Back at the Joon mansion, Sora knelt beside Ren's bed, voice low and steady. "Ren, calm down. It's me—Sora. Snap out of it, please. Remember middle school? You were always rude to me. Don't you remember? Please… Ren, take it easy." His words were careful but urgent. Slowly, he felt Ren's tense muscles relax, just slightly.
Sora muttered under his breath as he stepped back, exhaling sharply. "Ahh… what the hell? Why did he grab my neck like that? Is he crazy? What kind of trauma does he have?"
---
Meanwhile, in the basement of the Kim house, Liam lay on the cold floor, his body weak and trembling, while the children around him cried silently for food. It had been seven days since they had eaten. Sofia Red reclined on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, an expensive cigarette sending curling smoke into the air.
"Cry all you want, little babies," she said, voice cold and amused. "You still won't get a bite for the whole week. Especially you, Liam. You won't eat for at least a week—or maybe months. Beg all you want… it won't help." She exhaled slowly, blowing smoke across the room. The children scavenged for rats, snakes, and insects, their skin stretched tight over bones, eyes hollow, hands trembling.
Liam coughed up blood, forcing a weak smile despite the pain. "Children… don't give up. I'll find a way to get us out of here," he whispered. But the slow-acting poison she had injected into him was taking hold. His voice grew thinner with every breath, energy fading.
"Brother… please… come save us," he murmured to himself, voice trembling. "I'm counting on you… my little brother." Finally, his head fell forward onto the cold floor.
---
Back at the Joon mansion, Sora carefully laid Ren on the bed, tucking the soft blanket around him. "Finally… this jerk is asleep," he muttered, rubbing his sore shoulders. "Can you believe it? Thanks to him, I can't even sit properly. Seriously… omegas really suffer." He knelt beside the bed, running a hand through Ren's dark hair. "He looks so peaceful when he sleeps… even with that damn face."
A sudden, sharp pain stabbed at Sora's chest. He froze. Memories of a woman's words about twins flashed through his mind. When one was in danger, the other would feel the pain too.
Sora's eyes widened. Sweat ran down his face. "What… what is this? Brother? What's happening?" He scrambled to get dressed, heart hammering, and rushed downstairs. In the living room, he saw his mother chatting politely with Ren's mother. Relief washed over him—until he remembered something. He didn't know this woman was an imposter.
"Oh… there you are, my little prince," she said, her smile flawless.
"Mom… I need to ask you something… in private," Sora said carefully.
"Anything for my darling prince," she replied, stepping away from Ren's mother and leading him outside.
The pain surged again, sharp and urgent.
"What is it, my dear?" Red asked casually, glancing at him.
Sora swallowed hard. "Mom… can I ask you something?"
"Yes, go on. Mommy is listening."
He turned to face her fully. "Tell me… is it true that Liam ran away to another country?"
Red froze for a moment, then replied smoothly. "Yes. Your brother left because he refused to marry into the Joon family."
Her acting was perfect, but the tension in her eyes didn't escape Sora. What… did he find out I'm not his real mother? she thought nervously, hands tightening around the phone in her pocket.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed. "Sorry, sweetheart. I need to take this call. I'll be right back," she said, leaving Sora alone.
He followed cautiously, slipping behind a flower bush in the garden to hide. She answered immediately.
"Is my money ready, or are you still making excuses?" her sharp voice demanded.
Sora's stomach dropped. What money? Who is she talking to?
"You made me do everything you ordered. First, the Kim family… done. Liam? I poisoned him exactly as instructed. Now… why won't you pay me?" Her voice hardened, each word slicing through the quiet.
Sora froze, terror flooding his chest. My family… my brother… poisoned? Tears ran down his face as he pressed his trembling forehead against the wall. What's happening…? What did she do to Liam? Who is she?
A sudden crash echoed behind him—a flower pot had fallen.
Red spun instantly. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
Sora stood frozen, unsure whether to run or hide.
The woman's hand came out from her pocket, gripping a gun. She stepped toward the fallen pot, eyes cold and calculating.
Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed Sora from behind and covered his mouth.
To be continued.