WGD Ch 2
by soapaSiheon lived keeping his distance from others as much as he hid his traits. The closer he got to someone, the higher the risk of his secret being exposed.
Back then, Haewon, who was with a different agency, seemed thrilled to have a same-age friend and would call out “Kang Siheon! Kang Siheon!” while eagerly approaching him. But Siheon maintained a polite boundary even with him.
Then, one time during a shoot in the countryside, there was a delay. A sudden downpour had struck. With no other options, the staff and actors were stuck at a rural inn. Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, Siheon panicked. The suppressants he’d brought, timed for his heat cycle, had run out. Even though he’d packed extra just in case.
Normally, it wouldn’t have mattered, but right before a heat cycle, even a recessive omega like him couldn’t stop his pheromones from overflowing. Compared to others, it was a small amount, but staying in the same space for too long would make people with traits wonder, “Huh? Is there an omega here?”
The first to notice was Byun Haewon.
“No wonder. I thought you were drawing lines like it was the DMZ or something.”
“…”
“Kang Siheon, you were like one of those kids in elementary school who’d draw a line on the desk and say, ‘Cross this and you’re dead!’ But I guess there was a reason for it.”
He just laughed heartily without prying into the details. After all, there were plenty of actors hiding their omega status. Maybe he’d already encountered something like this before.
Regardless, Haewon went out of his way to help Siheon. Despite being a dominant himself, he’d squeeze out what little pheromones he could to mask Siheon’s, ensuring others with traits wouldn’t catch on.
Fortunately, the rain stopped soon after. Once the blocked roads cleared and they could leave the area, Siheon headed straight to the hospital with Kangsan.
From that day until now, the two had remained friends, supporting each other in their own ways.
“I’m the one who got divorced, so why’s your face the one looking like death, Byun Haewon?”
Siheon tossed a peanut at Haewon’s gloomy expression.
“What, you expect me to laugh? In front of a divorced guy?”
Why’d you waste a perfectly good peanut? Muttering, Haewon picked it up and chewed it, shell and all.
“It doesn’t add up. If one of us is down, the other should at least smile to balance it out—plus and minus. Right now, it’s just double gloom, and we’re in the red.”
“Add up? Kang Siheon, do your emotions work like a calculator?”
“I can act like they do.”
“Oh, yes, yes, must be nice being an acting genius.”
Sarcasm dripping, Haewon chugged his beer in one go and crushed the can. On his left hand, a couple’s ring he shared with his partner glinted.
Without thinking, Siheon rubbed his own left ring finger. Only a faint mark remained. Like a scar.
Come to think of it, had Cha Wonwoo taken off his wedding ring? Or was he still wearing it? He couldn’t remember.
“Kang Siheon, I’m crashing here tonight. Got permission from my partner and everything.”
Haewon said this while cracking open his fifth beer can.
Booze hound.
Clicking his tongue, Siheon replied,
“Do whatever you want.”
＊＊＊＊＊
As the night deepened, Haewon, drinking alone, told Siheon not to worry about him and pushed him toward his room, saying he’d sleep when he was done.
Siheon pointed out the guest room, but he wasn’t entirely at ease. Knowing Haewon, he might just pass out in the living room, so Siheon brought him a pillow and blanket just in case.
“…”
Back in his room, Siheon took a thorough shower and changed into pajamas. He felt refreshed, yet there was an empty ache in one corner of his heart.
He rubbed his chest. It was like something huge had been there and then vanished, leaving a hollow space. Was it from throwing up earlier? Dazed, he kept touching his chest, then pulled out the script he’d gotten from CEO Heo to distract himself.
He skimmed the brief synopsis on the first page before diving in, only for Kangsan to call out of the blue.
—Hyungnim, sorry for calling so late!
“Lee Kangsan, you traitor.”
—Oh no, you met Byun already, huh?
“Yeah, Kangsan. Thanks to you, I made a decision today. I need to show you what actor tyranny looks like at least once.”
—Hehe, hyungnim, why so harsh?
“Did your tongue get cut? Nose stuffed? Need me to unclog it?”
—No, sir. My tongue’s fine, my nose is fine. I’m a perfectly healthy Korean man.
Siheon chuckled and asked why he’d called. Kangsan said it was about a talk show. Apparently, ever since the divorce news broke, they’d been getting nonstop offers.
—I’ve been turning them down, but this time, it came straight from Writer Wang—higher up than the main writer, a pro at booking guests.
“Pass it to the CEO.”
—I did! But he said your opinion matters most, so he told me to ask you directly.
There was nothing wrong with people wanting to hear someone else’s story. But it left a bitter taste that they’d pounce so soon after the divorce announcement, when the wounds were obviously still fresh.
The writers probably didn’t want to do it either, but the stations were no doubt hounding them, claiming it’s what the public wanted.
—What do you want to do?
“Whether I want to or not, I can’t talk about the divorce.”
Cha Wonwoo hadn’t imposed any gag order about mentioning their time together during the divorce. He’d said Siheon could talk about whatever he wanted, however he wanted.
CH Group, on the other hand, was different. Without Cha Wonwoo’s knowledge, they’d made Siheon sign a secret clause. It forbade him from ever mentioning any issues or incidents from their marriage on air. He wouldn’t have anyway, but they were thorough bastards to the end.
Siheon rubbed his face. A heavy, tired sigh slipped through his fingers.
There’d been a time when he thought he could endure it. But since when had he started wanting to run away? It felt like being stuck in mud. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t reach dry land.
In the end, every path led to a swamp.
With a self-deprecating laugh, Siheon moved his lips.
“I’m never talking about Cha Wonwoo, so ask them if they still want me on. Oh, and tell them if they use any related footage, CH might sue.”
That should clue them in. They’d figure out he had a deal with CH Group and couldn’t speak.
