrong, though." He nudged Jet.
Jet scratched the back of his neck, looking embarrassed. AJ chuckled but quickly turned serious again.
"It won't be long before Mrs. Yau sees the news. When she does, what's the plan?"
Han didn't hesitate. "We go public."
AJ and Jet stared at him in disbelief.
"And if they don't accept it?" Jet asked, worried.
Han shrugged. "I don't care. Maybe then I'll finally be normal."
Jet and AJ exchanged glances. "Rich people problems," they muttered in unison.
AJ sighed. "Whatever makes you happy, I guess. But please, don't get caught. I'm sick of covering for you two." She turned to Han, pointing a sharp finger at him. "And if your boyfriend does get caught, you're marrying Victor. Understood?"
Han nodded. Satisfied, AJ turned and left.
Jet stood frozen. "You have to marry Victor??"
Han sighed, rubbing his temples. "If I don't find a mate, yeah. My mother arranged it. Victor is her pawn—it gives him easy access to my money."
Jet frowned. "So… if you find someone else, she'll leave you alone?"
Han scoffed. "She'll try to kill you before I get the chance to marry you. That's why I need you hidden. I won't let that happen again."
Han cupped Jet's face, his touch warm and protective.
Jet sighed but smiled. "Fine. But doesn't it make it easier for her to find me if I keep coming over? I mean, I've already met your father several times these past few days… And he's already planning our wedding."
Han burst into laughter. "That means he likes you. He's very picky."
Jet blinked. "If you say so…" He decided to change the subject. "Are you seriously going to go public about the rumours?"
Han smirked. "It's time to tell the truth." He threw up his hands in mock dramatics. "I have a lover! It's a guy! And an Alpha! Also, my mother's on drugs—please take her away!"
Jet blinked. "…A public speech?"
"What other choice do I have?" Han replied. "If I try to explain online, they'll just say someone else wrote it for me. The best thing I can do is come out and tell the truth myself. I know it might seem scary for you, but trust me—it'll be worth it."
Jet didn't look at him, deep in thought, weighing the consequences. Han gently lifted his chin, forcing their eyes to meet.
"It's okay to be worried," Han reassured him. "But I just need you to stay hidden a little while longer."
Jet nodded.
This wasn't going to be easy. But if everything went well, it would be worth it.
—
'Yau Han and another man caught in public?!'
'Famous Actor Yau Han Exposed—Dating a MAN?!'
'Yau Han Spotted With a Mystery Male Alpha—Scandal Unfolds!'
The headlines went on and on.
Mrs. Yau slammed the stack of newspapers onto her desk, the loud thud making everyone in the room flinch.
"Who?!" she snapped. "AJ, who the hell did this?!"
AJ stepped forward, composed but alert. "From what we've tracked, the very first post was a photo of two male Alphas dining at a café." She turned her tablet toward Mrs. Yau, showing the image. "The caption read: 'Doesn't the guy on the left look like Yau Han?' We traced the account back and confirmed that it was Victor's spam account. On top of that, out of everyone you sent to take pictures that day, Victor was the only one with this specific image."
Mrs. Yau exhaled a cloud of smoke, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Get him in here."
The words had barely left her mouth before Victor was dragged into the office.
AJ had anticipated this. She had even purposefully placed the latest newspaper on Mrs. Yau's desk, ensuring she would see it first thing.
Mrs. Yau glared at Victor, her voice low but sharp. "What part of no did you not understand?"
Victor opened his mouth to argue, but he never got the chance.
Mrs. Yau slammed her palm against the desk, making him jump. She stood up, shaking her head.
"I took you in and gave you a chance at life, my boy," she said coldly. "But if you can't even follow simple instructions, you're worth nothing to me. I might as well get a dog."
She turned to AJ. "Don't let him out of the house. Let him starve."
AJ gave a simple bow before flicking her wrist. In an instant, Victor was dragged away.
Mrs. Yau exhaled sharply, massaging her temples. "And what about Han? He's been awfully quiet these past few days. Any updates?"
AJ didn't even look up as she rolled her eyes. "Yes. Thanks to Victor's little stunt, Han has decided to go public. He plans to address the rumors himself. His reputation has taken a hit, but so far, it's only a minor drop."
Mrs. Yau sighed heavily. "Ugh. I think I need more of my medication today. Get out."
AJ left without hesitation, leaving the woman to her own devices.
—
Jet blinked, processing everything from the recording. "Wait… your mother is on drugs??"