[Inside the Residence / Living Room]
Haneul sat on the couch with Haru beside him.
Haru was still in a bad mood.
She sat stiffly, cheeks puffed out in a pout, hands clasped together tightly on her lap, clearly refusing to be comforted.
Haneul leaned closer, trying again.
"Haru-ah,"
He said gently, lifting a small decorative cushion.
"Look here. Isn't this cute?
It looks just like you."
Haru didn't answer.
She only glanced at him from the corner of her eyes, pretending not to care.
But slowly, just barely, the corner of her lips twitched upward.
Haneul caught it immediately.
"Ah got you,"
He said, teasing softly.
Before Haru could deny it, a familiar voice came from the entrance.
"Haru."
"Haru-ah."
Jina's voice.
Haru's head snapped up.
Her eyes widened in recognition, and without hesitation, she slid off the couch and ran toward the sound.
Haneul stood up instinctively, confused by the sudden change.
He followed Haru out of the living room.
The moment he stepped into the open space.
Jina was standing there, arms spread wide.
"Ahhh Haru-ah!"
Haru ran straight into her embrace.
Jina laughed brightly, lifting her slightly and pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.
Haneul stopped a few steps away, watching quietly.
Who….. is she? he wondered.
Then, he felt it.
A presence behind him.
Haneul turned his head slightly.
Taekyun was walking in, calm and composed.
Beside him stood another person.
Haneul froze.
The woman was tall.
Almost the same height as Taekyun.
Broad-shouldered, confident posture, sharp gaze.
She looked so much like him that for a second, Haneul wondered if they were the same person.
An Alpha?
Who is she?
His thoughts tangled as staff members quickly bowed.
"Good evening, Miss Nayeon."
"Good evening, Miss Jina."
Haneul's confusion deepened.
Haru, still in Jina's arms, turned her head and her gaze landed on Nayeon.
Her body stiffened.
Without warning, Haru slid down and hurried back, hiding behind Haneul and gripping the back of his shirt.
She peeked out cautiously.
Nayeon.
She had met her only a few times before at her grandparents' house.
And each time, Nayeon had been distant. Cold. Never affectionate.
That was enough to scare a child.
Jina noticed and stepped back, giving space.
"Oh"
Her eyes then shifted to Haneul.
They widened instantly.
"Wah,"
She blurted out without thinking.
"So pretty unreal."
Haneul blinked, startled.
From behind, Taekyun moved closer, sensing Haneul's tension.
He stood beside him, grounding without touching.
Nayeon's sharp gaze scanned Haneul from head to toe.
Her thoughts were immediate.
No wonder.
Fragile.
Small.
Soft-looking, yet steady.
Even as a male Omega, his presence was gentle, almost delicate.
She took a step forward and raised her hand.
"Hello,"
She said coolly.
"I'm Nayeon. Taekyun's older sister."
Haneul looked up at Taekyun instinctively.
Taekyun gave him a small nod.
Haneul reached out and shook her hand carefully.
The moment their hands met, Nayeon felt it.
The pheromones.
Rare. Clean and Different.
And his hand warm, small, almost too fragile.
Her lips curved into a slight smirk.
Jina stepped forward next, smiling brightly.
"Hi, I'm Jina,"
She said warmly.
"Haru's aunt."
Haneul smiled back politely.
"And you?"
Jina asked sweetly.
Haneul hesitated.
"I'm..."
Taekyun's arm came around Haneul's shoulders, firm and protective.
"This is Haneul,"
He said calmly.
"My Omega."
Nayeon raised an eyebrow.
"Hm,"
She murmured.
"Good."
She nodded once.
"Nice to meet you."
Haru peeked from behind Haneul, watching closely.
Nayeon noticed and smiled faintly at her.
The staff guided them toward the living room.
As Jina walked past Haneul, she kept glancing at him, admiration clear in her eyes.
Nayeon and Taekyun followed.
Haneul held Haru's hand tightly.
He bent down slightly.
"Are you scared, Haru?"
Haru shook her head.
Even though she was.
Just then, Bora came out of the kitchen and stopped short.
"Oh?"
"Did someone visit?"
Haneul looked at her.
"It's Taekyun's sister."
Bora's eyes widened.
"Miss Nayeon?"
She hurried inside.