CH didn’t run an entertainment business, but their influence reached everywhere—ads, production sponsorships, you name it. The stations wouldn’t want to risk souring things with them.
—Got it, hyungnim. I’ll handle it.
“Good. Let’s meet when my schedule’s set.”
—Yes, sir. Oh, are you really going to the Stelans anniversary party the day after tomorrow? Chief Cha will be there…
“It’d be weird if I didn’t go, and weird if he didn’t show up. I’ll just make a quick appearance and leave.”
—Got it. Rest well, hyungnim~
Hanging up, Siheon sat there blankly. Thinking of those who’d endlessly taken from him brought to mind the people who tirelessly tried to give him something instead.
He got up and opened the sub-room connected to the master bedroom. It was packed with neatly organized letters and gifts from fans.
Taking a scented candle from the shelf, he brought it to his room and lit it with a candle warmer.
Leaning lazily against the bed, Siheon adjusted the camera angle to show his face well. He wanted a friendly shot with a visible smile—something to reassure his fans.
Logging into his SNS account after a while, Siheon uploaded a carefully chosen photo.
*Sihoney_: Been a while, huh? Sorry for worrying you.
Came by thinking of you all before bed.
I’m okay, so don’t get sick and wait for me a little longer, okay? ♥
#ShallWeMeetInOurDreams? #SweetDreams #IMissYouSoMuch
The phone started buzzing. Siheon stared hungrily at the “likes” piling up nonstop. The emptiness in his chest was slowly filling.
These “likes” were love poured entirely onto him.
Something CH Group, or anyone else, couldn’t take away—something that belonged solely to Kang Siheon.
(Siheon in pajamas, leaning lazily on the bed.jpg)
♥ 183,188 likes
*Sihoney_: Been a while, huh? Sorry for worrying you.
Came by thinking of you all before bed.
I’m okay, so don’t get sick and wait for me a little longer, okay? ♥
#ShallWeMeetInOurDreams? #SweetDreams #IMissYouSoMuch
View all 1,910 comments
- Missed you!
- Our honey just needs to be happy
- Thought there was honey on my screen and licked it, that’s me^^
- Oh no… now I’ve got no head left to wake up with… lol
- Wow, those pajamas are guilty;;; off to life in prison. I can’t handle the death penalty…
- So unfair, you’re not even gonna be my mom’s son-in-lawㅠㅠ
- Hyung, I’m rooting for you~
- This house does faces well even at night
- This feeling of turning into trash. I kinda like it
- Find ur true happiness♡
- I’m tired of suing now
- I want to be tangled up with you so bad,, or at least leave a fierce mark in your memory,, I’m losing it,,, Kang Siheon,,
- No matter what happens, I’m always on your side, actor-nim. Hope you’re always happy!
- What the— it’s really Kang Siheon
- I love you so much
- So good I feel like I might puke, is this what that’s like;;
- Honey, do a live stream too~
- This is torture
- Thanks for the survival check, I’ve been waiting ㅠㅠ I can wait longer, so stay healthy and come back with a great project. Always cheering for you!
- Kept hitting my forehead while looking at this, now my forehead’s gone?
- Emergency! Emergency! Watch out, Kang Siheon!
- melting!!!
- What’s with those pajamas? Button up. No, don’t button up. No, button up. Don’t button up.
- Siheon, if you keep doing this, I’ll really lose it… I’m a windmill right now
As the candle warmer stayed on longer, the scent filling the room grew richer.
＊＊＊＊＊
Lying in bed, Siheon read through every comment. There weren’t no weird ones or jabs at his current situation, but they were ignorable. Beneath those, without fail, were fans getting mad on his behalf or comforting him, saying not to mind such people—outnumbering the negatives.
After reading the last comment, his eyes felt dry. Massaging his eyelids lightly, Siheon turned off his phone. His face reflected in the dark screen.
A real smile, with slightly raised cheekbones.
Maybe it was smelling Cha Wonwoo’s pheromones after so long, or maybe the kind, warm words settling in his heart—either way, tonight, he felt like he could sleep without a pill.
If not for the sudden notification.
[CH_ChaWonWoo liked your photo]
“What the hell.”
Snapping his drowsy eyes open, he bolted upright. It was timed perfectly, as if Cha Wonwoo thought a “like” now would go unnoticed. No, shouldn’t that guy just keep sleeping? Siheon typed furiously.
<
Cha Wonwoo
What are you doing? Want your phone confiscated?
…Saw it?
Yeah, I saw it, so undo it
Don’t know how
Fine, I’ll just block you
I undid it, don’t block me
Don’t heart my pics, got it?
Cha Wonwoo didn’t reply.
＊＊＊＊＊
The next morning.
Despite the shock from the heart, he’d thankfully slept deeply—the first solid rest since the divorce. Waking up without a headache for once, Siheon stepped into the living room to find Haewon had cleaned up everything before leaving.
He’d left a note: Let’s grab a meal soon.
Siheon ate low-fat milk, a boiled egg, and a multivitamin, then started reading Director Pyo Wookjun’s script he hadn’t finished yesterday.
Taewook and Seonwook, identical twins born with the rarest probability of being alpha and omega. The older, Taewook, was an alpha; the younger, Seonwook, an omega. At 17, a major accident kills Taewook instantly. Desperate to escape his broken life, Seonwook fakes his own death at the scene and lives as Taewook.
A story of Seonwook’s anxiety and ruin in a forged life. Siheon could see why Director Pyo had sent him this script.
It’d be a lie to say he wasn’t tempted. But right now, he needed audience numbers more than artistic merit. Not critical acclaim or festival trophies, but an undeniable, objective metric.
After some thought, Siheon texted Kangsan.
<
Lee Kangsan
Set up a meeting with Director Pyo
I’ll check his schedule. Are you doing it?
