Beep. Beep-beep. Beep.
After Seo Eunwon finished scanning the triangle gimbap, bread, beer, cup ramyeon, and sausage with the barcode scanner, the man with his hood pulled low stuffed everything he could into the pocket of his hoodie. Holding the cup ramyeon in one hand and the can of beer in the other because they wouldn't fit, he lingered awkwardly instead of leaving, even though he had already paid.
"Would you like to eat together?"
"...Excuse me?"
"I bought enough for two."
"...Ah, no thank you."
For about a month now, the man had come to the convenience store every single day, staring at Eunwon with the persistence of someone who always seemed to have something to say. A few days ago, he'd finally started speaking.
Are you a minor? What time do you get off work? If I wait, can we talk?
Maybe it wasn't fair to judge someone based on a few words, but that very first question—asking out of nowhere whether he was a minor—had sent an inexplicable chill down Eunwon's spine. Ever since then, he hadn't been able to let his guard down.
Looking up at the man from behind the counter, Eunwon made no attempt to hide his discomfort as he politely refused again.
"Then just have one beer with me."
"...I'm working right now."
"What if I wait until your shift ends?"
"...I'm sorry."
Even after being turned down, the man simply stood there, silently staring at him. There was something unsettling about that expression, frightening enough that Eunwon instinctively took a small step backward.
Just then, the convenience store door chimed open.
Normally he heard that melody dozens of times a day without giving it a second thought, but at that moment it had never sounded more welcome.
"Welcome."
The person who walked in was wearing a suit.
That alone wasn't unusual, but for some reason Eunwon immediately felt as though the man hadn't come to buy anything.
Just as he'd expected, the man walked straight to the counter.
He looked at Eunwon once before turning toward the hooded customer, his gaze silently asking whether he still had unfinished business there.
Feeling the pressure of that look, the hooded man hurried out of the convenience store almost as though he were fleeing.
Only then did the suited man turn back to Eunwon. He bowed deeply with impeccable courtesy.
"Good evening, young master."
"...Excuse me?"
"Madam is waiting for you."
"...I'm not sure what you mean..."
Caught completely off guard by the greeting and the baffling statement that followed, Eunwon could only stare at him, waiting for an explanation.
"Chairman Seo Junhyuk sent me."
The moment he heard that name, Eunwon's slightly parted lips fell open.
It was the name of the man who had refused to acknowledge him as family until the very end.
And yet, after all this time, it was still his father's name.
Even though six years had passed since he'd last seen him.
Six years earlier, his father had learned of his existence for the first time. He had met him once—just once—along with his father's wife.
That had been the beginning and the end.
They had simply told him they could neither acknowledge nor needed a child who had been secretly born and raised behind their backs—especially not an omega.
No one had ever contacted him again after that.
Eunwon had done his best to forget that day and move on with his life.
"...Why do you want to see me?"
Why now? We could have just continued living as strangers... Why?
"Madam will explain everything herself. Please come with me."
"...Right now?"
"Yes. I'll escort you immediately."
"...I... I'm still working. I can't just leave in the middle of my shift."
"Permission has already been arranged."
Eunwon could only stare blankly, unable to understand what that was supposed to mean, when his phone vibrated.
He took it out from the pocket of his convenience store uniform vest.
It was a series of messages from the store owner.
Store Owner: I heard everything.
Store Owner: Go on.
Store Owner: I'll be there soon.
Store Owner: Don't lock the door.
Store Owner: The shop next door said they'll keep an eye on things.
Still dazed, Eunwon looked up.
The suited man gave another respectful bow.
"...Would it be alright if I changed my clothes first?"
"Of course. Please take your time."
Leaving the counter, Eunwon hurried into the small locker room inside the storage room and quietly shut the door.
Madam.
The same Madam who, six years ago, had met him only once alongside his father—and who had looked at him with unmistakable rejection.
She was waiting for him.
"......"
Why...? Why does she want to see me? Why all of a sudden...? Did she only just find out my mother passed away...? No... even if she did, why would that make them come looking for me...?