Jina smiled brightly when she saw Bora.
"Oh, Bora,"
She said.
"It's been a long time."
Bora bowed politely.
"Yes, Miss Jina."
"Are you doing well?"
Jina asked.
"Yes,"
Bora replied with a soft smile.
Taekyun spoke up.
"Bora, prepare a room for them."
Bora nodded quickly.
"Yes, sir."
Her mind raced.
Why are Miss Nayeon and Miss Jina here? Especially Miss Nayeon
Nayeon glanced at Bora.
"It's been long."
"Yes,"
Bora replied.
"How have you been, Miss?"
Nayeon smiled faintly.
"As you can see,"
She said.
"Released from prison.
Trying to live normally."
Bora nodded.
"So you're still working for Taekyun,"
Nayeon added.
"Even though you were assigned to both of us before."
"Yes,"
Bora answered.
"Good,"
Nayeon said.
"Keep working."
Haneul and Haru entered slowly.
As Bora left,
They sat on the couch.
Taekyun glanced at them briefly.
Nayeon spoke casually.
"You didn't tell me he's a male Omega."
"It doesn't matter,"
Taekyun replied.
Nayeon nodded.
"Yes. It doesn't."
"He's good enough."
Jina moved closer, still staring at Haneul.
Taekyun stood up.
"Nayeon,"
He said.
"Let's talk."
She rose immediately.
Before leaving, Taekyun turned to Haneul.
"Stay here,"
He said quietly.
"I'll be back."
Haneul gave a small nod,
As they left for the study room.
Jina sat beside Haneul.
"You're so cute, Haneul,"
She said sincerely.
Haneul blinked, shy.
"Oh….. thank you."
Jina ruffled Haru's hair.
"She's grown so much."
Haneul smiled.
"Are you also Taekyun's sister?"
He asked.
Jina shook her head.
"No,"
She laughed.
"I'm Haru's mother's sister."
Haneul's eyes widened.
"Oh."
"You're really sweet,"
Jina continued.
"No wonder you replaced my sister.
She was like you too pure and fragile."
Haneul stiffened.
"Haru took after her mother,"
Jina said softly.
"And she changed a lot.
All thanks to you."
"It's not"
Haneul tried.
Jina smiled.
"Taekyun never let anyone close,"
She said.
"But look at him now. Protecting you. Standing for you."
"And Haru she changed too.
That's all because of you."
"I'm thankful,"
Haneul said quietly.
"For both of them."
He hesitated.
"And Nayeon?"
Jina nodded.
"We came together from Kim Residence," she explained.
"They had a huge fight with their parents."
Haneul looked concerned.
"Why?"
"They wanted Taekyun and me to marry."
Haneul's heart sank.
Haru looked up at him.
"But don't worry,"
Jina rushed to add.
"We're not getting married."
Haneul let out a small breath.
"Oh"
"I love Nayeon,"
Jina said firmly.
"I'll marry her."
Relief washed over Haneul.
She continued, explaining everything Busan, Itaewon, blocked cards, the fight.
"It must be hard,"
Haneul said softly.
Jina sighed, then smiled brightly.
"Not anymore,"
She said.
"Seeing you made me forget everything."
She leaned closer.
"Can I pinch your cheeks?"
Before Haneul could answer
"No touch, umma."
Haru stood in front of him, arms spread protectively.
Jina froze.
"Huh?"
Her eyes widened.
"Did she just"
She screamed.
"Ahhh! Umma?!"
"Haru, you can talk?!"
Haneul smiled.
"She can."
Jina nearly cried as she hugged Haru tightly.
"Oh my cutie potato"
Then she hugged Haneul too and kissed his cheek.
"It's all because of you, Haneul-ah!"
Haru stomped angrily.
"No! No!"
Jina laughed, sitting back.
"You really took after your father, my lovely cutie tomato"
She teased.
"So possessive."
She started crying again.
Haneul panicked.
"Oh..... don't cry."
He grabbed tissues and water, handing them to her.
After calming down, Jina smiled.
"Tell her to call me(이모) '(aunt) Imo' too."
Haneul nodded.
Smiled
"Haru-ah,"
He said gently.
"Say Imo."
Haru crossed her arms.
"No."
"Ohhh haru"
Jina said,
"Please baby please"
But haru kept saying
No
No