Haven’t decided yet, want to talk to him first
Got it!
He planned to visit the dermatologist and work out in the afternoon, then sleep early.
A rare peaceful day was passing by.
＊＊＊＊＊
The 190th anniversary of its founding, and the 10th anniversary of its official boutique opening in Korea—Stelans, a high-end jewelry brand, held its commemorative event.
“Siheon-ssi, to the right!”
“Turn your face a bit more!”
The moment Siheon, Stelans’ muse, stepped into the photo zone, shutters clicked relentlessly from all sides. Being his first public schedule since the divorce announcement, the attention on his rare appearance was immense.
Facing the fervent press, Siheon wore a Stelans signet ring where his wedding band once sat, raising his hand lightly. The ring could be engraved with initials, dates, or symbols, but to avoid speculation, he’d asked the brand for a plain design.
On his wrist, instead of a watch, he wore a hinged bangle with diamonds and a narrow chain bracelet from another premium line. Both were released with the Korean boutique’s opening, with Siheon as the ad model.
Even after 10 years, they were still called “Kang Siheon bracelets,” making them meaningful picks for him.
“Actor-nim, let’s move.”
Posing to highlight the accessories, Siheon stepped out of the photo zone at a Stelans staffer’s signal. Reporters snapped away at his back.
Kangsan, timing it from a distance, hurried over and whispered, covering his mouth.
“Just got a call from Secretary Yang—Chief Cha went straight to the hotel reception hall. The corporate folks are on the second floor, so if you avoid that, you won’t run into him.”
If the invited celebrities were VIPs, the corporate figures were VVIPs. With the first and second floors strictly separated, it worked out well for Siheon.
“Hyungnim, I’ll wait in the car. Call if anything comes up.”
Nodding, Siheon stepped into the reception hall as a staffer opened the door.
They’d flown in over 200 pieces from the French headquarters for this event, and the dazzling jewels on display nearly blinded him.
“Actor-nim, this way. We’ll do the official photos in front of the jewelry.”
Unlike others leisurely sipping champagne, Siheon, the brand muse, was busy shooting with the official photographer. It was better than awkwardly greeting colleagues who’d been stealing glances and whispering since he arrived.
After taking shots while a staffer checked the jewelry against a tablet, quite some time passed before the staffer smiled and signaled the end.
“That should do it. You worked so hard, actor-nim.”
“It wasn’t just me—everyone did.”
His elegant smile nearly cramped his face, but Siheon kept it up and shook the photographer’s hand.
“Oh, actor-nim, could you wait a moment? I’ve got something to pass on.”
The staffer who’d been with him asked for a moment and radioed someone.
Siheon scanned the hall. Mostly vaguely familiar faces. It’d be nice if Haewon were here, but of course, he’s never around when you need him. If it came to it, he’d chat with an idol from his agency—they’d avoid divorce talk tactfully. He’d even prepared a line: Your eco-bag’s pretty sturdy.
Then, someone came down from the second floor after the radio call and greeted him.
“Hello, actor-nim. I’m Jeon Soyoung, Senior Manager of Public Relations at Stelans.”
“Oh, hello. I’m Kang Siheon.”
“Since you’re done shooting, I’ll escort you to the second floor.”
“Huh?”
I don’t want to go there. Ignoring Siheon’s slight frown, Manager Jeon cleared the way.
“Vice President Armand Thierry, who oversees global sales and retail from headquarters, is waiting for you.”
“Oh…”
He could picture the vibe up there without looking. He’d attended similar events plenty of times as a couple with Cha Wonwoo.
If the first floor was full of guys itching to talk but holding back, the second floor was packed with pretentious types busy judging and sneering behind fake refinement. Or overflowing with elitism. Or treating you like you’re invisible.
He could ignore those types right back, but Cha Wonwoo being there nagged at him. He’d rather not cross paths if he could help it.
Sighing, Siheon reluctantly climbed the stairs.
“You can enter here.”
The guard at the second floor checked Manager Jeon and Siheon’s faces before granting entry.
Inside, the atmosphere was noticeably quieter than the first floor. Invisible walls divided the small groups chatting—rank in the business world, succession status, traits, age. Each clique sat at their tables, glancing at Siheon.
＊＊＊＊＊
“Manager, one moment.”
“What’s up?”
Siheon pointed to the restroom.
“Just need to step away.”
“Oh, go ahead.”
The pheromones from the traited people were intense. Alphas and omegas alike, flaunting their pheromones was second nature to this crowd, so it was no surprise.
Clicking his tongue, Siheon pushed open the restroom door. The flood of pheromones made his stomach churn.
The restroom, under dim lighting, was luxuriously styled like a lounge. Confirming it was empty, Siheon stepped into a stall and pulled a finger-length glass vial from his jacket’s inner pocket.
Good thing I brought this.
It was a drug to lower pheromone sensitivity. Harmful to the body, it required a proper prescription, but since that incident with Haewon, Siheon always carried it when going out. He hadn’t needed it with Cha Wonwoo around, but now he did.
Closing the toilet lid, Siheon sat and popped the pill into his mouth. Crunch. The sound of chewing and swallowing echoed in the quiet restroom. It took about a minute for the effects to kick in. Without a watch, Siheon silently counted down in his head.
60, 59, 58…
“Man, Cha Wonwoo’s such a drama queen. I’ve never seen a guy bring his own booze to a place like this.”
Just then, the door swung open, and people barged in.
“He’s Chairman Cha’s precious grandson, so of course.”
“So what? In other groups, kids younger than him are snagging director seats left and right, and that guy’s still just a chief. Doesn’t that mean he’s fallen out of Chairman Cha’s favor?”
The quiet restroom filled with noise. The sound of rushing water from someone washing their hands cut through the chatter.