After changing out of his convenience store uniform and slinging on the backpack he'd brought straight from school, he stepped back outside.
The man—who looked somewhere between a bodyguard and a company employee—was still waiting exactly where he'd been.
Feeling awkward and burdened by the man's excessive courtesy, Eunwon quietly followed behind him.
"We'll be taking you to the Baekdam-dong family home."
A large black car was waiting outside the convenience store.
After giving the man a polite nod as he opened the rear door for him and told him their destination, Eunwon climbed inside.
His heart refused to settle.
It pounded heavily against his ribs, racing with confusion and shock.
***
About forty minutes later, they arrived somewhere completely unfamiliar.
That was only natural. Even six years ago, he'd never once been invited to his father's home.
The staff stationed at the entrance recognized the vehicle immediately and waved it through.
The car drove through the main gate before stopping in front of another entrance deeper inside the estate.
The moment it came to a halt, a woman opened the rear door.
Clutching his backpack a little tighter against his chest, Eunwon stepped out awkwardly.
"Welcome, young master. It's a pleasure to meet you properly for the first time. My name is Kang Minyoung, the housekeeper. Please call me Housekeeper Kang."
"...Ah... Hello. I'm Seo Eunwon."
"We're very glad you've come, Young Master Eunwon. I'll take you inside. Madam has been waiting for you."
"...Ah... Yes..."
"Allow me to carry your bag."
"...No... It's alright."
For some reason, he felt as though he couldn't let go of it.
Seeing him politely refuse, Housekeeper Kang smiled and led him toward the garden.
Beyond the grand entrance lay an enormous garden.
It was so meticulously maintained that it resembled one of the country's famous botanical gardens. Even at night, countless lights illuminated the grounds until everything sparkled. It looked so vast that walking the entire garden would probably take at least half an hour.
After following the path that cut across the garden, they finally reached what could truly be called the house.
Eunwon followed Housekeeper Kang inside.
"Eunwon, you're here."
The instant he stepped through the front entrance, a woman whose face was neither truly familiar nor completely unfamiliar hurried toward him, warmly calling his name.
The overwhelming sense of wrongness rooted him to the spot. All he could do was watch Madam Seo approach.
"My goodness... You're still just as beautiful. I'm so happy to see you."
Even after six years, Madam Seo looked untouched by time.
If anything, she seemed even younger than before.
He'd heard she'd once been a famous actress before marrying Chairman Seo, and seeing her up close, he finally understood why.
"...Hello."
"I know this must have been a surprise. I'm sorry for contacting you so suddenly. I should have come myself, but something came up. Thankfully I'm not late. It wouldn't make any sense for me to be late when our son is coming home. Come inside."
...Our son?
Being summoned out of nowhere was strange enough.
But being welcomed with such effortless warmth—and hearing Madam Seo call him her son—left him utterly speechless.
There was nothing he could do except follow as she gently patted his back and led him farther into the house.
"If you haven't had dinner yet, would you like to eat first? I'll have them prepare something right away."
"Ah... No, thank you. I've already eaten."
"Is that so? Then let's have some tea and dessert while we talk. Housekeeper Kang, please bring what we prepared. Ah, Eunwon, sit over here."
Still smiling, Madam Seo settled him onto the sofa before taking the seat directly beside him instead of across from him.
By now, Eunwon could barely breathe.
"How's college? Is everything going alright?"
"...Yes."
"I heard you've been working at a convenience store. When did you start?"
"...I worked there all through high school... then I quit. I've been back for about three months."
The uncomfortable questions continued.
All he had to do was answer honestly, yet the words refused to come easily.
As though sensing his need for a moment to recover, Housekeeper Kang arrived with tea and dessert, carefully explaining the flavors, ingredients, and aromas.
"Thank you, Housekeeper Kang. Please give us the room for about an hour. I'd like to speak with him privately."
"Yes, Madam."
After bowing politely, Housekeeper Kang left the reception room and quietly closed the door behind her.
Madam Seo picked up a slice of pie and placed it on Eunwon's plate.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you all these years. I heard about what happened three years ago."
"......"
"You may not know this, but we also went through something painful two years ago."