The city lights flickered outside the tall glass windows of the upscale bar. Music thumped softly, conversations drowned in the haze of alcohol.

Hyunwoo sat at the counter, his black suit jacket discarded on the stool beside him, tie loosened. He looked every bit the cold, untouchable Alpha—except for the way his eyes were heavy with drink.

> “Just one more,” he muttered, signaling to the bartender.

But when his head dipped, it wasn’t the bartender who steadied his glass—it was a soft pair of hands.

Minjae, the young omega working part-time at the bar, frowned slightly.

“Sir, I think you’ve had enough. You’ll regret it tomorrow.”

Hyunwoo’s gaze lifted, hazy and unfocused, but it landed on Minjae’s face. For a second, his expression softened—something rare for him. The faint scent of Minjae’s omega pheromones drifted through the air, delicate and sweet, making his alpha instincts stir.

“Pretty…” Hyunwoo murmured, leaning closer.

Minjae stiffened, cheeks heating. “Y-you should go home. I’ll call you a cab—”

But the night blurred after that.

---

🌙 Later — Hyunwoo’s Apartment

The door slammed shut behind them, lips crashing together with desperate urgency. Clothes fell carelessly onto the floor, and for that night, there was nothing but heat, touch, and the pull of instinct.

Minjae’s breath hitched as Hyunwoo held him close, murmuring words he would never remember in the morning.

For Minjae, it was overwhelming—his first time feeling wanted, cherished, even if it was fleeting.

For Hyunwoo, it was instinct and intoxication, a memory destined to be lost with the sunrise.

---

🌙 The Next Morning

Sunlight filtered through the blinds. Hyunwoo stirred faintly on the bed, his expression calm, unaware.

Minjae sat on the edge of the mattress, already dressed, fingers trembling as he buttoned his shirt. He looked at Hyunwoo—at the powerful Alpha who would never recall his name.

A bittersweet smile curved his lips.

> “You won’t remember me… so it’s better if I leave first.”

He placed Hyunwoo’s tie neatly on the table, as if returning something borrowed, then slipped quietly out of the apartment before Hyunwoo could wake.

And just like that, what should have been a meaningless night… planted a seed that would change both of their lives forever.

The bathroom light flickered softly as Minjae stared at the test strip in his trembling hands.

Two red lines.

His heart pounded in his chest, his knees nearly giving out.

“No… this can’t be real…” he whispered, tears welling.

He had only been with one person. That night. That Alpha who wouldn’t even remember his name.

Hyunwoo.

Minjae pressed a palm against his still-flat stomach, emotions swirling—fear, confusion, and… a fragile kind of joy.

> “Even if he doesn’t want you… I’ll love you enough for both of us.”

---

🌙 One Year Later

A small apartment filled with soft laughter and chaos. Toys scattered on the floor, baby clothes hung over the chair, and in the middle of it all—

Jaehyun.

Chubby cheeks, short legs wobbling as he attempted to toddle across the living room in nothing but a tiny diaper. His round eyes sparkled mischievously as he grabbed a cushion almost bigger than himself and plopped onto it with a giggle.

“Jae-ah! Don’t chew on that!” Minjae called from the kitchen, hurrying over with a spoon still in hand.

The one-year-old only laughed harder, his two little teeth showing as he babbled, “Appa! Appa!” (his way of calling Minjae).

Minjae’s heart melted instantly. He scooped the boy up, pressing kisses against those plump cheeks until Jaehyun squealed and kicked his tiny legs.

“Such a naughty boy,” Minjae whispered, though his eyes were full of love. “But you’re mine. My everything.”

🌙 Meanwhile…

Across the city, Hyunwoo had risen higher in his career, colder and more untouchable than ever. To him, that night was long erased, forgotten in the blur of alcohol.

Yet fate had already tied him to the little boy who had his exact smile… and his stubborn eyes.

The morning sun streamed through thin curtains, and the sound of baby giggles filled the small apartment.

Jaehyun sat in the middle of the floor, chubby legs spread wide as he banged two toy blocks together with all his strength. His diaper peeked out from under a tiny T-shirt, his cheeks flushed pink from laughing.

On the couch, Jihoon, Minjae’s long-time friend and fellow omega, reached over and snatched the blocks before Jaehyun could put them in his mouth.

“Yah, you little troublemaker. Do you want to break your teeth before they’ve even grown in properly?”

Jaehyun only squealed and threw himself against Jihoon’s lap, babbling nonsense words.

From the kitchen, Minjae emerged with a necktie crookedly fastened and a lunchbox in hand. His hair was slightly messy, dark circles under his eyes, but his smile softened the tiredness.

“Hyung, you’re a lifesaver,” Minjae sighed, crouching to kiss Jaehyun’s head before handing him over to Jihoon. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Jihoon smirked, rocking the one-year-old against his chest.

“You’d probably be late for work every single day. And Jaehyun would destroy this place within an hour.”

“Appa!” Jaehyun babbled, reaching toward Minjae.

Minjae’s heart tugged as he leaned down, pressing another kiss to his son’s cheek.

“I’ll be back soon, my little bear. Be good for uncle Jihoon, okay?”

The baby pouted, fat tears threatening to form, but Jihoon distracted him with exaggerated faces and tickles until the tears turned into hiccuping laughs.

Minjae lingered at the door, eyes soft.

Even if Hyunwoo had forgotten him… even if he was raising Jaehyun without a father… he wasn’t truly alone.

And yet, some nights, when Jaehyun slept peacefully, Minjae still whispered into the dark:

> “Would you even care, if you knew?”