“I heard Chairman Cha beat the hell out of Cha Wonwoo when he found out about the marriage.”
35, 34, 33…
“That bad?”
“Yeah, and it makes sense. Cha Wonwoo pushed the marriage through while Chairman Cha was in a coma. When he woke up and heard, he flipped out—‘How could you marry some cheap entertainer like that?’”
“Chairman Cha’s not wrong. How many years has Kang Siheon been rolling around in that industry? Probably got plenty dirty. Bet he collected a ton of ‘business cards’ too.”
“Business cards” meant sponsors.
12, 11, 10…
“A guy so prissy he brings his own liquor ‘cause he won’t drink ours—his stomach must be made of steel.”
“Guess Kang Siheon’s some kind of delicacy. Now that Cha Wonwoo’s leash is off, if you’re curious, just call him up and have some fun.”
…3, 2, 1.
Bang. Siheon flung the stall door open. The group, giggling and chattering excitedly moments ago, jumped and turned to look at him.
The stares pinning him were a familiar kind. Walking calmly to the sink, Siheon washed his hands with an impassive expression. Their faces in the mirror were strangers to him.
A long silence stretched out. Shutting off the faucet, the sound of rushing water stopped. Wiping his hands with a paper towel, Siheon tossed it in the trash and met each of their eyes, asking,
“I’m curious how you plan to ‘have fun’ with me. Care to enlighten me?”
Uneasy glances darted around. Siheon added in a tone hard to read,
“Maybe it’s because I don’t have much memory of ‘having fun’ in my career, but I’m genuinely curious how others do it.”
The men clamped their mouths shut. To get in here, they had to be from decently well-off families. So they probably weren’t used to being openly embarrassed by their careless words.
Siheon could play the role of a spoiled rich kid born with a silver spoon blindfolded. Tilting his chin up slightly and looking down with pity, their faces twisted. One of the quicker ones tried to smooth things over.
“Ahem, it was a joke, just a joke. We’ve got some bad blood with Cha Wonwoo, you see. The sparks accidentally flew your way, Kang Siheon-ssi. Did it upset you a lot?”
Since we’re divorced, they think I’d have bad feelings toward Cha Wonwoo too? The guy slyly shifted the blame, but it didn’t make Siheon feel any better. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, as if to say, Go on.
“It got a bit harsh unintentionally, but honestly, we’re fans of yours, Kang Siheon-ssi.”
“Oh, fans, huh.”
The warm words his real fans had piled in his heart came to mind, and anger flared. These jerks call themselves fans?
“Of course. Is there anyone in Korea who isn’t a fan of Kang Siheon-ssi? Haha, meeting like this is fate—let’s grab a drink outside. Clear up the misunderstanding, shake off any hurt feelings.”
“Hurt feelings?”
Cutting him off, Siheon smirked and said bluntly,
“Why would I be hurt? None of you here are people who could hurt me.”
“…”
“I don’t get hurt by just anyone.”
They couldn’t miss the disdain in “just anyone.”
One of them, riled up, released his pheromones aggressively—an alpha in the group, knowing Siheon was an omega. It wasn’t just rude; it was borderline violent. A move to dominate him with pheromones.
Physical contact after this would be a crime. But they probably thought they could hush up a crime, hence this stunt.
Thank goodness he’d taken the sensitivity-lowering drug. Seeing no reaction from Siheon, the men exchanged confused looks.
“What? Is he a dominant omega?”
Letting them misunderstand, Siheon tugged the corner of his mouth into a smile. Even with the drug working, his stomach felt slightly off. It lowered sensitivity, not blocked it entirely. Prolonged exposure to strong alpha pheromones in a confined space wasn’t good.
Straightening from the wall, Siheon offered a reasonable compromise.
“Since you’re fans, I’d like to accept an apology and call it a day. What do you think?”
A simple “sorry” would do, but their petty pride—or whatever it was—meant they had no intention of apologizing. They’d probably had lawyers recite apologies for them their whole lives, never saying it themselves. Hearing this face-to-face must already feel humiliating enough.
Sure enough, the alpha who’d released his pheromones scoffed at Siheon. Apologize? To a guy who got divorced? He was about to spout something like that.
The restroom door burst open, and a man strode in.
Dressed in a black suit that emphasized his sharp shoulders and waist, revealing a solid silhouette, it was none other than Cha Wonwoo.
“You said you were coming, hyung, but you didn’t show.”
Stopping in front of Siheon, he cast a heavy glance at the men before shutting his mouth. Feeling the pheromones in the air, his face turned icy enough to send chills. Instantly, his familiar pheromones enveloped Siheon protectively, as if to keep everything else at bay.
Cha Wonwoo gripped Siheon’s hand tightly. It seemed less about calming Siheon and more about steadying himself. Holding firm, he warned the men in a calm voice,
“I’ll remember today clearly. I’ll have plenty to say at the next breakfast meeting.”
These guys were far from succession lines—idle rich kids living off their parents’ money. Black sheep of their families, and even those families were nothing compared to CH Group.
“Cha Wonwoo, we…!”
Trying to explain, they were silenced by Cha Wonwoo’s dominant alpha pheromones alone. He turned their own tactic back on them. Their faces paled, contorting as nausea hit. Over it, Cha Wonwoo’s steady voice dropped.
“Oh, and one more thing. If you’re going to spew trash, get your facts straight. Hyung didn’t get divorced—I did.”
As he moved to leave, still holding Siheon’s hand, Siheon stopped him with a “Wait.” Cha Wonwoo turned back with a cold expression. Siheon, with his free hand, rummaged through Cha Wonwoo’s jacket pocket. Ignoring his flinch, Siheon found what he wanted and faced the men.
In his hand was a crisp business card, faintly gleaming. CH Group, Cha Wonwoo.
