His eyes narrowed with caution as he glared at Hyunseok.
"Don't touch my baby."
The moment Hyunseok heard those words, he instinctively took a step back. It felt as though someone had reached into his chest and crushed his heart.
For a brief moment, he thought Yihan's memories were returning. The helplessness he had once felt seemed to come rushing back all at once. But a few seconds later, Yihan suddenly looked at him in confusion.
"Oh..."
"When did you get home?"
"...And did you bring what I asked for?"
Then he looked down at the baby in his arms before asking,
"When did you place the baby in my hands?"
"...And when did I come into this room?"
The moment Hyunseok heard those questions, he couldn't understand what was happening. But one thing became clear.
Yihan had already forgotten what he had just said. He had even forgotten why he had come into this room. A small feeling of relief washed over Hyunseok. However, that relief didn't last long.
*His memories could return at any time.*
*Until then... I have to be careful.*
*No matter what happens... I can't let him remember that past.*
That was the promise Hyunseok silently made to himself.
After gently placing the baby back into the crib, Yihan walked out of the room together with Hyunseok.
As they entered the living room, Hyunseok pointed toward the couch.
"I left the fried chicken and the strawberry matcha there."
Yihan looked at the drink.
"What kind of combination is fried chicken with strawberry matcha?"
He shrugged.
"Well... they don't really go together."
"But I like strawberry matcha."
He looked at Hyunseok and gave him a bright smile.
"Thanks, Mr. Husband."
Hyunseok quietly smiled before silently walking upstairs to his room.
He changed into a bathrobe and entered the bathroom.
The moment he turned on the shower, warm water poured down over his body.
He placed both hands against the wall as the water streamed down from his hair and dripped onto the floor.
Countless thoughts filled his mind.
*Even if it costs me my life...*
*I'll protect him with everything I have.*
*This is the only chance I've been given.*
*I have to make sure the Chairman never lays his hands on Yihan.*
Without realizing it, nearly an hour passed beneath the shower.
Finally, Hyunseok stepped out, dried himself, and changed into comfortable pajamas.
Perhaps because he had stayed under the water for so long...
...he caught a slight cold.
Sniffling softly and covering his nose with a handkerchief, he slowly walked toward the living room.
The moment he saw Yihan...
...he froze.
Meanwhile, Yihan was lying comfortably on the couch while watching an H-drama.
His T-shirt had rolled halfway up his stomach as he relaxed carelessly against the cushions.
He was happily eating fried chicken while sipping strawberry matcha.
His stomach had become slightly round from eating so much.
Chicken crumbs were scattered all over the couch.
Completely absorbed in the drama, he stuffed another piece of chicken into his mouth.
Just then, Hyunseok entered the living room.
Yihan glanced back.
The moment Hyunseok saw him...
...he couldn't help but laugh softly.
With his puffed-up cheeks full of chicken, Yihan looked exactly like a little hamster.
After watching him for a moment, Hyunseok smiled.
"After causing such a fuss yesterday..."
"...and again at the hospital..."
"...you look much more comfortable than I expected."
Yihan chuckled.
"Haha... I always dreamed of living like this."
"Back at home, I never had the chance to rest."
"I was always running after my grades."
"I always wanted to be first in class."
"But now... I don't have anything to study."
"So I should enjoy the chance I've got, right?"
He paused for a moment before looking around the mansion again.
"And..."
"I don't know why..."
"This mansion also feels like home, but everything here feels... familiar."
After saying that, he looked at Hyunseok's face more carefully.
His nose was slightly red, and there was a faint flush across his cheeks.
"What happened to you?"
Hyunseok casually waved his hand.
"I caught a little cold."
"It's nothing serious."
The moment Yihan heard that, his expression immediately changed.
The fried chicken in his hand was forgotten.
He quickly put it down on the table and looked at Hyunseok with genuine worry.
"Come here."
He patted the empty space beside him on the couch.
"Sit."
Hyunseok quietly walked over and sat beside him.
Without saying another word, Yihan gently placed the back of his hand against Hyunseok's forehead.
The instant Yihan touched him...
...Hyunseok stopped breathing.
His heartbeat suddenly became loud inside his chest.
*Can he hear it...?*
He remained completely still, afraid that even the slightest movement would ruin the moment.
Yihan frowned slightly after checking his temperature.
"You've got a fever."
"If we leave it like this, it'll only get worse."
He immediately stood up.
"Wait here."
"I'll make something that'll help your fever and cold go away in a few minutes."
After saying that, Yihan hurried toward the kitchen.
He filled a pot with water and placed it on the stove, quietly waiting for it to boil.
From the living room, Hyunseok watched him in silence.
He didn't understand what Yihan was trying to do.
A few minutes later, Yihan returned carrying a bowl filled with steaming hot water.
He carefully placed it on the table before looking at Hyunseok.
"Come here."
Hyunseok quietly walked over.
"Sit on the chair."
Without asking any questions, Hyunseok pulled out the chair and sat down.
Yihan then turned toward the maid.
"Seok Jaa, can you bring me a blanket?"
"Yes, Young Master."
A moment later, Seok Jaa returned with a thick blanket.
Yihan draped the blanket over both Hyunseok and the bowl of steaming hot water, creating a small space to trap the warm steam.
Then he sprinkled a little turmeric into the hot water.
The warm, earthy smell immediately spread beneath the blanket.
Looking at Hyunseok seriously, Yihan instructed,
"Breathe in through your nose... and out through your mouth."
"The steam will help clear your cold."
Hyunseok quietly did as he was told.
Warm steam slowly rose around his face, making his cheeks even redder.
Neither of them spoke.
Only the sound of Hyunseok's slow breathing could be heard beneath the blanket.
Several minutes passed.
Once the water had cooled to a warm temperature, Yihan gently removed the blanket.
Then he placed the back of his hand against Hyunseok's forehead once again.
"See?"
"Your fever has already gone down."
"Your cold should get better after a little while too."
Hyunseok looked at him with a completely clueless expression.
"...What exactly was that?"
Yihan smiled faintly.
"When I was little, I used to catch fevers and colds all the time."
"My grandmother always treated me like this."
"So..."
"I just tried the same thing on you."
After hearing those words, Hyunseok looked at Yihan with a warm smile.
"Thank you."
Yihan simply shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal.
Without changing out of his pajamas, Hyunseok picked up his car keys and hurried toward the front door.
Just before leaving, he suddenly stopped and turned back to look at Yihan.
"Make sure you lock the door."
"And don't open it for anyone."
His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable seriousness behind it.
Yihan blinked in confusion.
"Why?"
Hyunseok hesitated for a brief moment before answering.
"Just listen to me."
"I'll be back soon."
With that, he quietly walked out of the mansion, leaving Yihan standing near the doorway.
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