“I think it’s time you and Chahyun ended things.”
Before Yeonwoo could even touch the teacup in front of him, Chahyun’s mother got straight to the point.
Yeonwoo’s hand froze midair, stunned. He hadn’t expected her to know about his relationship with Baek Chahyun.
“…How… how long have you known?”
“Does that really matter?”
She looked exactly as Yeonwoo remembered her—composed and elegant. Her gestures, her voice, even the soft classical music playing in the background all fit perfectly with the refined atmosphere.
“….”
Yeonwoo swallowed dryly, not knowing what to say. He had always thought he and Chahyun had managed to keep their relationship well hidden. But maybe it had been foolish to think that dating the youngest son of a major conglomerate could stay a secret.
“I’m sure you’ll need time to sort things out. It’s been years, after all.”
Despite Yeonwoo sitting right in front of her—someone far beneath her son’s status—she remained perfectly calm. The way she picked up her cup, took a sip of tea, and brushed back a loose strand of hair—all of it was graceful.
The more composed she was, the more tangled Yeonwoo’s thoughts became.
“If you end things with Chahyun within a month, I’ll transfer the apartment you two live in to your name. I’ll also move your café to a better location.”
“….”
“And if you want, I can even arrange a good match for you. You’re an omega, after all—you’ll need a partner, even if it’s a man.”
A house in exchange for breaking up with Baek Chahyun.
The apartment they were living in overlooked the Han River and was worth tens of billions of won. And now she was offering to cover the café relocation and even set him up with someone new.
It was an overwhelming offer. But Yeonwoo still couldn’t find anything to say.
“Why aren’t you answering? It’s not like it’s a bad deal.”
He’d always assumed that if their relationship were ever discovered, he’d at least get slapped. But the woman sitting across from him hadn’t lost her temper once.
She hadn’t screamed at him for daring to date her son. She hadn’t tried to humiliate him with passive-aggressive contempt.
“…I don’t think I can do that. I’m sorry.”
It took a long moment before Yeonwoo finally opened his mouth. His lips trembled slightly as he spoke.
But Chahyun’s mother didn’t even flinch. As if she’d expected this exact answer.
“If there’s anything else you want, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“I’m not with Chahyun because I want something from him.”
“Chahyun’s getting married next year.”
Yeonwoo’s breath caught.
“…What?”
“I don’t want him getting married with a scandal hanging over his head. All parents feel the same. You understand, don’t you?”
“He’s… getting married? Chahyun is?”
She nodded. It was clear from her expression that she already knew Yeonwoo had no idea.
“He’s old enough now. It’s time.”
“And Chahyun agreed to this? He never said anything to me.”
“Of course. It’s his own wedding.”
Yeonwoo felt like the ground had dropped out beneath him. Something wasn’t right.
“That… that can’t be true.”
“This has been in the works since college.”
“….”
“It’s time to end the little dating game.”
“W-who? Who is he marrying?”
“Even if I told you, would you know her?”
There was no mockery in her tone—just a genuine question.
“I… I really didn’t know. Not a hint—nothing…”
“If there was no need to tell you, then he didn’t. Or… has Chahyun ever said he wanted to marry you?”
“….”
Now that she mentioned it, they’d been dating for four years and living together for over a year… but not once had marriage ever come up.
And thinking about it, it made sense. Yeonwoo was twenty-nine, Chahyun twenty-seven. Both men.
Alphas and omegas could marry regardless of gender, but in families like Chahyun’s—wealthy and status-conscious—heterosexual pairings were still the norm.
Chahyun, as the youngest son of the powerful Huiseong Group, was always expected to marry a female omega. Everyone thought so.
Yeonwoo had always been aware of that expectation. Maybe that’s why he had never let himself fully picture a future where they were married.
Satisfied with his silence, Chahyun’s mother continued.
“I know you’ll need time to think. Once you’ve made your decision, get in touch by the end of the week.”
“Ma’am, I… I…”
He’d meant to say that no matter what she offered, he had no intention of leaving Baek Chahyun.
But the moment marriage entered the conversation, his brain went numb. Nothing came to mind.
“If you’re going to break up anyway, better to take what you can get. You’re still young. You should think about your future.”
She handed him an envelope.
“This is advice I’m giving you out of respect—for your mother, Kim Sunyoung.”