＊＊＊＊＊
“Bet he collected a ton of ‘business cards’ too.”
If they wanted business cards that badly.
“You seemed jealous of people getting business cards. Here, take this one instead and keep it safe. If you’ve got something to say, contact that number.”
“…”
“I don’t have my own since my face is my business card.”
He held out the card. One of the guys, who’d been going along with the group and seemed to have the least impressive background, reached for it cautiously. Just as he was about to take it, Siheon’s fingers loosened.
The card slipped from his hand like a taunt, fluttering to the floor.
＊＊＊＊＊
“Where are you going?”
Outside, Cha Wonwoo silently tugged Siheon’s hand.
“Where are we going?”
Was he not hearing, or just pretending not to?
“Oh, actor-nim, I…”
Manager Jeon Soyoung, waiting outside, tried to intervene, but Cha Wonwoo breezed past her without a glance. Mouthing “Sorry” to her, Siheon let himself be quietly dragged along as Cha Wonwoo wished.
“…”
“…”
Once outside, Cha Wonwoo strode purposefully across a quiet hallway. The security guards gave them a brief glance but stayed in place.
Turning a corner and stepping into the emergency exit, Cha Wonwoo pinned Siheon against the wall the moment the door shut. Thud—Siheon’s body hit the door, sending a brief ripple of noise through the silent stairwell. The faint sound of classical music from far off felt distant.
“Cha Wonwoo…”
“…”
Crouching his large frame, Cha Wonwoo clung to Siheon’s chest. His rough breaths grazed Siheon’s skin as his sharp nose rubbed up along his neck, burrowing behind his ear. The source of pheromones—the gland where traited individuals released them. Burying his nose in the spot where Siheon’s scent was strongest, Cha Wonwoo inhaled deeply.
“…Hyung.”
The low, settled voice calling him sent a shiver from his toes to the crown of his head—a thrill tinged with something like pain. The door handle digging into his back was uncomfortable, so Siheon twisted his waist slightly. Afraid he might escape, Cha Wonwoo pulled him even closer, pressing their bodies together without a gap.
“…Hyung.”
“You’ll wear it out. Stop calling me. And back off a bit—I can’t breathe.”
“No.”
Not “I don’t want to” but “I can’t”—his voice was laced with longing, as if he could only breathe like this.
“…”
“…”
Cha Wonwoo’s ragged, chaotic breathing steadied with each inhale of Siheon’s scent.
Siheon didn’t push him away, letting him be. He knew why Cha Wonwoo was so anxious. It was the fastest way to calm him down, and he had little choice.
With a long exhale, Cha Wonwoo growled in a whisper.
“There’s another alpha’s scent on you, hyung.”
They were so close that each word brushed hot lips dangerously against Siheon’s neck.
Cha Wonwoo’s lips were a spark. Not a gentle campfire, but a wildfire’s ember—capable of consuming Siheon whole the moment it touched him.
“I’ll erase it.”
The possessive sentence barely finished before Cha Wonwoo’s pheromones flooded out. Familiar, comforting, yet dizzying, they enveloped Siheon. Even the sensitivity-lowering drug was feeble against pheromones a dominant alpha poured out for one person alone.
His body felt engulfed in heat, burning like a fireball.
Out of habit, Cha Wonwoo pressed his lips to Siheon’s neck. The spark ignited. His red tongue licked along Siheon’s throat, and soon his lips sucked at the trail. He was jealous even of his own tongue marking Siheon’s skin.
“…”
Slowly, Siheon raised his hands and pulled Cha Wonwoo’s back closer.
“…!”
Flinching, Cha Wonwoo froze like a wary animal for a few seconds before pressing their already seamless bodies even tighter. As their lower halves met, Siheon’s hand stroked Cha Wonwoo’s back to soothe his panting.
“Stay still.”
Siheon wanted to release his own pheromones to calm him, but it wouldn’t work—almost as if they were broken. He couldn’t even complain if Cha Wonwoo grumbled about him being stingy for not releasing them in a moment like this.
Yet Cha Wonwoo surrendered his body to Siheon’s touch without a hint of dissatisfaction. As if he’d breathe in more if it wasn’t enough, he kept burying his nose behind Siheon’s ear, inhaling again and again.
Siheon, too, tilted his head slowly, pressing his nose and lips to the spot where Cha Wonwoo’s pheromone gland lay.
He took a full breath.
They say a successful marriage requires falling in love multiple times—with the same person. If that were true, his marriage with Cha Wonwoo should’ve been a success. They fell for each other, loved each other, every moment.
So what’s a successful divorce? A life where they become strangers? And if that’s impossible?
Siheon hadn’t found the answer. In this isolated stairwell, a narrow space where it felt like only Cha Wonwoo remained, a sudden fear welled up.
That he’d never find that answer—and would end up helplessly drowning in Cha Wonwoo forever.
＊＊＊＊＊
Having regained some calm, the two entered a private room where Vice President Armand Thierry awaited Siheon. It was a restricted area even on the reception hall’s second floor.
Seated on premium Italian leather sofas were the Stelans Korea president, the Korean hotel CEO hosting the reception, visiting executives from headquarters, and prominent domestic business figures.
Whatever Manager Jeon Soyoung had explained, they showed no displeasure at Siheon’s late arrival. Armand Thierry even greeted him with a bright smile and a handshake.
Cha Wonwoo, sitting down, stared blatantly at Armand and Siheon’s clasped hands.
Oblivious, Armand rattled off greetings and praise in French. Siheon could only catch simple words like muse and thank you.
Releasing the handshake at the right moment, Siheon sat beside Cha Wonwoo, whose eyes were blazing.
A divorced couple side by side—the Stelans Korea president and other Koreans glanced at them awkwardly. But, being businesspeople, they masked it quickly.
