Liam threw himself onto his bed, staring at the ceiling as his chest tightened with frustration. The moment with Kim replayed over and over in his mind.

“We can’t be together, Liam. It won’t work because of my family and reputation.”

Bullshit.

Liam scoffed bitterly, running a hand through his hair. Why did he come to my house just to break my heart all over again?

The rejection hurt, but what hurt even more was the way Kim made it seem like Liam’s feelings were a mistake. Like their night together had meant nothing.

“That’s what I thought. I guess you’re right. I’m just a nobody.”

Liam had meant every word, and Kim hadn’t even tried to correct him. That silence spoke louder than anything else.

Tired of his own thoughts, Liam rolled onto his side and shut his eyes, but sleep never came.

Kim hadn’t been home in a long time. The mansion loomed over him as he stood outside the gates, hesitating.

He didn’t want to be here.

He hated how cold and suffocating this place felt, hated how his father—Master—looked at him like he was a disappointment.

But he had no choice.

Sighing, Kim finally walked inside. The guards barely acknowledged him, but Jay’s voice cut through the air almost instantly.

“Look who finally decided to show up.” Jay smirked, leaning against the wall. “Did hell freeze over?”

Kim rolled his eyes. “Funny. Where’s Master?”

Jay shrugged. “In his office, same as always. But you know how he is. You sure you wanna deal with him?”

Kim didn’t answer. Instead, he made his way toward the office, mentally preparing for whatever cold welcome his father had in store for him.

A Tense Conversation with Master

Master didn’t even look up when Kim entered. He sat behind his large desk, flipping through paperwork, his expression unreadable.

Kim crossed his arms. “I see you’re still busy with your empire.”

Master finally glanced at him, eyes sharp. “And I see you still have time to waste on that childish career of yours.”

Kim clenched his jaw. “It’s not childish. I’m one of the top musicians in the country. Or do you not keep up with the news?”

Master scoffed. “Music is temporary. Family is permanent. You chose the wrong side.”

Kim’s fingers curled into fists, but he forced himself to stay calm. “I didn’t come here to argue with you.”

“Then why are you here?”

Kim hesitated. He wasn’t even sure anymore. He wanted to see Jay, maybe check in on things, but coming here was always a mistake.

Before he could respond, something—or rather, someone—caught his eye through the open office doors.

A man stood in the hallway, talking to one of the bodyguards. He had sharp features, dark hair, and a strong presence.

Kim frowned. Why does he look so familiar?

The man turned slightly, and suddenly, it hit him.

Liam. He looked like Liam.

Kim’s breath caught in his throat. His mind flashed back to the night Liam had told him about his older brother—the one who left for work, the one who had no idea what was happening in Liam’s life.

Kim’s heart pounded. No way… That means… That’s Liam’s brother.

Daniel.

Liam’s missing brother had been here all along, working under his own rival family.

Kim could hardly process it. Does Liam even know? Does Daniel?

His thoughts were spinning when Jay suddenly walked up beside him, casually watching Daniel from a distance.

“I know, right?” Jay said suddenly.

Kim blinked, confused. “Know what?”

Jay smirked. “That’s why Cole kissed him.”

Kim’s stomach dropped. “What?” His voice came out sharper than he intended.

Jay shrugged. “Yeah, when we went to (Club Name) yesterday, I saw Daniel and Cole kissing. Guess he’s handsome.” He waved a hand dismissively. “Anyway, have you seen Dad?”

Kim barely registered Jay’s question. His mind was stuck on one thing.

Cole and Daniel… kissed?

His lips parted, but no words came out. His brain refused to process it.

Jay, as if oblivious to the bomb he had just dropped, casually walked away, leaving Kim standing there in absolute shock.

Back in his room, Kim paced back and forth, his thoughts spiraling out of control.

“Cole kissed Daniel? How? Why?”

It didn’t make sense. Daniel was Liam’s brother. And if he was Liam’s brother, then that meant…

Kim’s breathing hitched.

Was that why Liam never heard from him? Did he abandon his little brother for Cole?

The more Kim thought about it, the worse his assumptions became.

Daniel works for Cole’s family. Maybe that’s why he left Liam.

Maybe Cole has been sleeping with him for a while now.

Maybe Daniel never planned to go back to Liam.

Kim ran a frustrated hand through his hair. Fuck.

He didn’t even know why this was affecting him so much, but his chest felt tight—like something was breaking inside him.

Maybe it was the thought of Liam getting hurt.

He didn’t know what to think anymore. But one thing was for sure—

This just made everything a hundred times more complicated.