Hearing his mother’s name made Yeonwoo’s heart tighten. He glanced down at the envelope on the table.
Inside were business cards and documents. The name on the card likely belonged to one of her assistants. The documents clearly detailed the compensation Yeonwoo would receive in exchange for breaking up with Chahyun—along with all the conditions.
By the time Yeonwoo looked up again, she was already standing. Taking her coat and bag from a waiting employee, she added:
“Best not to mention today’s meeting to Chahyun.”
“….”
“It was good seeing you again. I’ll wait for your call.”
****
Yeonwoo sat in the driver’s seat of his car, still reeling from the conversation.
“Chahyun’s getting married next year.”
“Of course he knows. It’s his wedding.”
Baek Chahyun… is getting married.
It was too sudden. If it was true, how could he not have known? They’d been together for four years. Lived together for over a year. And still…
Whereareyou?You’renotatthecafeˊ.Where are you? You’re not at the café.Whereareyou?You’renotatthecafeˊ.
A text from Chahyun arrived just then. Yeonwoo sat motionless, staring at the screen.
It was a message from someone he’d loved for years, and yet it felt like it came from a stranger.
He wanted to call right then and ask—Is it true? Did your mother really say that?
But reason held him back. He had no proof. It would be reckless.
Maybe she’d lied.
Instead of replying, Yeonwoo took a deep breath. His chest felt tight. He needed somewhere quiet to think.
But… there was nowhere to go. Lately, he only ever went between his café and home. And the occasional dinner out—with Chahyun.
His phone buzzed again. This time, it was his mom.
He didn’t want to answer. I’ll call her later, he told himself. If it’s urgent, she’ll text.
He didn’t move from his seat for a long time.
Then a new message came—from one of the part-timers at the café.
Boss,whenareyoucoming?Boss, when are you coming?Boss,whenareyoucoming?
Thatcustomerisback,askingwhereyouare😢;;That customer is back, asking where you are 😢;;Thatcustomerisback,askingwhereyouare😢;;
Hesaidhe’snotleavinguntilyoushowup.WhatshouldIdo?He said he’s not leaving until you show up. What should I do?Hesaidhe’snotleavinguntilyoushowup.WhatshouldIdo?
The panic in the texts was clear.
There was only one person who’d throw a fit demanding to see the owner.
Baek Chahyun.
He was calling right now, too. But Yeonwoo couldn’t bring himself to pick up.
Instead, he texted the part-timer.
I’monmyway.I’m on my way.I’monmyway.
****
Yeonwoo and Baek Chahyun, who once seemed like they came from completely different worlds, first met in middle school.
Yeonwoo’s father was a drunk and a gambler who never gave them a cent. His mother kept them afloat by working as a caregiver. She was young, capable, and soon gained a solid reputation. Some clients insisted on only hiring her.
Eventually, she started working for wealthy families through word of mouth. One of the children she cared for was Chahyun.
He had manifested as an Alpha early—and his pheromones were unusually strong, enough to require medication. He got sick often because of it.
Pheromone imbalance during adolescence could leave permanent damage if not treated properly. The doctor had warned him to avoid pheromonal contact with others. So during breaks from school, he was kept isolated at the family’s villa.
That’s when Yeonwoo’s mother started looking after him.
She couldn’t leave her son alone for months, especially with loan sharks still prowling around because of his father’s debts.
Thankfully, Chahyun’s family allowed Yeonwoo to stay at the villa, too. At the time, he was still a beta, only two years older than Chahyun.
They thought it would be better for Chahyun to spend time with someone his age than be completely isolated.
Surprisingly, Chahyun took to Yeonwoo quite well—so much so that even his family was a bit baffled.
****
Lost in those memories, Yeonwoo soon arrived at the building.
He parked, got out, and took the elevator to the first floor. His café, Neo Belle, an espresso bar tucked in the high-ceilinged lobby of the Huiseong Building, came into view.
And right at the seat closest to the counter sat Baek Chahyun, slouched and brooding.
“When’s the owner getting here? You tried calling him?”
He was snapping at the part-timer over Yeonwoo’s whereabouts.
“I think he’s on his way… Just a little longer, please…”
A black aura of don’t piss me off was radiating from him.
At twenty-seven, Baek Chahyun had grown into a man with sharp features and undeniable presence. His tall height only added to the intimidation.