Siheon was the only one in the room who didn’t speak French. Cha Wonwoo offered to interpret, though he wasn’t exactly reliable. When someone from headquarters spoke at length, Cha Wonwoo summed it up in one line.
“They say you’re the best, hyung.”
Even that was too brief. After a few exchanges like this, time passed, and people began chatting in smaller groups nearby. Mostly business, with occasional small talk.
“Ahem, it seems Chief Cha and actor Kang Siheon get along well even after the divorce. When I divorced my ex-husband, we practically became enemies.”
The Stelans Korea general manager remarked curiously. The more wealth involved, the fiercer the legal battles. Add company shares, and lawsuits turned into wars.
Having gone through her own bitter divorce, she found the young ex-couple before her intriguing.
“The pheromones—Kang Siheon did that so we wouldn’t feel uncomfortable, right? Someone who didn’t know might misunderstand.”
It’s like a pheromone shower, she added, and Siheon smiled awkwardly.
Most in the room were alphas. Staying long would’ve rendered the sensitivity-lowering drug useless, but Cha Wonwoo had already cocooned Siheon in his pheromones, sparing him any discomfort.
How should he explain it? Maybe just call it simple help? As Siheon parted his lips to speak, someone cut in.
“Oh dear, we can’t have misunderstandings. Who knows what Father might do if he found out.”
Frowning, Cha Wonwoo addressed the interrupter.
“Uncle.”
Chairman Cha Hyuncheol had three sons: eldest Cha Geumho, second Cha Eunsik, and youngest Cha Donghyun.
“Long time no see, nephew-in-law. Oh, I shouldn’t call you that anymore, should I?”
Winking as he sat across from Siheon was Cha Donghyun, the youngest. CEO of the Korean hotel handling CH Group’s hotel and resort business.
As he joined, the Stelans Korea manager tactfully moved to another table.
“Call me whatever’s comfortable.”
Siheon replied politely with a slight bow. Among the Cha family, this man was the only one who treated him warmly.
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It wasn’t that he particularly liked Siheon—some people are just like that, aren’t they? Raised with so much love they have no rough edges. Cha Donghyun was exactly that type.
Plus, he was a dominant omega. Due to Chairman Cha’s outdated belief that “an omega can’t lead the group,” he’d been sidelined from succession long ago, leaving no need to clash with his nephew, Cha Wonwoo.
“I’m used to calling you Kang-seobang, but with so many ears around, I’ll stick to Kang actor. That okay?”
“Of course.”
“By the way, you seem to look even better since the divorce. Is it because there’s no one stressing you out anymore?”
Siheon gave an awkward smile, rubbing his cheek with his palm.
“Maybe it’s because I’ve lost some weight preparing for my comeback.”
“Already? Why not take a trip or rest a bit?”
“I need to get back to work and reclaim my spot soon.”
“If you need anything, let me know. If it’s a project you’re in, I’ll tell them to cooperate with filming.”
“Thank you.”
After the polite exchange of pleasantries, Cha Donghyun shot a teasing glance at his nephew.
“Wonwoo, you said you were too busy, but the moment Kang actor was mentioned, you showed up. Uncle’s feeling a little hurt?”
Cha Wonwoo replied indifferently.
“With so many things to feel hurt about, I wonder how you manage your business.”
“Now’s not the time to worry about my business.”
Glancing around, Cha Donghyun lowered his voice.
“Wonwoo, you’re getting reports about Hannam-dong lately, right?”
Hannam-dong was where Chairman Cha and his wife’s mansion stood—the family called it home base.
“I always get reports.”
Nodding, Cha Wonwoo wore an expression like, Why ask the obvious?
“Then you know your second uncle’s been going there every morning for breakfast?”
“With diet updates included, how could I not?”
“This guy’s so dense.”
Cha Donghyun thumped his chest in frustration.
“You think breakfast is no big deal? That’s the starting point of family business. You’re not clueless about your second uncle’s dark intentions.”
Among Chairman Cha’s sons, the eldest was a dominant alpha, the second a standard alpha. Outranked in both birth order and traits, Cha Eunsik, the second son, had to settle for president of CH Construction.
But then, the insurmountable wall he’d never thought he’d overcome vanished one day—with the sudden death of his older brother, Cha Geumho.
Since then, Cha Eunsik had been hell-bent on pushing aside his young nephew to seize control of the group.
Meanwhile, that young nephew, Cha Wonwoo, hadn’t even had time to grieve his father’s death.
The only surviving child of Cha Geumho. A dominant alpha.
Those two conditions alone made him the group’s heir, raised under Chairman Cha’s hand.
Raising an eyebrow cockily, Cha Wonwoo spoke with confidence.
“President Cha can’t beat me in lineage or traits.”
Even knowing a venomous man was constantly targeting him, Cha Wonwoo remained unfazed, leaving Cha Donghyun speechless.
Had losing his father young and growing up under someone worse than a snake like Chairman Cha made him this way?
Cha Eunsik’s burning greed didn’t faze Cha Wonwoo—he was always calm.
“…”
Caught between them, Siheon could only shift his eyes. Hearing Cha family matters post-divorce was deeply uncomfortable. Reaching for a cup to wet his throat, Cha Wonwoo—whom he thought was focused on the conversation—grabbed his wrist.
“Hyung, wait. Don’t drink that.”
Using formal speech in front of others, he raised a hand. Secretary Yang, waiting with the staff near the room’s edge, swiftly approached with a tray. She set down an old-fashioned glass of whiskey for Cha Wonwoo and ice water for Siheon.
Watching this, Cha Donghyun clicked his tongue.
“Always so extra.”
Twisting up one corner of his mouth, Cha Wonwoo shot back.
“I’ve got good reason to be.”
“Times like this, you’re the spitting image of Chairman Cha. Don’t you think, Kang actor?”
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Siheon shook his head.
“Wonwoo doesn’t resemble the chairman. Especially not in character.”
Glancing sideways, he saw Cha Wonwoo’s lips soften. Hearing Siheon take his side and call him “Wonwoo” fondly seemed to please him.
Cha Donghyun shook his head as if they were newlyweds, not a divorced couple. Just then, Secretary Yang, who’d been heading back, returned with a grave tone.
“Chief, an urgent report regarding the U.S. foundry site.”
Handed a phone, Cha Wonwoo stood, speaking fluent English. Shedding his casual air, he reverted to the demeanor of CH Group’s heir and gave Siheon a look.
“Wait for me.”
He didn’t need to wait, but Siheon nodded instinctively.
As Cha Wonwoo and Secretary Yang stepped onto the balcony, CEO Cha Donghyun asked with a meaningful gaze,
“Kang actor, do you really have no intention of getting back with Wonwoo?”
They’d just finalized mediation, with only the divorce filing left. After coming this far, go back?
“No, I don’t.”
Surprised by the firm answer, Cha Donghyun pressed.
“Why? Because my father was too hard on you?”
“…”
Taking Siheon’s silence as a yes, he sighed with pity.
“Well, who could handle that stubborn old man, Chairman Cha? Even I, his son, barely see him. Just pop in during holidays. Even my mom gave up on him ages ago. Sharing a bed, and she still threw up her hands and lives like a stranger. So how could you stand it, Kang actor? Thinking back to what happened… Are you okay physically?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Still, take care. Male omegas get sicker easier as they age. I’ve felt it myself—my body’s not what it used to be.”
But you’re a dominant, sir. Afraid he’d say something weak, Siheon quickly sipped his water.
He’d hidden his traits, never having a proper relationship. A scorned lover was the scariest whistleblower. So he’d lived as a beta his whole life. His mindset leaned beta too. Traits? Recessive omega? So what. To Siheon, it was just a chronic condition requiring suppressants.
Everything changed when he met Cha Wonwoo. Being a recessive omega let him marry, but it also led to their divorce.
What had been a mere annoyance became a malignant force sickening his life after Chairman Cha awoke, deepening Siheon’s pallor day by day. He could’ve endured the pain alone. But he didn’t want Cha Wonwoo to fight that illness too.
“Kang actor, did you know?”
Over the balcony, Cha Wonwoo ran a hand through his hair while on the phone. Staring blankly, Siheon turned to listen to Cha Donghyun.
“Father’s already pushing for Wonwoo to go on blind dates.”
Crunch. Ice shattered in Siheon’s mouth.
“Right now, they’re holding him back—‘It’s too soon after the divorce, think of public opinion and the company image.’ But once time passes, no matter how much Wonwoo resists, it’ll be pointless.”
“…”
“So either find a way to reconcile, or…”
Pausing, he spoke as if he’d made up his mind.
“Help Wonwoo let go.”
His expression mixed awkwardness and guilt. His tone, adding “I hate saying this, but I’ve got no choice,” sounded like, “The living have to keep living.”
“Oh, and if there’s any jewelry from today’s exhibit you like, let me know. I’ll have it sent separately. Let’s meet again if we get the chance.”
Satisfied he’d said his piece, CEO Cha Donghyun stood, gripping then releasing Siheon’s shoulder. It felt like encouragement—or an apology tinged with self-blame. His hand fell quickly, but the sensation lingered.
“Hyung, you might think divorce ends it all, but not me.”
A voice from the past brushed Siheon’s ears as he sat alone.
“A few papers can sever legal ties. But the heart? You think a few sheets can end that too?”
The questioning voice carried unshakable conviction. A blind belief it wouldn’t.
Maybe he should’ve gambled to make Cha Wonwoo sick of him? The easiest way to tire of someone is asking to borrow money. But with Cha Wonwoo’s wealth, he wouldn’t blink at a loan. He might’ve happily handed over everything at the mere request.
“What’s so funny?”
Lost in absurd thoughts and chuckling, Siheon looked up as Cha Wonwoo, finished with his call, returned and asked. Sitting down, he squeezed then released the spot between Siheon’s knee and thigh. The fluid, natural motion was almost ridiculous.
And yet, Siheon couldn’t deny missing the warmth that faded so quickly—he must be out of his mind too.
Foundry: Refers to a facility or company specializing in semiconductor manufacturing.
＊＊＊＊＊
“Hyung?”
“No, just thinking about this and that.”
“Those thoughts don’t involve a person—or another alpha, right?”
Frowning, Cha Wonwoo studied Siheon closely. It felt like every expression was being dissected. So Siheon decided to throw an easy friend under the bus.
“I was thinking about Byun Haewon. Met him a while back.”
“A person and an alpha.”
Cha Wonwoo’s brows furrowed. He didn’t like that the name checked both boxes.
“Didn’t I tell you? I hate how you and Byun Haewon got close. An alpha helping an omega hiding their traits? It’s straight out of a cheesy romance trope.”
Pouting, Cha Wonwoo looked his age—or even younger. Cute, lovable. Watching him chug his drink with a scrunched forehead, Siheon muttered,
“Not exactly wrong, though.”
Cha Wonwoo slammed his glass down and shot him a glare. His eyes brimmed with dissatisfaction. Staring at his round ears, Siheon leaned in and whispered,
“You helped me too.”
And they’d made a full-on romance out of it.
Even without the follow-up, Cha Wonwoo’s eyes softened, sharing the same memory.
Just like four years ago.
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Kang Siheon, twenty-six. Cha Wonwoo, twenty-four.
[…Next up. With the relaxation of ‘financial-industrial separation’ regulations dividing financial and industrial capital, conglomerates are accelerating their entry into finance. CH Group, the first to secure a financial license, has opted to acquire an existing bank to establish a stable foothold. Leading this effort at CH Financial is Cha Wonwoo, widely seen as CH Group’s heir…]
Sori Entertainment CEO’s office.
On the large CRT screen, a young man calmly fielded questions before a swarm of reporters’ microphones.
“He’s really handsome. A face like that’s rare.”
CEO Heo sighed wistfully. Handsome, rich, perfect traits—what didn’t this guy have? If he weren’t a chaebol, Heo might’ve chased him down with a contract himself.
“They say he’s got a knack for business too. What can you do? The world’s unfair.”
Shrugging at Heo’s words, Siheon, lounging on the sofa watching the news, replied,
“I don’t really see it as unfair.”
“Why not?”
Crossing his legs, Siheon grinned.
“Because I’ve got an overflow of talent in my face.”
Letting out a deflated laugh, CEO Heo waved some papers.
“Then our face-talented actor’s okay with this, right? The CH Bank ad gig.”
Holding off his answer, Siheon gazed at the young man on screen.
Thick brows, straight nose, sharp jawline, and an overpowering gaze despite his youth. An ascetic, cold face that seemed to reject all desire.
Feeling a sudden tickle in his chest, Siheon nodded.
“Yeah, I’ll do it.”
The snow had been relentless since last night. The line between sidewalk and road blurred, and white snow blanketed the city—everywhere he looked was pure white.
“The wind’s too strong, so we’re shooting indoor cuts first. We’ve got to head to Paju, so catch some sleep, hyungnim.”
Dawn. Kangsan drove the van carefully, explaining the updated schedule.
“Where’s the time to sleep?”
Siheon pressed his tired eyes and answered. He wanted to call the director for details on the changed shoot, but he couldn’t bother people already swamped with the last-minute switch.
Instead, he recalled the briefing, reviewing the ad concept.
“Bank ads usually go for middle-aged figures for trust. But the trend’s shifting from trust to youth, plus future customer acquisition and the need to brand CH Bank anew—there’s no one better than our Kang Siheon. Of course, the client specifically requested you too.”
Leaning back in the van, Siheon pulled up the storyboard on his tablet. CH’s tagline was simple and direct:
New Chapter, New Happiness.
CH Bank walks with you. — CH Bank
The final shot would zoom in on Siheon’s smiling face in a suit. A face attack, basically.
Bank ads weren’t for just anyone, even popular figures. Public likability, career, trustworthiness—they were picky. So when word spread about CH Bank’s ad, most image-conscious celebrities salivated over it.
And the client had specifically named him. That client being CH Group’s Cha Wonwoo.
“Hyungnim? Why’re you laughing?”
“Huh, me? No, I’m not.”
“You were laughing weirdly. Heh heh heh… I heard it from the driver’s seat. Thought it was a ghost.”
Rubbing his face at the feeble giggle, Siheon straightened his expression.
“Must be hearing things ‘cause it’s winter. Should I get our Kangsan some herbal tonic?”
“What’s winter got to do with hearing things?”
“It does. Winter’s cold, right? You catch the flu, right? Take Tamiflu, right? Tamiflu’s side effects include hallucinations and hearing things.”
“Huh? Did I catch the flu? I’ve never even had a cold in my life.”
“Then assume I caught it and took it, and it passed to you.”
Baffled by the nonsensical logic, Kangsan shut his mouth. Hyungnim must really be sick.
Siheon stared at the tablet with a serious face. It’d been a while since he last studied a CF storyboard this intently, like it was a script. He wanted to do well. That was it.
A yet-unnamed feeling cut through the quiet dawn toward the set.
Paju. The massive 3,000-pyeong studio buzzed with people despite the fierce snow.
Ad agency staff, the filming crew, and more swarmed around. Several coffee trucks lined up near Building A, where the shoot was happening. They weren’t just any trucks—high quality and impressive. One was even decked out with Siheon’s photo. Kangsan, saying he hadn’t been told about it, went to check.
“All set.”
Dressed and made up, Siheon emerged as Kangsan returned to the waiting room.
“Hyungnim, it’s not from fans—the client sent it.”
“The client being…”
Trailing off, Kangsan nodded.
“Yeah, Cha Wonwoo, CEO of CH Financial. He said warm staff make for better shoots and told them to prepare enough drinks for the whole day.”
“What about my photo? That was random.”
“Oh, that’s to cheer on the model. And get this—he also arranged the food truck and catering. The food truck’s not here yet, but they say he got a hotel chef for it. The catering’s Hollywood-level. He put in a lot of effort.”
Siheon lowered his gaze. Even the waiting room’s catering was all pricey, famous desserts.
Why do I keep wanting to laugh? Am I crazy?
Switching to acting mode, he managed his expression, pushing out stray thoughts. No way Cha Wonwoo’s my fan. They said the CEO arranged it, but someone that high up wouldn’t micromanage. A secretary or subordinate handled it and gave the boss credit.
“Nope, I need air. I’ll step out. Don’t worry, I won’t leave the set. Saw a vending machine out there? The lounge has huge windows—killer view.”
“The cold’ll kill you first, dressed like that.”
The ad was for spring, so the outfit was fairly thin.
“It’s fine, I’ll take a blanket.”
Draping a blanket over his shoulders, Siheon slipped out of the waiting room.
Most big studios in Paju lacked boilers or decent insulation. The waiting room had a heater and blocked doors, making it bearable, but outside it, even indoors, the chill rose from the floor.
It suited Siheon fine. This could cool his flushed face and mind.
The lounge, open with no partitions, sat in a wide, sunlit space. The coffee trucks had stolen the vending machine’s thunder.
Siheon claimed a cushy chair and small table, gazing out. Snow fell endlessly in a white world, like a moving painting in a frame.